USL PRO Combine Recap
Saturday, January 26, 2013
BRADENTON, Fla. – Steven Miller had a pair of goals as Team 1 took a convincing 3-0 victory against Team 4 in the opening game of the afternoon scrimmages at the 2013 USL PRO Combine presented by Umbro at IMG Academy. Miller had a goal in either half, as his side’s defense went without conceding a goal in either contest.
Team 1 had the better of the early play, and they got on the board in the 10th minute as Ralph Lundy sent in a good corner from the right that bounced once before being headed home by Shawn Ferguson. Ten minutes later it was 2-0, as a deflected pass by Riley Sumpter came to Miller, who finished well.
Team 4 almost pulled a goal back quickly, Patricke Mbang On curling a fine shot off the crossbar from 25 yards, but they were unable to find much in the way of opportunities as Ferguson and Ryan Coffman played well in the center of defense.
Team 4 continued to try and press forward, but Miller added a second nine minutes into the second half, giving the former Michigan Bucks and Ocean City Nor’easters player three goals on Saturday.
Team 4 tried to hit back, Uche Onyeador’s curling free kick being easily saved by Brian Hale at his left post. David Lazo also had a strike from distance for his side, but his shot sailed over the crossbar, allowing Team 1 to earn a second shutout in their two scrimmages.
TEAM 5 1, TEAM 2 0: A late goal by Sean De Silva gave Team 5 victory as they finished Saturday with a win and a draw.
The winning goal came with just over five minutes remaining, Garrett Losee springing De Silva behind Team 2’s defense with a good reverse ball before the former College of Charleston standout drove home an emphatic finish.
The goal capped a game that saw both sides have chances that neither were able to convert. Team 5’s Ferretty Sousa almost found an opening seven minutes in, only for goalkeeper Sean Teepen to gather after coming off his line quickly. Losee then had a chance for a turning shot from the right side of the penalty area, his effort finding the side netting.
Team 2 had a better time of things in the second half, Dillon Tufty driving an effort too close to goalkeeper John Viscosi, and they had the best chance to take the lead 23 minutes after the break as Westin Vallentine broke in behind the defense. The forward’s finish, however, came back off the crossbar, and Team 2’s defense was able to clear.
Team 5 was good value for their late winner, though, and they came close to taking the lead earlier as a long-range effort by Leigh Veidman could only be parried by Dustin Butcher. De Silva himself also went close after the break, only for Butcher to gather in his shot comfortably. Six minutes later, though, he would find the back of the net for the only goal of the game.
TEAM 3 1, TEAM 6 0: An own goal early in the second half proved the only tally of an open game that saw Team 6 try to rally late to earn a draw.
Team 6 started the more brightly of the two teams, Lynval Da Costa getting the first chance of the game after being played in, only to be closed down after hesitating before shooting. Team 3 gradually came further into the game, Anthony Arico having his effort from 25 yards saved by Corey Whisenhunt and Sasa Plavsic shooting wide of the net before the halftime break.
The deadlock was broken moments into the second half as a stint of pressure by Team 3 resulted in an effort by Adrian Pena that was turned into his own net by a defender as he tried to clear. Team 3 had other chances to add to its lead, Plavsic curling a free kick over the crossbar and Philip Suprise having a good shot saved by Roberto Perez.
Team 6 tried to come back late in the game, Nuno Gourgel hitting a shot from 30 yards well but wide of the right post. The pressure continued to build as the half wore on, Da Costa sending a header over the crossbar and Steven Beattie almost taking advantage of Gerard John-Williams’ knockdown at the top of the penalty area, only for his effort to go wide., but Team 3 was able to hold on for a hard-fought win.