The Riot were unable to capture their first win of the MISL season Friday night in Omaha. The Vipers came into the contest with a 1-3 record, and they were also looking to get going early on this season. Although the Riot started out strong, and even had a lead as late as the 3rd quarter, Omaha put together a truly impressive run of unanswered points to put the game away late. Jump with me after the break for a recap...
The Riot got off to the lead at the 8:03 mark of the 1st, with a goal by Chris Brisson, assisted by Semir Mesanovic. Semir put a wonderful free kick into the middle of the box, and Chris was able to put it past Omaha keeper Jose Bontti for the 2-0 advantage.
The Vipers struck right back (as snakes seem to do so well), as Mauricio Curiel Hernandez (now that makes for a long name on the back of a jersey) was able to take advantage of a Jeff Richey mistake to put the ball in the back of the onion bag to tie the game 2-2. Richey did not clear the ball well, and the Vipers took advantage. Hernandez' goal came at the 3:58 mark of the second quarter.
The Riot stepped back on the gas a few minutes before halftime, tallying a goal by Riot scoring leader Edward Santeliz. Bato Radoncic contributed with the assist on a wonderful pass to Santeliz to put it pas the Omaha net-minder at the 10:47 mark of the 2nd quarter for a 4-2 advantage. Omaha again answered, scoring just before halftime at the 13:06 mark with a Carlos "Chile" Farias goal (the Riot got used to hearing that name last night), who put the ball past Jeff Richey as he came out from the goal.
The Riot came out strong in the 3rd quarter, as Will Kletzien put in a rebound off an Edward Santeliz shot into the net for a 6-4 advantage. It was a wonderful play, but unfortunately for the Riot, that we be the end of the good news for the night. The Vipers tied the game again at 6-6 on a score by Ricardinho (if you couldn't guess by the name, he's Brazilian). At least it is easy in Brazil to create soccer names. Just take your name and add an "inho" at the end. So easy to do, even a caveman could do it. My next post may be under the name Ryaninho.
Omaha then pulled away from the Riot and were able to put the game out of reach. Chile Farias tallied the next 3 goals in succession, with Ricardinho and Shaun David closing out the scoring. Farias went ABOSLUTELY crazy in the game, scoring four goals and was just unstoppable in general. He was Carlos Zambrano to our Michael Barrett.
The Riot fought valiantly, but could not close the gap. The contest ended 17-6, but the Riot have a chance to right the ship as they get right back to business tonight at 6PM vs. the Milwaukee Wave. They will be going into Milwaukee, looking to return the favor of a defeat for the home team that the Wave administered in the Riot's home opener. Remember to check out the action on the Riot's website for live video, and check back here for a complete recap of the Wave contest.