Big Game For City Stars Against Richmond This Saturday
Published on July 17, 2007 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Cleveland City Stars News Release
Cleveland, Ohio Regardless of the outcome of tomorrow night's match with Bermuda on the Island, the next Cleveland City Stars' home game, which is set for this Saturday July 21st, will be a #1 vs. #2 match up! The Richmond Kickers, currently in first place in the standings, are in the middle of a five game road trip and will be stopping in Cleveland this weekend to face the second place Stars. It will be the second game in as many nights for Richmond as they play the Cincinnati Kings on Friday before heading north.
This could be a preview of a championship game. Each team has only one loss on the season so the head-to-head competition is critical. In fact, the two teams will face each other twice before the conclusion of the regular season as the Cleveland City Stars are scheduled to visit Richmond for their final game on Saturday August 11th.
Richmond has blazed through the league shutting out their opponents 7 out of 14 times and allowing only 8 goals on the season so far. Cleveland has an equal number of shutout games and only 4 more goals against. The big difference in points stems from Richmond's 2 draws to Cleveland's 6. Richmond has won three more games than Cleveland at this point, but that could all change over the next few weeks. Of the last five games of the season for Richmond, four of them are with clubs in the top half of the standings all vying for the coveted top four positions which will earn them a place in the playoffs.
The Stars have a lot to play for on Saturday. Not only will they be trying to establish themselves as a contender for post season play, they will be trying to maintain one of the top two positions in order to gain home field advantage for the playoffs. But perhaps the most motivating factor is revenge. This will be the first meeting of the two squads since Richmond knocked the City Stars out of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in a game that Cleveland lost more than Richmond won. Whatever the reason, this should be an exciting 90 minutes!
CLEVELAND CITY STARS vs. CHICAGO FIRE - RESERVES STYLE
Saturday will be a full afternoon of soccer in Cleveland as the Cleveland City Stars Reserve team will host the Chicago Fire Reserves (PDL Team) before the first team match. The Reserves game will kick-off at 4:00pm and there is no additional charge to attend. Everyone with a ticket for the City Stars vs. Kickers game is invited to come early and check out the Reserves who posted a 3-1 victory over the Indiana Invaders last week.
CHANCE FOR CLEVELAND'S BUSINESS LEADERS TO GET IN THE GAME
The Saturday match is also a special opportunity for Cleveland Business Leaders to get involved. The Business Leaders and Networking Night will offer a complimentary buffet for business people who have registered for the event and a keynote address given by Aaron Tredway, the Cleveland City Stars Executive Director before the game. This is an opportunity to find out more about Cleveland's newest sports team and to network with other local entrepreneurs and influential business people. For more information about the night's activities or how to register log on to www.clevelandcitystars.com or call 216-916-6586.
CLEVELAND PLAYERS HONORED AGAIN
Each week the USL picks the top player or players at each position to be included in the Team of the Week. As in every week since the beginning of the season, one of the Cleveland City Stars earned a spot on the USL-2 Team of the Week. Following an unprecedented three players selected from last week, this week's honor goes to Dana McGregor for his spectacular contributions to last weeks' draws with New Hampshire and Western Mass. Visit the USL website at www.uslsoccer.com to view write-ups of both matches.
IN THE HOME STRETCH - TICKETS FOR FINAL GAMES STILL AVAILABLE
For the next two Saturday's (July 21st and July 28th) and the following Friday (August 3rd) Cleveland will host three of the top four teams in the USL Second Division at Krenzler Field. In the race for the playoffs each game is important if not crucial. The support of the fans will play an integral role in how far Cleveland can take their fairytale season. Tickets are still available for all three games and for anyone wanting priority for post-season tickets (should Cleveland get home field privilege) a discounted package is available which includes all three remaining games for $30.00 for adults and $25.00 for kids ages 5-17. As for all events, children under 5 are free.
Now is the time to come out and make some noise. Help the Green Army raise the battle cry or bring your own brood out to cheer for the City Stars and witness the final leg of this unforgettable season. Your support matters.
TICKETS GOING FAST FOR EXHIBITION WITH COLUMBUS CREW
Just to mix things up a bit in the final weeks for the season and to help prepare for the playoffs, the Cleveland City Stars will host the Columbus Crew MLS Team in an exhibition match on Tuesday July 31st, 2007. Kick-off is 7:00pm and tickets are available at special event pricing: $15.00 for adults and $10.00 for children 5-17. Kids under 5 are free. Now you can watch an MLS team in your own backyard. With gas prices so high, this is a great opportunity to see how the Cleveland City Stars match up with a Major League Soccer team without having to drive 150 miles.
Hurry though, tickets are going fast!
For more information about all upcoming events and how to get involved, log on to www.clevelandcitystars.com or call 216-916-6586. As always there will be a chance to meet the players and coaches after each game at Fat Fish Blue on the corner of Prospect and Ontario. Get to know the team. Get to know soccer. Find out what all the excitement is about!
United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 17, 2007
- Lady Eagles and Richmond Draw, 0-0 - Charlotte Eagles
- Big Game For City Stars Against Richmond This Saturday - Cleveland City Stars
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