Cleveland Wins 4-0 In Their First Open Cup Appearance
June 13, 2007 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Cleveland City Stars News Release
For the second time this season the Cleveland City Stars earned a victory by a 4-0 margin. The U.S. Lamar Hunt Open Cup opened competition this week with several first round matches being played across the country. The Cleveland City Stars are one of four expansion teams to qualify for the tournament and they made quite an impression by shutting out their PDL opponent Kansas City Brass tonight at William Jewell College in Missouri.
Both teams entered the evening undefeated and both teams gave their best efforts from the opening kickoff. The Cleveland City Stars had their first real opportunity in the 11th minute when Nigel Codrington tried to find the foot of Ian Leibbrandt on a cross. Leibbrandt finished just wide of the net. The near miss was enough to ignite the Stars and they became increasingly aggressive as the half continued.
It was Leibbrandt again in the 19th minute on a cross in from John DeVae who opened up the scoring for Cleveland when he finished making it 1-0. In the five minutes that followed Cleveland had three viable chances but were inches from converting in each. It was only a matter of time though, before the Stars would add to their lead. The Scotsman, Adam Moffat received a cross from Gerardo Alvarez in the 40th minute which the Brass keeper had no chance at to put Cleveland up 2-0.
Kansas City had several good opportunities of their own including a couple of near misses by the Brass' #7 Keith Gorczyca. They came out hard in the second half but the Stars defended well. In the 58th minute Caleb Patterson denied Jordan Raybould #26 when he made a phenomenal fingertip save knocking the ball just wide of the goal off Raybould's header to maintain his clean sheet.
In the 63rd minute Nigel Codrington earned a penalty kick, when his bullet shot found a defender's hand instead of the net. The handball in the box gave Cleveland a chance to increase their lead to 3-0. Codrington took the PK himself and converted uncontested.
Cleveland's final goal came in the 81st minute. It was Leibbrandt again, this time on an assist from Luke Williams, who put the Stars up 4-0. The last ten minutes of the match were a back and forth battle with neither team backing down. Kansas City challenged Patterson on several occasions in the finals minutes, making him earn his clean sheet. "It was a good night for everyone in front of me," said Patterson, giving his teammates the credit. "This is a one off tournament so you either come to play or go home." Cleveland clearly came to play and left it all on the field tonight.
"We are of course excited about the win," commented Gerardo Alvarez. "But this is just the beginning in the Cup. We still have a lot of work to do," he added. As true as that is, the Stars have made it through the first round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and that is something to be proud of. In the next Round, they will face the Richmond Kickers in two weeks on the road in Virginia.
The Kickers are the only other undefeated team in the USL-2 besides Cleveland. The winner of the next round will host a Major League Soccer (MLS) team which would be an unbelievable feat for an expansion team and undoubtedly a great experience for the Stars and their fans.
In the meantime, the Stars hope to continue their winning ways and maintain their undefeated status as they take on the Western Mass Pioneers this Saturday, June 16th, 2007 at 7pm at home in Krenzler Field (Downtown Cleveland). This night will also feature a special Host Family Appreciation Night, a special soccer trivia and lot's of great prices and give-aways for all attendees.
The season is heating up as The City Stars look to find themselves in the hunt for a USL-2 championship. At the same time they hope to make a run at the U.S. Open Cup. Now is the time to come out and find out what soccer in Cleveland is all about. Don't miss another game. Check out the website for more information. www.clevelandcitystars.com.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from June 13, 2007
- Eagles Advance to Open Cup Round Two with 2-0 Win - Charlotte Eagles
- Kickers Advance To US Open Cup Second Round - Richmond Kickers
- Cleveland Wins 4-0 In Their First Open Cup Appearance - Cleveland City Stars
- City Islanders Advance To Second Round - Penn FC
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