Sidekicks Late Game Push Not Enough to Defeat Outlaws

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Alex S.
469-393-0165
alex@dallassidekicks.org

Mesquite, TX (November 30, 2019)– The Dallas Sidekicks came out strong in their first game of the 2019-2020 regular season but couldn’t pull out the victory against the Mesquite Outlaws with the game ending in a 7-5 defeat. The Sidekicks will be on the road in Mexico for their next two games before returning home on Dec. 14^th at the Allen Event Center.

In the first quarter the Sidekicks gained possession immediately and took the first shot on goal of the game. Cameron Brown then scored and brought the Sidekicks up 1-0 with a little more than one minute into the game. The ball movement was great on the field for the Sidekicks who held possession as per their playing style. Outlaws midfielder Jorge Deleon scored a goal in the upper 90 on a set piece to tie the score 1-1 at minute 5:19. After an official timeout was called the Sidekicks set up a beautiful set piece that was blocked by the Outlaws. The Outlaws got a power play toward the end of the first quarter after Sidekicks Billy O’Dwyer was called for tripping, but they were unable to capitalize on it. Then Outlaws midfielder Jorge Deleon scored his second of the night to bring the score in the Outlaws favor 2-1 with minutes remaining in the first quarter.

The start of the second quarter began with the Outlaws up 2-1. Minutes into the game the Sidekicks got a penalty kick but weren’t able to get it into the net. The Sidekicks held control of the ball until a missed ball placement allowed Outlaws forward Jamie Lovegrove to score and bring the Outlaws lead to 3-1. The Sidekicks were called for a too-many-men-on-the-field violation which put the Outlaws on the power play, which the Sidekicks successfully killed. The Outlaws took the score to 4-1 toward the end of the fourth quarter when former Sidekicks player Shaun David scored his first of the night. Sidekicks forward Cameron Brown got his second of the night on a gorgeous goal to cut the Outlaws lead 4-2 with a little less than a minute left in the quarter.

The third quarter started off with the Sidekicks gaining possession immediately. The Outlaws scored in the first few minutes of the quarter when Outlaws player Mitchell Cardenas snuck one past Sidekicks goalkeeper Juan Gamboa to bring the Outlaws up 5-2. Then Sidekicks midfielder Arthur Ivo decisively answered back with a banger to the net to cut the Outlaws lead 5-3. The play went back and forth, but former Sidekicks player Clark Binning scored a goal to bring the Outlaws up 6-3 late in the quarter.

The Sidekicks, came out with pure fire in the fourth quarter, putting up back-to-back shots on goal. Early in the quarter Outlaws player Jamie Lovegrove got called for dissent and Sidekicks forward Frederico Moojen took a penalty kick but missed. The Sidekicks then went on the power play, but the Outlaws killed it. With a little less than half the quarter elapsed the Sidekicks brought out the sixth attacker and the Sidekicks instantly reaped the benefit when Sidekicks player Ray Aguayo scored and cut the Outlaws lead to 6-4. The Sidekicks then brought out the sixth attacker again but failed to capitalize and Outlaws forward Vcmor Eligwe got an empty net goal to bring their lead up 7-4. Despite the goal, the Sidekicks kept RJ Luevano as sixth attacker and scored another goal, this time coming from new Sidekicks Brazilian forward Luiz Felipe Xavier De Andrade, Lipe for short and the Kicks got back to within two of the Outlaws at 7-5. Despite the hard push from the Sidekicks at the end, the Outlaws took home the first win in the local North Texas matchup.

The Sidekicks organization as a whole has been focusing on a culture shift and elevating the organization both on and off the field. When watching the team play on the field, whether at a practice or match you instantly notice a sense of unity and teamwork that hasn’t been present in seasons past. The team is cohesive and plays aggressively while being consummate professionals on and off the field. Reshaping a culture is difficult to do, but coach Símon Bozas and his coaching staff seem to have done it in only one offseason. With a rigorous offseason roster build along with tryouts both domestically and abroad, the Sidekicks are looking to improve their record this season by taking one game at a time and building on a strong foundation. Although this game did not end in a victory, the teamwork and level of play on the field showed the Sidekicks are a team to watch this season.

Be sure to come to the Sidekicks home opener on Dec. 14^th, 2019 at 7.05PM CT against the Monterrey Flash at the Allen Event Center in Allen, TX. Single-game tickets are on sale now for all home games and season tickets still available. Call the Sidekicks at 469.393.0165 for more information. The Sidekicks next game is on the road in Monterrey, Mexico against the Monterrey Flash on Dec. 2^nd at 8.05 PM CT and can be watched on MASL.tv.

MASL Match Report
Match: Dallas Sidekicks at Mesquite Outlaws
Date: November 30, 2019
Venue: Mesquite Arena; Mesquite, TX
Kickoff: 7.05PM CT

ABOUT THE DALLAS SIDEKICKS
The Dallas Sidekicks is an American professional indoor soccer team of the Major Arena Soccer League. The organization was established in 1983, is headquartered in Allen, Texas, and plays all home games at the Allen Event Center. Follow the Sidekicks at www.dallassidekicks.com and on their social media.
Facebook: @gosidekicksofficialTwitter: @gosidekicks Instagram: @gosidekicksofficial

ABOUT THE MAJOR ARENA SOCCER LEAGUE
The Major Arena Soccer Leaguerepresents the highest level of professional arena soccer in the world. The MASL features teams across North America, with teams playing coast-to-coast in the United States and Mexico. The MASL is currently incorporated as a 501(c)6 not for profit corporation formed to promote the business and sport of arena soccer.