By Jon Johnson
With cameras rolling for the USL2 Game of the Week, Dothan United showed the nation why it’s been a success in the league both on the field and in the stands.
In front of an enthusiastic crowd estimated at just more than 4,000 at Rip Hewes Stadium, the Dragons scored two second-half goals and played tremendous defense in defeating Columbus United 2-0 on Saturday night.
Dothan United remains unbeaten in the South Central Division of the Southern Conference at 4-0. Columbus United falls to 1-1-3.
Rodrigo Lopes came off the bench after intermission and scored the first goal less than three minutes into the second half to get the Dragons on the scoreboard and ignite the crowd.
“It’s about being ready all of the time,” Lopes said. “I just wanted to help. I have to appreciate all the team for supporting me as well. Without them, it’s impossible. It’s a great win and it’s amazing.”
On the play, Lopes received a nice crossing pass from Josh Hallenberger in front of the goal and sizzled a shot past the diving Columbus goalkeeper Martin Dominguez.
Lopes said the team talked at halftime about making some changes offensively.
“We changed to two strikers and that helped a lot,” Lopes said of the second half. “We had a second option and that made a difference.”
Dothan United head coach Ricky Davey certainly punched the right button by inserting Lopes into the match after intermission.
“We decided to go with one striker to start the game and I felt Ryan (Holmes) was not getting a lot of help around him … we didn’t get enough bodies around him and attack,” Davey said. “A really easy change to make. It’s nothing against Rodrigo not starting him. We’re just lucky to have him come off the bench.
“It makes the staff look amazing, right, when he comes on and scores a goal right away. But he has that quality and he can change the game in an instant. He did that tonight.”
The second goal came off the foot of Holmes on an assist from Lopes, who won a ball around midfield and sent it ahead to his teammate. Once receiving the pass ahead of the pack on a breakaway, Holmes put the ball into the net at the 72:28 mark.
With the 2-0 advantage, the defense played solid the rest of the way in keeping Columbus off the scoreboard. Goalkeeper Yago Darub was certainly tested at times – especially in the first half – but came up big every time a shot came on goal.
Davey knew the win wouldn’t come easy. Columbus stayed toe-to-toe with Dothan in the first half before the Dragons took command after halftime.
“We knew it was going to be that way,” Davey said. “They make it really hard to play your game. The big thing for us was no goals against from set pieces … corners, throw-ins, free kicks … and we earned another clean sheet.”
Midfielder Sean Keane was named the team’s man of the match.
“He had a real specific role of sitting in front of that defensive unit, and I just thought he was phenomenal,” Davey said. “He covered so much ground. He got his head on everything; cleared everything.
“I think he just gave everything he could for the team tonight. If you could highlight one performance that summarized the team’s performance tonight, I thought it was Keane tonight.”
Davey was appreciative of the big crowd in attendance.
“The crowd was amazing again,” Davey said. “Listen, we knew it was a big game; we knew it was the national game of the week and we had to perform. But without them, we couldn’t do it. They (players) want to win for these guys who come and watch. It’s definitely something special.”
Dothan returns to the field Wednesday for a match against Swarm FC of Marietta, Ga., beginning at 7 p.m.
