Rocha capitalizes against familiar foe
David Rocha spent the majority of his soccer career in shouting distance of all the teams in one of the world’s best leagues but never got a shot against one of them.
So when Real Sociedad traveled across the Iberian Peninsula and the Atlantic Ocean to come to Texas, the Spaniard made the most of his long-awaited opportunity.
Rocha scored the first goal Tuesday to get the eighth annual Dynamo Charities Cup up and running at BBVA Compass Stadium.
The first-year Dynamo player also scored in the penalty shootout as the Dynamo won the cup 5-4 in penalties. Regulation ended 3-3, with Real Sociedad coming back from a three-goal deficit.
Real Sociedad is a regular in La Liga — Spain’s top division. It is visiting the United States after finishing its season tied for eighth place. Rocha played on five second- and thirddivision Spanish teams in 13 years but never in La
Liga.
Saturday’s UEFA Champions League final features Spanish clubs Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. Another Spanish side, Sevilla, recently won the Europa League.
“Soccer in Spain is so difficult,” Rocha said. “You can see that in this team. They have some of the more important players in the world. Spain is the best league in the world. They are on a very high level.”
Rocha’s opener came in the 22nd minute on a free kick from wide of the left side of the penalty area. The serve was short and appeared to target Jalil Anibaba running across the box. Anibaba ducked, allowing the ball to bounce.
That fooled goalkeeper Ander Bardaji, and the ball kept going untouched into the side netting at the far post.
The excitement was just beginning. The Dynamo scored the first three goals.
Real Sociedad defender Mikel Gonzalez’s own goal in the 31st minute gave the Dynamo a 2-0 halftime lead. Dynamo forward Mauro Manotas added to the lead in the 48th minute when he dribbled to the top of the box and unleashed a low, curling shot around goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli.
That goal was the third for Manotas in two Charities Cup games, breaking the team record. He was named the Man of the Match.
Real Sociedad wasted little time getting within striking distance. Xabi Prieto scored in the 55th minute and Jon Bautista in the 59th. Ruben Pardo scored the equalizer in the 73rd minute on a shot in tight quarters from just outside the box.