Cleveland ends Kickers' playoff run
Published on August 16, 2008 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release
RICHMOND, VA - The Richmond Kickers were ousted from postseason by the #3 seeded Cleveland City Stars during a hard-fought, 1-0, overtime decision in front of nearly 2,700 fans decked out in their "Code Red" attire. Following 90 minutes of scoreless regulation, the match proceeded to two 15-minute overtime periods, during which the Kickers could not find the net and the City Stars emerged victorious following a 99th minute tally by forward Adam Ruud. The Kickers concluded their 15th Anniversary season while Cleveland advances to host the Charlotte Eagles in their first USL-2 Championship in their brief but successful history.
The Kickers turned on the attack early in the marathon match, when forward Fabian Dawkins received the ball on the left side in the 9th minute. He collected the ball and fired a laser from 25 yards but his attempt sailed just wide of the near post, narrowly missing the opportunity to take an early lead.
Later, in the 28th minute, Cleveland gained momentum as midfielder Derek Potteiger carried the ball through the midfield and took an open shot from 20 yards out to the far corner. With Kickers goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale beaten, the ball glanced the outside of the far post, rebounding back out to forward Sallieu Bundu but his attempt to capitalize was cut short by the Kickers defense.
Seven minutes later, Potteiger was denied by the woodwork again. This time, midfielder Jason Hotchkin delivered a free kick from the left side to an unmarked Potteiger, six yards in front of the goal. Winning the ball in the air, his header rattled the crossbar and ricocheted out of harm's way.
The Kickers retaliated in the 36th minute when midfielder Stanley Nyazamba stole the ball on the touchline and played it to an open Dawkins, seven yards out. Dawkins one-timed a shot but Cleveland defender Anthony Stovall made the block. The rebound fell to midfielder Kevin Knight, who played a nice ball to Sascha Görres on the left side. The German midfielder faked a shot, cut inside but his shot was redirected by Stars defender Muso Otieno.
During first half injury time, Görres made another play for the net, this time lining up a free kick on the right side. He curled an inswinger to the far post, finding Kickers defender Trevor McEachron engaged in a wrestling match with Cleveland defender Mark Schulte. McEachron was able to get a head on the ball but his attempt was interfered by the battling Schulte.
Cleveland opened their attack in the second half when Potteiger played a dangerous ball over the Kickers defense to an onrushing Godfrey Tenoff in the 60th minute. As Pascale came off his line to diminish the angle, Tenoff chipped the ball over the Kickers âkeeper and over the goal.
Soon after, Nyazamba played a through ball to Dawkins, leaving him 1v1 with Cleveland goalkeeper Eric Reed. Dawkins lined up his shot but the ball fell directly to Reed for the save.
As the end of regulation neared, Potteiger dribbled the ball through the midfield, slicing through the Kickers defense and sent a strong ball over the goal from 12 yards out. Seconds later, Kickers midfielder Mike Burke swung a corner kick into the box from the right side. The ball crossed the box to Luke Vercollone but his strike skied high.
In a last minute effort to break the ice, Nyazamba received the ball from 20 yards out and tried to curl a shot to the right corner, but it was easily scooped up by Reed.
The first overtime period began and Cleveland did not waste much time as midfielder Neil Hlavaty attempted a shot in the 93rd minute. He centered the ball and unleashed a 20-yard strike but it fell directly to Pascale.
The 96th minute saw Görres take control of the ball on the left side and cross it to forward David Bulow. Bulow won the ball in the air but his header could not find the corner and the USL-2 GAA Champion Reed picked it up to preserve his clean sheet.
Following the restart, a wide-open Ruud received the ball on the left side and headed toward the goal. As the Kickers defense attempted to catch the speedy forward, he toe-poked a shot while under pressure but Pascale threw himself in front of the bullet and directed it wide.
Ruud could not be stopped two minutes later, this time, stealing the ball while the Kickers were arguing a questionable handball call in Cleveland territory. Making the run across the field unchallenged, he lined up the 25-yard attempt and fired a rocket over the outstretched Pascale, good for the lone goal of the night.
As Cleveland packed in to defend their lead, the Kickers threw everyone up front, searching for a last-minute equalizer to keep their Championship berth hopes alive. Despite the change in formation, the Kickers could not get a clear chance until the 118th minute when a long cross from the left side found McEachron unmarked at the far post. The physical defender won the ball in the air but watched as his wide-open header from five yards out snuck inches by the near post.
The Cleveland City Stars ended the Kickers come-back run and will host the Charlotte Eagles next Saturday, August 23rd in the USL-2 title match.
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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