Tropics Shut out Sidekicks 8-0 in Florida
January 16, 2021 - Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
Dallas Sidekicks News Release
Lakeland, Florida - The Dallas Sidekicks lost on the road against the Florida Tropics 8-0 in their third MASL game of the season and first road game. The Sidekicks next game is at the Allen Event Center, January 31st, 2021 at 3:00PM CT against the San Diego Sockers on Youth Sioccer Night.
Dallas (0-3) arrived late getting to the arena not long before kickoff to face Florida (5-0) who are one of the strongest teams in the MASL. Despite the late arrival, the Sidekicks kept a shut out through the first quarter ending at 0-0. Florida had more shots, 6-2, but Dallas stayed orgainized in the back frustrating the Tropics on the leagues featured match of the week showing for free on the MASL PPV Facebook page.
Florida's offensive pressure would finally be rewarded early in the second quarter on a goal by Guilherme Dos Santos. The Sidekicks, wearing their black road jerseys, would get the first power play of the game but Tropic's goalie Hugo Silva would make several big saves to keep Dallas off the scoreboard. His counterpart on the Sidekicks side, Juan Gamboa, would thwart two breakaways himself to keep the game a one-goal affair. The scoreline would remain that way right up until the halftime whistle as the Sidekicks kept the high scoring Tropics in check on their seven shots in the quarter with Dallas just one off that mark with six shots. Florida have scored four times in the first half in three of their games this season and three goals in their other game so give the Sidekicks credit with an outstanding defensive effort in the first half.
Dos Santos would notch his second goal of the game off a free kick deep in Sidekicks territory to double up the lead at 2-0 early in the third quarter. A minute later Joey Tavernese would push the lead to 3-0 slipping the ball by Gamboa. The league's leading goal scorer, Ian Bennett, would then put the ball in off the far left post to push the lead to 4-0 to put Florida in control after an impressive start to the second half. Dallas would end the quarter on the second power play of the game but fail to find the net as the quarter came to an end. Both teams stepped up their attack with Florida scoring on three of their 15 shots while Dallas put up 11 shots of their own, three more than their entire first half.
Ian Bennett would get his second goal of the game to start the final quarter and push the Tropics lead to five goals. It would stay that way until mid-way through the quarter when the Sidekicks would put on a sixth attacker and Joey Tavernese would take advantage on a long shot over everyone for a 6-0 lead and his second goal of the game. Within a minute, Joshio Sandoval would also score against the sixth attacker. Zach Reget would score off his own rebound on a left footed side volley for the Tropics final goal, perhaps the most impressive int the game, which would bring goalie Juan Gamboa back onto the field. The 8-0 score was Florida's second franchise shutout, both coming against Dallas. The Tropics would add five more shots in the quarter taking them to 33 for the game while the Sidekicks four additional shots would push their tally to 23.
Be sure to catch the Sidekicks next home game as they host the San Diego Sockers on Youth Soccer Night on Sunday, January 31st at 3:00pm. Single game and season tickets for the 2020-2021 season are on sale now and can be purchased here. Call the Sidekicks at 469-393-0160 for more information about tickets.
MASL Match Report
Match: Dallas Sidekicks vs Florida Tropics
Date: January 16, 2021
Venue: RP Funding Center; Lakeland, FL
Kickoff: 5:05PM CT
Major Arena Soccer League Stories from January 16, 2021
- Ambush Come from Behind to Clip Comets 7-6 - Kansas City Comets
- St. Louis Ambush Grind out Home Opener Win - St. Louis Ambush
- Tropics Shut out Sidekicks 8-0 in Florida - Dallas Sidekicks
- Hugo Silva Gets First-Ever Home Shutout as Tropics Roll Past Dallas Sidekicks, 8-0 - Florida Tropics SC
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