Palace Come Away From Harrisburg Empty-Handed

Published on July 4, 2009 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Crystal Palace Baltimore News Release


Baltimore MD - Crystal Palace Baltimore fell 3-1 in Harrisburg last night to the league-leading City Islanders. Palace started well, dominating the opening 25 minutes. Rookie Jordan Seabrook gave Baltimore the early lead, but a disputed equalizer revived the home side on 29 minutes. After an even second half, ex-Palace striker Brandon Swartzendruber came on as a substitute to notch two goals in the waning moments to secure all three points for Harrisburg.

Palace began the game displaying much greater urgency than in their home loss to Real Maryland on Monday night. With eleven minutes gone, a nice build-up through midfield led to Machel Millwood releasing fellow striker Jordan Seabrook on a diagonal run. With a defender pressuring him from the right, the rookie from Indianapolis kept his composure and placed a low shot from just inside the box to the right of the Harrisburg 'keeper to give Palace a deserved lead.

Baltimore continued to dominate and create chances, but the wind was knocked out of their sails on 29 minutes by a fluky equalizer. The City Islanders strung together a good series of passes around the edge of the Palace penalty area and the ball ended up with Ty Shipalane. Just as he took a shot at goal, a Palace defender closed in on the striker just managing to get his foot to the ball causing a horrendous, looping deflection. Brian Rowland backpedalled, but could only palm the ball onto the underside of his crossbar and it ricocheted down and away from the goal. The assistant referee signaled that the ball had crossed the line and the home side were level.

Play throughout the second 45 minutes was very even, with each side creating several chances. Second-half substitute Val Teixeira had three shots, his best opportunity being a volley from a tight angle just inside the 18 at a sharp angle which was deflected out for a corner.

When it seemed Palace would come away with a valuable point on the road, Harrisburg earned a free kick on 87 minutes. The deep ball found former Palace squad member Brandon Swartzendruber unmarked in front of goal and he headed home to give the City Islanders the lead.

Palace pushed forward to try and salvage a point, with Millwood coming close on a pair of headed efforts, but in stoppage time Harrisburg took advantage on the counter attack. Swartzendruber received a flick on from a deep clearance and chipped the ball over Rowland to seal the victory.

The two sides meet again at 7:30 pm on Friday, July 10 at UMBC Stadium in Baltimore. Tickets are still available either online at http://www.crystalpalaceusa.com/ or by calling 410.933.TEAM(8326).

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 4, 2009


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