Dayton Dutch Lions News Release -- www.dutchlionsfc.com
Tuesday June 26, 2012
KANSAS CITY, Kan. – The Dayton Dutch Lions' run in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup came to an end on Tuesday night as they fell 3-0 to Sporting Kansas City at LiveStrong Sporting Park. C.J. Sapong scored in either half as the Major League Soccer side advanced to a semifinal contest with the Philadelphia Union in two weeks.
Sporting KC struck in the fourth minute after Mettin Copier commited a foul near the goal line, which resulted in a free kick. As the ball was cleared, it landed at the foot of Seth Sinovic, who had a hard shot on goal. The ball deflected off Sapong, leaving Dayton goalkeeper Matt Williams helpless to deny the goal.
Dayton had few chances to counter, including Eli Garner’s cross into the box in the 13th minute that went unfinished. Then in the 16th minute, Mikael McNamara threw the ball in to Nixon Dias who had a good look at goal but it went wide. Ten minutes later Garner passed from the outside to Dias in the middle, who put in a good shot at goal, only to be denied by a reflex save by Kansas City goalkeeper Jimmy Neilsen.
The second half started with the Lions pushing forward. Gibson Bardsley fed the ball to Garner, who had beat the defense but he hit the ball over the keeper and the goal. But after a good push for the opening 10 minutes of the second half, the Dutch Lions allowed two goals in a three-minute span that allowed Sporting to take control of the game.
U.S. international Graham Zusi doubled Sporting's lead in the 56th minute as he curled a shot from the edge of the penalty area into the right corner of the net. Sapong then headed home from a corner three minutes later for his second of the night, wrapping up victory.
The Dutch Lions return home on Friday night as they host a doubleheader with the club's W-League side at Miami Valley South Stadium. The men's side will host defending USL PRO champions Orlando City at 8 p.m. ET, with the women playing the Northern Virginia Majestics at 5:30 p.m. ET. For season and individual game tickets, visit the Dutch Lions website.