Day two of the Generation Adidas Cup Eastern Regional Qualifiers continued on Saturday at Seminole Soccer Complex in Sanford Florida. DC United opened the day against the Philadelphia Union followed by Toronto FC and the New England Revolution entertaining in the midday match. Orlando City SC hosted New York Red bulls in the day’s final match.
DC United 4-0 Philadelphia Union
The second day of qualifying action at Seminole Soccer Complex began with fifth place Philadelphia Union meeting up with fourth place DC United.
It would prove to be a strong performance by DC United rebounding after yesterday’s tough loss to New York.
In the 13th minute DC United turned a cleared Philly corner into a counter attack they were waiting for. DC stormed down the left wing and crossed a low ball into the middle of the six yard box where Colin Brezniak had the pleasure of claiming the easy opening goal to give United a 1-0 lead.
For much of the half Philly would pour on pressure but DC United sat back and waiting for opportunities to counter and they would do just that.
DC United countered in the 30th minute dribbling the ball into The Union penalty box and drawing a penalty. DC’s Nelson Blanco stepped up to the spot and comfortably converted the penalty kick to put United ahead 2-0.
United continued their strong play early in the second half as yet another counter attack produced a goal from Colin Brezniak in the 46th minute.
Just two minutes later United had a chance to extend the lead to four as United’s counter attacking play forced another penalty kick. This time, Philly’s keeper denied the United attempt and prevented Colin Brezniak’s chance at a hat trick with a fine save.
Philly would continue to put on pressure trying to unlock the United defense but were unsuccessful time after time.
DC United would later claim their fourth goal in the 63rd as Nelson Blanco finished well just beyond the keeper’s reach in a calculated attack into The Union box.
The game would eventually end with the 4-0 scoreline giving DC an important three points heading into the final day of qualifying.
Toronto FC 1-1 (5-4 in PK’s) New England Revolution
Saturday’s second match between group leaders Toronto FC and bottom of the group New England Revolution had no shortage of drama.
The first half was tense as Toronto FC probed the Revolution defense looking for an opening goal while the Revolution looked content to counter attack. Both teams created chances, but unfortunately neither were able to create any legitimate scares for either keeper.
Jumping to the second half, the match continued to build to a climax as Toronto FC continued to produce chances testing the Revolution defense.
In the 63rd New England’s keeper came up with one of the better saves of the weekend as he scrambled to his right post to paw away a shot produced from a chaotic corner kick.
Toronto would continue to put on the pressure to get their go ahead goal and eventually the pressure paid off. In the 79th minute Toronto would claim what they thought was their game winning goal but New England had other ideas.
The Revs mounted a spirited last minute effort to tie the match and in stoppage time they earned a free kick just outside of the box. The cross was sent into a dangerous area and the ball pin-balled its way into the back of the net with the Rev’s Joseph Brito getting the credit in the end tying the match at 1-1.
The game would need to go to penalty kicks to decide a winner. Toronto’s keeper would be the difference here. In the second round of penalty kick’s TFC’s keeper made a kick save and in the fifth and final round stonewalled the Revs again to seal the win for Toronto.
Orlando City SC 0-0 (4-3 in PK’s) New York Redbulls
In the day’s final match, hosts Orlando City SC took on New York Redbulls in the most even match of the day.
The first half was a quiet one as Orlando City never produced any quality chances, while New York only could manage two looping headers that fell easily into the City keeper’s hands.
The game would open up in the second half and both teams would begin to look closer to scoring goals but it just wasn’t meant to be.
New York thought they had their go ahead goal in the 68th minute but the assistant referee decided otherwise and raised his flag for offside taking their goal off the board.
Orlando would come close as well just minutes later when in the 71st minute a long effort beat the New York keeper but not the keeper’s best friend. The shot hit right off the post and New York cleared the threat.
Penalty kicks would be the difference for the two clubs on the night.
In the opening penalty kick, New York’s Zachary Ryan skied his effort putting Orlando in the driver’s seat. Orlando would eventually make a mistake of their own as City’s second penalty went wide of the Redbull keeper’s post.
City’s keeper, Justin Bauer would eventually be the deciding factor in the fourth round of penalties as he made a diving save to his left to ensure City the valuable penalty kick win to keep the Lions in contention in the group table.
Day Three:
Generation Adidas Cup Eastern Regional Qualifying concludes Monday morning. DC United and the New England Revolution will get the day started followed by a battle of the two group leaders, Toronto FC and New York Redbulls. The day’s final match will be the hosts Orlando City SC facing the Philadelphia Union.
