Recap by George Diamond

Despite many near misses, even hitting the crossbar, The Ocean City Nor’easters (9-4-0) fell to a red hot Seacoast United (14-1-0) team Friday night in the USL-League Two playoffs via a Zemedkun Rodriguez rebounder. 

After changing their tried and true 4-3-3 in an effort to neutralize West Chester United, Matt Perrella reverted back to his preferred formation. However, the Nor’easters had a sort of new look on the night as a result of some personnel and tactical changes.

Recent signings Jamie Davis (Univ. New Hampshire/Chesire, UK) and Kenan Hot (Duke/Lincroft, NJ) debuted and started for the Storm as Arthur Widiez (Florida Atlantic Univ./ Eze, France) moved up from midfield to left wing.

Additionally Moses Kafeero (Carleton University/Ottawa,ONT) and Rocco Haeufgloeckner (Temple/Kirchzell,Germany) started at outside back, the first time such a lineup was used.

After the Phantoms tried an attack directly from the kickoff, both teams slowed down and took their time on the ball. The opening minutes were slow and prodding as the Storm and Phantoms tried to figure each other out. 

Seacoast seemed content to hold onto the ball and pass back to their goalie, Tobias Jahn, throughout the match. This new look Nor’easter side had tweaked their tactics, and they too focused on maintaining possession. 

Both sides would set a ‘high press’ when the other played a backwards ball to their respective keeper but Seacoast in particular set their defensive line high up the field, especially when the Storm played a backwards ball in their defensive third.

In possession, Ocean City looked to work the ball into the extreme wide areas of the pitch. Kafeero and Hauefgloeckner, despite playing traditionally defensive positions, often made forward runs with Kafeero in particular looking to beat the Phantom backline. 

In the 23rd minute, the game came to life with a crazy sequence. Seacoast won a throw-in deep in Nor'easter territory. The initial ball was cleared by Agustin Resch (Seton Hall/Arata, Argentina) but Shun Kushima of the Phantoms was waiting at the top of the box. His lofted header beat Storm netminder Nathanael Sallah (Omaha-Nebraska/Hamburg, Germany) but clanged off the crossbar. 

Davis worked hard to regain possession for OC in midfield and eventually the ball was played back to Sallah. In that short time, while the Phantoms were still out of position, Kafeero spotted the space and made a lightning quick run to goal. Sallah, with the ball at his feet, spotted him and placed a long pass forward for the Canadian fullback. Kafeero, capitalized on a defensive misclear, got between the center backs and had only the onrushing keeper to beat. His curled shot was a little rushed and it barely skimmed wide of the far post.

Following this, Ocean City settled into the game and began to take control. 

Despite the Nor'easters' very attacking fullbacks, Seacoast United had few clear chances on the counter in the first half. Several plays were sniffed out by Kafeero, who racked up a few interceptions. If the ball crossed the midfield line, Resch or Bryce Meredith (Univ. of Memphis/Raleigh,NC) were there to win a challenge. Resch was the victim of several crunching tackles by the Phantoms and indeed 3 of their players were booked. Any balls sent into the Nor’easter box were of the long and hopeful variety; Sallah easily claimed them. 

Then, in the 33rd minute, the Nor’easters had their best opportunity of the match. Following a foul on Edward Gordon (Union-Omaha/Omaha,NE) in the Phantom’s third, Davis and Maruki Kawahara (Nebraska-Omaha/Tochigi,Japan) lined up to take the free kick from a wide position. Davis ultimately sent in a curling cross to the back post and Resch was there to meet it. The Argentinian was wide open and rose high to head the ball home only for it too to clang off the bar.

In the 39th minute there was another good chance for OC. Resch played a long ball onto a defender making a streaking run. Hauefgloeckner battled for, and won, position before flicking it up and into the box and heading across goal. Widiez deftly rolled the ball to Hale Lombard (Lafayette/ Belleaire Bluffs, FL) but his shot was blocked. The ball deflected to Widiez who shot, which deflected to Hauefgloeckner who’s volley went wide left. 

Shortly after, the referee blew his whistle to end the half.

In the 62nd minute, Matt Perrella turned to his bench for the first time and brought on new signing Joe Fala (NYRB II/Cape May Court House, NJ) for Lombard. 

In the 65th minute, Ocean again threatened the Phantom’s defense. Kawahara split two Seacoast players on a through pass to Hauefgloeckner. The German’s cross set up Widiez for a golden opportunity to open the scoring but he was unable to capitalize.

In the 73rd minute, Perrella subbed in Colin Veltri (Elon/Mays Landing, NJ) and Andy Latorre (Bethel Univ./Lima,Peru).

Seacoast United broke the deadlock in the 79th minute. Resch fouled the Phantom’s Taig Healy to set up a free kick from close range. The initial shot rebounded off Sallah’s crossbar but fell to the feet of Rodriguez who fired home. Despite the possibility of offside, after conferring with the assistant, the referee allowed the goal to stand.

Ocean City began to throw numbers forward in a desperate attempt to score. Despite trailing late, there was still enough time for the Nor’easters to equalize and they did manage to create a few good chances. Unfortunately, none resulted in a clean shot on goal.

In the 85th minute, Hauefgloeckner was pulling the strings, this time playing Veltri through on goal. The winger's shot from a tight angle was ultimately over the bar however. 

In the 90th minute, Kaelan Debbage (Spring Arbor Univ./Queensland, Australia) checked into the game for Hauefgloeckner. 

Into added time, a deep Sallah pass nearly led to a goal. After dribbling a Phantom, basically on his own goalline, the keeper sent a long ball that Resch and Fala chased down and won possession over. Resch took it to the endline and cut it back for Kawahara but his powerful shot was blocked away.

That would just about do it for the Nor’easters. 

After around 4 minutes of added time, the referee blew his whistle, ending the game and eliminating the Ocean City Nor’easters from the 2024 postseason.

Resch, Widiez, Veltri, and Debbage finish as the only players to appear in every game.

The result sees the Nor’easters drop 4 consecutive home games, a franchise low. 

Seacoast United Phantoms advance to the Round of 16 and will face Vermont Green FC on Sunday, July 21st at 7pm. 

That match will be held at Carey Stadium

Fans may purchase tickets online or in person

A live broadcast will also be available as the Nor’easters continue to partner with BFA Sports Media.

That livestream is available on Youtube and alternatively on SportsEngine