City Stars Offense Comes Alive In 3-0 Defeat Of Rochester
June 13, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Cleveland City Stars News Release
CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Cleveland City Stars continued its improved play with a convincing 3-0 defeat of the visiting Rochester Rhinos on Saturday at Middlefield Cheese Stadium. Pato Aguilera added two more assists as Godfrey Tenoff, Julian Valentin and Joshua Boateng all scored goals for the City Stars.
The City Stars came out with a new formation featuring Leo Gibson and Boateng up top as the forwards. The new wrinkle seemed to help the City Stars play under control and create more chances.
In the 53rd minute Ryan Stewart made a run up the right sideline and placed a perfect cross to the left post. Cleveland captain Tenoff was on the receiving end of Stewart's marvelous pass to head it past Rochester keeper Scott Vallow for a 1-0 City Stars lead.
Cleveland continued to apply the pressure in the 55th minute. In what has become a deadly play for the City Stars in recent weeks, Aguilera played an accurate corner kick into the box and Valentin out jumped the Rochester defenders to head the ball into the left corner for a 2-0 City Stars lead.
The second half attack continued from the City Stars in the 64th minute as Joshua Boateng made an amazing one-on-one play. Boateng received the ball 35-yards out and dribbled his way through the Rhinos defense before uncorking a beautiful shot from 20-yards out that floated perfectly over the head of Vallow and into the back of the net for the final tally.
The first half featured chances from both sides as the City Stars looked to settle into the new-look lineup.
In the 32nd minute Boateng received a ball at the top of the 18 and spun into a shot but the ball rocketed over the top of the cross bar.
A minute later, Warren Kanu controlled the ball in space through the middle of the pitch. Kanu dribbled into an effective change-of-direction move as he approached the on coming defender and fired a shot that bounced into the awaiting arms Vallow.
Rochester created chances of its own that required Hunter Gilstrap and the City Stars defense to respond to the challenge.
In the 45th minute Mike Ambersley made a great move towards the center of the box and got off an apparent clean shot on goal but Cleveland's Ibrahim Kante intercepted the shot with a slide and cleared the ball out of bounds for a throw in.
In the end, the efficient City Stars offensive attack was backed up brilliantly by Gilstrap as the Cleveland keeper recorded six saves to preserve the clean sheet.
The City Stars next match is a rematch with Rochester in a U.S. Open Cup match on Tuesday June 16th in Rochester. The winner advances to face the MLS Columbus Crew on June 30th in Columbus. The City Stars return to league play Thursday June 18th at home against the Miami FC Blues. Tickets are on sale by calling 330-425-2003 or by visiting clevelandcitystars.com.
USL First Division Stories from June 13, 2009
- Portland stretches unbeaten streak to record-matching 10 games - Portland Timbers
- City Stars Offense Comes Alive In 3-0 Defeat Of Rochester - Cleveland City Stars
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