USL Orange County SC

Blues Grab 2-0 Victory over Antigua

Published on July 15, 2012 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Orange County SC News Release


BRADENTON, Fla. -The Blues recorded their second straight road win over Antigua Barracuda FC on Saturday, defeating Head Coach Tom Curtis's side 2-0 behind tallies by Max Griffin and Matt Fondy. The victory was powered in large part by contributions from the quartet of new arrivals, Griffin, goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski as well as defenders Josh Suggs and Andrew Jean-Baptiste, who all registered starts in the contest.

The Blues opened by controlling most of the possession, but the first clear chance fell to the opposition in the eighth minute. Peter Byers managed to beat the offside trap and broke in on goal, only to see the attack defused by the onrushing Woszczynski. Antigua would go close again three minutes later, as Kimoi Alexander's shot from 25 yards out went just wide of the left post.

The Blues' first real chance came in the 18th minute, Josh Suggs making a strong run into the penalty area from the left-back position and hitting a cross that was blocked at the near post. Bryan Burke followed up, but his volley went straight into the arms of netminder Keita DeCastro.

The opening goal came from a similar move in the 25th minute. Suggs again found space on the left and his low cross was met at the near post bz Griffin, who did well to flick the ball into the right corner of the net. The tally was Griffin 's first since joining the Blues on loan from Orlando Citz earlier this week, and his second of the season.

The tally by the California native appeared to deflate Antigua, and Griffin had a chance to double the lead at the half-hour mark, as he was released into the left side of the penalty area on a nice chip by Burke, only for DeCastro to make the save on the attempted finish. Antigua went close to an equalizer seven minutes from halftime, but Kerry Skepple's inventive chip from the top-right corner of the penalty area drifted just wide of the left post.

The game slowed in the Florida heat after the break, but Antigua was able to create a few opportunities to get back on level terms. In the 54th minute, Byers was released into the left side of the penalty area by Matt Aldres and made his way to the byline before cutting back to his right foot and blasting on goal to force a quality save from Wyszczynski, followed by a low Quinton Griffith free-kick that went just past the left post.

Blues Head Coach Charlie Naimo's men had a good chance to double their lead with a quarter-hour to go, Brian Farber driving a curling shot just wide left of the opposition frame. Seven minutes later, Griffith again tried his luck at the other end, his long-range effort also sailing wide of the goal.

The Blues wrapped up the three points in the 83rd minute of play. Bryan Burke picked out an onside Fondy on the left side of the penalty area and the halftime substitute sent his finish into the bottom-right corner of the net. Fondy would go close again moments later, but the game's final attempt was denied by DeCastro.

While Antigua 's next match is away to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on July 27, the Blues take on the Rochester Rhinos that same day, also on the road.

The Fullerton-based club returns to its home field, Titan Stadium, on July 22 for a high-profile international exhibition with Guatemalan giants C.S.D. Municipal. The contest will be part of a doubleheader with the USL PRO side's sister club, the 12-0-1 Pali Blues, who have already clinched first place in their division and will kick off the exciting day of soccer as well as their postseason with the W-League Western Conference Championship game.

The Blues take on Municipal at 5 p.m. PT, with the kickoff time for Pali's playoff match yet to be determined. Tickets for the day's doubleheader are $20 for General Admission ($10 for kids 12 and under) and $30 for Midfield Premium seating. They may be purchased by calling 714-738-8011 or by visiting www.labluesprosoccer.com. General Admission group rates are available for orders of 15 tickets or more.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 15, 2012


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