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Baltimore Stumbles 2-0 at Home to League-Leading Aztex

May 29, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Crystal Palace Baltimore News Release


Baltimore, MD - Crystal Palace Baltimore fell to the league-leading Austin Aztex tonight at UMBC Stadium tonight by a score of 2-0. Jamie Watson and Maxwell Griffin were on target for the visitors as the Texas club improved to 6-1-2 to maintain first place in the USSF D-2 Pro League standings. With the loss, Baltimore's record now stands at 3-5-1. The evening also served as "Live Pink Night", a fundraiser to benefit breast cancer charity the Tyanna Foundation. The Baltimore players wore pink jerseys to honor the cause.

Palace Baltimore head coach Jim Cherneski was obviously disappointed with the result: "It was our worst performance in the past six games for sure. We need to look at the tape, but we sat back too far and they caused us some problems. That said, we have to finish our chances, make their 'keeper make the save."

Palace Baltimore enjoyed the better of the play in the first half. Pat Healey twice sent in crosses from the right in the opening few minutes, one of which found the head of Yaikel Perez but he contrived to head back across goal while the open net beckoned. Perez was in the action again on 13 minutes earning a corner from a deflected low shot after excellent build-up work from Dan Lader. The next pairing to come close was Mathew Mbuta and Val Teixeira, but from his captain's sharp cross, the Cameroonian's header flew a yard wide of the left post.

On 40 minutes, Paul Robson's blushes were spared after giving the ball away on the edge of his own 18 yard box. Fortunately for the Palace defender, Evan Bush got down well to save Maxwell Griffin's snap shot.

In the 42nd minute, Perez latched latched on to a long through ball but he was held back by an Austin defender, earning a free-kick just outside the penalty area. Teixeira stepped up and curled the ball onto the crossbar with Aztex 'keeper Miguel Gallardo rooted to his goal line and the teams went into the half-time break on even terms.

The second half began with plenty of hustle and bustle from both teams. Neto moved the ball around well from midfield for Baltimore, but the final ball still wasn't finding the target.

Austin's Eddie Johnson forced Bush into a good stop from long range, then Michael Callahan sliced his effort well wide from 18 yards after making a great overlapping run.

Then on 64 minutes, the game changed in Austin's favor. Palace captain Val Teixeira's blatant handball deep inside the box gave referee Nico Bratsis the easiest of decisions.

The Baltimore didn't cave in though as Healey, Mbuta and Lucio all combined to put pressure on the Austin back line over the next several minutes.

But the hammer blow came on 71 minutes. Maxwell Johnson's brilliant finish from Eddie Johnson's pass doubled Austin's lead, putting the game beyond Palace.

The debut appearance of Santiago Fusilier in the 75th minute gave the home fans hope as the tricky Argentinian showed off his pace and skill. He came close to pulling one back for Baltimore on 79 minutes after battling ferociously for the ball deep in the Austin area, but somehow his final effort was blocked. Lucio was just inches high with a free kick on 82 minutes, while Randi Patterson nearly benefitted from an Austin mistake, but chose to shoot while teammate Mbuta looked the better option in space to his right. The final whistle blew and Palace's two game winning streak had been snapped.

Palace's next match is on the road against Miami FC on Wednesday June 9th. The game kicks off at 7:30pm at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.

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U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from May 29, 2010


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