Eagles Travel to Harrisburg for USL PRO Playoffs
August 22, 2013 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charlotte Eagles News Release
Charlotte, NC - The Charlotte Eagles will open up the 2013 USL PRO Playoffs against the Harrisburg City Islanders at 2 pm on Saturday, August 24th at Skyline Sports Complex. Harrisburg finished the regular season in 4th place with 44 points, three points ahead of Charlotte. The two teams split the season series 1-1 with both sides winning on the road.
The Eagles wrapped up the regular season with games against VSI Tampa Bay FC on Friday, August 16th and against Orlando City SC on Saturday, August 17th. In an action packed game last Friday, the Eagles jumped out to an early 1-0 lead thanks to Christian Ramirez. The rookie forward beat the offside trap and got in one-on-one with Tampa's goalkeeper David Martin, before finding the right corner of the net. Ramirez added a brace in the 43rd minute finishing a cross from Drew Yates. Tampa Bay's Mauricio Salles pulled the hosts back within one goal a minute later. Stephen Okai restored Charlotte's two goal lead in the 58th minute off a nice give and go with Ramirez. Tampa didn't take long to respond as Douglas Dos Santos scored in the 63rd minute. Charlotte saw its chances of hosting a home game slip through their hands in the 87th minute as Chad Burt converted a penalty kick and the match finished 3-3.
Charlotte headed into the Orlando City match knowing that they were guaranteed 5th place in the standings. Coach Steffens used the Orlando City match as a chance to reward the hard work of players who hadn't seen much time this season. Goalkeeper Alonso Jimenez started the game and made six saves. Orlando found the game's only goal in the 50th minute as Freddie Braun collected a loose ball in the box and finished into the back of the net.
Harrisburg and Charlotte split the season series 1-1 with Charlotte winning 2-1 most recently in Harrisburg on Wednesday, August 7th. Christian Hernandez opened the scoring for the host City Islanders in the 6th minute after taking a pass from Sainey Touray and beating Eric Reed to the top corner. Rookie forward Christian Ramirez leveled the match in the 27th minute off a cross from Nick Courtney. Jorge Herrera gave the Eagles the lead in the 38th minute off a good combination of play between Drew Yates and Christian Ramirez.
The City Islanders are led by a powerful duo in Sainey Touray and Lucky Mkosana who both have 38 points on the season. Touray is a 6'1" forward who is a native of Gambia and has been a member of the City Islanders since 2011. This season he has recorded 11 goals and six assists. Mkosana is a native of Zimbabwe who played collegiately at Dartmouth College. He is the Big Green's all-time leading goal scorer with 34 career goals. Mkosana has scored 13 goals this season, which is good for 3rd in USL PRO.
Goalkeeper Nicholas Noble led USL PRO with 14 wins this season. He also registered 105 saves which tied him for first with Matthew Williams of the Dayton Dutch Lions. Noble has also played every single minute of the season for the City Islanders.
The match will air live on USLNation.com at 2 pm on Saturday, so be sure to tune in!
Keep that Orange Flag Flying High and we'll see you on Saturday!
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United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 22, 2013
- Orlando, Orange County Mayors Declare Friday "Purple Pride" Day - Orlando City SC
- Eagles Travel to Harrisburg for USL PRO Playoffs - Charlotte Eagles
- USL PRO Playoffs Begin Saturday - USL
- Dutch Lions Ready For the Playoffs - Dayton Dutch Lions
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