City Stars Add Two Before Taking On Minnesota Thunder Saturday at 8:05 p.m.
May 15, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Cleveland City Stars News Release
Cleveland, OH - The Cleveland City Stars go on the road this weekend as they travel to St. Paul, Minnesota to take on the Minnesota Thunder. The City Stars faced the Thunder last year in the 2008 Lamar Hunt Open Cup, and walked away with a 2-0 victory.
The City Stars' season is picking up, after a 0-0 draw with the Portland Timbers last Saturday. The shut-out was largely the result of goalkeeper Hunter Gilstrap's brilliant reflexes. Gilstrap kept his composure as he faced 24 shots and registered a remarkable 11 saves, earning him the USL Player of the Week title. Midfielder John Michael Hayden was also named to the USL Team of the Week.
The draw improved Cleveland's record to 0-3-1. Ricardo Pierre-Louis remains the team's only goal-scorer with his goal against Miami FC in the City Stars first match of the season. Although the City Stars remain in last place in league standings, last week's draw has closed the gap and they are now tied in points with the Montreal Impact, with only a one-point inferior goal difference.
The Minnesota Thunder is currently in 9th place in league standings, with a 0-3-2 record. Back-to-back 1-1 draws against the Austin Aztex and Charleston Battery have been overshadowed by two losses to the Carolina RailHawks, and a home opener loss against the Vancouver Whitecaps last week. The Thunder are led by leading goal-scorers Leonel St-Preux and Ricardo Sanchez, whose combined four goals have contributed to keeping the Thunder out of last place.
The match will be full of familiar faces as former City Stars defender Andrew Peterson has logged over 130 minutes with the Thunder this year, and recent City Stars addition Leo Gibson logged nine goals for the Thunder during his three seasons with the squad. City Stars captain Godfrey Tenoff also spent three seasons with the Thunder, and captained the side in 2007.
The match will be broadcast live on usllive.com, with kickoff at 8:05 p.m.
The City Stars return home on Friday, May 22nd at 8 p.m. to take on the Carolina RailHawks and former City Stars head coach Martin Rennie in a Fox Soccer Channel broadcast. Tickets are available by calling 330-425-2003 or by visiting clevelandcitystars.com
Cleveland City Stars (0-3-1) at. Minnesota Thunder (0-3-2) Saturday May 16th 8:05 p.m. National Sports Center, St. Paul, MN Live broadcast on USLlive.com
Cleveland Signs Alioune Gueye, Adds Julian Valentin On Loan From L.A. Galaxy
The City Stars today announced the additions of two players, midfielder Alioune Gueye and defender Justin Valentin. Gueye (pronounced Gay) is a native of Senegal and joins the City Stars after playing professionally in Nigeria while Valentin comes to Cleveland on loan from the L.A. Galaxy of MLS.
"As we continue to build our lineup, we feel that both Alioune and Julian can come in and contribute," said City Stars head coach Rod Underwood. "Alioune was with us in the pre season and understands our scheme and Julian is a talented defender that should help us right away in the back line."
The 22-year old Gueye played past two seasons for Dolphins FC in the Nigerian First Division. Gueye, who speaks French, will be making his debut in the U.S.
Valentin was a two-time first team All-American at Wake Forrest University and co-captained the 2007 NCAA national championship team. The 22-year old has been capped by the U.S. U-17, U-18, U-20, and U-23 teams and played in the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada. Valentin was drafted in the third round of the 2008 MLS SuperDraft by the L.A. Galaxy.
Gueye and Valentin are with the City Stars on the road and will be in uniform for Saturday's match with the Minnesota Thunder.
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USL First Division Stories from May 15, 2009
- Puerto Rico downs Tempete 2-0 in overtime to reach CFU Final - Puerto Rico Islanders
- Impact Play to 0-0 Tie at Home - Montreal Impact
- Unbeaten Battery digs in to earn tie in Montreal - Charleston Battery
- City Stars Add Two Before Taking On Minnesota Thunder Saturday at 8:05 p.m. - Cleveland City Stars
- Farber, Pore Team Up To Lead Timbers To 2-1 Win - Portland Timbers
- Rhinos Lose in Portland, 2-1 - Rochester Rhinos
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