Wisconsin Soccer Central

There was no middle ground for Madison 56ers coach Jim Launder when it came to his team's match against Croatia Cleveland in Friday's opener at the U.S. Adult Soccer Association Region II Amateur Cup.

A midfield, yes. But just not enough quality on offense or defense.

Failures to convert chances on one end and allowing runs in behind the backline at the other led to a 3-0 loss at Chicago Gaelic Park in Oak Forest, Ill., leaving the 56ers all but eliminated from contention for Sunday's championship game.

"We played pretty good soccer," Launder said. "But we're not good enough up front, we're not good enough in the back. We're good enough in the midfield."

The 56ers (3-3-1), playing in the tournament for the first time since 1992, in all likelihood need to beat FC Indiana and Illinois' AAC Eagles in their final two pool matches on Saturday and hope that other results go their way to advance to the final.

Madison was without three regulars — midfielder Trevor Banks (Madison Memorial) and defenders Taylor Waspi (UW) and Bram Dorrestyn (Madison Memorial/UW) — due to other obligations or injury, which contributed to some of the team's struggles.

Croatia Cleveland scored in the 34th and 59th minutes to seize control of a fairly even match, Launder said, adding that Madison nearly took the lead minutes before the opening goal.

"We let guys get behind us four or five times and they got a couple goals out of it," Launder said.

The 56ers also had a golden chance to cut their deficit in half, but the Croatia Cleveland goalkeeper made a great save to deny William Bagayoko (UW). "If he scores that one, it could have been an exciting finish," said Launder, whose team has been outscored 7-0 in its last two matches.

Instead, Croatia Cleveland weathered the storm defensively and added another goal in the 84th to seal the victory.

"The third goal, we were just pouring guys forward. We had a ton of the game at that stage, but you leave yourself pretty exposed," Launder said.

Then to add insult to injury, the 56ers played the final minutes with 10 men after UW-Oshkosh midfielder Will Howell (Waunakee) was shown a red card in the 87th for shoving a Croatia Cleveland player.

Howell is suspended for the FC Indiana match and possibly for the game against the AAC Eagles, too. It is believed to be the first red card issued to a 56ers (or Princeton-56ers) player in the National Premier Soccer League team's five-year history.

Butler goalkeeper Nick Powell (Madison Memorial) finished with five saves for the 56ers.

From the touchline

Waspi (sprained ankle) was ruled out of the match after a late fitness. Launder said he and Dorrestyn likely will play Saturday, as will Reed Cooper (Madison West). The former West Virginia player was a standout defender for the team, earning All-NPSL Midwest Region honors each of the past three years, but has since moved to St. Louis. ... The 56ers played in the Region II Amateur Cup in 1990 and 1992, winning the event and advancing to the national finals each time. The team won the national championship in 1992, beating IFC Greensboro on penalty kicks after a 1-1 tie.

Croatia Cleveland — Name not available 34
Croatia Cleveland — Name not available 59
Croatia Cleveland — Name not available 84

CROATIA CLEVELAND: Lineup not available.
MADISON 56ERS: Nick Powell; Chris Brown (J.C. Banks 61), Cale Cooper (Parker Walton 73), Will Howell, Brian Bultman; Eric Meyer (William Bagayoko 61), Keith Dangarembwa, Kyle Pateros, Pablo Delgado (Adam Lysak 61), Henry Aiyenero; Ilya Ksenidi (Demetrius White 73).

Saves: C 6, M (Powell) 5.
Shots: C 11, M 10. Fouls: C 12, M 7. Corner kicks: C 3, M 3. Offsides: C 4, M 2. Discipline: C — 3 cautions (details not available); M — Pateros (77, caution); M — White (82, caution); M — Bultman (85, caution); M — Howell (87, ejection).