DDLFC vs TFC Academy Recap
Dayton – The Dayton Dutch Lions FC (0-4-2) faced off against the Toronto FC Academy (1-4-2) for the second time this season. The previous match ended in a 1-1 tie, but Saturday’s game finished differently with Dayton taking the lead early and never letting TFC Academy back in the game. The Lion’s won their first game at home 2-1.
Dayton started the game with high pressure, which earned them the first corner kick of the night. Toronto had a hard time getting their game started as the Lions came out with energy and pace.
The effort paid off for the Lions in the twelfth minute when Eric Kissinger carried the ball around the corner and crossed back in to Tyrone Leandro for a tap into the back post and the first goal of the night for Dayton.
Again in the twenty-ninth minute Dayton found a way through the TFC Academy defense. Entienne Esajas carried the ball and sent a ball through to a running Michael Frasca who put the ball past the Toronto Academy keeper for the second Lions goal of the night.
The TFC Academy found space shortly after, but the Lions were saved by the crossbar. TFC Academy continued to press but the Dayton defense stood strong and thwarted their attempts.
The thirty seventh minute saw Dayton’s Kissinger again cut inside from the wing and put the ball back for Frasca who shot, but the ball spun off a Toronto defender and out.
In stoppage Toronto’s Kevin Timachy received the ball down the right and sent a shot past the Dayton keeper to bring the TFC Academy within one. The half ended; Dayton Dutch Lions 2, and the TFC Academy 1.
Dayton kept the pace up in the second half. A ball into Frasca in the fifty fifth minute led to a one on one with Toronto’s keeper, Filippo Di Bennardo, who stopped the flick attempt by the Lions’ forward.
Play was evenly matched and the ball went end to end as both teams fought for another goal. The whistle blew and the Dayton Dutch Lions beat the TFC Academy 2-1 for their first home win.
Coach Bal shared these comments about the team’s performance: “first of all, I think the guys put in a great effort today. When we played Toronto FC away they did it and got a tie, and today they did it again. Against Derby City, they weren’t there, they didn’t go 100%.Today, the guys played up to their max. They did everything they were taught and they finally got their first home win.”
The Dayton Dutch Lions FC (1-4-2) travel Friday June 26th to play Forest City London at the German Club. The Lions finish their road trip at Wilfred Laurie University Stadium where they play K-W United Sunday, June 28th at 4pm.