City Stars Fall 3-0 To Austin Aztex
Published on April 25, 2009 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Cleveland City Stars News Release
The Cleveland City Stars traveled to Austin, TX today to take on the Austin Aztex, and came away with a disappointing 3-0 defeat.
The Austin Aztex pushed a powerful offensive line led by Eddie Johnson with two goals and an assist, and Sullivan Silva with one goal.
"We've learned that there are things we need to work on, and things that need to be fixed before next week," said head coach Rod Underwood. "We are looking forward to getting home and playing on home turf, but are disappointed to not succeed on the road this week. It's been really difficult to be down to only ten men in two games."
The first half began as give-and-take, with neither team gaining much of an advantage, but it changed in only the 12th minute.
The 12th minute saw Aztex player Eddie Johnson catch a bouncing through-ball, which he deftly lobbed over goalkeeper Hunter Gilstrap for a goal, taking the Aztex ahead to 1-0.
The City Stars worked hard for an equalizer, and the 30th minute saw Jason Hotchkin's shot on goal deflected for a corner kick but the corner kick was ultimately cleared by Aztex defenders.
The second half started off rocky, and in the 49th minute the City Stars luck continued to take a turn for the worse as Ryan Stewart was sent off with a red card.
A free kick earned in the 60th minute offered a little hope as Pato Aguilera took a solid shot that was deflected by the Aztex goalkeeper.
The Aztex found the back of the net for the second time in the 71st minute as Sullivan Silva sliced the ball into the upper corner past Gilstrap to take the score to 2-0.
In the 90th minute Eddie Johnson crushed the City Stars hopes again when he scored a third goal for the Aztex, to seal the result at 3-0.
As the first game for returning City Stars goalkeeper Hunter Gilstrap, the result was frustrating. "It felt great to be back, that part felt great," said Gilstrap." But it was hard to enjoy. Both games now we have been down to ten players, and we can't expect to pick up points on the road with only ten men. We need eleven men, and I know that will change things for us."
The returning champion Cleveland City Stars are back in Cleveland for it's first home match in the USL First Division next Friday, May 1st at 8 p.m. at Middlefield Cheese Stadium at the Bedford City Schools.
USL First Division Stories from April 25, 2009
- Portland falls in season opener - Portland Timbers
- Aztex FC defeat Cleveland City Stars 3-0 and earn first-ever franchise victory - Austin Aztex
- City Stars Fall 3-0 To Austin Aztex - Cleveland City Stars
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