The Hampton Roads Mariners led by forward Saul Martinez, defeated the Raleigh Express 3 -1 in Raleigh tonight. It was an exciting and entertaining match, but it was Martinez that provided most of the spark for Hampton Roads.
Right from the start, this match was played quickly from end to end. Both teams looked fresh in the early going. Neither looked like they were playing the second of back-to-back matches.
Both clubs had a selection of early chances. A few tense moments occurred during an early Mariner possession highlighted by Martinez dribbling free in the Raleigh box. His shot was deflected by a diving Chris Lewis. Scott Thelen, standing at the goal line, got a high boot on the rebound to save a sure goal. Carson White was finally able to clear the ball over the home side stands to give Raleigh a chance to reorganize.
The Express was successfully getting in every way possible in the early minutes; over the top from Eddie Rodriguez and down the wings with Thelen and White and straight down the center via Chad Carithers and Ihor Dotsenko. The home team managed some great controlling possessions extending the length of the field. One in particular that sprung Carson down the right side had no less than seven touches as the ball moved out of the back into the attacking third through some tight spaces.
Saul Martinez was simply a factor. His presence on the field tonight mattered. He had a fine supporting cast, but this was Saul's night. Every time he touched the ball this evening, he was dangerous. Mick McDermott did a good job defending him in the first half, but it was in transition that Saul was most intimidating. He always seemed to be waiting in little creases of space when the ball was won. His work rate stayed high, especially in the first half, he did a great job of tracking back to break up Raleigh possessions.
The Mariners got on the board first with a 34th minute goal by Alan Branigan from the right side assisted by Chris Scrofani. "You know who" got the double assist.
The half ended very positively for Raleigh, however. In the final moments in the attacking third, the Express put together a fine series of deceptive passes and promising touches.
Raleigh's goal in the 47th minute exemplified the seasons of two players in particular. Ihor Dotsenko headed up Shane Watkins' corner kick near the left post. Running under it, Carson slid in from the left and footed the ball past Idzahl for the equalizer. At the beginning of the season, Dotsenko's play out of the air was virtually non-existent. What a dramatic improvement he has made in the second half of this season, resulting in a number of headed assists in recent matches. Carson's forceful runs and challenges have created opportunities for Raleigh all year long. He has balanced his play equally with creative attacking and merciless destroying.
By the 60th minute Eddie Rodriguez, who was playing with a broken toe, was clearly in trouble. The long serves had stopped and each step was tenuous and gingerly tested. Martinez motored around him unchallenged in the midfield as Eddie fell to the turf in obvious pain. In what resembled the old MLS shootout, Chris Lewis charged out and stuffed Martinez at the top of the box with a spectacular challenge.
In the 63rd, Eddie stretched high to clear a ball from about six yards with the inside of his foot. Martinez chested it down near the 18 and turned with his back to goal to shield Abukusumo. It was hard to tell what happened next, but Martinez somehow bumped Ubusuku, maybe a kind of a butt check (did he step on his boot?). Ubusuku went down as Martinez turned quickly and fired a shot over Lewis that was just under the bar.
Lewis and Martinez had another crunching encounter in the 76th minute just outside the box as Lewis cleared a long flighted pass that Martinez was chasing down.
Raleigh continued to work and earn the better (and more frequent) shot opportunities of the two teams. Shane Watkins rocketed through some weak defensive seams on the dribble late in the match, getting at least one good look on goal that was saved by Idzahl.
In stoppage time, it was Martinez in transition again with possession in the middle of the field, working his way to goal. Respecting his speed on the ball, Raleigh gave him plenty of room with tight support in order to contain him. Hayes made a smart run down the right side and was rewarded with a pass into space for a one touch finish.
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Unofficial Statistics
Hampton Roads: Idzahl, Branigan, Daniels, Checcio, Bailey, Scrofani, Fairchild, Dominguez, Martinez, Donnelly, Hayes
Goals: 34' - Branigan (Scrofani, Martinez), 63' - Martinez, 90+ - Hayes (Martinez)
Cautions: 20' - Martinez
Raleigh: Lewis, Rodriguez, McDermott, Abukusumo, Farris, White, Carithers (Merkel, 55), Thelen (DiSalvo, 61), Marks, Dotsenko, Walker (Watkins, 46)
Goals: 47' - White (Dotsenko, Watkins)
Cautions: 6' - Abukusumo
