Eagles Prepare for Back-to-Back Weekend
June 19, 2013 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charlotte Eagles News Release
Charlotte, NC - The Charlotte Eagles are preparing for their first pair of back to back games this weekend. On Friday night they will host VSI Tampa Bay FC at Queens Sports Complex at 7 pm. They will then pack up and head to Wilmington to take on the Wilmington Hammerheads on Saturday night.
The Eagles are coming off a 2-1 victory against the Chicago Fire Reserves of Major League Soccer last Friday night. Charlotte gave up an early goal as Quincy Amarikwa scored late in the first half on a header and the Fire Reserves went to the break with a 1-0 lead. Charlotte came out in the second half putting the Fire under pressure and were rewarded with a Christian Ramirez goal in the 70th minute. Rookie defender Ben Newnam picked a good time to score his first professional goal. He picked up a loose ball just inside the Fire half and ripped a low, hard shot from 35 yards out. Fire goalkeeper Paolo Tornaghi had the ball dip on him and slip under his arm to give the Eagles a 2-1 lead.
The win against the Fire Reserves counts as a regular season USL PRO victory for the Eagles and moves their record to 4-2-5.
Charlotte gets its first look at expansion side VSI Tampa Bay FC, but there are a few familiar faces on the first-year team that Eagles fans and coaches will welcome back to Charlotte. Defender Josh Rife, midfielder Darren Toby and forward Mauricio Salles are all members of VSI Tampa Bay this season. Josh Rife played 10 seasons for the Eagles, in 2005 he won the USL2 Defender of the Year award. This season for Tampa, Rife has played all but 52 minutes. Mauricio Salles won player of the week honors two weeks ago after scoring five goals against Antigua Barracuda FC. His five goal performance brought his eight which is 2nd in the league behind Orlando City's Dom Dwyer.
Tampa Bay is currently sitting in 5th place in the USL PRO standings with a 7-5-1 record and 22 points.
On Saturday, June 22nd the Charlotte Eagles will travel to Wilmington, NC to take on the Wilmington Hammerheads. Wilmington is coming off a 1-0 win over the New York Red Bulls Reserves thanks to a Daniel Steres goal. The Hammerheads are currently sitting in 10th place but are only two points out of a playoff spot.
Paul Nicholson and Jamel Wallace are tied for the team lead in scoring with three goals apiece. The goalscorer from last Saturday, Daniel Steres, has scored two on the year. Goalkeeper Phil Tuttle has played in 10 of the 13 Wilmington matches and has recorded one shutout.
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United Soccer League Championship Stories from June 19, 2013
- Rhinos Hall of Fame Night - June 29th - Rochester Rhinos
- Eagles Partner with World Outback Ministries for Girls 3v3 Tournament - Charlotte Eagles
- Kickers Host Vancouver Saturday - Richmond Kickers
- Eagles Prepare for Back-to-Back Weekend - Charlotte Eagles
- Lions Host Brazilian Champion Fluminense FC in International Friendly Saturday - Orlando City SC
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