Columbus, May 29 2013 - The Dayton Dutch Lions FC almost pulled off a great stunt playing a man down for 76 minutes but scoring the equilizer in the 78th minute. The Lions came back from a 1-0 deficit to score 1-1 (Shane Smith), and with 8 minutes remaining Brandon Schwartzendruber went one on one with the Crew goalie and almost scored the 2-1. Two minutes later the Crew scored the game winner.
Exactly one year ago in 2012, the Dayton Dutch Lions met the Columbus Crew in third round action of the tournament, defeating the Crew in their home stadium, a 2-1 upset, with Dayton advancing to the fourth round of the tournament where they were denied advancement by Sporting Kansas City, and their tournament run was over.
This year saw a different result, but with Columbus much better prepared for the match. Dayton Coach Patrick Bal explained, “They started with a strong lineup this year, a lot stronger than last year. In spite of this, I didn’t think they came out as strong as I expected, they were sloppy in their passes and kept us in the game in the beginning.” He continued, “The game pace was not as high as I expected it to be.”
However, doom soon descended on the Dutch Lions, who managed to start with one foot in the sling as Dayton’s Brock Granger was awarded a red card on a foul in 14h minute, totally changing the dynamic on the field. Dayton stayed up on their toes but the Crew focused on moving the ball quickly and penetrating when they could to keep Dayton busy in the hopes they’d wear out. The Dayton midfielders were forced to drop back for an organized defense of the goal and banded together with Dayton backs Shane Smith, Shintaro Harada, and Gregory Preciado, who managed to hold up to constant pressure from the Crew, particularly midfielder Konrad Warzycha and forwards Federico Higuain and Aaron Schoenfeld.
Dayton’s keeper Matt Williams guessed correctly for the save each time and defended the Dayton goal on the Crews’ numerous shots, trying to keep the Crew from capitalizing on their advantage. In spite of the lower manpower on the field, Gibson Bardsley and Eli Garner still prowled up their lines for the attack as often as they could, but were thwarted by Columbus Keeper Matt Lampson and defender Gláuber. Even with the valiant Dutch Lions’ effort, Dayton left the field at the half with a tough disadvantage in a scoreless game, and Coach Bal sought a way to lead them into the second with the energy they needed. “When we took it to 0-0 at halftime we said ‘keep your composure, keep your discipline, you’re always gonna get one or two chances against every team.’ ”
Those chances came several times for Dayton in the second half, starting with a 63rd minute shot by Iralki Khutsidze that went barely high of the goal. The Columbus advantage saw its first breakthrough in the 52nd minute with the Crew’s Gaven pushing through on a Higuain assist. At this point, Columbus went ahead 1-0.
Moments later Coach Bal substituted Remco Klaasse for an injured Gibson Bardsley. Dayton’s tenacity showed itself in the 78th minute, when defensive back Shane Smith raced down the left on an through ball by Klaasse and Dayton balanced the match with Columbus, 1-1. Dayton missed a golden opportunity to go up, when Brandon Swartzendruber popped down the line for a one on one with the goalie but after the ball was stopped it came back in his feet but his second shot was cleared off the line by a defender. Coach Bal saw the possibilities: “That chance was huge. We were playing for this moment, I told them at halftime, and before the game, and we gotta sit back a little bit and make it a little smaller. Against every team, at any time you’re gonna get chances. They had more ball possession but it didn’t create a ton of chances.”
But Dayton Dutch Lions FC couldn’t mount the sustained attack needed to move things forward and consequently suffered a goal from 23rd yards by Justin Meram on a Gaven assist by in 84th min, with Columbus going ahead 2-1. Shortly after, Gaven left the game on a stretcher, causing concern from the Crew bench, but they held on to their 2-1 victory over Dayton to end the game.
The Columbus Crew moves on to Round Four of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup for a match against the Chicago Fire at Toyota Park Stadium, Chicago.
The Dutch Lions are back on their home turf facing the Los Angeles Blues on Sunday June 2 at 6:30 pm and then the Columbus Crew once again, this time at home, in The Miami Valley Hospital Stadium in Beavercreek on Saturday June 8 at 7:30.