LAUDERHILL, Fla. – Second half-goals by Casey Townsend (Maryland) and Chandler Hoffman (UCLA) paced adiPower to a 2-1 win over adiZero in the first game of Day 2 of the MLS Player Combine.
Townsend supplied the service for Hoffman in the 48th minute, before converting an opportunity 20 minutes later. Evan James (UNC Charlotte) scored for adiZero with the goal of the game, a well-struck finish from distance.
In the 12th minute, adiZero had an early look at goal when defender Matt Hedges (North Carolina) fouled forward Dom Dwyer (South Florida) on the outside edge of the penalty area, but couldn't find the frame off the ensuing free kick.
Evans Frimpong (Delaware) had another good chance for adiZero in the 16th minute, as a cross found him at the top of the box, but his shot was deflected wide for a corner.
The battle between Hedges and Dwyer continued in front of adiPower’s goal. In the 37th minute, Dwyer poked the ball away from Hedges and drove a low shot on goal that ‘keeper Brian Rowe (UCLA) pushed aside for a corner.
Right before halftime, adiPower’s best opportunity to get a goal on the board came from a set piece, but Kelyn Rowe (UCLA) curled in a free kick that was easy for goalkeeper Ryan Meara (Fordham) to snag.
Shortly after the break, adiPower finally broke through as Hoffman headed home a Townsend cross in the 48th minute to take the lead.
Townsend was involved again to double the advantage, nicely volleying home a cross from Rowe in the 69th minute. Rowe and Hoffman are both Generation adidas signings, while Townsend is considered perhaps the best senior in the draft.
AdiZero pulled one back five minutes later thanks to James’ screaming drive. Given time on the ball from 25 yards outside the goal, the Canadian found the upper corner with a driven right-footed shot to make it 2-1.
That was all adiZero could muster on the afternoon, though, as they failed to find the equalizing goal in the game's final 15 minutes. They fall to 0-1-1, while adiPower move to 2-0-0.
HIGHLIGHTS: adiPower 2, adiZero 1
