‘Super important moment’: AC Boise makes history with dominant victory
The City of Boise has enjoyed its fair share of sporting history down the years. Whether it be a plucky 6-foot quarterback helping put Boise State University and its blue football field on the map, or the Idaho Steelheads’ dominance in the ice rink throughout the 2000s, the city and its fans have had plenty to cheer about.
But in the city’s 163-year history, its residents have never gotten the chance to explode into raptures as their local soccer team secured a competitive win on Idaho soil.
That was until Saturday night.
In just its second home game in team history, AC Boise routed New York-based team Westchester SC 4-0 in front of a sold-out crowd of 7,204 at the Stadium at Expo Idaho in Garden City.
Boise’s first game on home soil, against Spokane Velocity FC on April 4, ended in a 1-1 draw. Saturday’s victory moves AC Boise to 2-1-2 on the season and into a top-eight playoff spot in the USL League One standings — albeit with 27 of 32 games still to go.
“Excited for the fans. Super important moment for our club... to do it in that fashion was impressive from the players,” AC Boise head coach Nate Miller said after the game. “Just overall a great night. I’m happy for the supporters, they’ve helped build this club.”
While the home fans had to wait until the second half to celebrate a goal in the tie against Spokane, they didn’t have to wait quite as long this time around.
After controlling possession for much of the opening moments, the home side broke the deadlock courtesy of midfielder Tumi Moshobane in the 16th minute. A deep corner kick to the back post was headed back into the center of the box, leading to a moment of pinball before Moshobane poked home the ball for the opener.
The home crowd barely had a chance to catch its breath before Boise doubled its lead in the 21st minute.
Boise forward Thomas Amang won possession in midfield and carried the ball down the center of the park before laying off a pass to fellow midfielder Nick Moon. Moon eliminated Westchester’s final defender from play with a deft pass on the edge of the box to Ukrainian midfielder Denys Kostyshyn, who took a quick touch and slotted the ball into the bottom left corner.
“When you score early, it changes everything. The team can’t just sit there and defend their box,” Miller said. “... There was a little bit of pressure today in the first half; we knew they were gonna sit deep. We knew we had to break them down.”
The scoreline forced Westchester to step out of its deep block to open the second half, and Kostyshyn didn’t take long to double his tally. Receiving a long ball down the right wing from defender Jonathan Ricketts, Kostyshyn dribbled right at his defender before cutting inside onto his left foot and curling the best goal of the night into the top left corner.
Kostyshyn’s brace also brought him to a team-leading four goals on the season. The 28-year-old attacking midfielder arrived in Boise this season from Kosovo team FC Drita.
“I try to do hard work every game,” Kostyshyn said, “and sometimes hard work leads to an experience like this.”
Second-half substitute Luan Brito completed the scoring in the 68th minute after stabbing home a rebound in front of the River Guard, AC Boise’s official fan group.
Members of the River Guard remained in the stands long after the final whistle, chanting and letting off purple smoke bombs before making their way over to the beer garden for further post-game celebrations.
“They’re the best fans in the league, and especially at home, we’re going to make this place a fortress,” said defender Jake Crull, who made his 150th USL appearance on Saturday. “And it’s not just from the players, it’s from the people in the stands as well.”
AC Boise will head on the road next weekend to face Las Vegas Lights FC in the team’s first group stage match of the USL Cup.
