NH Phantoms Tie Cleveland 1-1
July 13, 2007 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
New Hampshire Phantoms News Release
MANCHESTER, NH - (JULY 13, 2007) - The New Hampshire Phantoms men's professional soccer team was out to prove it was no fluke that it knocked off previously undefeated and first place Richmond Kickers last weekend, 2-1. This time the Phantoms posted a mild upset tie against third place Cleveland at Joe Chabot-Hubie McDonough Stadium at Manchester Memorial High School by coming from behind once again to tie United Soccer Leagues Second Division third place team Cleveland, 1-1.
Playing in front of its most jubilant crowd of the season, the Phantoms spotted the visiting team a goal just 8 minutes into the contest when Stars' midfielder Derek Potteiger served a high driven ball from the right corner touchline to Dana McGregor who had positioned himself on the 8-yard line in front of the goal. McGregor hammered home a head ball into the upper right corner past Phantoms goalkeeper Brian Levey.
The Phantoms appeared flat in the early going, and it wasn't until the appearance of the 'Phantoms Phanatics', the home team's version of the United States Men's National Team end zone fan group 'Sam's Army', that helped inject new life into NH. Just 26 minutes after the Stars goal, the newly inspired Phantoms, playing to the beat of drums and constant cheering by the Phanatics, stole a ball at midfield and penetrated the Stars defending third. Phantoms newcomer Chris Loftus, on loan from the New England Revolution, bolted into the penalty box as forward Almir Barbosa carried the ball down the right flank. Loftus was tackled hard from behind by Stars defender Jack Cummings as Barbosa's flighted serve made its way through the air toward Loftus. The referee whistled a foul in the penalty box and Barbosa was called upon to shoot the ensuing PK. Barbosa delivered, promptly depositing a low line drive shot to the shooter's left as Cleveland's goalkeeper Caleb Patterson guessed wrong and dove in the opposite direction.
With the score tied 1-1, Cleveland pushed for the go-ahead goal in the second period as Ryan Junge nearly headed home a monster throw-in to the far post by Cummings from the right side. Junge out-jumped four NH players all trying to clear the ball away. It deflected off one of the Phantoms and just missed the left post at ground level.
As the Stars continually attacked the Phantoms goal, it was a Val Teixeira bicycle kick clearing ball from the Phantoms defending third that found a waiting Loftus at midfield. Loftus plucked the ball from mid-air and volleyed a one-timer to Barbosa making a run down the right side. Barbosa out-raced Stars defender Mark Shulte and blasted a shot just over the crossbar.
Loftus nearly sent the home crowd into a frenzy when his shot at 74:00 also sailed over Patterson's head when he collected a Joseph Clancy pass just inside the box. That was the Phantoms last solid bid to win the game.
Cleveland pressured constantly in the final 20 minutes, but the outstanding defensive efforts of the Phantoms James Greenslit, Michael Cafetiero, and Clancy held the visiting team at bay. It was a tight-knit wall that deflected a Schulte rocket off a re-start from 25 yards out in the 90 th minute that closed the book on Cleveland's scoring bids. Schulte collected his own ball and served a driven head-high pass to an oncoming Gerardo Alvarez. Alvarez and Levey each timed the ball perfectly, but it was Levey who came away with the ball.
It was a small consolation for the Phantoms as NH lost to Cleveland at Krenzler Stadium on May 19 in extra time when the Stars' Adam Moffat scored the game-winner sending the Phantoms home after a spectacular come-from-behind performance by NH with two second half goals to tie the game 2-2 with just two minutes remaining in regulation.
The Phantoms play host to Crystal Palace Baltimore next Saturday night at Memorial with a 7:30 PM kickoff in the midst of a six-game home-stand. With four games remaining, the Phantoms are out of the playoff hunt, but without a doubt are playing some of its finest soccer of the season.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 13, 2007
- NH Phantoms Tie Cleveland 1-1 - New Hampshire Phantoms
- City Stars settle for 1-1 draw on the road against New Hampshire - Cleveland City Stars
- NH Phantoms Tie Cleveland 1-1 - New Hampshire Phantoms
- Eagles Suffer 4-1 Loss to Richmond - Charlotte Eagles
- After a Grueling Week, Islanders Finish with a Draw - Penn FC
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