Stars In Showdown With First Place Charlotte Eagles
July 31, 2008 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Cleveland City Stars News Release
The Cleveland City Stars host the first place Charlotte Eagles in a pivotal battle for playoff seeding. The first two teams in the USL-2 Playoffs receive byes into the semi-final round and Cleveland currently sits just three points behind second place Richmond. The Stars still have a chance to catch the Eagles as the two sides face each other one more time on August 8th.
Cleveland enters the contest with a record of 9-3-5 and 32 points which places the club in third place. After back-to-back 0-0 draws in late June, the Stars have rallied to win three straight home matches. The offensive attack has come alive during the streak as Cleveland has outscored its opponents 9-2, including last week's 5-1 dismantling of the Bermuda Hogges. Sallieu Bundu and Musa Otieno were each named to the USL-2 Team of the Week for their efforts in the victory. Bundu tallied two goals while Otieno was in on a goal and an assist.
Charlotte enters the match with a record of 12-1-4 and 40 points. The Eagles lone defeat came on the road at the hands of second place Richmond. Charlotte leads the USL-2 in both goals for and goals against and is led by the duo of Dustin Swinehart and Jorge Herrara. Swinehart has scored a league high 15 goals to go along with seven assists while Herrara has tallied eight goals and seven assists of his own. The two forwards rank one-two at the top of the USL-2 points leaders.
Green ArmyThe match is the first of the season between the two clubs. The all-time series is tied 1-1 with both sides claiming a 1-0 victory during the 2007 season.
"This is one of the most important matches of the summer for us," said Cleveland City Stars Executive Director Aaron Tredway. "Home field advantage for the playoffs is in reach and we still have a shot at the top of the table. It will be a great environment for such an important match and we look forward to our fans coming out and giving us the 12th man advantage that we're accustomed to."
Saturday is Faith Night at Krenzler Stadium featuring a free performance from the Fellowship Bible Church Worship Band and player testimonies from both teams.
The first 300 fans in attendance will receive 2008 CCS Media Guides and Charter One Seat Cushions. Fans will also have another chance to get great City Stars merchandise as the Five Dollar T-Shirt Special returns to Krenzler Stadium.
Halftime will again be a busy event as the traditional frisbee toss will be held during halftime along with the live concert.
Adam Ruud by Stephen FixxSaturday also serves as the day the City Stars will host this season's contest winners. The 2008 Cleveland.com Fan of the Year Competition winner is Stephen Fixx from Elyria. As the Fan of the Year, Stephen will get to sit next to Coach Martin Rennie and the rest of the Stars on the team bench throughout the entire match. You can view Stephen's photo, along with the rest of the fan's pictures, at Cleveland.com/CityStars. Although the competition has passed, fans may continue uploading photos onto the site.
The second contest winner is Sean Kelley from Willoughby. Sean won the Grand Prize during last week's fan appreciation night contest. As the Grand Prize winner, Sean will get special VIP treatment at Krenzler Stadium and a personal meeting with the CCS players after the match. Sean's VIP treatment will include being picked up for the game in an official Fred Baker Cleveland City Stars Audi.
Saturday will be a busy day away from the field as well. Prior to the match, the Stars will host their last University Hospitals and Charter One Game Day Clinic of the season. The clinic is co-hosted by the Mosaic Church and will be conducted at Silver Spring Park in Stow from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and is sure to be the biggest camp of the summer. Already there are over 250 kids signed up and this special clinic will also feature members of the Charlotte Eagles.
As a special thank you, the City Stars are offering buy-one-get-one-free coupons and free T-Shirts to all pre-registered children wishing to attend.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 31, 2008
- Controversial Stoppage Time Call Saves Palace's Blushes, Baltimore Takes Inaugural DeOrsey Maryland - Crystal Palace Baltimore
- Stars In Showdown With First Place Charlotte Eagles - Cleveland City Stars
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