Stars Fall 3-1 To Tampa Bay
May 28, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Tampa Bay Rowdies News Release
The NSC Minnesota Stars (2-7-1) battled valiantly in the second half couldn't overcome a three goal first half deficit and fell 3-1 on the road to the Tampa Bay Rowdies (4-1-3) Thursday.
The Stars trailed almost the entire game after surrendering a goal in the 6th minute. Two more goals in the first 25 minutes gave the Rowdies a 3-0 lead. It would take until the 38th minute for the Stars to get on the board, but they were frustrated the rest of the night and couldn't push another goal through.
A shortened field and baseball infield dirt covering a portion of the field seemed to put the Stars off balance early and tentative play proved costly.
The Rowdies jumped on the Stars quickly, controlling play and setting up for Gordon Kljestan's opening goal. Kljestan took a pass from Long Tan and ripped a shot to the left corner and beat Star's goalkeeper Matt Van Oekel.
Van Oekel's troubles continued in the 20th minute as the Rowdies' Erin Wheeler attacked the box chasing a through ball. Van Oekel charged out to meet Wheeler but got there late, catching Wheeler around the ankles and drawing a yellow card. Wheeler buried the penalty shot for his team-leading third goal of the season to give Tampa Bay a 2-0 lead.
The Stars looked to answer and were able to get some long balls deep in the offensive zone to Warren Ukah, but were unable to turn them into quality looks. A golden chance came for the Stars off a corner kick though as Chris Clements put a great header on goal. Tampa Bay's Daryl Sattler was up to the task and made a brilliant save to knock the ball over the goal and preserve the lead.
The Rowdies extended that lead as Kljestan returned the favor to Tan in the 25th minute, setting up for Tampa Bay's third goal of the night.
The Stars started to get their feet beneath them after giving up the third goal and created some chances that led to multiple free kicks and corner kicks. In the 38th minute the Stars finally broke through when Neil Hlavaty ripped a shot around the wall on a free kick for his second goal of the season, bringing the lead to 3-1 at halftime.
Minnesota came out hard in the second half, looking to cut into Tampa Bay's lead early on. Leilei Gao broke free in the 46th minute and put a great shot on goal from 25 yards out. Satler was ready again though and made a diving save. Gao was unable to shake loose for as quality an opportunity in the second half and the Stars would not test Satler with as tough a save again.
Ukah was able to wreak some havoc in the offensive end in the second half, getting a couple good looks and at one point colliding with Satler, sending Satler to the ground. For the majority of the second half though the Rowdies were able to bog play down in the neutral zone. Neither team was able to turn extended possessions into quality attacks and the Stars best opportunity was cleared out of the box in the 77th minute by a host of Rowdie defenders.
The Stars pressed the issue into the Tampa Bay zone hard at the end of regulation, but counter attacks by the Rowdies created a couple good chances as the clock wound down. Tampa Bay steered away the Stars desperate efforts in the final minutes to secure their second home win of the season.
The Stars play at home Saturday night against AC St. Louis.
Rowdies Starting Lineup: GK Daryl Sattler, D Joe Donoho, D Rob Valentino, D Julian Valentin, D Yendry Diaz (68th minute - Scott Buete), M Gordon Kljestan, M Kwame "JJ" Adjeman-Pamboe (74th minute - Mozzi Gyorio), M Pascal Millien (62nd minute - Stanley Nyazamba), M Long Tan (62nd minute - Drew Yates), M Takuya Yamada, F Aaron Wheeler (46th minute - Aaron King).
NSC Minnesota Stars Lineup: GK Matt Van Oekel, D Ely Allen (68th minute - Simone Bracalello), D Brian Kallman, D Chris Clements (85th minute - Leland Wright), D Andres Arango, M Neil Hlavaty, M Daniel Wasson, M Kyle Altman (85th minute - Kevin Friedland), M Geison Moura, M Leilei Gao (77th minute - Two-Boys Gumede), F Warren Ukah
U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from May 28, 2010
- Installation of the Natural Grass Field at Olympic Stadium Underway - Montreal Impact
- Rowdies Extend League Best Unbeaten Streak To Six Games - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- NSC Minnesota Stars Pro Soccer Team Faces Off Against AC St. Louis Saturday Night At National Sports - Minnesota United FC
- Portland Timbers Donate $50,000 Towards Future Parkrose Regional Soccer Center - Portland Timbers
- RailHawks Continue Road Trip In Montreal Sunday - North Carolina FC
- Stars Fall 3-1 To Tampa Bay - Tampa Bay Rowdies
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
