By Davis Ramage
March 22nd, 2025
Long Beach FC came in riding the momentum they built from its undefeated start and kept that momentum going with a thrashing of Apple Valley Storm Soccer Club.
Apple Valley came into the match winless in three games in its first season in the Premier Division. It was promoted to the Premier Division thanks to a 12-0 record in the SoCal East Division 1 last season.
LBFC asserted dominance early and was a step ahead of Apple Valley to every through ball and controlled the majority of the possession early.
The Long Beach wingbacks, David Forde and Mason Cookus, were creative early on the wings putting encouraging balls into the box while also getting back down the pitch to defend when Apple Valley was able to venture up the pitch in their patches of possession.
When Apple Valley found themselves approaching the LBFC goal, they were quickly closed down and forced by the LBFC defense to go long to no avail.
Apple Valley’s first threat came when winger Jett Casarez was played in by a beautiful ball and took it right past two LBFC defenders, but Long Beach goalie Charlie Murray fully extended on the ground to his right to keep the match at 0-0.
A beautiful run of play started by Michele Somenzi’s back heel pass to Lucas Gonzalez led to Gonzalez being fouled in the box for a penalty. The lefty took his penalty very well and slotted it perfectly in the bottom right corner to give LBFC a well deserved 1-0 lead.
“I think the team was really creating a lot of chances going forward, and we were getting a lot of opportunities, looks on goal, so it was just bound to happen, and I was happy I was able to secure that for the team,” Gonzalez said.
Shortly after, Forde found Somenzi in the middle of the box, and even with a heavy touch, Somenzi had enough time to set his feet and pass the ball into the back of the net to make it 2-0 Long Beach.
The second half started much like the first half ended with LBFC registering four shots on goal in the first two minutes with a saved follow attempt from Forde being the most threatening.
After a good pocket of play, Apple Valley’s winger Adriel Diaz dragged one just wide of the far post for their first chance of the second half.
The game entered a lull until LBFC midfielder Martin Velasquez clattered the crossbar on a free kick from about 25 yards out and forced an audible gasp from the heavy Long Beach crowd.
It was smooth sailing the rest of the way as both teams emptied their benches until Velasquez banged home a left-footed shot into the top left corner and sealed the game 3-0.
LBFC travels to Coachella FC next weekend to see if it can maintain its undefeated record against a solid Coachella team.
“We’re gonna keep it going,” Gonzalez said. “Just one game at a time.”
