A disappointing 1-0 loss marks the end of Stars' brilliant first season
Published on August 18, 2007 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Cleveland City Stars News Release
CLEVELAND, OHIO On a perfect night for a soccer game, the second place Cleveland City Stars hosted the third place Harrisburg City Islanders in one of two semi-final matches being played tonight for the privilege of competing for a USL-2 championship. The Stars fell short of their goal, giving up a heartbreaking score just 46 seconds into the second overtime. Both teams played a tremendous, hard fought match.
Many of the Stars attempts on goal came off headers and it was in fact a glancing header by Harrisburg's Steve Fisher from a free kick sent in by #11 Brian Devlin which was the difference in the match. He got just enough hair on it to redirect it past a diving Hunter Gilstrap and into the side netting of the far post. But really every touch on the ball had potential and kept the 1478 fans in attendance focused on the action.
Throughout the game there was a lot of activity in the midfield and the movement was similar to that of a tennis match as the ball moved back and forth across the middle stripe. The Stars and the Islanders are two of the top defensive teams in the league with Hunter Gilstrap recently recognized as best Goals Attempted Average in the league and strong backfield players making it hard for either side to find a way to get the ball into the box.
In addition to the tactical challenge created by this match up, the efforts by each team to maintain possession and the high stakes resulted in 51 combined fouls on the night. On the other side of the stat sheet, shots taken were fairly even with 19 for the Stars and 16 for the Islanders, one of which sends them on to the USL-2 Finals next Saturday to face the Richmond Kickers, the current USL-2 reigning champs.
Perhaps the Stars best opportunity came a few minutes into the first overtime when Cleveland City Stars #18 Luke Williams took a free kick from 25 yards just off the right corner of the box. Midfielder and leading team scorer Adam Moffat received and blasted the ball which struck the crossbar sending it straight down and bouncing on the wrong side of the goal line. Off the rebound pint sized Dana McGregor rose into the air swinging his leg above his head and executing a beautiful bicycle kick, but the attempt was saved by an alert Matt Nelson in the Harrisburg net.
McGregor really changed the energy of the game when he came in for #2 Chris Lemons in the 58th minute. With his usual aerial expertise he took on defenders who many times had more than several inches on him, and more often than not won possession. It was also his spot on passing and his movement off the ball which created several opportunities in the second half of regulation. The Stars were just inches shy all night.
But give Harrisburg their due. They came in to enemy territory and played hard for 120 minutes. They earned their victory, outlasting the Stars and keeping their emotions in check long enough to score the winner. They had many well crafted chances of their own during regulation and sent waves of panic through the bleachers on several occasions throughout. Most notably was an attempt just before the half when the City Islanders worked the ball through the tight Stars defense and into the box. With one deft sweep of his left foot Islanders forward Mo Oduor pushed the ball low and on a path for the far post. Gilstrap just managed to push the ball wide, giving the Islanders another chance from the corner. Fortunately, the corner ended in a decisive clear from Schulte, the City Stars all-star center back who defended more than just his turf. After a particularly rough tackle from one of the City Islanders, Schulte, the consummate captain, got in the face of the offender letting him know he was not going to tolerate anything other than clean soccer tonight.
But tonight was not to be their night, and the Cleveland City Stars left the pitch, weary and dejected. The heroics of the previous three months notwithstanding, anything less than playing for the championship is disappointing. And as all Clevelanders know, there is always next year.
The Cleveland City Stars have a lot to build on. They developed a strong foundation this season, coming in to a new league and finishing in second place. Their fans are loyal, and their roster is strong. They will return, rested, and hungry for a championship. If you want to be a part of the action next year, buy your season tickets soon. Hold on to your ticket stub from tonight's semi-final match and you will get $5.00 off season passes for next year.
Thank you City Stars for a stellar season. You will never walk alone. And special thanks to the Green Army and the Cleveland City Stars fan club for inspiring the team and creating such a great soccer atmosphere. Cleveland fans are still the best!
United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 18, 2007
- A disappointing 1-0 loss marks the end of Stars' brilliant first season - Cleveland City Stars
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