Victory edge BYU Cougars in US Open Cup First Round
June 13, 2007 - USL First Division (USL-1)
California Victory News Release
SAN FRANCISCO (June 12, 2007) -- The California Victory will face the Minnesota Thunder in the second round of the US Open Cup after knocking aside the BYU Cougars 2-1 in Utah tonight.
The Victory, playing its first-ever game in the 93-year-old tournament, went ahead through Raul Palomares. The midfielder side-footed a volley home in the 23rd minute from a superb Luis Aguilar assist.
Yuri Morales doubled the score midway through the second half, having previously hit the post. Chuck Kim had found Josh Hansen, who then played a square ball across to Morales for the easy tap-in and his 3rd goal in four games.
BYU notched a consolation goal through substitute Daniel McKinley in the 89th, denying the Vics their third consecutive shutout.
"We dominated most of the game," said Victory head coach Glenn Van Straatum. "We could have had four or five. But I'm happy with the win. The defense was solid again and we are creating more and more chances. "
The win puts the once-struggling Victory on a four-game unbeaten streak. But most important, Van Straatum noted, was that players such as Cameron Dunn, Hugo Casillas and Mike Muñoz saw playing time as they regain match fitness.
"The team is heading in the right direction," Van Straatum said. "We are starting to play our game."
The win means the Vics next visit Minnesota Thunder in the second round on June 26 -- just two days after they play them in a USL First Division league game, also at Minnesota. The two sides met for the first time last Saturday, and played to a 0-0 tie at Kezar Stadium.
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USL First Division Stories from June 13, 2007
- US Open Cup First Round Results - USL-1
- Carolina RailHawks - Seattle Sounders Preview - North Carolina FC
- Battery to face El Paso in second round of Cup - Charleston Battery
- Victory edge BYU Cougars in US Open Cup First Round - California Victory
- Timbers Advance To Second Round Of Open Cup - Portland Timbers
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.
Other Recent California Victory Stories
- Van Straatum: "We battle until the end"
- Late PK puts Seattle on top; Sounders beat Vics 1-0 in San Francisco
- Victory out of playoff contention following loss to Montreal
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