Sounders FC U23 News Release -- www.soundersu23.com
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
TACOMA, Wash. – On a beautiful Tuesday night in Sumner the Sounders FC U23 cruised to a 5-1 victory over Southern California club Doxa Italia in the first round of the U.S. Open Cup. They were led by forward David Geno’s four first-half goals.
A raucous crowd of nearly 500 were treated to an onslaught of Sounders U-23 first half goals as the chances came quickly and often. In the 13th minute the Sounders U-23 got on the board first. Darwin Jones connected with a through-ball into the box, took a look up at the goal, and sent a perfectly placed left-footed shot toward the far post. The ball hit off the inside of the post and in for the early 1-0 lead.
Sounders U-23 goal keeper Zac Lubin was tested shortly after with a nice looking shot with power from Doxa midfielder Kyle Holland. Lubin was up for the challenge and sent the shot away, which was then cleared away from danger by the Sounders U-23 defense.
In the 19th minute Aodhan Quinn calmly walked a ball into the left side of the penalty area. He sent a low, driving ball toward the back post where a sprinting Mauricio DeLeon had timed his run perfectly. Doxa Italia goal keeper Justin Commins came up with a huge save considering the point blank range of DeLeon’s shot, but Geno was there to follow up. With the ball bouncing up into his body, Geno got himself into position, and side-volleyed it into the top of the net for his first goal and a 2-0 lead for the Sounders U23.
The Sounders U23 added to their lead when Jones broke free in the box again in the 36th minute. He spotted his fellow forward Geno making a run in front of the goal and sent a precise pass toward the his teammate’s feet. Geno calmly placed his shot past the Doxa Italia keeper for the 3-0 lead.
Then the Sounders U-23 started to pour on the offense as Geno stuck another one in the net for his hat trick. This time, right-midfielder DeLeon sent a seeking ball into the box. With his back to the goal and on the run, Geno flicked the ball up and over his defender. The ball continued to sail and found its way over the keeper, just under the bar to extend the lead to 4-0.
By halftime the Sounders U-23 had extended their lead to 5-0 thanks to yet another Geno goal. Geno got onto the end of a through-ball just outside the top of the penalty area, beat the last Doxa Italia defender, and then slid his shot into the back of the net for his fourth goal of the half.
It was clear in the second half that the Sounders U-23 were focused on keeping possession of the ball as the pace slowed. They managed five shots on goal as opposed to the blistering 11 of the first half. Then, the Doxa Italia side got on the board in the 68th minute off a free kick just outside the Sounders U-23 box. Doxa took the free kick quickly catching the Sounders U-23 defense off guard. Doxa leading scorer Bryan Byrne snuck behind the defense and stuck his shot into the net, eliminating the shutout. However, despite a few more chances down the stretch, Doxa Italia could not overcome the deficit.
Sounders U-23 return to the action for a busy week on May 16 and May 19 in Premier Development League play. The Sounders head on the road to face the Portland Timbers U-23 on Thursday for an 11 a.m. match and then head up to Victoria for a Sunday afternoon contest.
In addition, with the victory on Tuesday, the Sounders U-23 advance for their first ever appearance in the second round of the U.S. Open Cup. They will travel across the country to take on the Charlotte Eagles of USL PRO on May 21st.
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