Wednesday, April 10, 2013
FULLERTON, Calif. – The LA Blues' George Davis IV scored his second goal of the season against his former team, and Blues goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski put in a man-of-the-match performance as the Los Angeles Blues defeated Orlando City 1-0 on Wednesday evening. The victory was the Blues' second in as many games at Titan Stadium, and handed the Lions their first defeat of the season.
The game-winning goal came in the 80th minute as Davis got on the end of a ball sent over the top of the Lions’ defense by Gabriel Gonzalez. Davis was able to hold off a challenge by Yann Songo'o and round Orlando goalkeeper Jon Kempin befoe finishing into an empty net.
“It was a tough game. We knew that we would have to take advantage of our chances,” Davis said. “I had that chance on goal – I knew I had to take advantage of it. I had to be as cool and calm as I could, and put it in the net.”
Woszczynski kept his side in the game with seven saves in the first half, the first coming in the 15th minute. Two minutes later, Long Tan came had a chance to score, but again Woszczynski shut him down. Woszczynski also had to be sharp later in the half as Tan and Dom Dwyer both had chances to break in on goal, the 6-foot-5 goalkeeper getting off his line quickly to narrow the angle and save on both occasions.
“I had a lot of action in the first half," said Woszczynski. "Overall, it was a great team effort. Ninety minutes, everyone worked hard. That’s what it takes to beat a team like Orlando City.”
The Blues started the second half on the attack. A defensive mistake by Orlando caused a turnover to the feet of former Lions midfielder Rodrigo Lopez, but Kempin was able to deny him, earning a free kick as the pair collided inside the penalty area. The Lions regained control just past the hour-mark, and much like the first half put the Blues on the defensive. Blues’ defenders Shay Spitz and Matt Hall both had to make key defensive clearances in the 65th and 66th minutes respectively.
Orlando had one final chance to grab a goal, and a share of the points, after Davis had opened the scoring as Dwyer turned his defender well and broke in on goal. The Sporting Kansas City loanee broke in on Woszczynski, but lifted his chip over the crossbar as well as the goalkeeper.
The Blues start a three-game road trip next as they head out to Phoenix FC on Sunday night at 7:30 p.m. PT at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium. Orlando returns to Florida for its home opener at the Florida Citrus Bowl, also on Sunday, as the Lions host the Rochester Rhinos at 6 p.m. ET.