USL Orange County SC

Fusion Oust Blues in 3-1 Overtime Thriller

Published on May 23, 2012 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Orange County SC News Release


FULLERTON, Calif. - The Blues fell 3-1 to the Ventura County Fusion on Tuesday night in overtime of a U.S. Open Cup second round clash that had the fans at Fullerton College 's Sherbeck Field on the edge of their seats. The hard-earned victory sees the Premier Development (PDL) side move on to a mouth-watering rendevouz with MLS's Chivas USA .

After the Blues side took the lead early in the first half of Tuesday's match on a Tim Pontius own goal, Ventrua County drew level via a 34th minute penalty kick by Francisco Lopez.

Blues midfielder Allan Russell had a golden chance to win the match minutes from the end of regulation time but saw his spot kick saved by Earl Edwards. A second yellow card shown to defender Cory Miller made matters words shortly thereafter, and the Fusion would take advantage in the second half of overtime through Lopez's second tally and a Travis Bowen insurance goal.

The Blues came out of the gates flying and had two excellent opportunities to take the lead in the 5th minute of play. First Matt Fondy set up Chad Bond in the area and the attacking midfielder sent a shot off the inside of the far post, then Fondy found himself with space in the box but didn't get a clean touch on the attempted finish, his shot flying over the crossbar.

The hosts nearly got punished for the missed chances in the 10th minute of play. Francisco Lopez was released by a nice threaded ball down the left for a one-on-one with Blues goalkeeper Jos� Miranda, who did well to stand his ground at the near post and block the right-footed effort to keep the match scoreless. It would be the Blues again moments later, Allan Russell picking out Fondy with a long ball over the top of the backline, only to see the striker's delicate chip over onrushing netminder Earl Edwards float just high.

Head Coach Charlie Naimo's men were finally rewarded for their promising attacking efforts in the 13th minute, Miller booting the ball deep into Fusion territory, where Fondy's pressure had defender Pontius opt for a risky header back that trickled past the surprised Edwards for the game's first goal.

The lead would remain intact until the 34th minute, as referee Ramon Hernandez called a penalty kick for the Fusion that seemed to have both sides surprised. A nice cross in from the left evaded several Fusion players by inches, followed by Hernandez's whistle and a confident Francisco Lopez finish from the spot.

Lopez nearly bagged another in the 57th minute, as he cut to his right on the left side of the box and fired a shot toward the far post that whistled just wide. Blues attacking midfielder Irving Garcia had a very similar chance at the other end only five minutes later, displaying nice footwork on the left edge of the penalty area and curling a dangerous ball toward the far post that forced a diving stop from Edwards.

The hosts continued to pressure following the opportunity and got close once again in the 66th minute, as Erlys Garcia released George Davis IV down the right flank and the former Dayton Dutch Lion centered a beautiful cross to the penalty spot, where it was redirected over the bar by the head of a wide open Russell.

The Blues' next opportunity came three minutes later. Shay Spitz released Ricky Waddell with a beautiful chip into the area and the 31-year-old Scot evaded a tackle before sending a low pass into the five-yard box, only to see it tapped just wide by a crashing Maykel Galindo. The former Chivas USA striker, who officially signed with the Blues last week, had come on in the second half to make his debut for the USL PRO side.

The visitors from Ventura County found some relief in the 75th minute, Blues defender Ebrima Jatta committing a foul at the top of the penalty area and Rafael Garcia hitting a beautiful curling effort on the free-kick that seemed bound for upper ninety until it was tipped over by the fingertips of Miranda.

By the closing stages of regulation time, those in attendance at Fullerton 's Sherbeck Field had already been treated to an intense Cup fight full of suspense and highly attractive attacking soccer. Little did they know they were in for a finish that could have held its own against the best of Hollywood thrillers.

Five minutes from time, Irving Garcia floated a free-kick toward the left edge of the Ventura County penalty area, where it was taken down by Erlys Garcia. Facing away from goal, the 26-year-old Cuban was in no position to get a shot or cross off when he went down screaming in pain following a clumsy kick to the foot by defender Daniel Steres.

Despite having sent his last penalty-kick attempt in the 1-0 win at Dayton well over the bar, Russell stepped up to the spot once again, only to see his golden opportunity to win the match thwarted by a superb diving save from Edwards. Things would turn from bad to worse for the Blues moments later, as center back Cory Miller was ejected for his second yellow card of the match following an overly aggressive tackle against Francisco Lopez.

After an intense first half of overtime in which the hosts did well to maintain their defensive shape, the Fusion would finally capitalize on their numerical advantage in the 107th minute. Rodrigo Lopez threaded the ball through to Francisco Lopez deep inside the penalty area and the midfielder breaking the deadlock with a determined finish past the onrushing Miranda.

While beaten on the play, the Blues goalkeeper subsequently made several world-class stops to keep his side alive. The first came in the 112th minute, with the Fusion looking to put the game away on a counter-attack. Striker Travis Bowen, who had entered as a substitute just after the hour mark, seemed to have an easy tap in from about five yards out as the ball was centered to him from the left, but Miranda came up with a stunning reflex to keep the deficit at one.

The save very nearly set up the equalizer at the other end less than a minute later, George Davis being denied by an equally impressive point-blank stop from Edwards. The ball subsequently fell to the feet of Russell, whose mishit attempt for the open net sailed well over the frame.

Miranda's second outstanding save came in the 115th minute, as another breakaway once again saw him one-on-one with a wide open Bowen. The brother of Chivas USA forward Tristan Bowen had plenty of time to take a touch and pick out a corner but was once again denied by the onrushing Blues goalkeeper, who managed to deflect the close-range effort wide.

However, the third time would be the charm for Bowen, as he finally beat Miranda four minutes from time. While the Cuban had another fantastic stop in a one-on-one with Zambian midfielder Kennedy Chongo, the rebound fell right to the feet of the Bowen, who made amends for the earlier misses by curling into the empty net to put the match beyond doubt.

The Blues have little time for disappointment, as they left Southern California immediately following the match for this week's USL PRO top match against hosts Orlando City . Thursday's meeting with the league leaders kicks off at 4.30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast live on www.USLnation.com. The Blues' next home matches are on June 15 and June 17 against the Dayton Dutch Lions. Tickets start at $10 and may be purchased by calling 714-738-8011 or by visiting www.labluesprosoccer.com.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 23, 2012


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