Mbuta Rejoins Palace For Trip To Western Mass

Published on May 26, 2009 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Crystal Palace Baltimore News Release


Baltimore, MD - Crystal Palace Baltimore conclude a busy month of May with a visit to Lusitano Stadium in Ludlow, Massachusetts to face the Western Mass Pioneers at 7:30pm on Tuesday May 26. Palace are coming off a 1-1 draw at Richmond on Saturday night leaving them in third place in the table with eleven points, two behind league leaders Harrisburg, while the Pioneers sit at the bottom of the league with three points. Western Mass earned those points on Friday night in a surprise 2-1 win over then first-placed Wilmington, ending a four-game losing streak to open their 2009 campaign.

"We need to go up and be completely ready to perform," stated Palace Baltimore Co-Manager Jim Cherneski. "People love to talk about strong and weak teams, but I've been in this league long enough to know that just because a team starts weak doesn't mean it stays weak. At home Western Mass is always harder to play against and we expect it to be a battle - it's always a battle up there."

Cherneski continued: "We need to get right back on the winning track. We're not happy with our record and we need to do everything we can to turn these game into wins."

Like last season, Baltimore and Western Mass face each other three times; once at UMBC Stadium and twice at Lusitano. Palace were victorious in this year's first encounter with a 1-0 home win on Matthew Mbuta's goal. Last year, Palace won the season series, topping the Pioneers in Baltimore and splitting the two fixtures in Ludlow.

Matthew Mbuta will rejoin the Palace squad on short-term loan from Red Bull New York once again, pending USL, USSF and MLS approval. Bryan Harkin has now completely recovered from his nagging hamstring strain and should dress. Shintaro Harada is expected to start despite losing his front tooth in a collision with Richmond's Gerson dos Santos on Saturday. Wale Adelusimi's foot injury will prevent him from traveling with the team, while John Nusum is still waiting for an MRI to find out the extent of the knee injury he sustained at Richmond.

Palace return to the friendly surroundings of UMBC Stadium in Baltimore on Friday May 29 at 7:30pm for the local derby with Real Maryland. Tickets are moving fast for this game so please visit http://www.crystalpalaceusa.com or call 410.933.TEAM(8326) to secure your seat.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 26, 2009


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