On Sunday evening. The Tulip City United team traveled to Dearborn, Michigan, and defeated the Cedars FC 2-1. The Tulips played an excellent first half, dominating possession, but succumbed to a quick counterattack that created the 0-1 deficit at halftime. The team made some adjustments and came out with determination and verve. After a number of attempts. Paulo Alcala fed the ball to Nic Kubert who scored on a quick move into the box. Just a few minutes later, goalie Sean O’Meara hit a long ball that found the foot of a streaking Jordan Walker to make the score 2-1. At that point, T.C.U. absorbed pressure. The Tulips scored a third goal that was negated by an offsides call. In the end, O’Meara earned an impressive clean sheet, and the three points from the win catapults the team into third place in the league. “I was very happy with the way we played today,” said Tulip City United coach Greg Ceithaml. “We kept our poise and controlled the tempo. It is hard to win on the road, but the team’s effort tonight was enough for the win.” T.C.U. is now 3-2-2 in the Midwest Premier League with 11 points behind Cedars FC with 12 points and Inter Detroit with 15 points. The Tulips’ next game is next Friday on the road to face the Lansing Common FC in the Grand River Open Cup.
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On Saturday night, the Tulip City United team tied with the Grand Haven Admirals 1-1. The point keeps the Tulips near the top of the table in the Midwest Premier League standings. The first half was back and forth with both teams having momentum at different times. Tulip City United was able to push forward just before halftime when forward Nick Kubert rocketed a shot off the side post and Jordan Walker converted the ricochet to give Holland’s club the 1-0 lead. Tulip City United played better in the second half aided by the defensive pressure from midfielders Levi Crooks, Ethan Jansen, and Grant Hofland. In stoppage time, a foul just outside the top of the box gave the Admirals one last opportunity, which they converted to create the final 1-1 score. “It was a tense battle with a lot of emotion,” said the Tulip City United coach Greg Ceithaml. “I was happy with the way we played. We did everything we had to do to win. We have to learn how to close out games.” The T.C.U. soccer club will travel to the Cedars FC in Dearborn, MI next Sunday.
On Wednesday night, the Tulip City United soccer team hosted the Grand Rapids club BiH in the group stage of the Grand River Open Cup tournament. The Tulips held possession for most of the first and second half despite the intense heat of the day. Forwards Jordan Walker and Nic Kubert had dangerous shots, but the team could not convert. Towards the end of the match, BiH created a few opportunities that were saved by both keepers Andrew Marsh and Saul Gomez. With four minutes to go in regulation, BiH hit the net, but the goal was called back for offsides. After regulation, the game went directly into penalty kicks. Unfortunately, TCU’s first attempt was saved. After that, each of the Tulip penalty kicks went in, but the team dropped the shootout 4-5. “Today, we played well,” said Tulip City United coach Greg Ceithaml. “BiH played with consistency and determination that we anticipated. Our play was a step forward. We are all disappointed with the final result, but I am happy with our style of play.” Tulip City United has another Midwest Premier League home game on Saturday when they host the Grand Haven Admirals at 7:00 on Saturday. Fans can get tickets at www.TulipCityUnited.com.
On Sunday night in Riverview, MI, the Tulip City United team dropped its second Midwest Conference Game to Inter Detroit 3-0. The Holland team was under pressure but the defense of Conner Fowler, Jared Cromwell, Jackson Strabel, and Michael Saldana kept keeper Sean O’Meara safe. In the second half, the team pressured the Inter Detroit goal more but could not convert. With 18 minutes left in the half, the Tulips conceded a goal. Unfortunately, a penalty kick was awarded just a few minutes after that, and riding an emotional high, the Detroit team converted a third goal with only a few minutes left. “It was a disappointing game,” said the Tulip City United coach Greg Ceithaml. “We did not play well. We gave up the ball too easily. I give credit to Inter Detroit for their persistence. We have to connect passes and maintain possession if we want to be successful going forward. We will work on it, and we look forward to playing at home this week.” Tulip City United will host BiH from Grand Rapids on Wednesday, June 15 at 7:00 in a rare midweek match. The game will help determine the finals in the Grand River Open Cup tournament. Tickets for the match can be purchased at www.TulipCityUnited.com . On Saturday evening, the Tulip City United team lost their first game of the season to the Michigan Jaguars 3-1. The Jaguars struck first when Hasan Daoud shot from distance beating TCU goalie Andrew Marsh to the right corner just ten minutes into the first half. Ten minutes later, the Tulips were awarded a penalty kick that Levi Crooks converted to tie up the score. Just moments after that, the Jaguars were awarded a penalty kick. Again, Hasan Daoud scored and put the Jaguars on top 2-1. In the second half, Tulip City pressed, but the Jaguars handled the pressure and transitioned. Jaguar Ren Suzuki scored the final goal of the match with just over twelve minutes to go. “We were tentative and indecisive,” said Tulip City United coach Greg Ceithaml. “Credit the Michigan Jaguars who pressured us into making many uncharacteristic mistakes. It is hard to lose, but we are learning more about our team and we will work hard to improve for next week.” The loss drops the Tulip City United club to 2-1-1 and into a tie for second place behind Inter Detroit. Coincidently, the Tulips travel to Inter Detroit next weekend with a chance to regain the top of the table. The game is Saturday, June 11 at 5:00. Photos by Auden Ceithaml
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