5/17/19 DKCU v Union Dubuque
23’ Lukasz Sulka Goal DKCU 46’ 54’ Alberto Martinez Goal DKCU 69’ Keegan Smith Goal UDFC 70’ (OG) Jack Dunn DKCU
Ben Holda writes.
On an overcast evening in Northern Illinois, DeKalb County United played host to Union Dubuque FC on Youth Soccer Night, Dubuque came into DeKalb looking to improve on their tally of 4 points through their first 2 games. DeKalb walked into the friendly confines looking to bounce back from a 0-3 loss in Milwaukee last Saturday. United also welcomed in both Sycamore mayor Curt Lane, and DeKalb mayor Jerry Smith to help with the pre-game coin flip.
DeKalb County United and Union Dubuque have history, with both clubs joining the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) in 2018. DeKalb County is looking to add to their 2-0-0 record against the Union after winning both games thanks to late fashion heroics last season. Dubuque is looking to avenge those defeats and shake this big green monkey off their back.
The game opened dry both in play and in weather, but the downpour began in the 10th minute of the match, and the game seemed to pick up momentum as the rain began. DeKalb Forward Lukasz Sulka opened his United account in the 23rd minute by capitalizing on a Dubuque mistake that allowed 3 United players move the ball around the Union keeper for the first goal on the evening.
The rain let up as half time started to approach, but Alberto Martinez decided the half wasn’t over yet. In the 46th minute, Martinez put one in the upper 90° of the goal while facing away from goal. as the half time whistle was blown, he put his side up 2-0 going into the break.
The second half looked just as promising as the first when Martinez put yet another goal past Dubuque in the 54th minute. Despite the score line Dubuque did attempt to stay in the game, converting on the corner kick via Keegan Smith in the 69th minute to take away the clean sheet from United keeper Patrick Smith (no relation). Unfortunately for Dubuque, as quickly as they brought the deficit down to 2 goals, Dubuque let in an own goal off a free kick in the 70th minute from Jack Dunn which ultimately decided the game with DKCU winning it 4-1 against Union Dubuque, their first victory of the season.
Following the match, Alberto Martinez noted “I’m feeling confident and a lot better about this season! It’s a great boost winning 4-1 and scoring two goals. It brings a lot of confidence to me, and I feel good.” Coming off a rough 2018 campaign, it’s a breath of fresh air to see Alberto producing again, as well as United finding the back of the net, after ending what was a 188-minute scoring drought. The last time united found the back of the net before the 23rd minute was against Cedar Rapids back on May 4th.
The victory also marked DKCU's biggest home victory in their short-lived history. Due to Madison dropping from the UPSL, DeKalb will receive 3 points via forfeit. These two add up to put DeKalb atop the UPSL Midwest Central division with 7 points.
DeKalb County United will play again against the DeKalb-Sycamore All-Stars on May 23rd at 7pm.
UPSL action continues on Sunday, June 3rd, when United travel up into Wisconsin to play the Croatian Eagles.