Dallas Ambushed 6-5 by St. Louis

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

Allen, Texas (January 9, 2021)– The Dallas Sidekicks lost at home against the St. Louis Ambush 6-5 in the second MASL game of the season for the boys in green. The Sidekicks next game is their first road game, January 16th, 2021 at 4:05PM CT against the Florida Tropics at the RP Funding Center.

Dallas looked inspired right from the start thanks in part to the 1980's Argentina National Team special themed jerseys they would be wearing for this one game only paying respect to an Argentinian Legend. The Sidekicks would get on the board first after Lipe continued his fine form with a goal five minutes into the game. It was a goal worthy of "Maradona Night" and a fitting way to honor one of the greatest players the game has ever seen by one of greatest young indoor players in the world. The 1-0 lead would hold up for the rest of the quarter for Dallas as they outshot the Ambush 7-4.

The second quarter started with both teams seemingly having adjusted to the new MASL Flite Sports balls being used for the first time in the regular season in Dallas after the Official Match Balls had been used in the MASL All-Star game which featured the Sidekick's own goal scorer Lipe.  The first penalty of the game would go against the Ambush at around the nine minute mark and the Sidekicks would make them pay as Oscar Romero scored his first goal for the team from the left hand side after a pass from Arthur Ivo halfway through the two minute man advantage to double their lead.  Sidekicks goalie Juan Gamboa would stand tall in net safely pushing away a couple of close shots in the quarter as the defense continued their strong play in maintaining the first half shutout until a power play goal by the Ambush with 2:02 left would cut advantage to 2-1.  A Mike Jones shot just seconds later would result in a hand ball would put the Sidekicks on their second power play of the half.  With a minute left Lipe would rip a shot at the Ambush keeper but an excellent save kept Lipe from a first half brace and the half would end at 2-1 with a power play continuing into the second half.  Dallas would double the amount of St. Louis shots 8-4 in the quarter.

After a half-time performance in which Josh Freeman of the Discovery Channel's Fast N' Loud show drove his famous Hammerhead truck and knocked in a six-foot tall soccer ball into the net channeling his inner Rocket League the Sidekicks would return to the field with about 30 seconds left on the power play from the first half.  An own goal, however, would even the game a 2-2 and a power play goal by Axel Duarte would give St. Louis their first lead at 3-2 early in the third quarter.  Veteran Freddy Moojen would take things into his own hands, or feet, as he would take a ball bouncing near the Ambush goal and slot it in to tie things at three.  St. Louis would reclaim the lead with just under a minute left in the third quarter on a goal by  Vadim Cojocov.  The Ambush would score three goals on seven shots in the quarter while the Sidekicks goal was the result of their three shots.

Clinging to a one goal lead the kick off the final quarter found the Ambush defending in their own zone early with Paulo making a few key saves to preserve the score line until Oscar Romero would score his second goal of the game squaring up to the goal to knock it in the upper left of the goal with his right foot just a few minutes in.  Sidekicks' goalie Juan Gamboa would rob St. Louis of the goal ahead goal at the 11 minute mark with the Ambush goalie Paulo Nacimento matching him on the opposite side. The Ambush would strike again with 8:55 on the clock after a foul by the Sidekicks would give St. Louis the ball in a dangerous spot close to goal  with Stefan Mijatovic scoring to give them the lead again at 5-4. With 4:35 showing on the clock the Sidekicks would gain a man advantage as the Ambush had too many men on the field. Dallas would force Paulo into action but he would not be beaten and a Lucas Almeida short-handed goal would have the Ambush dreaming of their first win of the season holding a 6-4 advantage with just over three minutes left. Arthur Ivo would put on the sixth attacker jersey with just under two minutes on the clock allowing Dallas to press the action. Freddy Moojen would score off a free kick just a feet from goal to cut the lead to one with a minute left.  The Sidekicks would pressure again looking for the equalizer to take the game to extra time to no avail as the St. Louis Ambush would walk away with an exciting road victory.   

Be sure to catch the Sidekicks next home game as they host the San Diego Sockers on Youth Soccer Night on Sunday, January 31st at 3:00pm.  Single game and season tickets for the 2020-2021 season are on sale now and can be purchased here. Call the Sidekicks at 469-393-0160 for more information about tickets.

MASL Match Report
Match: Dallas Sidekicks vs St. Louis Ambush
Date: January 9, 2021
Venue: Allen Event Center; Allen, TX
Kickoff: 7:00PM 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: @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.