Newcomer Mark Baena's 88th minute goal helped the A-League San Diego Flash tie its D-3 Pro League affiliate Riverside County Elite 1-1, in a preseason match at West Valley High School Stadium in Hemet, California.
In its first match of the preseason, the Flash controlled most of play in the first half and early into the second half, before the host Elite gained confidence and took a 1-0 lead on a Donald Laing 35-yard blast past Flash goalkeeper Tom Tate in the 85th minute. Laing, who plays for the Flash Amateur Reserve Team, gathered a loose ball and dribbled 20 yards before unleashing his power shot that stayed low to the ground to the far post.
Baena, who was acquired in an off-season trade with Seattle, took advantage of scramble for a loose ball in front of the Elite goal and slotted an 8-yard shot into the side netting. Prior to Baena's late heroics, San Diego had many chances to take the lead in the match, out-shooting the Elite 15-7, but could not put the ball on target. Many of the Flash's best chances slid wide of the goal, forcing the three Elite goalkeepers to make only three saves.
Although the match was the first for both teams, it entertained an inaugural Elite crowd of 976. Riverside County, which is beginning its first season in the United Soccer League's D3-Pro League, is also owned and operated by the San Diego Soccer Development Corporation and will be the developmental farm team for San Diego.
San Diego will continue its preseason schedule with a match against the United States U-20 National Team at the Arco Training Center in Chula Vista, Ca, Saturday at 11:00 a.m.
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RIVERSIDE COUNTY ELITE DRAWS 1-1 WITH A-LEAGUE FLASH
A Crowd of 976 Witnesses Entertaining Inaugural Match
Courtesy of the San Diego Flash
HEMET, CA (Saturday, March 18, 2000 - MR1)
Riverside County Elite, the area's newest professional sports team, tied it's A-League affiliate San Diego Flash 1-1, in a preseason match at West Valley High School Stadium in Hemet, California. The match was the first in the history of the team and the response was positive to the start of pro soccer in the Inland Empire.
Riverside County, which is beginning its first season in the United Soccer League's D3-Pro League, is also owned and operated by the San Diego Soccer Development Corporation and will be the developmental farm team for San Diego. Elite players were trying to make a good impression in front of both the Elite and Flash coaching staffs. The D3-Pro League is often the first step in a player's professional career.
Elite representatives were pleased with the turnout for the match. "The response of the soccer community has been tremendous and it showed tonight. The Inland Empire is ready to embrace professional soccer and I think that we showed them tonight that we will put on a good show and have an entertaining product, stated Elite Executive Vice-President Jack Fielding. "I expect as we go through the season that the excitement and the crowds will continue to grow."
The gathering saw the visiting Flash control most of play in the first half and early into the second half, before the host Elite gained confidence and took a 1-0 lead on a Donald Laing 35-yard blast past Flash goalkeeper Tom Tate in the 85th minute. Laing, a forward trying to make the team, gathered a loose ball and dribbled 20 yards before unleashing his power shot that stayed low to the ground to the far post.
The Elite failed to hold onto the lead, as only three minutes passed before San Diego forward Mark Baena took advantage of scramble for a loose ball in front of the Elite goal and slotted an 8-yard shot into the side netting. Prior to Baena's late heroics, San Diego had many chances to take the lead in the match, out-shooting the Elite 15-7, but could not put the ball on target. Many of the Flash's best chances slid wide of the goal, forcing the three Elite goalkeepers to make only three saves.
"For the first time, we were able to see our team in a real game situation. We had a lot of positives and some things that we will need to work on, but overall I was happy with our play against one of the best teams in the A-League, remarked Elite head coach Tom Evans. San Diego has lost in the National Semi-Final round of the A-League playoffs the past two seasons.
Riverside County returns to action Saturday, March 25, 7:30 p.m. against another A-league opponent, Orange County. Tickets are available through the Elite ticket office, West Valley High School ASB or www.sportix.net. For more information, please contact the Elite at 909/243-1810 or visit the club's website at www.rcelite.com.
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