Eagles Fight Back to Earn Draw against Orlando
April 23, 2013 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charlotte Eagles News Release
Charlotte, NC -- The Charlotte Eagles would fight back from an early 1-0 deficit to draw Orlando City 1-1 on Tuesday night USL PRO action. In a game marred by rough play, where there were 39 fouls between the two sides, the Eagles stayed tough and earned a draw.
Nate Thornton came close to opening the scoring in the 5th minute with a shot that was just wide of the right post. Sergio Villasenor would pick up a yellow also in the 5th minute for a tackle.
The Lions would strike first in the 8th minute off of a corner kick as Luke Boddin would play it to an unmarked Dominic Dwyer on the back post who finished with a header.
Settling down after conceding their first goal of the season the Eagles would put some pressure on the Lions late in the 1st half. Shaun Francis forced a diving save by the Lions goalkeeper Sean Kelley in the 29th minute. Nate Thornton would find Christian Meza who puts the Eagles best chance in the 1st half just wide of the post in the 37th minute.
Freddie Braun gets cautioned in the 40th minute for a tackle on Nate Thornton. Things would get chippy towards the end of the 1st half as the both Samuel Asante and Kevin Molino were shown cautions in 1st half stoppage time.
The Lions took a 1-0 lead into halftime.
Christian Ramirez tested Sean Kelley at the 63rd minute mark but sent his shot just over the bar. The Eagles would keep the pressure up and force a number of saves from Sean Kelley as the 2nd half wore on. The Eagles picked a number of yellows in the 2nd half. Nate Thornton again tested Sean Kelley with a left footed blast from just outside area in which Sean Kelley made another full stretch stop.
The Eagles pressed for an equalizer all 2nd half and
were rewarded with a 90th minute goal by Nate Thornton. Thornton pressured Kelley on a long ball over the top Orlando pressed to find the winner but the game would end 1-1.
The Eagles now sit at 5th in the USL PRO standings with 5 points through 3 games. Orlando, with the draw, now sits alone at the top of USL PRO standings ahead of the Los Angeles Blues and VSI Tampa Bay FC.
Attendance at the game was 486. The Eagles next play against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds here at Queens Sports Complex Friday, April 26th at 7 pm.
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