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Palace Baltimore Holds Impact to Scoreless Draw

August 11, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Crystal Palace Baltimore News Release


During a game in which the home side dominated practically every statistical category, Crystal Palace Baltimore managed to escape with a 0-0 draw against the Montreal Impact Wednesday night. Evan Bush turned in one of the performances of the season, making 13 saves against the Impact front line. Even after Palace was reduced to ten men late in the game, Montreal could not find a way past the Baltimore goalkeeper, who collected his sixth shutout of the season. Baltimore is now undefeated in three matches against Montreal this year, winning once and drawing twice. The two teams meet for their final regular season encounter on August 21st in Baltimore.

Montreal signaled their intentions early, as Ali Gerba's 30-yard rocket clanged off the left post just six minutes into the contest. The Impact kept the pressure on a minute later, as Antonio Ribeiro found Eduardo Sebrango inside the box, but his point-blank shot was saved brilliantly by Evan Bush, who turned the ball away for a corner kick. Rocco Placentino threatened in the ninth minute, juking around two Baltimore defenders. His cross to Tony Donatelli was spot on, and the resulting header forced Bush to make a tremendous diving save.

Baltimore was finally able to get a crack on goal in the 20th minute, but Pat Healey's effort from 20 yards out flew over the bar. The Impact soon countered with more threats on Evan Bush's goal. Placentino managed to latch on to a long 50-yard pass deep in Palace's half. The midfielder took a strike on the half-volley, but the ball whizzed wide left of the net. Sebrango tried his luck again in the 22nd, but his shot lacked power, and was easily saved by Bush. Four minutes later, a cross from Philippe Billy found the head of a Montreal forward, but Bush reacted quickly to tip the ball over the crossbar.

Late in the first half, Montreal continued to press the Palace back line, eager to get on the scoreboard. Donatelli's free kick in the 40th minute sailed high over the bar, while a slick one-two passing combination between Billy and Gerba ended with Billy connecting on a low ball that just missed wide of the left post.

After being outshot 11-3 in the first 45 minutes, Baltimore was desperate to avoid a repeat of that same scenario in the second half. The visitors began to play a little scrappier during the early stages of the stanza, but it came at a price. Korey Veeder and Tsuyoshi Yoshitake were each booked before ten minutes had elapsed. In the 54th minute, Sebrango again looked to score Montreal's first goal, but his shot from just inside the box swerved inches wide.

A rare quality scoring opportunity arose for Baltimore one minute before the hour mark. A free kick was delivered into the box, but Takuro Nishimura was unable to direct his header on target. Minutes later, Yaikel Perez uncorked a laser of a shot from 30 yards out, but his effort sailed just inches over the crossbar.

Montreal's never-ending attack continued during a five-minute span midway through the second half. In the 66th, Donatelli made a pinpoint pass to Gerba, but Bush was there yet again to deny the striker from scoring. Three minutes later, Wesley Charles got his head onto a ball inside the box, forcing Bush to come off his line and poke the ball around the post. On 72 minutes, substitute Reda Agourram tried his luck from outside the box, but Bush reacted well to make another fine stop.

With 15 minutes to play, Baltimore briefly rattled the Montreal defense, and the visitors almost came up with a late winner. Again, it was Perez who had the opportunity for Baltimore, forcing Matt Jordan to make two quick saves from a tight angle on the left side. In the 80th, Perez delivered a nicely weighted ball in to Nishimura, but again, his head failed him, as he could only direct the ball across the face of the goal.

In the 88th minute, the door was left open for Montreal to take the lead, as Andrew Marshall picked up his second yellow card of the match, reducing Baltimore to ten men. Just as five minutes of added time were announced, Gerba found the feet of Agourram, who dashed inside the box, chasing Bush off of his goal line. From four yards out, Agourram was turned aside by the solid hands of Bush.

Having salvaged another point against their Canadian foes, Baltimore (5-10-6) finds themselves within four points of the eighth and final playoff spot in USSF Division 2. The team returns home to Paul Angelo Russo Stadium Saturday afternoon, for a 5:00 kickoff against the Carolina RailHawks.

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U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from August 11, 2010


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