City Stars Win Exciting Home Opener vs. Pittsburgh
Published on April 19, 2008 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Cleveland City Stars News Release
The Cleveland City Stars sure do know how to put on a show. A last minute 2-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Riverhounds set the stage for another exciting beginning to what will hopefully prove to be an even better season than the last one, which found the Stars just one goal shy of a championship.
Weather just doesn't factor into it when Cleveland takes on Pittsburgh, no matter which kind of football it is. The rain could not dampen the energy in the stands for the home opener at Krenzler Stadium just down the street from the Browns' home field. The City Stars hope to ignite the same intense rivalry with the Riverhounds that the Cleveland Browns enjoy with the Steelers each Fall.
"Because it is the home opener I am really looking for the guys to bring the game to Pittsburgh, to be aggressive and attack early," stated Martin Rennie matter-of-factly before the game. As it turned out the Stars and the Riverhounds played a very even half, just about splitting time of possession with each team getting off six shots on goal. Several players stood out for the Stars, most notably Jed Zayner who CCS acquired on loan from the MLS Columbus Crew just minutes before the roster deadline. The talented defender controlled the right sideline masterfully and made opportune runs inside giving his mids and forwards an opportunity to open up the corners for several of the scoring attempts.
At halftime all remained even at nil-nil. Even though the temperature dropped considerably, things really began to heat up on the field in the second half. Nine minutes in Riverhounds midfielder Ryan Caugherty earned a red card ejection for a dangerous tackle on CCS newcomer Floyd Franks. Even with the advantage The Stars could not keep Pittsburgh out of the goal when Captain Nathan Salsi received a corner kick low at his feet. He turned on it and shot it low into the corner of the net through all the traffic congregating in the box which blocked keeper Eric Reed's line of sight on the ball.
The City Stars found the equalizer when Anthony Stovall made a run up the left side, much like his counterpart Zayner feeding the ball into #24 Randolph Jerome who bodied the ball into the net for the score in the 77th minute.
Regulation time ended with the tally at 1-1. However, five minutes of stoppage time was added on by the referees giving the Stars time to take the lead for the first time on the night. Two minutes into extra time the feisty Dana McGregor sent a long ball into the box which Randolph Jerome managed to get a head on. The Pittsburgh keeper punched the ball out and to a waiting Ian Leibbrandt who finished it off with a powerful shot straight to the back of the net.
The game was very reminiscent of last season's home opener against the Cincinnati Kings which played out much the same way even down to the rain, budding rivalry, and spectacular last minute victory. The night also featured a reprise of the fan friendly halftime Candy Scramble for kids age 5-10. New for this first match was a tailgate party open to all fans. The Green Army had their hands full with the Steel Army from that nasty town to the East who hosted a pre-game party of their own.
Martin Rennie wanted the new players to prove they deserved to be there more than the ones they replaced. It may have been a new cast of characters but it is eerily familiar to the fabulous start the Cleveland City Stars had in their record-setting inaugural season. Except this year the Stars get to bully their new rivals from Pittsburgh. After all, football is football.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from April 19, 2008
- Kickers open season with three points over Western Mass - Richmond Kickers
- City Stars Win Exciting Home Opener vs. Pittsburgh - Cleveland City Stars
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