Blues Fall To Mexico U20s

Los Angeles Blues News Release -- www.labluesprosoccer.com

Saturday, February 25, 2012

FULLERTON, Calif. ? On a historic night for professional soccer in Orange County, the Los Angeles Blues showed a lot of promise in a 1-0 home defeat to the Mexican U-20 national team on Saturday. In an even affair, Alfonso Tamay put the visitors up around the hour mark and El Tri successfully defended its lead against nine opposition players, following red cards to the Blues? Mike Lopez and Israel Sesay.

While Mexico had the better of the possession for the first half of the opening period, the Fullerton-based side created the first huge opportunity of the match in the 25th minute. Irving Garcia played a nice opening pass toward the left, where Lopez cut to his right foot and released a precise shot that seemed destined for the inside of the near post, only to be stopped in spectacular fashion by fully extended goalkeeper Richard Sanchez.

Mexico nearly scored at the other end moments from the halftime whistle, Raul Lopez?s long-range blast whistling just over the crossbar. The visitors did take the lead after the break when a 59th minute cross in from the right was misplayed by the Blues backline and found its way through to a wide open Tamay, who had a simple finish past goalkeeper Jose Miranda.

The hosts, who were debuting their brand-new uniforms for the 2012 USL PRO season, would dig an even deeper hole for themselves when they were shown two red cards in quick succession. First Lopez was ejected for a 70th minute challenge on Oscar Garcia, then Israel Sesay was given his marching orders for an unfortunate high kick in the 73rd minute that caught the head of Jesus Escoboza.

The Blues would show great fighting spirit following the double-blow, netminder Miranda only having to make one save during the remainder of the match, as he stood strong to block a rocket from close range deep into stoppage time. In the end it was an all around successful night at Fullerton?s Titan Stadium, with the Mexican side providing its raucous fans with a win and the Blues showing plenty of promise for a team that is still a week away from the official opening of its preseason.

Source: http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/601903.html

mcfadden mcfadden ponder ponder extract extract bobby jindal