City Stars To Host Championship Next Saturday After Defeating Richmond 1-0 In Overtime
August 16, 2008 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Cleveland City Stars News Release
The Cleveland City Stars will host the USL-2 Championship match on August 23rd thanks to an amazing performance Saturday night in Richmond. With the score deadlocked at zero in overtime, recently inserted Adam Ruud provided a spark and connected on a rocket of a shot to give the Stars the 1-0 lead. Ruud was inserted by Cleveland Coach Martin Rennie in the 80th minute and instantly become a factor. In the first overtime period Ruud split two defenders before sprinting into the box and firing a laser past Richmond keeper Ronnie Pascale before springing to the Cleveland sideline to celebrate with the waiting Cleveland teammates.
Saturday was Ruud's 25th birthday and he finished off the day with a great gift to the fans.
"It doesn't matter if I start or come off the bench, we're all on the same team. I came in and got the game winning goal and I'm just glad I could help the team", said Ruud. "It's a big birthday present to get to see Cleveland host the championship next week."
The defense and Goal Keeper Eric Reed held on through the remaining 21 minutes of overtime to ensure the championship match would head to Krenzler Stadium.
It was an evenly played match throughout the evening with the City Stars finding the best two chances early. In the 27th minute Derek Potteiger controlled the ball near the touchline and fired a shot out of reach of Ronnie Pascale. The shot looked to have a chance before bouncing loudly off the left post. Potteiger was at it again in the 35th minute when the midfielder played a header off a Jason Hotchkin free kick The shot flew past Pascale before connecting with the top right corner and deflecting out of bounds for a goal kick.
Richmond was up to the challenge just two minutes later as Davis Bulow attacked the Cleveland defense on the far corner. Before Bulow could get off a shot, Anthony Stovall miraculously closed an open gap and stuffed the shot, forcing the Richmond offense into retreat. Stovall came up with another huge play just seconds later as Bulow regrouped and looked for another shot but was again forced away by the fans choice of Player of the Year.
"We were just tight as a defensive unit tonight and when that happens we can attack.," said Stovall. "When we're on the same page there aren't a lot of teams that can keep up with us. We came in here with a game plan and we stuck to it. Coach Rennie's been studying them all season and we got it done tonight."
The next good opportunity did not come for Richmond until the 61st minute when Fabian Dawkins snuck past Musa Otieno and had a one-on-one open look against Reed. Reed rushed into the path of Dawkins before sliding and knocking the ball away from the Richmond Forward. The beautiful save quieted the Richmond faithful as 2,693 in attendance has risen to their feet.
"Our defensive line was absolutely solid tonight," said Reed. "We overcame some injuries but our guys stepped in and got the job done during an entire 120 minutes. It was an amazing fight, we came here for a battle and that's what we got. Richmond did an excellent job tonight. They're a great team but we changed what we did the last time we played here and we put that plan in motion and it worked. We're looking forward to playing in front of our loyal crowd back home for the championship."
Cleveland had one more chance in regulation as Potteiger again was aggressive with a sprint through the middle of the pitch that led to a soaring right footed boot that sailed just over the top of the cross bar.
In overtime, Richmond's Pascale made two wonderful saves on shots by Neil Hlavaty in the 93rd minute and on a nice link play between Sallieu Bundu and Ruud but the offensive attack by the Stars was eventually too much for Richmond to overcome as Ruud's thunderous strike secure the club's first ever birth into the USL-2 Championship match.
The entire Cleveland organization is proud to be able to bring the match back to Cleveland in front of all the loyal fans that have supported the team at home and on the road. Tonight's Semi-Final match again featured a strong contingent of Green Army faithful in attendance.
Next Saturday's championship will be held at Krenzler Stadium at 8 p.m. and will be broadcast live on Fox Soccer Channel. Further ticket and event information for this history making game and all week long festivities will be announced shortly.
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United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 16, 2008
- Cleveland ends Kickers' playoff run - Richmond Kickers
- Eagles Advance to National Championship Final - Charlotte Eagles
- City Stars To Host Championship Next Saturday After Defeating Richmond 1-0 In Overtime - Cleveland City Stars
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