With the match tied 1-1, Jose Vasquez - Orange County's sweeper - received a red card for a tackle from behind. With the man advantage, Boston was not able to capitalize. In fact, Orange County was able to score the winning goal one-minute after Vasquez was sent off.
Orange County opened the match strong. Steve Patterson got things started in the 7' with a header off the post - getting a beautiful cross from Jason Boyce - that Boston's Paulo Dos Santos cleared out for a corner. The ensuing corner found Jose Vasquez' head, which he put over the cross bar. Two minutes later Boyce again found Patterson at the top of the box for a shot on goal that was saved nicely by Russell Payne. Finally in the 16' Orange County were rewarded for their early control of the match. Boyce fed P.J. Polowski with a nice ball, which found its way again to Patterson at the top of the box. Patterson was able to find his yard of space and beat the 'keeper with a shot into the lower left corner of the goal.
Trying to stay in the match, Boston threatened Orange County's goal periodically in the first half. Stephen Grant sent a cross into the box in the 22' that no Orange County player wanted to clear. Dos Santos' shot was sent over the bar, however. In the 28' Sam Franklin took a free kick that was deflected, but Matt Reis - on loan from Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS) - was able to save it. Sullivan Phillips came on for Will Kohler at the beginning of the second half. His insertion into the match provided an immediate spark for Boston. He went on a 30-yard run down the right flank into the box. He squared a pass to Grant, which was easily put in for the goal. Eight minutes later, Grant again found himself with the ball on goal, 1v1 with the Reis. This time he was not able to beat Reis, putting the ball into the side netting.
Then in the 56' Vasquez received his red card for an unnecessary tackle from behind on Phillips, but down a man, Orange County was able to score the winner. Boyce had the ball in the corner, one minute after Vasquez' sending off, and beat two defenders. His cross then found Gustavo Leal unmarked at the far post, which Leal easily put away for the winner.
Trying to protect the lead, Orange County started playing a 3-5-1 after Anthony Farace and Nick Theslof came on. Patterson was left alone up top to try and poach a goal on the counter. He almost did at the 71' mark chipping Payne, but the Boston 'keeper tipped the shot over the bar.
Boston's offense, with the man advantage was not effective. Reis, the "Man of the Match", was able to thwart any effort made by Boston. He came off his line at the right moment to smother any through ball and catch any cross that was sent into box. The match ended without any serious threat by Boston to equalize.
Line-ups: Orange County (3-4-1-2): Matt Reis; Peter Lak (Omar Elminoufi-83'), Jose Vasquez, Jake Dancy; Shawn Saunders (Adam Cooper-45'), Art Temblador, Kenny Hesse, Jason Boyce (Anthony Farace-66'); P.J. Polowski (Brandon Fonseca-45'); Gustavo Leal (Nick Theslof-68'), Steve Patterson.
Boston (3-1-4-2): Russell Payne; Paul Brooks, Steve Nicol, Chaka Daley; Sam Franklin; Tom Poltl, Paulo Dos Santos, Luis Carlos Jimenez, Will Kohler (Sullivan Phillips-45'); Stephen Grant, Ebbie Kodiat (Jim Manganello-85').
Goals: 16' - OC, Patterson (Polowski). 47' - BOS, Grant (Phillips). 57' - OC, Leal (Boyce).
Cautions: 3' - OC, Saunders. 4' - OC, Lak. 38' - OC, Polowski. 59' - OC, Temblador. 59' - BOS, Poltl. 78' - BOS, Dos Santos. Ejections: 56' - OC, Vasquez.
-Ronnie Grant-
