Saturday, April 12, 2014

USL Pro: Dayton, Rochester Draw 1-1 in Lions Home Opener

Dayton equalizes five minutes into added time to save a point at home last night against the Rochester Rhinos in USL Pro regular season play.

Rochester coaches, players, refs after controversial ending
This was an early season match so both teams were still trying to find their way but Dayton, in particular, seemed to go off script the most, especially in the second half.

From the USL Pro Game Report: "But there was too much long ball. The work ethic was fantastic but the soccer we showed today is not the soccer we want to show.” - Dayton coach Sid van Druenen

Too much long ball is an understatement. It was virtually all long ball in the 2nd half for the Lions.

Dayton was comfortable most of the first half, but it was Rochester went up in the first half hour. The final 15 minutes of the half saw Dayton getting lots of pressure and earning corner kicks. Early in the 2nd half Dayton completely abandoned the any attempts at possession in the midfield and resorted to long balls into the box.

With a couple of big players (on loan from Columbus Aaron Schoenfeld among them) aided by a lively surface Dayton was bound to get a lucky bounce at some point. Which happened, in the 95th (?!) minute. A listed 6' 7" 235 lbs. Joe Broekhuizen was credited with the goal.

Rhinos have some reason to feel hard done last night. There was contact with the keeper on the goal (the ref did discuss with linesman) and five minutes of added time was quite a lot (very few fouls and only one real stoppage due to injury).

Dayton has started the year 1-1-1 and travel out to Harrisonburg next Saturday to take on the Islanders. Here's a quick and early look at the USL Pro table (PPG, GD).

PPG : TEAM : GD
2.33 LA Galaxy II (+1.33)
2.00 Sacramento Republic FC (+1.00)
2.00 Richmond Kickers (+1.00)
1.67 Orlando City SC (+0.67)
1.50 OKC Energy FC (0.00)

1.33 Dayton Dutch Lions (-0.67)
1.00 Charleston Battery (0.00)
1.00 Wilmington Hammerheads FC (0.00)
1.00 Harrisburg City Islanders (0.00)

0.50 Rochester Rhinos (-1.00)
0.50 Pittsburgh Riverhounds (-1.00)
0.00 Charlotte Eagles (-1.00)
0.00 Orange County Blues FC (-2.00)

For more on this game stay tuned to Chad Hollingswoth and Reckless Challenge for excellent coverage.

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