City Stars Fall 1-0 To Austin
Published on July 3, 2009 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Cleveland City Stars News Release
CLEVELAND, Ohio - The City Stars fell 1-0 to the Austin Aztex on Friday, after drawing 2-2 with the team last week. Austin midfielder Sullivan Silva scored the only goal of the match to give the Aztex the victory.
The first half got off to a slow start for the City Stars, and rookie goalkeeper Evan Bush was tested early in the match. In the 10th minute Bush was forced to come out to quash an Aztex attack. Bush lost the ball momentarily in the tussle, but luckily defender Troy Roberts stepped up and cleared the ball. The hectic atmosphere continued in the 11th minute when City Stars defender Stephane Guillaume fouled an Austin player at the top of the Stars box. The Stars brought all 10 field players back to form a wall, and the ball was successfully cleared by Guillaume.
Bush had another amazing save in the 20th minute, when Aztex forward Sullivan Silva took a powerful shot that could have knocked the wind out of the most experienced keeper. Bush handled the ball calmly, catching it with ease. Silva didn't let up however, and had another chance in the 22nd minute when his shot went wide of the Stars goal.
Unfortunately the City Stars luck against Silva ran out in the 30th minute, when the striker wound up and took a well-placed shot from the top of the City Stars box. The ball spun into the lower left corner, well out of reach of Bush to bring the score to 1-0.
The City Stars began applying more offensive pressure in the second half, and had several opportunities on goal. However, the Stars seemed uncertain of how to proceed when they neared the Aztex goal, and several chances fizzled to nothing due to the indecision of what to do next. Forwards Leo Gibson and Israel Sesay each had several chances on goal, but both players got underneath the ball and lofted it high over the Aztex goal. In the 66th minute, forward Ryan Stewart had a beautiful breakaway up the left side, but rocketed the ball straight out of bounds only a few yards from the Austin goal.
The City Stars really clicked into high gear in the last minutes of the game, but were unable to close the gap. Defender Anthony Stovall had a good shot on goal in extra time, but the ball was caught by the Aztex goalkeeper. Bush pushed up for one last chance at the end of the three minutes of injury time, but Stephen Cruickshank's throw-in was cleared after a goal attempt by Jason Hotchkin. The whistle blew after 93 minutes for a 1-0 Aztex victory, bringing the Stars record to 2-10-4.
The City Stars next home game will be Sunday, July 12th at 5 p.m. against the Puerto Rico Islanders. Sunday will also be Cleveland Mascot Night, with appearances from all of the most popular Ohio mascots. Tickets are still available by going online at www.clevelandcitystars.com or by calling 330-425-2003.
All fans who purchase tickets in advance will be entered into the Pre-Purchase Ticket Contest, with the chance to win autographed merchandise and VIP ticket upgrades.
USL First Division Stories from July 3, 2009
- Aztex Hold on for First Eoad Win, a 1-0 Victory in Cleveland - Austin Aztex
- City Stars Fall 1-0 To Austin - Cleveland City Stars
- RailHawks Whip Wilmington, 3-0 - North Carolina FC
- Timbers U-23's Host First Place Kitsap - Portland Timbers
- Miami FC anticipates win to advance in USL standings - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Battery heads to Montreal - Charleston Battery
- GK Levey released by RailHawks - North Carolina FC
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