Dwyer Leads Lions Past Sounders Reserves
Published on May 13, 2013 under United Soccer League Championship (USL) News Release
TACOMA, Wash. -Dom Dwyer scored both goals as Orlando City took a 2-0 victory against the Seattle Sounders Reserves on Sunday evening at Cheney Stadium. Dwyer's two goals moved him to 10 for the season, with seven coming in the last three games.
Orlando grabbed an early lead in the fourth minute as Dwyer was able to get on the end of a cross by Luke Boden that was flicked onto the far post by Dennis Chin past Sounders goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann. The Lions created another chance in the eighth minute, Chin laying off a pass to Kevin Molino, but the Trinidad and Tobago international's shot was saved.
Orlando continued to press, and Chin had an effort deflected over the crossbar and out for a corner in the 14th minute. Seattle's first chance arrived a couple of minutes later, only for David Estrada to send his shot wide of the net. The Sounders Reserves then came into the game more fully, with former Charleston Battery standout Alex Caskey at the center of much of it, his delivery from a free kick being headed back across goal by Patrick Ianni, only for the Lions to clear for a corner.
Dwyer went close to a second just past the half-hour mark, his free kick being bobbled before Hahnemann was able to claim. Dwyer again forced a good save from Hahnemann three minutes later, a turning half-volley being smothered by the former U.S. National Team member.
Orlando would add to its lead eight minutes after the halftime break, Chin breaking down the left before centering to the English striker for a strong finish that moved him into double-digits for the season. The Lions had another chance 10 minutes later as Chin was played through by Jamie Watson, but Hahnemann was able to save.
Seattle almost pulled a goal back with 18 minutes to go, Sammy Ochoa breaking in, but his shot was saved by Miguel Gallardo, who was making his first appearance of the season following an injury in preseason. The Sounders Reserves continued to press forward to try and get back into the game late on, but the Lions were able to hold them off the scoreboard for a third consecutive victory.
TUESDAY
LA GALAXY RESERVES 4, LA BLUES 3: The Los Angeles Blues almost rallied to claim a point after falling into a four-goal deficit, but they were unable to find a late equalizer as the LA Galaxy Reserves took victory at the Home Depot Center Track Stadium. Hector Jimenez had a goal and two assists for the Galaxy, while Shay Spitz and Allan Russell both scored as the Blues put in a strong second-half surge.
The Galaxy Reserves opened on the front foot, and took the lead in the sixth minute as Gyasi Zardes found space down the right side and cut into the penalty area before finding Michael Stephens 15 yards from goal for a low finish.
Zardes and Stephens continued to connect, and Stephens went close to his second goal in the 14th minute as he rang a shot off the crossbar after being played into the left side of the penalty area. Three minutes later, however, the Galaxy would double their advantage as Jimenez slid a ball from the right across the top of the six-yard box for Chandler Hoffman to tuck home a finish.
Jimenez played provider again with seven minutes to go in the first half, his cross being headed home by Zardes as the former Ventura County Fusion standout made it 3-0. The Galaxy picked up where they left off early in the second half as Zardes drew a penalty kick in the 48th minute, which was converted by Jimenez.
The Blues were able to pull a goal back a handful of minutes later, the Galaxy's Rafael Garcia turning a cross into his own net to reduce the deficit to three. They then pulled another goal back with 18 minutes to go, Spitz scoring off a cross by Jimmy Turner, giving a comeback an opportunity to materialize.
The comeback continued with just under 10 minutes to go as a foul in the penalty area resulted in a penalty for the Blues, and Russell converted from the penalty spot to pull his side within a goal. The Blues were unable to complete the comeback, however, as the Galaxy were able to possess the ball well and wind out the clock to preserve their victory.
THURSDAY
PITTSBURGH 2, PHOENIX 1: The Pittsburgh Riverhounds took their first win of the season, and first victory at Highmark Stadium, as Jose Angulo scored a pair of goals to lead his side past Phoenix FC. The goals gave Angulo, who scored the first goal in Highmark Stadium history, three goals in two games at the Riverhounds' new home.
Phoenix's Diego Faria had the game's first opportunity, forcing a good low save from Hunter Gilstrap off a free kick from just outside the penalty area. The Wolves then hit the post in the eighth minute, Thomas Ramos almost taking advantage of a defensive error by the Riverhounds.
The Wolves continued to have the better of the game, but the Riverhounds were able to take the lead in the 22nd minute as a pass upfield found Jose Angulo in space, and he was able to lift his finish over an advancing Andrew Weber and into the net. Phoenix almost hit back immediately, Faria flicking a header that went off the top of the crossbar.
The Riverhounds were able to double their lead six minutes into the second half as Michael Seamon stole possession in the Wolves' half and took off down the left before sending a far-post cross that was met by Angulo's header, the finish tucking just inside the right post.
Phoenix tried to rally, and Gilstrap had to make a pair of saves to deny Faria and Travis Bowen, who was denied as he followed up on the rebound from Faria's shot in the 67th minute. Aaron King was able to pull a goal back in second-half stoppage time, tapping home a knock-down by Donny Toia from a corner, but the Riverhounds were able to see out the victory, Phoenix's Travis Bowen being sent off just before the final whistle.
FRIDAY
ROCHESTER 1, WILMINGTON 0: The Rochester Rhinos claimed their first victory of the season, defeating the Wilmington Hammerheads at Legion Stadium. While the Hammerheads had much of the play, Kristian Nicht put in a standout performance for the Rhinos while Matt Horth scored the decisive goal in the 79th minute.
Wilmington's Cody Arnoux was lively in his first game of the season, making a comeback from a hamstring injury, putting pressure on the Rhinos' defense. Arnoux's industry paid off in the 20th minute as his effort deflected off the arm of a Rochester defender, resulting in a penalty kick. Arnoux himself stepped up to the spot, but fired his effort over the crossbar, keeping the game scoreless.
The Hammerheads went close a few minutes later from a corner, Gareth Evans' header going off the outside of the post and away for a goal kick. Wilmington continued to push forward, Richard Isberner shooting just wide in the 36th minute, and Rochester's Mike Reidy also had a good opportunity three minutes later, firing just wide of the right post from the left side of the penalty area.
Rochester had a good opening early in the second half, Horth's shot from 20 yards forcing a save from Phil Tuttle. The Hammerheads continued to hold the upper hand overall, though, and came close to breaking the deadlock as Paul Nicholson stole possession in midfielder and found Isberner, who passed along to an overlapping Tom Parratt for a low shot that was saved. The Hammerheads again went close a minute later from a corner, Nicht making a good stop from Daniel Steres to keep the ball from creeping over the line.
Wilmington continued to press forward, second-half substitute Steven Perry sending an effort over the crossbar with just over 20 minutes to go. Perry then forced a good save from Nicht after being played into the penalty area by Steres, the German goalkeeper punching the shot away to safety.
The Rhinos took the lead with 11 minutes to play, Reidy making a surging run toward the penalty area from the left before laying a pass off the Horth, whose low shot found the back of the net. Wilmington had late chances to equalize, but Kyle Greig's header went just over the crossbar as the Rhinos held on for victory.
HARRISBURG 4, ANTIGUA 0: Sainey Touray had two goals and an assist as the Harrisburg City Islanders took victory against Antigua Barracuda FC at Skyline Sports Complex. The win was Harrisburg's fifth of the season.
The City Islanders struck twice in the opening three minutes, Touray being played in behind the Barracudas' defense down the left, and his low cross was met by Morgan Langley for a close-range finish. Two minutes later, Touray himself found the back of the net, volleying home from the left side of the penalty area after Langley and Greg Jordan had kept alive a deep corner by Cris Hernandez.
Antigua was able to settle down following the opening flurry, and started trying to build some attacking moves. A long-range effort from Tamorley Thomas went just wide, and Randolph Burton tried to pressure the City Islanders' back line. Playing a high line, the Barracudas were susceptible on the counter-attack, and Touray almost added a second, shooting just wide of the right post.
The Barracudas twice came close to halving the deficit before halftime, Eugine Kirwan using his speed to create an opportunity in the 38th minute that Nick Noble palmed away. Another chance came from the ensuing throw-in which came to Thomas for a shot that was straight at the Harrisburg goalkeeper. Kirwan came close again five minutes later as he turned his defender well on a breakaway, only to shoot tamely.
Antigua was reduced to 10 men with just over 25 minutes to go, Lawson Robinson being sent off after a strong challenge on Jason Pelletier, and Harrisburg soon took advantage of their man-advantage as Touray added his second off a cross by Andrew Ribeiro.
Harrisburg had other chances to add to its lead in the final 20 minutes, but Antigua goalkeeper Molvin James made some good saves to deny them as the Barracudas continued to battle until the final whistle. James was unable to do anything about the City Islanders final goal, however, as Leo Fernandes scored his first professional goal with a fine free kick with three minutes to go, capping the scoring.
SATURDAY
DAYTON 4, PHOENIX 3: Joel DeLass and Gibson Bardsley scored two goals apiece as the Dayton Dutch Lions withstood a strong comeback by Phoenix FC to take victory at Beavercreek Stadium. The win broke a two-game losing streak for the Dutch Lions, and kept the Wolves winless on the road this season.
Phoenix took an early lead in the sixth minute as a close-range effort by Thomas Ramos hit the underside of the crossbar and dropped over the goal line. The Dutch Lions were able to get back on even terms in the 18th minute as an angled pass by Shintaro Harada found DeLass in space on the left, and the midfielder shot low into the right corner of the net.
The game remained open at both ends, Phoenix's Diego Faria forcing a good save from Matt Williams to tip an effort over the crossbar. Wolves goalkeeper Andrew Weber also had to be sharp, making a good save from Brandon Swartzendruber in the 26th minute.
Dayton took the lead in the final minute of the first half, with Bardsley getting a return pass from a throw-in on the left before cutting into the penalty area and shooting into the right corner of the net. Bardsley then added a second three minutes into the second half, latching onto a pass by Eli Garner before shooting low into the left corner from the right side of the penalty area.
Dayton appeared to have put the game away with 13 minutes to play after being awarded a penalty for a foul in the penalty area that DeLass shot low into the left side of the net to make it 4-1. Phoenix hit back immediately, however, as Aaron King drove home a fierce finish from 12 yards for his second goal in as many games two minutes later.
The Wolves then pulled within a goal in the 80th minute, Peabo Doue heading home from a corner. Phoenix thought it had tied the game off a free kick three minutes later, only for the assistant referee's flag to be raised for offside. The Wolves again went close from a corner in the 89th minute, a header going just over the crossbar, but they were unable to find a fourth goal to earn a point.
CHARLESTON 4, WILMINGTON 2: The Charleston Battery scored four goals in the opening 30 minutes as they won a rematch of the 2012 USL PRO Championship Game against the Wilmington Hammerheads at Blackbaud Stadium. Nicki Paterson had a goal and assist, giving him three goals in the last three games, as both sides finished with 10 men.
In an energetic opening, the Hammerheads came close to opening the scoring in the first minute, Daniel Roberts hitting the post with a shot from inside the penalty area. A minute later, the Battery would grab the lead, Nicki Paterson leading Dane Kelly with a pass, and the Jamaican put away his finish for a 1-0 lead.
Paterson doubled the Battery's lead in the 13th minute as he was able to get in behind the Hammerheads' defense, running onto a pass by Colin Falvey before shooting into the left corner of the net from 15 yards. Zach Prince added a third eight minutes later, curling in a shot from just outside the penalty area into the right corner.
John Wilson added the Battery's fourth on the half-hour mark, scoring his second goal of the season on a fine individual effort. The Hammerheads fought back in the opening 15 minutes of the second half, however as Paul Nicholson got his side on the board in the 53rd minute, his second goal of the season. Nicholson then scored a second for the Hammerheads six minutes later, cutting the halftime deficit in half.
The Battery were reduced to 10 men with just under 25 minutes to go, Cody Ellison being sent off after a scuffle near the top of the Battery penalty area, but the Hammerheads also saw red three minutes later as defender Gareth Evans was sent off after a hard foul on Dane Kelly, eliminating the man-advantage. Wilmington was still able to push forward to try and get back into the game, Uriah Bentick going close to a goal with a header in the final 10 minutes, but the Battery withstood the late pressure to take their fifth consecutive victory.
RICHMOND 4, ANTIGUA 1: Joseph Ngwenya had a hat trick as the Richmond Kickers took victory against Antigua Barracuda FC at City Stadium. All three of Ngwenya's goals came in the first half, giving him five for the season so far, while Nate Robinson had three assists on the night.
Robinson had the first opportunity for the Kickers, a shot from distance that was held by Antigua goalkeeper Molvin James. Ngwena also went close in the opening 15 minutes on a volley from the top of the penalty area that slid just wide of the left post.
The Kickers took the lead in the 18th minute as Robinson found space on the left side, and his low cross went across the top of the six-yard box to find Ngwenya at the far post for the finish. Ngwenya added a second five minutes later, heading home as Brian Ownby was able to keep at attack alive with a looping cross over his head from the left side of the penalty area.
Antigua was able to pull a goal back in the 36th minute, Tamorley Thomas scoring his second of the season after being played in by Eugine Kirwan, but Ngwenya completed his hat trick the minute before halftime as he headed home a free kick by Robinson.
The Kickers extended their lead early in the second half, Robinson again playing provider as he found Luke Vercollone for a header in the 48th minute. Ngwenya almost added his fourth of the night a few minutes later, only for James to make an outstanding save with his feet to deny.
James was again called upon to save with 17 minutes to go, denying Matt Delicate after a good low cross by Juan Arbelaez from the right. Antigua also continued to push forward as the game remained open, but they were unable to pull a goal back before the final whistle as the Kickers remained undefeated through their first six games.
STANDINGS (Through May 12)
Team GP W L T GF GA GD Points
Orlando 8 6 1 1 23 8 +15 19
Charleston 6 5 1 0 14 7 +7 15
Harrisburg 6 5 1 0 15 5 +10 15
Richmond 6 4 0 2 17 6 +11 14
Los Angeles 9 4 4 1 17 12 +5 13
Tampa Bay 7 4 3 0 11 7 +4 12
Charlotte 5 2 0 3 8 4 +4 9
Dayton 5 3 2 0 7 9 -2 9
Phoenix 9 2 5 2 11 16 -5 8
Pittsburgh 8 1 4 3 5 10 -5 6
Rochester 7 1 5 1 4 16 -12 4
Wilmington 6 1 5 0 5 14 -9 3
Antigua 7 0 7 0 4 26 -22 0
RESULTS
Tuesday, May 7
LA Galaxy Reserves 4, Los Angeles 3
Thursday, May 9
Pittsburgh 2, Phoenix 1
Friday, May 10
Harrisburg 4, Antigua 0
Rochester 1, Wilmington 0
Saturday, May 11
Richmond 4, Antigua 1
Charleston 4, Wilmington 2
Dayton 4, Phoenix 3
Sunday, May 12
Orlando 2, Seattle Sounders Reserves 0
SCHEDULE
Tuesday, May 14
Charleston at Charlotte, 7 p.m. ET
Friday, May 17
Orlando at Harrisburg, 7 p.m. ET
Los Angeles at Charlotte, 7 p.m. ET
Saturday, May 18
Dayton at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m. ET
Orlando at Rochester, 7:05 p.m. ET
Los Angeles at Wilmington, 7:30 .m. ET
Sunday, May 19
Charleston at Houston Reserves, 11 a.m. ET
United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 13, 2013
- Riverhounds Host Rwb Adria Tomorrow in First Round of U.S. Open Cup - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Orlando City Plays Back-To-Back Road Matches Friday, Saturday - Orlando City SC
- Dayton Dutch Lions to Host River City Rovers in US Open Cup - Dayton Dutch Lions
- Battery Takes on Charlotte Eagles - Charleston Battery
- Kickers Host Ladies Night Friday - Richmond Kickers
- Dwyer Leads Lions Past Sounders Reserves - USL
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