For a team that made the state tournament two years ago and won their league last season, the Kent-Meridian Royals had lofty expectations this season. Yet so far this season, they are waiting to hit their stride.
In their third game of the season against Auburn Mountainview, the search for their first win of the season continued, but to no avail. The Lions scored two second half goals to beat the Royals 2-0 on March 20.
It could be argued that Kent-Meridian had the better first half, and Manager Brian Gabert certainly thought so.
“Every team that beats us is because of our mistakes, not because of ‘look how good they are.’ I’ll play that team again and again and again,” Gabert said.
The Royals outshot the Lions, outpossessed the Lions and really outplayed Auburn Mountainview for the majority of the first half. But you have to score, and the Royals just couldn’t capitalize, and just kept missing the mark.
In full-time games this season, Kent-Meridian has scored just two goals across 240 minutes of gametime. In a league as competitive as the 3A NPSL, goals are a premium that the Royals just don’t have.
It’s not for a lack of talent either — the Royals have extremely good players. Keilor Cacho-Garcia is a U-18 Sounders Academy player and players like Johan Zuluaga and Johnny Lopez can make a big difference on the pitch at any given moment.
But so far this season, they just haven’t quite clicked.
“I think we look sexier than every team we play. When we are getting the ball upfront, getting the ball in front of the goal, we are making it exciting for fans, I think. We play exciting football and push the ball,” Gabert said.
In the second half, the Lions exploited one flaw in the Royals’ defense: Long balls over the top of the backline that begin a race to see who can reach it first. That led to two fouls and eventually one goal for the Lions.
“There were a couple things we could have got better at, but then burned us in the second half,” Gabert said.
Auburn Mountainview was not peppering the Kent-Meridian goalkeeper Edgar Govea Orozco with a number of shots. But the frustrating part is on the other side of the field, the Royals are outshooting their opponents, but not finding the net.
“Every game we have balls whizzing around the goal. How many shots did Auburn Mountainview have? Four, and two came from free kicks. Against Kentlake, it was exactly the same. Maybe I should have played more defense the last five minutes. But I think the best defense is a good offense,” Gabert said.
Gabert is searching for a bit of leadership, and he believes he can get some from his senior left back Christian Gomez San Juan.
“I want him to be like a coach on the field,” Gabert said.
But following the 2-0 loss, Gabert was critical about himself more than anything.
“It’s frustrating. I just gotta do a better job coaching. These guys are too good to not be scoring more goals,” Gabert said.
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Keilor Cacho Garcia takes a shot against the Lions of Auburn Mountainview. Ben Ray / The Reporter
