Cleveland City Stars Drop Back-And-Forth Match With Montreal Impact 2-1
Published on August 18, 2009 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Cleveland City Stars News Release
CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Cleveland City Stars played an exciting back-and-forth match with the Montreal Impact but were unable to come away with a point in the 2-1 defeat.
Montreal jumped ahead early in the second half behind a goal from Peter Byers in the 59th minute before Cleveland (2-15-7) evened the match in the 69th minute from a beautiful Jason Hotchkin goal. The Impact (8-10-5) were able to rally and pull out the three points after Mauro Biello's 75th minute goal moved the score to 2-1.
The match got off to a quick start as both sides were able to create opportunities on goal.
In the 5th minute Hotchkin received a through pass from Teteh Bangura and settled near the end line before lining a cross towards Leo Gibson on the far side. As Gibson approached, Montreal keeper Matt Jordan intercepted the cross to cut off the Cleveland threat.
In the 7th minute Montreal's Simon Gatti pushed up from his left back spot and intercepted a pass from Ryan Stewart and controlled into the box before firing a shot over the top of a sliding Troy Roberts. Gatti's shot was on target but Cleveland keeper Evan Bush was able to punch the ball into the air before jumping and holding onto the ball for the save.
In the 16th minute Pato Aguilera led Ryan Stewart into the corner and Stewart was able to beat the Montreal off-sides trap as he chased down the ball. Stewart controlled in the corner and sent a cross towards the corner of the six-yard box. Bangura was there to get a head on the ball but the shot bounced into the arms of Jordan.
The Impact had a marvelous opportunity in the 18th minute as Byers received an over the top ball as he made a run through the middle of the Cleveland defense. The unmarked Byers controlled with one touch and fired with the right foot but the shot missed wide left.
In the 25th minute Aguilera controlled near the top of the 18-yard box and sent a back heal pass to the charging Alioune Gueye who stuttered into a shot. Gueye's shot surprised Jordan but the shot was deflected by the Impact defense and missed wide left.
In the 26th minute Leonardo DiLorenzo made his way into a dangerous position inside the box before breaking into the open and testing Bush with a shot towards the upper corner but Bush extended and sent the ball out of bounds with a two-handed punch save.
In the 45th minute Bangura dazzled the crowd with a spectacular bicycle kick. Standing at the top of the 18, Bangura controlled with one touch off his chest and dropped immediately into the bicycle kick that was on target towards the upper right corner but Jordan was able to stretch out and preserve the 0-0 tie heading into halftime.
In the 49th minute Montreal threatened off a corner kick. David Testo sent an in-swinger into the box where Stefano Pesoli had a free header but the shot bounced off the cross bar.
Montreal finally capitalized in the 59th minute when Tony Danatelli sent a ball into the attacking third for the Impact. Byers tracked down the ball and pressed into the box. As Bush came off his line, Byers rolled the shot past the keeper and into the far corner for the 1-0 lead.
The City Stars did not stay down for long. In the 69th minute Stewart played a perfect ball from midfield to the left sideline. The pass hit Hotchkin in stride and the midfielder controlled the ball with a touch and settled into a highlight strike from outside of the 18-yard box and the left-footed rocket flew past the outstretched arms of Jordan and into the net for the equalizer.
In the 75th minute the Impact responded with a highlight goal of its own. After a collision near midfield of two Cleveland defenders, the ball rolled into the path of DiLorenzo who passed to Biello. The recently inserted Biello strolled into a shot and fired from outside of the box and snuck it past the diving Bush for the 2-1 lead.
The City Stars were unable to mount any serious counter attacks in the final minutes.
USL First Division Stories from August 18, 2009
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- Cleveland City Stars Drop Back-And-Forth Match With Montreal Impact 2-1 - Cleveland City Stars
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- Battery set for Whitecaps - Charleston Battery
- Patterson, Tolleson make USL-1 Team of the Week - North Carolina FC
- USL Week 19 pro honors announced - USL-1
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