Max Busch Scores Two for Miami Dutch Lions FC in 3-1 Win over Boca Raton FC
By Miami Dutch Lions FC
Miami Dutch Lions FC (3-0-1) beat Boca Raton FC 3-1 on a hot and humid Wednesday evening at Milander Park. After trailing 1-0 at halftime, Max Busch was the man of the match with two goals and an assist to Riki Soto.
The Lions started well, Busch had a great dribble in the sixth minute from the top right corner of the box going past two defenders serving the ball to Thijs Middeldorp at the second post, but his shot went wide. Boca became more dominant in the midfield and was especially dangerous on the left wing. In the 17th minute Boca almost scored with a shot from 25 yards out, but Alexander Kraus had a good save. In the 24th minute Boca almost took the lead when a shot from 10 yards out was cleared by a defender after a good serve from the left side. The Lions then had a chance in the 26th minute, when Felipe Alvarez had an open shot at goal, but his shot went wide. In the 30th minute Kraus came up big again with a save 1v1 after a deep ball on the left side.
Two minutes later the Lions seemed to take the lead when Busch played a through ball to Felipe Alvarez, who found himself 1v1 with the goalkeeper, but his shot went left from the goal. In the 33rd minute Boca did score. The ball was served into the box from the right and not cleared properly. It was then played against the hands of Kraus who pushed the ball out of the goal, but the linesman raised his flag that the ball was behind the goal line.
Three minutes later Boca almost doubled the score when another low cross from the left side was placed inside the box, but the shot was blocked. The Lions seemed to score the equalizer in the 41st minute when Angelo Leendertse was 1v1 after a good ball from Middeldorp coming inside from the left, but the goalkeeper of Boca came up with a great save. Just before halftime the Lions created another big chance when a free kick was headed right in the feet of Pedro Caratini, who found himself alone in front of the goalkeeper, but his shot went over the crossbar. The Lions started the second half a little aggressive and were able to play through the midfield more and more. The first open chance was still for Boca in the 51st minute, when a shot from the left just went over the crossbar. In the 54th minute Busch went 1v1 with the goalkeeper who saved his shot, but Soto followed his run and was able to score 1-1.
A minute later Busch did score when he had an excellent run and dribbled past the goalkeeper to shoot the ball in the open net: 2-1. Boca came pushing a little more and in the 70th minute Kraus came up big again with a save 1v1 on the left side. Two minutes later Soto almost scored his second goal of the night, but his shot in the box was blocked. The defense of the Lions stood strong after that and did not give any chances away anymore. In the 89th minute Busch decided the game on another good pass from the middle with him staying very composed scoring his second goal of the game.
Miami Dutch Lions FC head coach Robert Stoutenburg shared his thoughts on the win.
“Today was a tough one,” Stoutenburg said. “In the first half we were positionally and athletically a little bit short. We allowed too many long balls played in behind our backs. At times it became difficult for us to try to build out of the back so credit to Boca. The second half we’re really happy. We talked to the boys at the half with what we needed to do, and they executed perfectly. Boca was a tough opponent and it showed perseverance from our boys. We are at our best, moving the ball around the field and changing the point of attack. The boys executed in the second half really well and we were really pleased with the way we finished off the game.”
The win puts the Lions in first place in the Sunshine Conference. The team is back in action again on Saturday when they play Central Florida Panthers SC again at home at 7:00 pm.
Photo Credit: Miami Dutch Lions FC
