Eagles Deal Baltimore its First Loss
Published on May 31, 2008 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charlotte Eagles News Release
(Baltimore, MD) - The Charlotte Eagles (5-1-1, 16 pts) delivered the first loss to Crystal Palace Baltimore (5-1-0, 15 pts) tonight, knocking them off the top of the standings. Jonah Long, Robert Ssejjemba, and Taurai Daka scored one a piece and Terry Boss was perfect in goal for the Charlotte 3-0 victory.
Charlotte took an early lead in the match off a restart in the second minute. Josh Rife took the free kick and put it toward the back post. Jonah Long ran onto the ball and scored with a sliding volley from 12 yards out to put the Eagles up 1-0.
The Eagles controlled much of the possession through the first half, but Terry Boss was forced to make a tough save midway through the half.
It looked as if Charlotte would extend its lead to two in the 30th minute as Robert Ssejjemba got in behind the defense on a break away. Crystal Palace Goalkeeper Matt Nelson came out to stop the fast break, taking down Ssejjemba and touching the ball away, outside the eighteen yard box. Despite taking down Ssejjemba, no red card was given, but the Eagles were awarded a free kick. Charlotte played the kick quickly and put it in the back of the net, but the referee called it back, nullifying the goal.
Charlotte played a man down for the final eight minutes of the half when Jonah Long came off the field with a head gash following an in-flight collision with a Crystal Palace player. A bandaged Long would return to the pitch to start the second half. The first half ended with the Eagles up 1-0.
Four minutes into the second half Taurai Daka, fresh off the bench, set up a goal with his first touch of the match. Daka played the ball forward past the Baltimore defense onto the well-timed run of Robert Ssejjemba. The pass from Daka took a tricky hop. Ssejjemba held up and flicked the ball on, poking it past the Crystal Palace keeper for the 2-0 lead.
The Eagles capped off the scoring for the night in the 65th minute. Jorge Herrera made a cross in to the back post for Worteh Sampson. Sampson connected with the cross but caught the post with his shot. Jeff Bilyk was there to run onto the rebound and fire it back on goal to put the Eagles up 3-0.
Charlotte held onto the lead for the remainder of the match, and were helped by three quality saves by Boss preserving the shutout.
The Charlotte Eagles have a busy week ahead, beginning with a home game on Tuesday, June 3rd hosting the Richmond Kickers at Restart Field, 7:00 pm. The Eagles then host the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Friday, June 6th in a doubleheader evening with the Lady Eagles match against Tampa Bay at 5:30 pm and the Eagles game kicking off at 8:00 pm. For tickets and more information visit www.charlotteeagles.com. Purchase your tickets online prior to game day and save $2.00/ticket!
United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 31, 2008
- Eagles Deal Baltimore its First Loss - Charlotte Eagles
- Last minute goal gives Kickers 2-1 win over Wilmington - Richmond Kickers
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