May 21, 2017 League 1 Ontario Match Recap: Aurora FC vs Masters FA Saints (from League 1 Ontario website)

Match Recap: Aurora FC 3 - 4 Masters FA Saints
05/22/2017, 4:00pm EDT
By League1 Ontario staff

Masters FA Saints earned their first win of the 2017 season, finishing off Aurora FC 4-3 
following a tremendously entertaining match. 

"They are a type of team that like to play long and use their physicality, so our idea was 
to get the ball down, play some football, and keep it on the deck," said Aurora head coach, 
Derek O'Keeffe. 

"When we did that, we did it well. When we started to go long, I think we were playing into 
their hands at that stage. We're a footballing team, and I think when we do keep it on the 
ground we are capable of good football." 

Former TFC player Jose Melo (7', 35') nabbed a brace, while Maleik De Freitas (31') got his 
second of the season, and Yasin Shahwan (90') deposited the euphoric winner for Masters.

"The strategy was actually not to give up any goals in the first half, so much for that!" 
said Masters head coach, Rick Titus. 

"Throughout the game it was a lot of adjustment and trying to fit the right pieces into 
the puzzle because we have a new team here - it is really two teams coming together, 
new players together - and there are a lot of attitudes and personalities that you have 
to figure out and make sure you put them together on the field to create something that 
is special." 

"I think today with the win and the fashion with which we won, we galvanized the group 
and I think we are a family now. I think from here it can only get better." 

Jared Agyemang (33'), Jordan Kalk (40') and Matthew Caguana (74') kept the home side 
in the contest with well-timed goals, but it was a heartbreaker at the finish for a young 
Aurora side that is still in the early stages of formation.

"We're a new team, we're rebuilding, and there are a lot of players that don't know 
each other," said O'Keeffe.

"We have a new coach in myself, and all I've said to the team is that it is going to take 
time for us and we need to be patient. We are building a new team, and an exciting team 
that like to play football."

"Unfortunately it wasn't our day, but we'll learn from it and we'll create our own 
identity. It might take time, but we've got to be patient and we'll build our own brand. 
It will happen soon." 

Masters head coach Rick Titus got the win in only his second match in charge, and spoke 
to the team-building that needs to continue with the group. 

"Personalities can work one of two ways, either really bad for you or really good 
for you," he said. "Right now we are in the middle of it, but we are on our way up. 
Until then it will be a lot of work because we have to work with the personalities 
to make sure we have a good family."

"In every good family there is always going to be that one person that is this way, 
and the other that is that way, and so it is in the game. You have different cultures, 
and different people, and different levels of skill, so you are going to have issues 
moving into that area but eventually we'll get to the point where we have a good mix." 

"The main thing I want to accomplish with this group is get them into the family 
mentality," he concluded. 

"The experiences that we get from coaching, and watching them play, and become a team 
is what is memorable. You won't remember so much of the wins, but what you will remember 
is the bonding, the things that happen off the field and in training."

"The friendships and the different relationships you build along the way is the most 
important thing in the game, and I want them to be aware of that." 

Aurora FC will next play Woodbridge Strikers on Saturday May 27 
at St. Maximillian Kolbe H.S., Aurora.

Masters FA Saints will next play North Toronto Nitros on Sunday May 28 
at University of Toronto Varsity Stadium, Toronto. 

back to 2017 League 1 Ontario Men's index

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