The Salt Lake Sting failed for the third time this year against the Colorado Foxes, losing 2-0 at Jefferson County Stadium.
This time more was on the line because it was the first round of the Western Soccer League playoffs. Now the Sting need to beat the Foxes Wednesday night (8 p.m.) in the second playoff game and beat the Foxes in a 30-minute mini-game afterward to advance to the second round."We outplayed them," said Sting Coach Laurie Calloway, echoing a familaiar refrain. "They didn't play soccer, they just played boom-ball. They aren't pretty but they're effective."
Salt Lake lost a couple of great opportunities near the end of the first half when George Pastor and Paul Tell both missed one-on-one chances.
Colorado finally broke through in the 76th minute when midfielder John Klein took it down the left side and beat the Sting defense and goalkeeper Paul Parkinson.
Calloway immediately pulled Parkinson and inserted Mike Foscalina as an extra attacker. Dominic Milatello missed from short range for Salt Lake before the Foxes iced it with a goal by Mike Mikes in the 83rd minute.
For Colorado goalie Mark Dodd, it was his 14th shutout of the season. The Foxes outshot the Sting 21 to 11.
"It's all on the line Wednesday," said Calloway.