Eagles Shutout Crystal Palace, 3-0
Published on July 26, 2008 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charlotte Eagles News Release
(Charlotte, NC) - The Charlotte Eagles hosted Crystal Palace Baltimore tonight at Restart Field. Steve Shak, Jorge Herrera and Dustin Swinehart all posted goals for Charlotte in the 3-0 victory. With tonight's victory the Eagles strengthen their position at the top of the USL-2 standings with a record of 12-1-4, for 40 points.
Charlotte scored the first goal of the match in the eighth minute of play. The Eagles won a throw in after attacking down the right side. Ben Johnson took the throw, putting it to the near post for Dustin Swinehart. Swinehart won the header and flicked it on to the far post. Veteran defender Steve Shak was unmarked at the far post for the easy finish, touching it in.
The Eagles extended the lead to two goals in the 17th minute. The play began with a long ball played down the left side for Robert Ssejjemba. Ssejjemba continued the attacked playing a one-two with Joseph Kabwe before sending a cross the right side for Jorge Herrera. Herrera controlled the ball and fired a well placed shot just inside the right post to beat Brian Rowland in the Crystal Palace goal.
The first half was all Charlotte, with some outstanding possession and build up on the attack. Charlotte out-shot Crystal Palace 13-5 in the half.
Crystal Palace made a better effort of it in the second half as Charlotte turned the pressure down a notch. Baltimore almost put one in the net in the 74th minute. Crystal Palace intercepted a pass from the Charlotte defense and a pass across for Pat Healy. Healy had an open goal chance to score, but he put the shot wide right.
Charltote extended its lead to 3-0 in the 80th minute of play. Darren Toby played a great through ball forward for Dustin Swinehart on the attacked. Swinehart manuvered wide right to get around goalkeeper Rowland. Swinehart beat Rowland and made a tough angle shot from the right side into the open net. It was Swinehart's 15th goal of the regular season, leading the league.
The match ended with a 3-0 victory for Charlotte. The Eagles out-shot Crystal Palace 11-4 in the second half and 24-9 for the whole match. It was Terry Boss's nineth shutout of the season. Boss was only forced to make one save in the match, but Brian Rowland had eight saves for Crystal Palace.
The Eagles have a two game road trip next weekend facing the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Friday, August 1st in Pittsburgh, then it is off to Cleveland on for a match on Saturday night against the Cleveland City Stars. The Eagles return to home field action at Restart Field on Friday, August 8th to host the Cleveland City Stars in the Eagles final regular season match. The Eagles have clinched a spot in the USL-2 post season, but final seeding will be determined by the remaining regular season matches.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 26, 2008
- Burke rules Monarchs in Kickers' 6-0 win - Richmond Kickers
- City Stars Explode In 5-1 Victory Over Bermuda - Cleveland City Stars
- Eagles Shutout Crystal Palace, 3-0 - Charlotte Eagles
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