Los Angeles, June 15 2012 - The Dayton Dutch Lions FC lost 1-0 against the Los Angeles Blues Friday night from a goal by MLS Portland Timbers loan player Dike in the 53rd minute.
The Lions started the game well with a chance for Gibson Bardsley being launched from the midfield but just like in the home game against the Blues goalie Amir Abedzadeh held Bardsley from scoring. The Blues had more ball possession without creating too much danger although Williams had to come up twice to prevent Dike from scoring, keeping the game tied 0-0 at half time.
The start of the second half was completely for the Blues, pushing the Lions back at their box and creating three open chances in the first 10 minutes. The first was for former Lions player George Davis IV but his header was saved by Williams.
The second one Dike got the ball in the box and turned quickly to hit the crossbar. The third chance Dike got the ball at almost the midline, when he turned quickly and outran a Lions defender in a 40 yard rush entering the box from the left side and shooting the ball in the lower right corner for what turned out the game winner.
Lions coach Ivar Van Dinteren tried to change to the game with some substitutions and got their organization back and slowly moved away from their own half. But besides a Holowaty header at the near post just wide off a Greg Preciado cross, the Lions could not create any real chances leaving a bad taste sofar in the east coast trip.
Van Dinteren said the following on the loss: "it was not a good game from both ends but Dike made the difference. We were organized the first half but gave it away in a 10 minute time span the second half. There were too many players not reaching their level today and then we struggle. We also only created one, maybe two opportunities ourselves and that is back to where we were in the beginning of the season.
"I believe the Blues are a tough team to beat but if we reach our normal level that we have shown as of late we should at least hurt them more. I do intend to make some changes in our playing style and hope the guys will step it up so we can bring back some points to Dayton."
Dayton Dutch Lions FC line up:
Williams, Preciado, Dias, Copier, Smith, Jones (Robinson), DeLass, McNamara (Knotek), Bardsley (Kissinger), Bartels (Holowaty), Garner
The Dayton Dutch Lions FC are playing LA Blues again on Sunday 5pm local time (8pm EST). The game will be on www.usllive.com again.