Eagles Earn Important Draw in Richmond
Published on May 16, 2009 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charlotte Eagles News Release
Richmond, VA - Diego Martins scored on a free kick from 22 yards out in the 84th minute as the Eagles earned a valuable point in Richmond where they tied the Kickers 1-1 Friday night.
Charlotte plays the second match of their two day roadtrip tonight in Baltimore against Crystal Palace.
The Eagles went into Friday night's game with something to prove after being dominated by Wilmington the weekend before by a score of 6-3.
It was the most goals the Eagles have allowed since their return to USL-2, and it left many questions for a team that returned the majority of its players from last year's regular season championship squad.
"This week was definitely a test of character for our guys," remarked Coach Steffens. "We really had to look at this as an opportunity to see how our guys would respond. It's a long season, but we needed to turn things around and get some confidence back. I think we got a little tonight, but we have Baltimore Saturday night so we must continue to persevere."
Richmond got off to a quick start and was also hungry for a win after losing to Bermuda last week. Delicate helped the Kickers get close to that win, when he put Richmond ahead 1-0 in the 16th minute.
The game was a tale of two halfs, as Richmond had Charlotte on its heels for the majority of the first half. At a place like University of Richmond Stadium, the Eagles had a mountain to climb as they had yet to get any points in Richmond since the Kickers came to USL-2.
That all changed in the second half as Charlotte pressured the Kickers for the majority of the second half. Although the Eagles continued to press, they could not find the net. That changed in the 84th minute when Jacob Coggins was taken down just four yards outside the penalty box.
Diego Martins stepped up to the ball, and with time winding down, Martins nailed a rocket in the upper corner of the goal to tie the game 1-1.
Although it was only one point, the Eagles celebrated as if they had won the match. After a week long of questions, Charlotte appeared to regain some much needed confidence going into tonight's match with Baltimore.
Although the Eagles are coming straight from Richmond to play back to back games, Baltimore also played a game last night in a 1-0 win over Western Massachusetts.
Charlotte will be looking for revenge tonight as Baltimore used two late goals to defeat an uninspired Eagles squad May 1st in Rock Hill, SC.
However, winning tonight will not be an easy task. With a win, the Eagles have a great opportunity to turn their season around. With a loss, the team will have to find a way to continue fighting through a tough schedule in 2009.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 16, 2009
- Palace Fall to 94th Minute Penalty - Crystal Palace Baltimore
- Eagles Earn Important Draw in Richmond - Charlotte Eagles
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