City Stars fall 2-1 to Montreal in home finale
Published on September 5, 2009 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Cleveland City Stars News Release
CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Cleveland City Stars gave fans an exciting match during fan appreciation day but were unable to get a result in Saturday afternoon's 2-1 loss to the Montreal Impact.
The City Stars (3-17-7) dominated the beginning of the game, with forward Teteh Bangura getting a shot in just the 2nd minute. The long-range shot from over 40-yards out went high, but it set the tone for the City Stars performance. After several good buildups that didn't amount to any concrete chances, midfielder Ryan Stewart found a gap in the Montreal defense after a strategic soft touch that beat his defender but the shot went wide.
The first chance for the Impact (11-10-6) came in the 18th minute when midfielder Leonardo Di Lorenzo launched a ball across the City Stars goal. The ball found forward Cierian O'Brian who was unable to control it effectively. He sent a bouncing shot towards the City Stars near post that goalkeeper Hunter Gilstrap easily saved. Unfortunately for the Stars, Montreal's next attack was more successful. After a Cleveland defensive breakdown in the 23rd minute, forward Peter Byers chipped the ball into the box to find Roberto Brown. Brown's header deflected off of City Stars defender Ibrahim Kante and spiraled into the goal for a 1-0 Montreal lead.
Cleveland wasn't deterred by the Montreal goal and in the 29th minute midfielder Jason Hotchkin's corner kick found Kante in the box for a header that arced over the goal. Despite several other chances, it was midfielder Alioune Gueye that made the difference in the 37th minute, when he received a well-placed corner kick from defender Warren Kanu. Gueye's shot on goal was deflected by a Montreal defender, but Gueye recovered the ball and put his second shot into the back of the net.
In the 45th minute, Arsene Oka and Kolby LaCrone almost gave the City Stars the lead. After splitting two defenders, Oka played the ball forward to LaCrone who shot it past goalkeeper Serge Diekanovic into the goal but LaCrone was called off-sides and the goal wasn't counted, ending the half at 1-1.
The City Stars began the second half by putting together back-to-back chances starting in the 53rd minute.
Warren Kanu sent a through ball that led Teteh Bangura down the left sideline. Bangura ran down the ball and fired a shot on goal but the low-roller did not have enough velocity to slide under Djekanovic.
The City Stars came right back two minutes later when Anthony Stovall sent a ball over the top of the defense and into the box. LaCrone was the target and the rookie forward controlled near the end line before turning and sending it towards Bangura at the top of the six-yard box. Djekanovic came off his line and pressured Bangura into passing on the shot but by this time LaCrone was again caught off-sides.
In the 63rd the City Stars put together a nice combination play that resulted in an open shot. Ryan Stewart created at the top of the box before linking with Bangura who took control and found an overlapping LaCrone. LaCrone controlled and dropped the ball back to Oka who stepped into the shot and fired with one-touch. The shot looked to have a chance at the near corner before curling wide left.
In the 68th minute the Impact showed off some beautiful offense of its own but Montreal was able to capitalize on the chance. Leonardo DiLorenzo received a short throw-in and sent a cross from near the sideline across the box to the far post where Brown dove into a header and snuck the ball between Gilstrap and the near post for the 2-1 lead.
The City Stars looked for the equalizer in the 81st minute off a set piece. Stewart sent another spot-on corner kick into the box and Bangura was able to out-jump the Montreal defense to get a head on the ball but the shot just missed wide left.
Cleveland had one last chance in the 90th minute off a corner kick. Pato Aguilera took the kick for the City Stars and with Gilstrap pushed up to help inside the box, Ibrahim Kante emerged from the pack to get a head on the ball but the shot flew over the top of the net to end the match 2-1.
USL First Division Stories from September 5, 2009
- Miami FC Wins Final Game at FIU - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Austin wraps up long two-game road trip with disappointing 3-1 loss at Miami - Austin Aztex
- Impact edges Cleveland, 2-1 - Montreal Impact
- City Stars fall 2-1 to Montreal in home finale - Cleveland City Stars
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