VSI Tampa Bay FC News Release -- www.vsi-fc.com
Thursday, April 25, 2013
TAMPA, Fla. – VSI Tampa Bay FC is set to face the Dayton Dutch Lions on Friday night at 8 p.m. at Plant City Stadium as the club aims to continue its perfect home record to start the season. Tampa Bay has claimed victory in both of its home contests this season, including a 3-2 victory against the Los Angeles Blues last Sunday night.
The Dutch Lions enter VSI’s den after a dramatic victory in their home opener against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds last Saturday. Playing a man down for much of the match the Lions keeper, Matt Williams, made six saves to keep his team alive and earn himself a spot at the top of this week’s USL PRO Team of the Week.
Following its victory against Los Angeles, Tampa Bay holds an overall record of 3-2-0, good for secod place in the USL PRO standings with nine points. Shawn Chin and Sean Reynolds were both honored on the league's Team of the Week on Tuesday for their work in the rain-delayed win against the Blues.
Players to watch this match for VSI Tampa Bay FC include Andriy Budnyy and Tony Donatelli; both individuals created goal-scoring opportunities last Sunday, with Budnyy supplying VSI’s game winner for his second goal of the season.
Dayton’s Gibson Bardsley may give Tampa Bay some trouble. Bardsley scored five goals for the Dutch Lions last season, and also played a key role in the club reaching the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup. This offseason, Bardsley participated in the VSI Tampa Bay FC invitational trial and VSI Head Coach Matt Weston expects good play from him.
“Dayton has a new coach [Patrick Bal] who is young and enthusiastic," Weston said. "I expect their team to mirror his enthusiasm as they went down to 10 men in the first half versus Pittsburgh and managed to win 2-1. It should be a high tempo game. I expect us to respond after what I described to our players as an average performance versus LA. We want three home wins on the bounce.”
Friday night's game will air via www.uslnation.com at 8 p.m. ET. For tickets to the match visit the VSI Tampa Bay FC website at www.vsi-fc.com or the ticket window at Plant City Stadium. General admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children.
Plant City Stadium is located less than three miles off of Exit 22, Park Road Exit on Interstate-4. The physical address is 1810 East Park Road, Plant City Florida, 33563.