Jesters defeat Florida Roots 2-0
New Orleans, LA. The New Orleans Jesters defeated Florida Roots FC 2-0 tonight at Pan American Stadium. Forwards Rafael Calderon and Sheldon Green supplied the goals as the Jesters earned their first win of the season.
The game started at a frenetic pace but the first good chance didn’t come until the 15th minute when New Orleans earned a free-kick 20 yards out. Ricardo Gomez played it short to midfielder Erick Gunera whose driven shot swerved just wide of the left upright.
In the 20th minute Roots midfielder Philipp Harder forced Jesters goalkeeper Alex Hare to make a save with a speculative attempt from outside the box that Hare gathered into his midriff.
The Jesters threatened again in the 25th minute as Ricardo Gomez tried his luck from eighteen yards out. His shot zipped over the surface forcing goalkeeper Haakon Utesche to make a save. Utesche spilled the shot but managed to scramble the ball away to safety.
New Orleans finally broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute after a quick sequence of passes saw the ball worked out to the right side for winger Charlie Curtis. Curtis clipped the ball across to forward Rafael Calderon who snapped a header past the diving Utesche
The Jesters doubled their lead ten minutes into the second half after substitute midfielder Rolando Sanchez was bundled over in the box. Sheldon Green stepped up to take the penalty but saw his shot saved. However the referee pointed at the spot to give him a second chance after judging that Utesche had moved off his line early. Green tucked the second attempt away to make it 2-0.
The game was paused for an hour and a half at the 70 minute mark because of lightning and torrential rain. The match resumed after the break with the Jesters controlling the tempo to see out the remaining twenty minutes and earn the win.
New Orleans are home again next Saturday night at Pan American Stadium to face Jacksonville Armada ($10, nolajesters.com).