Sidekicks Fall to Fury 9-7 in Game One of Playoffs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE        
Paul Donaghy
469-393-0162
paul@dallassidekicks.org

Ontario, California (March 23, 2021)– The Dallas Sidekicks lost on the road in the opening match of the 2021 MASL playoffs 9-7 to the Ontario Fury. It was a tremendously exciting match that came down to the wire. Dallas seeks revenge against Ontario at the Allen Event Center on Sunday, March 28th, 2021 at 3:00PM CT in the second and final leg of round-one, wrapping up the home-and-home series against the Fury.

The Fury would have the better start scoring the first three goals of the game thanks to two goals by Justin Stinson to open the game and a goal by Juan Carlos Gonzalez with just over four minutes into the first quarter. Oscar Romero would pull Dallas back to within two goals thirty seconds later. The final goal of the quarter would come from former Sidekick Nestor Hernandez to put the Fury up 4-1. Despite the scoreline, both teams managed seven shots on goal during the quarter. The Sidekicks would get the only man advantage off a Israel Sesay boarding call but would be unable to take advantage.

The second quarter would be much more defensive in nature which suited the visitors just fine. Goalie Juan Gamboa would stand tall when needed and the defense overall kept the Fury in check. Ten minutes would pass before the quarter would see a goal and it would come off the left foot of the Sidekicks Julio Varela would banged a shot right between the goalies legs off an assist from Lipe. Franck Tayou would get on the board next and re-establish the three goal lead after a pass from Jesus Pacheco found him in the box to beat Juan Gamboa. A flurry of shots by the Sidekicks in the final seconds of the quarter would give them the overall shot advantage in the quarter 9-4 and 16-11 over the Fury for the first half.

The Fury Goalkeeper, Claysson De Lima, would have a rough start to the second half taking a hard shot to the back early on before the Sidekicks leading scorer, Felipe De Sousa, would power through him to score his first career playoff goal and cut the lead to 5-3. Sidekicks defender Kristian Quintana would get the teams first blue card on a charging after six minutes and it wouldn't take long for Justin Stinson to get his hat-trick and restore the lead to three. Dallas wouldn't give up and again clawed back into the game after a long pass from Oscar Romero was smartly redirected past De Lima by Felipe De Sousa for his second of the game. Onatario's Uzi Tayou, Franck's brother, would score on a breakaway beating Gamboa in a one-on-one situation to push the lead to 7-4 off a great pass from Juan Carlos Gonzalez. Once again the Sidekicks would end the quarter on the front foot putting tons of pressure on the Fury goal but De Lima would not yield a goal.

Trailing by three heading into the final 15 minutes Dallas was determined to find goals with the game still well within reach. All-Star Lipe would cut hard to his left beating a Fury defender before blasting a left footed shot past De Lima and cutting the lead to two goals with just 90 seconds gone. Things would really tighten up when Oscar Romero would get a ball by himself at the white line and power a ball past De Lima to cut it to one with 12 minutes left to play. A poor giveaway by Hernandez would give Ontario two attackers versus Gamboa and the Fury would double the lead on a goal from Maicon De Abreu.

The two-goal lead would be short-lived as Oscar Romero would get a deflection off a Fury defender to cut the lead back to one with about eight minutes remaining. The score would stay that way until a Sidekicks timeout with 2:44 left and the game very much in the balance. Dallas would go with the sixth attacker and maintain possession for awhile but once Ontario got the ball back they would eventually score thanks to Juan Carlos Gonzalez to ice the game at 9-7 with just over 30 seconds remaining.

The Sidekicks outshoot the Fury 32-18 in what was perhaps their best performance of the season against a very talented Ontario team.

Be sure to catch the Sidekicks final home game as they host the Ontario Fury in the first round of the MASL playoffs next Sunday, March  28th at 3:00pm at the Allen Event Center. Playoff tickets can be purchased by calling the Sidekicks at 469-393-0160. This will mark the final Sidekicks home game of the season regardless as the league semi-finals and finals will take place in Kansas City.

MASL Match Report
Match: Dallas Sidekicks vs Ontario Fury
Date: March 24, 2021
Venue: Toyota Arena; Ontario, California
Kickoff: 8:00PM CT
Broadcast: MASL Facebook Live Page

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: @gosidekicksofficial Twitter: @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.