Sloppy Play Costs Shadow In 4-1 Loss To Salem

The Spokane Shadow were outplayed and outmanned in a 4-1 USISL soccer loss to the Salem Surge at Spokane Falls Community College on Saturday night.

“Their quickness and professionalism were the difference,” Spokane coach Einar Thorarinsson said.

Spokane’s sloppiness led to Salem’s first two goals, both after Spokane committed fouls near its goal.

The first goal came at the 3:43-mark of the first half. Salem took a direct free kick from 25 yards out and caught Spokane sleeping by putting the ball into play quickly and knocking a pass through the middle to Isidro Andrade 5 yards out. Andrade dribbled left and put the ball past sliding Spokane goalkeeper R.J. Merritt.

The Surge’s second goal came a little more than 4 minutes later when Andrade was tripped in the penalty box. Salem defender Chris Orozco took the penalty kick, blasting it left as Merritt dove right.

“We got the penalties because we were trying to make-up for being stuck behind,” Thorarinsson said.

The Surge scored their third goal 26 seconds into the second half when Byron Alvarez took a loose ball in front of the net and punched it in.

With less than 4 minutes left, Rogelio Serrano outraced the Shadow defense to a free ball and punched it underneath Merritt for Salem’s final tally.

Spokane’s goal came on a penalty kick with 31 seconds left after Shadow forward Dave Berto was taken down in the penalty box. Rick Mullins drove a hard shot past Surge goalkeeper Thomas Dutra to prevent the shutout.

Spokane is 4-6 with two games remaining. They play the Portland Firebirds on July 15 and the Seattle Hammers on July 21. Both games are at SFCC.