Warriors take revenge on Los Andes with 4-1 win

Apache FC improved its record to 7-1-2 and gained a measure of revenge over upper-table rivals Los Andes with a convincing 4-1 win at the Griffith Park turf field last night, keeping the Warriors in a solid second place with just two regular season matches to go.

The game, a likely match-up for the upcoming Cup quarterfinals, saw Apache pushed back on its heels for the first five minutes as the makeshift squad settled into unfamiliar positions, especially in midfield. The squad were missing no less than eight players.

But the defense and backup keeper Desmond Gallagher -- stepping in for a traveling Carlos Guerrero -- held Los Andes at bay and off the score sheet, allowing the team to settle into its passing game. An early strike from forward Nick Midulla also changed the complexion of the match ... and gave the Warriors some confidence. Midulla added a second cracker off a shot from the side of the Los Andes net about five minutes later (bringing him up to a season total of nine goals), and Ivan Miller also capitalized before the halftime whistle after making a run for the ball to the back line before directing a shot across the face of the goal and past the Los Andes keeper.

Halftime also saw the arrival of the Warriors only sub for the game, with Guillermo Herrera returning to action after missing a pair of games due to injury.

Apache continued to make runs early in the second half, but saw the team dropping a goal off a free kick outside the box about 15 minutes in. Gallagher, who filled Guerrero's shoes nicely -- and was awarded MVP of the match, was also forced to make a diving save off an errant and bouncing back pass from the mid-field.

The Warriors thought they sealed the match with about 20 minutes to go after a striker was taken down in the box and Richie Million converted the PK. But Million later received his second Yellow Card of the game for a take down in the Apache defensive zone ... and the Warriors were forced to play a man down for the remainder of the game. Strong defense and a great cross passing game though allowed Apache to keep control.

The three points give Apache a solid grasp on second place, five points above Los Andes. Next week the Warriors face bottom dwellers United FA for the third time this season (Griffith Park | June 14, 8:50 PM kickoff). And the regular season ends June 21 with a third crack at Hollywood United, who currently lead the tables.

Special thanks to David "Puma" Alarcon for stepping into coach Billy Alarcon's shoes for the game, and to all the Warriors fans who showed up to cheer the team on.

OTHER RESULTS:

United FC (0) vs Hollywood United (3) Default
Dinamo Lokomotiv (5) vs Santiagueno (4)