Eagles Fall to Baltimore 2-0
May 2, 2009 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charlotte Eagles News Release
Rock Hill, SC - On a humid night at Winthrop University Soccer Complex the Charlotte Eagles were defeated by Crysal Palace Baltimore 2-0 Friday night off of goals from Val Texeira and Jordan Seabrook in the final 10 minutes of the match.
At the Eagles home away from home in Rock Hill, SC, Charlotte and Baltimore entertained the fans in a game that saw plenty of scoring opportunities. In the end, it was Baltimore who was able to finish their chances while Charlotte was left frustrated again in their inability to make the best of their chances on offense.
The first real scoring opportunity fell to Baltimore in the 5th minute as Val Texeira received a well placed cross from Shintaro Hirada. Texeira put the header on goal from 6 yards out but Kevin Trapp's spectacular save kept the game scoreless.
Five minutes later it was Charlotte's turn as Jorge Herrera played a through to Jacob Coggins at the near post. With a difficult angle, Coggins crossed the ball to a wide open Diego Martins who's shot from 12 yards out sailed just over the cross bar.
The first half continued with fast pace play between both teams as Charlotte and Baltimore continued to press each other. Neither team, however, could find many more opportunities in the first half as the game stayed scoreless going into halftime.
As the second half began, it was clear that Baltimore was eager to continue pressing the Eagles. Crystal Palace controlled the pace of the game and didn't let Charlotte settle in or maintain much possession.
Baltimore continued the pressure as Kevin Trapp stayed busy in goal with 8 saves in the second half. One of those saves included a great chance by Jordan Seabrook off a cross from Texeira.
Texeira turned the ball past Alex Woods and put a cross that appeared to be coming right to Seabrook for a clear scoring chance. Trapp came off his line at the right time and made an amazing leaping save to keep the ball away from the wide open Seabrook.
After 30 minutes of having trouble possessing the ball, Charlotte finally started to get some rythm with the help of Jorge Herrera. The midfield for the Eagles began to control the match again and started pressing Baltimore. It nearly paid off in the 75th minute as Diego Martins played a through ball to Herrera into the box.
Herrera made the first defender miss, cut the ball to his left and fired a shot on goal. Brian Rowland, earning his 3rd shutout in as many games, made a spectacular save to maintain a clean sheet.
Five minutes later Texeira took advantage of another Charlotte mistake on defense and turned the ball toward goal on a breakaway. The forward placed a beautiful chipping shot over a sprinting Trapp and into the net for a 1-0 lead in the 80th minute.
Charlotte continued to press despite the breakdown in defense, but Brian Rowland was impressive again turning away the attack of the Eagles.
The last good chance for the Eagles came in the 88th minute as Gustavo Bentos received a well placed cross from Dustin Swinehart. Bentos' bicycle shot from 6 yards out made Rowland dive for the ball, however the shot sailed just wide of the post and past the endline.
Baltimore earned the insurance goal they needed in the 90th minute as Charlotte pushed all their players forward. Jordan Seabrook took advantage of a soft pass in the back, stole the ball and sprinted toward goal.
Kevin Trapp rushed out to try to keep the score to one goal but Seabrook did well to place a low shot past Trapp and into the net for the 2-0 win.
Baltimore heads to Wilmington tonight to take on the Hammerheads at Legion Sportplex Saturday night.
The Charlotte Eagles return home to Charlotte Christian Stadium as they host Wilmington for the second time in 3 weeks on Friday, May 8th. May 8th is the first doubleheader as the Charlotte Lady Eagles kick off their 2009 season at 5:30pm followed by the Eagles vs. Hammerheads match at 8:00pm. Tickets are on sale now at www.CharlotteEagles.com.
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United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 2, 2009
- Palace Suffer First Defeat of Season, Trio of Second-Half Goals Ends Shut-out Streak - Crystal Palace Baltimore
- Kickers down Pioneers - Richmond Kickers
- Eagles Fall to Baltimore 2-0 - Charlotte Eagles
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