Mississippi Brilla FC (5-1-2) stays on top of the USL League Two Mid-South Division after defeating Houston FC 3-1.
Houston FC (1-4-2) struck first after a goal in the 15th minute putting Brilla instantly in recovery mode.
Staying focused, Brilla continued to pressure the goal after many stops from Houston’s keeper, but Victor Pimentel found the back of the net after receiving a great cross from Arturo Astorga in the 31st minute. Astorga’s left footed cross found Pimentel in the air for the header.
Pimentel’s goal evened up the match, but his second goal gave Brilla FC the lead. After receiving a pass from Revenales, Pimentel powered towards the left post but pulled up to send an easy ball from his inside foot under the keeper and into the goal.
Brilla took the 2-1 lead into the half and would not give up the lead for the remainder of the game.
After a hard foul in the box on forward Sondre Olsen, Brilla captain Ryan Tyrer netted a relaxed penalty kick in the 87th minute to extend the lead to 3-1.
Head coach Luke Sanford praised the poise his team had after falling down a goal, but said keeping a clean sheet is a must in the future.
“We have to stop putting ourselves in the 1-0 holes like that,” he said, “but obviously this team has the character to pull themselves out. They showed a lot of composure, not freaking out, just kind of stayed the course.”
Sanford said the team stuck to the game plan for the most part, and liked the execution he saw from his team.
“The character of a good team is that they keep getting better and better,” he said. “But we need a clean sheet at some point.”
“We’ve had some unfortunate goals this season, but tonight we showed the ability to keep the ball really well, and our final third showed creativity in doing what they do really well, scoring.”
Mississippi Brilla FC will be back in action on Sunday, June 16 taking on Houston FC in the second game of a two-game homestead.
Sunday night’s game will be held at Arrow Field on the campus of Clinton high School.
Tickets are $5, and kickoff is slated for 7:00 pm.