Tuesday, April 2, 2013
FULLERTON, Calif. — VSI Tampa Bay FC claimed its first victory in franchise history as it defeated the Los Angeles Blues 1-0 on Tuesday evening at Sherbeck Field. Tampa’s Brazilian midfielder Antonio Neto scored the game’s lone goal in the 70th minute off a chance created by Douglas Dos Santos, handing the Blues their first loss of the season.
Tampa Bay controlled the first 20 minutes of the game, but the first chance of the game came to the Blues when VSI was called for a back-pass just inside its own penalty area. Blues captain Allan Russell stepped up to take the indirect free kick, just curling it over the crossbar after a teammate had tapped him a pass.
VSI’s first chance at goal came five minutes later when Alex Freitas was played in down the right, only to miss the target with his finish. Both teams had other chances before halftime, Mehrshed Momeni just shooting wide of the left post after a good break by the Blues, and Tampa Bay's Andriy Budnyy missing the target after a blocked clearance came to him inside the penalty area.
With six yellow cards given in the second half, three apiece to each team, the last 45 minutes was more physical battle. Tampa Bay, again, dominated the early minutes of the half, with a shot by Dos Santos going wide of the left post after he found space in midfield.
With 20 minutes to go, however, second-half substitute Maurico Salles passed the ball to Dos Santos, who beat his man down the right before cutting back to Neto, who drove home his finish from 15 yards out.
With 10 minutes remaining, Los Angeles tried to get on level terms with shots on goal by Russell, Duran Stanley and Chris Cortez, but the Blues were unable to find a reply as VSI goalkeeper Alex Horwath recorded a shutout.
The Blues next host Orlando City next Wednesday evening at 4 p.m. PT at Sherbeck Field on the campus of Fullerton College. Tampa Bay moves on to complete its three-game road trip on Sunday as it visits the Portland Timbers Reserves at JELD-Wen Field at 2 p.m. PT.