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Published on 06/30/1999 All articles from this issue

Ambassadors push their luck in Reno, fall 3-1 to upstart Zephyrs

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By Pete Borello / Town Crier Staff Writer

Pro-Am

Soccer Report

he Silicon Valley Ambassadors have been playing without a full complement of players in recent weeks and it's apparently starting to affect the team's performance.

The locally based men's minor league soccer team had just 14 players available for last Sunday's game in Reno. The result: a 3-1 loss to the first-year Nevada Zephyrs, a team the Ambassadors had already defeated three times this season.

"It's definitely a problem," midfielder Kris Menzel said of the player shortage. "We've had to use a lot of new players and young guys."

So where is everybody?

Some players have been busy playing for their respective state cup teams, Ambassadors coach Franco Benevento said. But other players simply aren't showing up for games and/or practices, according to Menzel.

"Guys are getting fined," the former Los Altos resident said "I think it's a morale problem."

Sunday's loss dropped the team to 4-4 in the PDL's Southwestern Division and 7-5 overall.

The Ambassadors' only goal came from forward Dan Fife, who tied the match at 1 early in the second half.

However, the Zephyrs (4-5, 7-7) regained control by scoring twice in the final 10 minutes.

The Ambassadors host the Spokane Shadow at 2 p.m., Sunday at Prospect High in San Jose.

Cannon saves Clash

Joe Cannon of Los Altos Hills helped the San Jose Clash of Major League Soccer beat the host Miami Fusion 2-1 Saturday. Cannon made two stellar defensive plays in goal, including a diving save in the 31st minute.