1/8 FINAL US OPEN CUP

In 2012, Dayton Dutch Lions FC gained national recognition with their run in the Lamar Hunt US Open CUP reaching the quarterfinals after beating Columbus Crew of MLS 1-2 away. In the quarterfinal they lost vs Sporting Kans&as City in front of 16.000 fans, who eventually won the Cup. In the second round the Lions beat the Chicago Fire PDL 2-1 at Toyota Park Practice fields in the last second when Eli Garner was able to find the back of the net in the first half and the Lions kept the lead until the final minutes when Fire tied the score. With 30 second left in stoppage time, Daniel Holowaty scored the game winner off a corner. The third round of the US Open Cup sent seven MLS teams packing, including the Columbus Crew. The Crew struck first against the Lions, scoring off a penalty kick. But Daniel Holowaty assisted Gerrit-Jan Bartels and Gibson Bardsley in the 78th and 81st minutes to lift the Lions 2-1 over the Crew for an amazing win. The win sent the Lions to Rochester, Michigan to meet the Michigan Bucks of the PDL, who had defeated the Chicago Fire 3-2 in overtime. Eli Garner scored in the 12th minute and the Bucks tied the match in the 55th minute. The game remained deadlocked until the 7th minute of overtime when Joel DeLass converted a penalty kick into the winning goal.  The Lions then travelled to MLS’ Sporting Kansas City in the quarterfinals. Kansas City entered the tournament in the third round and defeated Colorado Rapids 2-0. The Lions ended up losing 3-0 in front of 16.000 fans after an even first half  CJ sapping scored two goals for Kansas.

Scoring Summary:
KC – C.J. Sapong 1 (Seth Sinovic 1) 5
KC – Graham Zusi 1 (Jacob Peterson 1) 56
KC – C.J. Sapong 2 (Soony Saad 1) 59

Sporting Kansas City: Jimmy Nielsen©; Seth Sinovic, Lawrence Olum, Matt Besler (Konrad Warzycha 68), Michael Harrington; Michael Thomas, Peterson Joseph, Graham Zusi (Roger Espinoza 59); C.J. Sapong (Teal Bunbury 74), Soony Saad, Jacob Peterson

Subs not used: Eric Kronberg, Dom Dwyer, Kei Kamara, Chance Myers

Dayton Dutch Lions: Matthew Williams; Shane Smith, Mettin Copier (Daniel Holowaty 64), Nixon Dias, PGregory reciado; Joel DeLass, Bret Jones, Mikael McNamara (Akeem Priestley 60); Thomas Garner, Gerrit-Jan Bartels, Gibson Bardsley (Kyle Knotek 56)

Subs not used: Jeff DeGroot, Eric Kissinger, Toric Robinson, Corey Whisenhunt.

QUOTES:
Sporting Kansas City Manager Peter Vermes
Opening comments…

I thought from the beginning it was going to be a tough game, I thought Dayton obviously did a good job again here. They work hard,they’re pretty disciplined, but at the same time I had a lot of confidence in our guys and what I thought we could do against a team like this. They made it difficult in the first half for a while. We had some very good chances early and scored one. We could have actually gotten a few more but credit to the guys, we really didn’t give anything crazy away to them other than the one that was offside. Outside of that I thought we did a good job, we scored a second and third goal which was most important and we shut the game down. I thought it was a solid performance.

Dayton Dutch Lions head coach Ivar van Dinteren
Opening comments…

To be honest, Kansas City was of course in every aspect five or 10 percent better. We knew that and we tried to cover it with work ethic but I think we had some players today who were not there, maybe they were a little bit nervous. You see the stadium and the fans but this is what it is all about. I think they did well; well-deserved win too. I’m very satisfied with the way we played despite that we didn’t get a lot of chances.

On their approach to the game…

I think we got chances 1-on-1. Of course, our game plan was to keep it zero-zero through the first half like we did against Columbus, but small details on top of soccer is the most important. It’s difficult but they are getting there.

On their club’s progress…

This is our third season as a team. For us, our core business is the youth academy. It’s all about development. We try to combine the mental and physical part of soccer, because I think the Americans are mentally stronger and physically stronger, but we think we are better in technique and tactics. To play in the quarterfinals in America I think we did very well.

Dayton Dutch Lions midfielder Joel DeLass

General thoughts on the match…
It was real tough when you give up a goal in the first five, especially when you’re the inferior team. A deflection goal takes a lot out of you. We came out tough in the second half and gave up a real nice goal on the second one and then the corner kick on the third. We were definitely outclassed. We had moments when we were ok but Sporting played really well.

On playing at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park…

This was really nice. Fans were great and it was really loud.  At the end of the day you try and tune that out, but it was fun to play here.

On making it to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup…
I’m really proud of these guys, especially with the way things are going in the league. We are able to get wins in the Open Cup, we beat Columbus and a tough one at Michigan and then this loss. I mean it’s tough to lose but it was fun. Hopefully we can translate that into the league and come back next year.

Dayton Dutch Lions defender Nixon Dias
General thoughts on the match…

I think it was a good experience for all the guy. For me it was great, it was an experience for me because it was the first time I’ve played in the states.  I’ve played in Netherlands and  this stadium is like the Ajax stadium.

On giving up three goals…

I think the first half we played well, for me the first goal was a lucky goal. We did well and we had a few chances.  Kansas City was much better in the second half and we got tired and scored two goals and finished us. We got tired.

On making it to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup…

I think this is good for Dayton, a lot of people were watching and we will get a lot of compliments. It’s good for the club and the players.

Dayton Dutch Lions goalkeeper Matthew Williams
General thoughts on the match…

I thought that we were unlucky to give up a goal so quick. Normally when we play we try tokeep a clean sheet going in to the second half. When you go down a goal like that it gets you out of your element. But credit to Sporting- they played very well. We couldn’t counter. They made it very hard for us. They played a hell of a game.

On playing at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park…

I’ve played at Red Bull Arena and Columbus, but this facility is incredible.  Sporting’s brand is incredible. We felt very welcome at the game. I went and talked to opposing fans after the game and they were all very nice. We a good amount of friends and fans coming out to the game.

On making it to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup…

I just think it’s important we made it this far. When you’re in cup competitions you get an opportunity to do something special.  When you’re not doing well in league competition like us, you get an opportunity to do something different. A lot of people didn’t expect us to get this far at the beginning of the year. Once you get that belief going in the locker room and once you get going, anything is possible.