The Connecticut Wolves defeated the visiting Boston Bulldogs 2-1 on Saturday evening before their largest crowd of the season at Willow Brook Park in New Britain, Connecticut in a vital U.S. Open Cup match for both teams. The Wolves faced strong opposition throughout the match from the Bulldogs, who played in the A-League last season. Indeed, Connecticut had to come from behind to capture four points for the victory in the U.S. Open Cup group standings.
It was Boston that carried the play in the early stages of the match, playing tight, physical defense and frequently double-teaming Connecticut's two midfield leaders, Temoc Suarez and Paul Oyuga. Oyuga still managed to create opportunities, passing to Wolves forward Patrick Beech in the box for a chance that Beech put just wide of the right post. But it was Boston who struck first in the 12th minute, quickly counterattacking after Beech's scoring chance. The Bulldogs worked the ball along the right wing to James Proctor (one of three players in the Boston starting lineup who, along with Gary Crompton and Zach Samol, once played for Connecticut). Proctor found open space along the right flank near the edge of the penalty area to put in a pinpoint cross for Bulldogs midfielder Sullivan Phillips sprinting in at the back post. Phillips put his volley past Wolves goalkeeper Adam Throop to give Boston a 1-0 lead.
The goal sparked both teams into action, with the Wolves pressing forward looking for an equalizer and the Bulldogs trying to contain them with tight marking. The physical nature of play in the first half led to five yellow cards, four of them against Connecticut players. Oyuga and Wolves midfielder Sean Nealis each had half chances in the closing stages of the first half, but the Bulldogs managed to maintain the 1-0 margin and carried that lead into the second half of play.
For the first few minutes of the second half, Boston continued their strong defensive play, frequently putting two defenders on Suarez or Oyuga when either player had the ball to prevent Connecticut from creating true scoring opportunities. But Connecticut soon began to break down the Boston defense, finding more space for Oyuga and for Mobi Oparaku on the right side of midfield. On one foray up the field in the 52nd minute, Oyuga put a pass into the box intended for Patrick Beech. Beech got past the Boston defense, forcing a foul and setting up a penalty kick for the Connecticut Wolves. Wolves left back Bert Williams stepped up to take the kick, leveling the score at 1-1 by placing his shot into the upper right hand corner.
The Wolves continued to find space to run their offense after the goal, carrying the play for the next fifteen minutes. Oparaku proved particularly dangerous with his speed and ball skill on the right flank. Just three minutes after Williams had tied the score, Oparaku dribbled away from the Boston defense and put a cross into the box. Oyuga headed the cross towards goal from close range, only to be denied by the crossbar.
Connecticut continued to press forward looking to take the lead, with Oparaku again using his speed along the right flank to spark the Wolves' offense. Indeed, Oparaku forced one of the best saves of the night out of Bulldogs keeper Chris Hamblin in th 67th minute. Hamblin, the former Boston College goalkeeper, put in an excellent effort on the night. He denied Oparaku by parrying his sharp downward header over the touchline for a corner. Yet the danger was not clear, as Connecticut took the corner quickly. Oyuga headed the corner into the lower right hand corner of the net, out of Hamblin's reach, to give the Wolves the lead for the first time in the match, 2-1.
Although the Wolves had gained the ascendancy, the Bulldogs refused to concede and pressed forward looking to tie the score. Boston forwards Ryan Lucas and Ebbie Kodiat both had excellent scoring chances, with Lucas hitting the outside of the left post with a shot from 20 yards and Kodiat forcing Throop and the Wolves defense to make two stops in a goalmouth scramble. The Wolves looked to counterattack to increase their lead and gain the bonus point for scoring three goals, while still trying to play tighter defense. They held Boston at bay in the closing minutes, and nearly scored their third when Wolves substitute forward Fabio Zuniga crossed to Suarez at the near post. Suarez directed his close range shot just wide of the right post, moments before the final whistle.
With the victory, the Wolves move a step closer to the next stage of the U.S. Open Cup. A victory and bonus point against the Rhode Island Stingrays in East Providence on Wednesday would see Connecticut through as group winners.
Connecticut Wolves 2, Boston Bulldogs 1
Goals: Boston- Sullivan Phillips-12th minute
Connecticut- Bert Williams (penalty kick)-53rd minute
Connecticut- Paul Oyuga-68th minute
Cautions: Connecticut- Paul Oyuga-16th minute
Boston- Gary Crompton-16th minute
Connecticut- Max Zeiky-25th minute
Connecticut- Bert Williams-27th minute
Connecticut- Russell Hutchinson-30th minute
Expulsions: None
Connecticut Wolves: Adam Throop, Max Zeiky, Antonio Soto, Russell Hutchinson, Bert Williams, Mobi Oparaku (Fabio Zuniga 83), Sean Nealis, Winston Griffiths, Temoc Suarez, Paul Oyuga, Patrick Beech (Brian Wood 87)
Boston Bulldogs: Chris Hamblin, Gary Crompton, Mike Dias, Zach Samol, Richard Stimpson (Brandon Jance 60), Adam Brown (Adam Skumawitz 73), James Proctor (Geoff Walker 89), Sullivan Phillips (James Manganello 65), Methembe Ndlovu, Ryan Lucas, Ebby Kodiat
