Posted on July 14, 2012
BRADENTON, Fla. – In a game that was forced to be played over two days because of inclement weather, Antigua Barracuda FC dropped a 3-0 USL PRO decision to the Los Angeles Blues at IMG Academy on Friday.
The victory kept the eighth-place Blues (6-8-2, 20 points) in contention for the playoffs, getting a chance to pull even with the sixth-placed Richmond Kickers on Saturday at 4 p.m. as the teams meet again at IMG Academy. Last-place Antigua (10) fell to 3-10-1.
Bryan Burke, who finished with a brace, had given the Blues the lead before lightning and heavy rain pulled the teams off the field in the 13th minute on Thursday. Burke’s 11th-minute goal came from a defensive error as he was able to drive into the penalty area and drive a low shot home for his second goal this season.
Upon the resumption on Friday morning, both teams had chances to find the back of the net. Los Angeles almost doubled its lead after a low cross skidded across the face of goal, but it was the Barracudas who came closest to a goal before the break after Erlys Garcia conceded a free kick just outside the penalty area. Antigua’s Quinton Griffith struck a free kick, but LA goalkeeper Jose Miranda made a good save.
Antigua’s chances of getting back into the game were diminished as it was reduced to 10 men in the 66th minute as Luke Blakely was sent off. Blakely had received a yellow card minutes earlier before a challenge from behind saw his game end early. The Blues capitalized almost immediately on their man-advantage as Brian Farber doubled the lead two minutes later with a clean finish from inside the penalty area.
The Blues slowed the game down, but they were able to add a third goal with five minutes to go as Farber played provider. The veteran midfielder made a run down the right side, and sent a back-post cross that was met by Burke for his second goal.
Categories: Antigua and Barbuda, Caribbean
Tags: Antigua Barracuda, Brian Farber, Bryan Burke, IMG Academy, LA Blues, USL PRO
Loading ...
