Baltimore unable to find way past Charlotte

Published on July 25, 2009 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Crystal Palace Baltimore News Release


Baltimore MD - In a match delayed multiple times by heavy thunderstorms, neither Crystal Palace Baltimore nor the Charlotte Eagles could find the back of the net at UMBC Stadium as the two side played to a 0-0 draw. The single point earned moved Palace into a tie for the fifth and final playoff spot. The game was interrupted twice for lengthy periods due to a series of heavy thunderstorms that rolled through the Baltimore area. The final whistle eventually blew at 11:15pm after the game had kicked off on schedule at 7:00pm.

The first 35 minutes of play was an uninspiring affair with neither side able to generate any real threat on the other's goal. The weather brought an end to proceedings for over an hour and when the sides came back out for the remaining 10 minutes of the half, Palace seemed to have benefitted more from the extended break. The Baltimore players came out like a team possessed, laying siege to the Charlotte goal mouth with Zack Flores, Bryan Harkin and Dan Lader each creating well-worked opportunities but the Charlotte defense and 'keeper Steward Ceus managed to withstand the pressure.

After an abbreviated half-time, Palace continued to dominate, but once again, Charlotte's back line held firm. After nine minutes of the second half, the weather took control once again forcing another hour- plus delay. The teams came out again for the final 35 minutes and the home side still looked the more likely to break the deadlock, with Pat Healey and substitute Jim Cherneski each coming close, but the final whistle blew with each goalkeeper earning a shutout.

Despite outshooting their opponents and earning nine corners compared to Charlotte's three, Palace were unable to capitalize on the many chances they created and will see this as two points dropped rather than a point earned. Palace are now on equal points with Real Maryland in the fifth and final playoff spot, but their local rival still has two games in hand.

Palace are off next weekend, resuming the following Friday in Harrisburg, and closing out their regular season with a trip to Pittsburgh on August 15.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 25, 2009


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