FULLERTON, Calif. – The Dayton Dutch Lions FC weren't able to bring home points on Sunday evening at Titan Stadium behind a 62nd-minute game-winner by forward Bright Dike, who also scored the only goal in Friday’s contest.
After an uneventful opening half-hour, in which both sides appeared keen to preserve their energy in the Southern California heat, the Blues created the first opportunity of the match in the 33rd minute. Former Chivas USA man Maykel Galindo released Dike on the right side of the penalty area and the on-loan Portland Timbers forward rifled a powerful shot high and wide of the frame.
The Dutch Lions had a dangerous look of their own six minutes later, the ball being laid off to Mettin Copier on a free-kick at the top of the box and the 23-year-old firing just over the crossbar. Moments later, it would be the hosts on the attack again, as Ricky Waddell released Carlos Borja with a beautiful through ball into the area and the California native saw his attempted finish flash just wide of the far post.
The Blues nearly got punished for the missed opportunity in the 42nd minute, defender Garcia Erlys recovering his own goal against to clear the ball off the line after an unfortunate touch past his onrushing goalkeeper Amir Abedzadeh.
The hosts quickly regained their composure after the scare and very nearly took the lead about nine minutes into the second period. Bryan Burke passed to the center of the box where Dike rose headed back toward the right post, only to see it miss wide by inches.
Three minutes later, the Blues went close again, Allan Russell picking out substitute Cheun-Yong Park with a switch toward the left side of the box and the South Korean hitting an attempt on the bounce, also missing the right post.
The Blues finally managed to send the ball inside that same upright in the 62nd minute, Dike delivering his second game-winner in as many matches when he was picked out at the top of the box by fellow striker Matt Fondy and hit a placed right-footed curler into the right corner of the net that left goalkeeper Matt Williams without a chance.
Orange managed to keep their heads up in the burning sun, but several substitutions by Ivar van Dinteren wouldn't change the lead. The Lions were left with a three minutes stoppage time, while already four minutes were spent for subs only, and four minutes for vows. Head Coach Ivar van Dinteren had to turn this unfair decision into several last build ups, that remained unfinished.
Dayton looks to earn three points when it hosts the Wilmington Hammerheads on June 23, playing a double header with the Women's team at the Miami Valley South Stadium, Bellbrook OH. Come join the lady and men Lions this Saturday at 5.30 and 8.00 PM!
