City Stars Score Two Second Half Goals To Tie Puerto Rico 2-2
Published on June 6, 2009 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Cleveland City Stars News Release
BAYAMON, Puerto Rico - The Cleveland City Stars played from two goals down to earn a 2-2 tie Saturday at Puerto Rico in a wet and sloppy Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium. Second half goals by Ricardo Pierre-Louis and Julian Valentin brought the City Stars back into the game and ended a four match losing streak.
"This was a good result for us tonight," said City Stars head coach Rod Underwood. "We came down here to get wins, but earning a point on the road is always a good thing. Tonight was especially important because we fell down by two goals early and were able to fight our way back into it. I think it really says a lot about our guys to come back under these circumstances, with it being the end of a long road trip and the weather, but we rallied together and were able to get a positive ending to this trip."
A driving rain storm arrived in the 28th minute and covered the already saturated field with large amounts of standing water.
In the 36th minute Cleveland keeper Hunter Gilstrap challenged Islanders midfielder Kendall Jagdeosingh inside the box. As Gilstrap slid across the rain-soaked grass he took out Jagdeosingh and was called for the penalty, setting up the Islanders second penalty kick in as many games against the City Stars.
Just as he did Thursday night, Cristian Arrieta took the penalty kick for Puerto Rico. On Thursday Arrieta faked left and fired right, but this time he stuttered into a shot and squeezed it between the diving Gilstrap and the left post for the 1-0 Islanders lead.
Just four minutes later the Islanders benefitted again from the miserable playing conditions as Jagdeosingh lofted a ball from 30 yards out. Gilstrap momentarily possessed the ball before having it slip through his gloves and between his legs for a 2-0 Islanders lead.
The City Stars had its chance to benefit from the weather in the 52nd as Pato Aguilera sent a cross towards the center of the box. Puerto Rico keeper Bill Gaudette jumped to secure the ball but had it slip through his arms and down his body. Pierre-Louis was there for the City Stars to win the lose ball and tap it into the empty net to cut the deficit in half at 2-1. It was Pierre-Louis' second goal of the season.
The City Stars continued to apply pressure and in the 55th minute capitalized on another lose ball. On a free kick from Aguilera, Gaudette laid out to make the save but was unable to grab the ball as Valentin stepped through and sent the ball in from four-yards out for the equalizer.
Puerto Rico looked to regain the lead in the 64th as Jagdeosingh raced Troy Roberts to a ball in the defensive end of the City Stars. Roberts and the helping Valentin both slipped as they approached the ball, leaving Jagdeosingh open, but his shot was contested by Gilstrap and missed wide right.
Two players were sent off with red cards in the 66th minute. Roberts attempted a hard tackle on an Islanders player and received an immediate red. The play resulted in pushing in shoving as both sides attempted to protect the players on the ground. After Roberts returned to his feet, Puerto Rico's Sandy Gbandi approached Roberts and started another round of pushing. The extra confrontation cost Gbandi as he too was sent off to make the remaining 24 minutes a 10-on-10 match.
The City Stars subbed for defense down the stretch and packed it in to preserve the tie and earn the point on the road.
Cleveland returns home for eight straight league games beginning June 13th against the Rochester Rhinos. Prior to getting back into league play, the City Stars will host the St. Louis Lions of the PDL in the first round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Tuesday June 9th at 7 p.m. at Middlefield Cheese Stadium at Bedford City Schools. Tickets are available for $5 at clevelandcitystars.com or by calling 330-425-2003.
USL First Division Stories from June 6, 2009
- Portland reduced to 10 men, handed first shutout - Portland Timbers
- Minnesota Earns a Hard Fought Point from the Rhinos in a 0-0 Draw - Minnesota Thunder
- City Stars Score Two Second Half Goals To Tie Puerto Rico 2-2 - Cleveland City Stars
- Impact Plays Against Whitecaps In Vancouver Sunday - Montreal Impact
- Aztex Face Battery on Sunday - Austin Aztex
- City Stars GM Announces Resignation - Cleveland City Stars
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