Saturday, March 23, 2013
FULLERTON, Calif. – The Los Angeles Blues opened the 2013 USL PRO season with a 2-0 victory against Phoenix FC on Saturday night at Titan Stadium. George Davis IV opened the scoring for the Blues, while Chris Cortez scored in the second half to seal the first victory in a home opener in club history.
“It’s a great start. You can’t ask for anything better. The players played with great disciple. They were defensively strong,” said Blues head coach Jesus Rico-Sanz. “When we had the ball, they moved it well. The midfield played very well, first and second half. We missed the finishing in the last third. I’m very pleased.”
The Blues started off the game strongly, with their first scoring opportunity coming in the fifth minute as Cortez's shot went just over the crossbar. The Blues would have two more shots on goal before Davis finally found the back of the net off a cross from the right by defender Matt Hall.
“I definitely wanted to get on the board," said Davis. "I know I’m going to have to score some goals this year. Matt got down the side and put a great ball into the box, and I was able to get at the end of it.”
The first half closed on back-to-back fouls by the Wolves’ with Travis Bowen receiving a yellow card and Anthony Obodai being sent off for a reckless tackle on the Blues’ Juan Perez. Starting the second half a man up, the Blues were able to control the tempo and pace of the game, and quickly doubled their lead as Cortez found himself on the end of a Rodrigo Lopez free kick, heading home from close range.
Blues goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski wasn’t busy for much of the game, but was called into action to make a big save near the end of the game to maintain a clean sheet.
The Blues next match is at home against VSI Tampa Bay FC on Tuesday, April 2 at 4 p.m. PT. Tickets can be purchased at www.LABluesProSoccer.com. Phoenix returns home for its home opener, also against Tampa Bay, next Saturday night at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium at 7:30 p.m. PT.