Baltimore Stuns Phantoms with 91st Minute Game-Winner
July 21, 2007 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
New Hampshire Phantoms News Release
MANCHESTER, NH - (July 21, 2007) - It seems as if a ghost has been lurking in the shadows all season long haunting the Phantoms. For the third time this season, the Phantoms lost a game in added time - this time to a surging Crystal Palace Baltimore team in the 91st minute. Incredibly, it was a 90 th minute substitute, Sean Rush, that scored the game-winner. Rush, who had just replaced forward Andrew Herman, blasted a 12-yard shot into the upper right corner less than one minute after stepping onto the Joe Chabot/Hubie McDonough pitch at Manchester Memorial High School.
Rush collected a serve from teammate Gary Brooks who had body blocked a clearing ball off the foot of Tyler Jackson just four yards in front of the goal. Brooks chested the ball to his feet, spun, and found a wide-open Rush. Pandemonium ensued as CP Baltimore's entire team celebrated the moment off the field just yards away from the team bench.
A stellar NH Phantoms defense had withstood wave after wave of attacking pressure from a Baltimore team in the second half. The defensive unit of James Greenslit, Oumar Thiam, Joseph Clancy, Michael Cafeteiro, and Jackson played flawless for 90 minutes and looked invincible. It had only given up three goals in the past three contests.
Baltimore entered the game with a 5-5-5 mark (20 points) and a three-game unbeaten streak. Crystal Palace was also playing without the services of its leading scorer Matthew Mbuta (5 th in league in assists and shots) who had been ejected from the game the previous night in Baltimore's 1-0 win at Western Mass.
The Phantoms came in with a 2-9-5 record (10 points) having upset number one Richmond and tying Cleveland in its past two matches.
The game featured numerous momentum swings with both teams having its way for 10-minute spells. Baltimore seemed to start each half of play in a frenzy trying to wear the Phantoms down with territorial possession, physical and emotional play, and attacking wave after attacking wave. When it could not penetrate, the tide would switch in favor of the Phantoms.
NH had its own opportunities to capitalize with Almir Barbosa cracking two shots over the crossbar in the early going. Tom McNeil and Romelle Burgess also had shots denied by Baltimore goalkeeper Brian Rowland. NH's Miguel Gonzalez' bid to win the game in the 88th minute was deflected by a Baltimore defender.
On the other end of the field, Brian Levey had a fingertip save off a Harold Urquijo that deflected off the post and bounced over the end line.
For Baltimore, it was a sweet ending to its two games series with the Phantoms after it had played to a 0-0 stalemate on June 2 at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium in Maryland.
The Phantoms return to action on Saturday, July 28, at home versus Wilminton Hammerheads. The Phantoms then conclude its 2007 campaign with home matches against Bermuda and Cincinnati.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 21, 2007
- Eagles Celebrate 15 years with 1-0 Win Over Wilmington - Charlotte Eagles
- Baltimore Stuns Phantoms with 91st Minute Game-Winner - New Hampshire Phantoms
- City Stars Settle For Heartbreaking 1-1 Tie With Richmond Kickers - Cleveland City Stars
- Lady Eagles Finishing with a BANG, 8-0 Over Fredericksburg - Charlotte Eagles
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