L.A. Blues News Release - www.bluessoccerclub.com
Saturday, May 14, 2011
FULLERTON, Calif. – The Los Angeles Blues dropped a 2-1 result to the visiting Charlotte Eagles on Saturday night. The Eagles’ Cheyne Roberts put his side up in the first half, but the Blues battled back in impressive fashion in the second half despite going a player down just before the break. After Walter Gaitán equalized for Los Angeles in the 75th minute, Charlotte’s Jorge Herrera scored from the penalty spot in stoppage time to give his team the full three points.
The visitors started out with the greater urgency to get on the board in the opening stages, but the Blues did well to mark up in the area and clear several dangerous crosses. The scrappy defending helped the home side settle down and build some confidence going forward. Los Angeles created the game’s first outstanding opportunity, Erlys Garcia crashing the penalty area on a Josh Tudela corner kick and beating opposing netminder Eric Reed with a determined header, only to see the ball cleared off the line.
The Eagles reacted well to create a dangerous chance on the other end, playmaker Jorge Herrera finding Luke Williams with a nice ball down the left flank. The 27-year-old took a few touches before sending a cross into the area from a full sprint. The ball was met by Herrera at the far post, as the midfielder had continued his run and laid it off beautifully to Mark Bloom, whose volley from a sharp angle forced Dautt to leave his feet and deflect it around the post.
The Eagles would strike first on the ensuing 22nd minute corner kick, Herrera whipping a great cross in from the right that was met by Cheyne Roberts, who left Blues goalkeeper Oscar Dautt without a chance on a powerful half-volley. It took the Blues about 15 minutes to recover from the blow and create their next opportunity. Israel Sesay dribbled into the penalty area on the left and had the ball poked away by a defender. However, it fell straight into the path of a streaking Chukwudi Chijindu, who reacted well to hit an excellent first-time volley that rattled the crossbar.
The Blues made life even more difficult for themselves shortly after the near miss, Garcia going in studs-up on Charlotte’s Alan Sanchez in the 42nd minutes to send the midfielder to the ground in pain and earn himself a straight red card from center referee Reed Christy. Staying true to his attacking style, Los Angeles Head Coach Charlie Naimo did not sacrifice a midfielder or a forward following the defender’s ejection but stuck with three in the back.
In fact, at halftime, Naimo took off holding midfielder Edwin Miranda and another defender in Nelson Akwari to replace them with two attacking players in Akeem Priestley and Jhonatan Bravo. Mike Randolph was pulled back from the left wing to make up for the absence of Akwari and become his side’s third defender.
After an eventless half hour to start the second period, the Blues hit on a corner quick in the 75th minute to level the score and make the home crowd erupt in joy. Tudela swung it in from the left and Reed went up to clear, but the Eagles goalkeeper ran into traffic and couldn’t keep the ball from springing free in the area. It fell straight to Gaitán who reacted quickly to slam it home from about ten yards out for the equalizer.
Despite the man down, Los Angeles continued to attack and displayed impressive fighting spirit, even giving themselves a chance to come away with three points. After Blues forward Chijindu’s went down in the box and had his appeal for a penalty kick waved off, all those in attendance thought the game would end in a fair share of the points. However the home fans’ hearts were broken when referee Christy called a hand ball on Leonard Griffin at the other end and provided Herrera with a golden opportunity from the spot. The Eagles playmaker stepped up and converted confidently, sending Dautt the wrong way and giving his side a crucial road win.
The Blues look to bounce back from the disappointing result on Friday, May 20th, when they travel to take on the Dayton Dutch Lions. Meanwhile, Charlotte hopes to build on its first victory of the season when it hosts Antigua Barracuda FC, also on May 20th.