Match Report

New Orleans Riverboat Gamblers
(USISL A-League)

vs.

Dallas Burn
(Major League Soccer)

Tuesday, July 29, 1997, 7:30pm CDT

Location: Zephyr Field, Jefferson, LA.

Score: Burn 3, Gamblers 0

Attendance: 6,269

(compiled from various reports)

My fraternity brother and former UNO basketball guard Tim Owens used to always say that any team could hang with any other team for one half, and that it was the second half that would separate the two. Unfortunately for the New Orleans Riverboat Gamblers, the Burn rose up and showed them why they're challenging for the Western Division lead in MLS. The Gamblers held their own through the first half, allowing only a single goal by ex-Gambler Jason Kreis in the 39th minute. Kreis booted a pass from Temoc Suarez into the net from the top of the penalty area. The Gamblers were denied a goal by referee Zim Boulos before time expired in the first half, after Boulos called a foul for interfering with the Burn keeper, Garth Lagerway (another ex-Gambler).

The Gamblers came out strong in the second half but just couldn't put the ball in the net. Lagerway didn't make any spectacular saves; the Gamblers simply didn't get the job done. The aggressive offensive tactics of the Gamblers opened up the midfield for the Burn, however, who got underneath the defense and scored additional goals in the 70th and 74th minute. It was one of those matches that could have easily ended 1-0, but the Gamblers tried to win one for the home crowd.

By all accounts, the match was quite a success for the Gamblers in spite of the score. The attendance figure is the highest in the history of the club. Hopefully the enthusiasm showed by local soccer fans will spill over into the regular A-League season for the last three home matches.

The Box:

Dallas now advances to the Quarterfinals of the US Open Cup, opponent, date and time TBA.