Exciting Finish As City Stars Beat Real Maryland 2-1 On The Road
Published on June 8, 2008 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Cleveland City Stars News Release
It took two days and 85 minutes, but the City Stars were finally able to conquer the weather and the Real Maryland defense with a 2-1 victory.
After yesterday's match was delayed and eventually postponed because of thunder and lightning, today's restart was played under a brutal sun in 90 degree temperatures.
Real Maryland started the scoring off in the 35th minute when Nilson Perez placed the ball across the Cleveland defense and into the net off a free kick for a 1-0 Maryland lead. Cleveland controlled the ball for the majority of the half but Real Maryland capitalized on its one open chance.
The City Stars continued to dominate the tempo as Cleveland just-missed on numerous shots on goal. It seemed as though the City Stars were on the verge of wasting away a golden opportunity as they saw three shots bounce off the cross bar three times and another two shots on an open goal miss high.
Salleiu Bundu vs. Real Maryland
It was not until the 85th minute that the City Stars finally got its offense rolling off a free kick. With the Real Maryland defense setting up a wall to block Sallieu Bundu's free kick, the heady Bundu tapped the ball around the wall and into the net for a 1-1 tie. It was Bundu's fifth goal of the season.
The excitement was not over for Cleveland as they had one final corner kick opportunity in the 90th minute and Luke Williams played the ball perfectly into 6'3" captain Mark Schulte. Schulte rose above the Real Maryland defense and placed the ball into the net for a 2-1 Cleveland lead.
"We were getting good service all day on those corner kicks and we had so many great opportunities, one of them was bound to go in," said Schulte. "It was so hot out there, I think we were a bit sluggish in the first half and they did a good job of taking advantage of that. Real Maryland played their hearts out and it was great to see two teams fighting it out the whole time. This performance shows some character from our team and it's the type of win that can get your season going."
With the win the City Stars now stand at 5-1-3 with 18 points, just two points behind first place Charlotte in the USL-2 Table.
"This was a big win for us. It was a hard fought match with intense weather conditions that took everything out of our players," said Cleveland Head Coach Martin Rennie. "Because of our endurance and the character of our players we were able to fight through it and finish strong. We look to build off this performance next week as we start the U.S. Open Cup."
Cleveland's next match comes this Tuesday at 7 pm against the Michigan Bucks (PDL) in the first round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from June 8, 2008
- Exciting Finish As City Stars Beat Real Maryland 2-1 On The Road - Cleveland City Stars
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