Rough Riders Grounded By Eagles

May 16, 2005 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Long Island Rough Riders News Release


Charlotte – 5-13-05. The Long Island Rough Riders were agonizingly denied by a powerful Charlotte side by two goals in the last 5 minutes of regulation time. Desperately unfortunate does even begin to describe the circumstances upon which the Rough Riders found themselves defeated by 2-1.

In the first half Charlotte dominated possession and territory. Long Island struggled to find any fluency in attack as midfielders Swinehart and Watkins dominated the center of the field.

Through out the sustained offensive pressure from the Eagles Sullivan and Grafer excelled emphasizing their MLS class and displaying true Long Island grit and determination.

Higgins and Etienne were tireless in attack but lacked support. Grafer made four first half saves to keep the Rough Riders in the game. Wiseman could be pleased as Long Island stood firm under the pressure and maintained their composure.

The Rough Riders started the second half brightly, Chulis and Cabrera who had been struggled with the pace in the 1st half began to pull the strings. Long Island on the balance of the second half play deservedly took the lead. Espinosa capitalized on a defensive error to poke the ball into the bottom right corner in the 53rd minute from 10 yards.

The Eagles responded in the 55th minute from a Daka header from 8 yards. Sullivan made a last ditch block to thwart a certain goal.

Daka went close in the 74th minute from a 25 yard drive, but Cabrera had taken control of the game and dominated proceedings for over 40 minutes of the game. However, the Rough Riders could not hold on and Swinehart equalized from 3 yards with a header in the 87th minute.

Worse was to follow as Charlotte were awarded a penalty in the 90th minutes from what was arguably the tackle of the season from Sullivan. Swinehart stepped up to put Charlotte in front with a low drive into the right hand bottom corner. Final score 2-1 to the Charlotte Eagles.



United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 16, 2005


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