Charlotte knocked out of Open Cup by Wilmington, 3-1
June 28, 2006 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charlotte Eagles News Release
(Wilmington, NC) - The Charlotte Eagles USL-2 professional soccer team began their fight in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Tournament tonight facing USL-2 rival Wilmington Hammerheads. The Hammerheads scored two late second half goals to break the 1-1 tie and claim their place in the US Open Cup third round. The US Open Cup, which is recognized as US Soccer's National Championship, is an annual competition open to all amateur and professional soccer teams affiliated with US Soccer.
Charlotte and Wilmington have tied twice in regular season play thus far, but the stakes were higher tonight in the US Open Cup second round match.
The Wilmington Hammerheads took the lead in the 27th minute. Wilmington's goal came off a two man corner kick play. Veteran midfielder Derek Popovich took the shot on goal that deflected three times before trickling into corner of the goal.
Charlotte answered in the 60th minute with an attack down the right hand side. Ben Johnson made a overlapping run around Dustin Swinehart with the ball. Swinehart played Johnson who dashed to the endline and laid a diagonal ball back across the middle for Taurai Daka. Daka scored with a nicely placed shot from eight yards out to even the score at ones.
Wilmington took back the lead in the 82nd minute. The Hammerheads recovered the ball from the Charlotte defense and Junior Zarate took a tough angle shot from the side that slid inside the post. Just two minutes later Anthony Maher scored the final goal of the match extending the Wilmington lead to two. Thabiso Khumalo pushed the ball down the flank and turned the corner. Khumalo served the ball into the middle, finding Anthony Maher who finished for the goal.
With the 3-1 Wilmington victory, the Hammerheads move onto the third round of the US Open Cup in which they will face the Atlanta Silverbacks. The Charlotte Eagles are out of the US Open Cup tournament, and will now hope to focus on defending their USL-2 National Championship Title.
The Charlotte Eagles are on the road for regular season play this Saturday, facing the Long Island Rough Riders at 7:30 pm. Charlotte's next home game is July 15th, hosting the Richmond Kickers at Waddell Stadium, 8:00 pm. The Charlotte Lady Eagles are at home this Friday night hosting the Cocoa Beach Expos at 7:30 pm at Waddell Stadium. Fans can save $2.00 per ticket by purchasing them at www.CharlotteEagles.com in advance by midnight Thursday.
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United Soccer League Championship Stories from June 28, 2006
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