Eagles Set for Semifinal Match with Richmond Kickers
Published on August 29, 2013 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charlotte Eagles News Release
Charlotte, NC - The Charlotte Eagles will travel to top-seeded Richmond for a semifinal match in the 2013 USL PRO playoffs on Saturday, August 31st. The 5th seed Eagles advanced after defeating the 4th place Harrisburg City Islanders 3-1 on Saturday, August 24th. Richmond advanced following a 1-0 win over the 8th seed Dayton Dutch Lions.
Charlotte opened the scoring with two second half goals by Christian Ramirez and Jorge Herrera. Lucky Mkosana pulled one back for the hosts in the 85th minute off an errant back pass from Samuel Asante. Asante made amends in the 90th minute on the counterattack taking a pass from Jorge Herrera and securing the Eagles spot in the semifinals.
Jorge Herrera continued his fine 2013 regular season form with a goals and two assists which brings his season total 11 goals and six assists. Rookie forward Christian Ramirez added his ninth goal of 2013 while Samuel Asante scored his first professional goal.
Richmond advanced to the semifinals thanks to Joseph Ngwenya's 66th minute goal. Kickers goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra made three saves and posted his 11th shutout of the season.
In the two previous match ups the Kickers and Eagles played some very competitive and thrilling soccer. In the first meeting on May 4th Connor Shanosky scored off a stoppage time corner kick to earn the hosts a point. Brian Ownby and Stanley Nyazamba scored twice in the first half to give Richmond the 2-0 lead at the half. Christian Meza brought the Eagles back within one in the 48th minute and Tommy Smith scored in the 78th minute to even the match. Former Eagle and current Chicago Fire defender Shaun Francis scored what looked to be the game winner on a half-volley from the top of the box in the 90th minute. Unfortunately for the Eagles Connor Shanosky scored off a last minute corner kick and leveling the match at 3-3
The second match up while not having as many goals was just as thrilling. Joseph Ngwenya headed home the games lone goal in the 72nd minute off a Nate Robinson corner kick. The Eagles came close on a number of occasions but were unable to find the back of the net. Jorge Herrera saw his left footed shot just miss the net and Christian Meza had his effort hit the outside of the goal in the 59th minute. Ngwenya capitalized on Eric Reed's hesitation on whether to come out or not and the Kickers escaped Charlotte with three points.
The Kickers and Eagles are not strangers to each other in the playoffs either. The two sides have met a total of three times in their playoff history. In 2006 the Kickers won the USL-2 Championship with a 2-1 win over Charlotte. In 2007 Richmond won 2-1 in the USL-2 Semifinals and in 2009 Richmond won 3-1 over the Eagles in the USL-2 Championship.
Charlotte will be looking not only to move on to their first USL PRO Championship game but also earn their first playoff victory in franchise history over their 21 year old rival.
Saturday's semifinal will surely be filled with the same thrilling and exciting soccer that these two teams have produced so far this season and over their storied history. Be sure to tune in to USLNation.com on Saturday night at 7 pm and cheer on the Eagles!
United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 29, 2013
- USL PRO Semifinal Saturday - Richmond Kickers
- Eagles Set for Semifinal Match with Richmond Kickers - Charlotte Eagles
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