Here's a comment that I found on MLSR about my post:
"Oh, and now some Cleveland fan is whining on his own wittle bwog that MLSR didn't "do their homework" b/c they feel they have more talent on their side than just Franks....."
I'm flattered that I'm already attracting this type of attention. This is inflating my ego.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
US Open Cup Third Round - Post Game
First and foremost, we were outclassed. Chicago bossed us around. While we did at times look like challenging, Chicago almost completely controlled the pace of the game. I think it was Calen Carr who just tore us apart. Our defense was in shambles, unfortunately. I don't hold Hunter at fault for any of the goals. On the first one, it was a great strike. The penalty was a terrible call. It looked like Rolfe took a huge dive. Then again, the ref was horrid all game. I don't understand how Chicago can only commit one foul in an entire half. It boggles my mind.
In the second half, we looked a lot better. We created more chances and finally maintained some possession. Kiel McClung, in for the suspended Stovy, scored a fantastic goal from about 20 yards out. Not many goalkeepers in the world would've stopped that shot. He struck it hard and placed it perfectly into the top corner. Shortly after that, we probably should have gotten a second goal, but Luke Williams was just out of gas.
In the end, I cannot say that we deserved to win this game. But, the boys are back home again on Friday against Western Mass. Come out and celebrate our nation's birthday with the Green Army!
C'MON CITY!
In the second half, we looked a lot better. We created more chances and finally maintained some possession. Kiel McClung, in for the suspended Stovy, scored a fantastic goal from about 20 yards out. Not many goalkeepers in the world would've stopped that shot. He struck it hard and placed it perfectly into the top corner. Shortly after that, we probably should have gotten a second goal, but Luke Williams was just out of gas.
In the end, I cannot say that we deserved to win this game. But, the boys are back home again on Friday against Western Mass. Come out and celebrate our nation's birthday with the Green Army!
C'MON CITY!
7/1/08 Cleveland @ Chicago Pre-Game
About 90 minutes to go until kick-off. I'll post more information as I get it. As of right now, I believe that Jon Busch will be starting in goal for the Fire, with Chris Rolfe and Chad Barrett starting up front.
No word yet on the line-up for the Stars.
EDIT: Starting line up for Cleveland
GK: Hunter Gilstrap
DF: Jeremy Tolleson
DF: Kiel McClung
DF: Mark Schulte
DF: Godfrey Tenoff
MD: Neil Hlavaty
MD: Derek Potteiger
MD: Floyd Franks
MD: Adam Ruud
FW: Sallieu Bundu
FW: Luke Williams
Chicago Starting Line up
GK: Nick Noble
DF: Austin Washington
DF: Brian Plotkin
DF: Daniel Woolard
DF: Lider Marmol
MD: Mike Banner
MD: Stephen King
MD: Peter Lowry
MD: Chris Rolfe
MD: Calen Carr
FW: Chad Barrett
Green Army on tour!
No word yet on the line-up for the Stars.
EDIT: Starting line up for Cleveland
GK: Hunter Gilstrap
DF: Jeremy Tolleson
DF: Kiel McClung
DF: Mark Schulte
DF: Godfrey Tenoff
MD: Neil Hlavaty
MD: Derek Potteiger
MD: Floyd Franks
MD: Adam Ruud
FW: Sallieu Bundu
FW: Luke Williams
Chicago Starting Line up
GK: Nick Noble
DF: Austin Washington
DF: Brian Plotkin
DF: Daniel Woolard
DF: Lider Marmol
MD: Mike Banner
MD: Stephen King
MD: Peter Lowry
MD: Chris Rolfe
MD: Calen Carr
FW: Chad Barrett
Green Army on tour!
MLS Rumors Knows Nothing About Our Team
I'm not sure how many people read the various MLS and US Soccer blogs that there are. The soccer nut that I am, I tend to read a lot of them. Now, there are some very good ones (The Offside Rules, Soccer By Ives, etc) and there are some bad ones (most notably MLS Rumors). Today, the brilliant writers of MLS Rumors are writing about the upcoming round of the Open Cup. For every game, they talk about how the upcoming match should be exciting. Then they come to our game, and this is what they write:
"On the face of it this match doesn't seem to excite. However one has to remember that Columbus Crew fans, typically hate Chicago and in a showing of "Ohio pride" may back Cleveland City for no other reason than they'd like to see the four time US Open Cup Champion fall in the 3rd Round to a team which plays in the 3rd tier of the sport in this country. Not to mention, some Crew supporters are from the area around Cleveland. One of our readers also pointed out that Cleveland's only real high profile player is a former Fire player, Floyd Franks, who also scored both of the Stars' previous goals in US Open Cup play. And lastly there should be a nice contingent of Cleveland City supporters at Toyota Park as several busses are headed there. If you want to go and live in or near Cleveland, then Get On The Bus."
Our only high profile player is Floyd Franks? Really MLSR? Did you do any research? Obviously not. If you had, maybe you'd learn that Mark Schulte also played in MLS. MLSR could've also discovered that Neil Hlavaty was at Sparta Prague. Then there's Sallieu Bundu who was a highly rated player in Sierra Leone before he had to flee the country on foot to escape certain death. But they're obviously not high-profile enough.
MLS Rumors, do your research next time.
"On the face of it this match doesn't seem to excite. However one has to remember that Columbus Crew fans, typically hate Chicago and in a showing of "Ohio pride" may back Cleveland City for no other reason than they'd like to see the four time US Open Cup Champion fall in the 3rd Round to a team which plays in the 3rd tier of the sport in this country. Not to mention, some Crew supporters are from the area around Cleveland. One of our readers also pointed out that Cleveland's only real high profile player is a former Fire player, Floyd Franks, who also scored both of the Stars' previous goals in US Open Cup play. And lastly there should be a nice contingent of Cleveland City supporters at Toyota Park as several busses are headed there. If you want to go and live in or near Cleveland, then Get On The Bus."
Our only high profile player is Floyd Franks? Really MLSR? Did you do any research? Obviously not. If you had, maybe you'd learn that Mark Schulte also played in MLS. MLSR could've also discovered that Neil Hlavaty was at Sparta Prague. Then there's Sallieu Bundu who was a highly rated player in Sierra Leone before he had to flee the country on foot to escape certain death. But they're obviously not high-profile enough.
MLS Rumors, do your research next time.
More lead up to the game
Chicago Fire
Open Cup Form: This is the Fire's first game in the Open Cup this season. However, the Fire have not won in their past four games.
League Leaders: Cuathemoc Blanco (T-3rd in MLS assists with 6); Jon Busch (1st in MLS Goals Against Average (0.85), 1st in Saves (64), 2nd in GK shutouts (5))
Cleveland City Stars
Open Cup Form: 2-1 vs. Michigan Bucks (PDL), 2-0 aet vs. Minnesota Thunder (USL-1)
League Leaders: Sallieu Bundu (3rd in goals scored with 5, 4th in shots with 27); Adriano Souza (4th in assists with 3, 4th in shots with 27); Dana McGregor (4th in assists with 3); Hunter Gilstrap (4th in GAA with 0.83); Eric Reed (3rd in GAA with 0.71, 4th in shutouts with 4)
Keys to Victory
1. Don't be intimidated
2. Stay organized defensively
3. Don't be afraid to take shots!
Open Cup Form: This is the Fire's first game in the Open Cup this season. However, the Fire have not won in their past four games.
League Leaders: Cuathemoc Blanco (T-3rd in MLS assists with 6); Jon Busch (1st in MLS Goals Against Average (0.85), 1st in Saves (64), 2nd in GK shutouts (5))
Cleveland City Stars
Open Cup Form: 2-1 vs. Michigan Bucks (PDL), 2-0 aet vs. Minnesota Thunder (USL-1)
League Leaders: Sallieu Bundu (3rd in goals scored with 5, 4th in shots with 27); Adriano Souza (4th in assists with 3, 4th in shots with 27); Dana McGregor (4th in assists with 3); Hunter Gilstrap (4th in GAA with 0.83); Eric Reed (3rd in GAA with 0.71, 4th in shutouts with 4)
Keys to Victory
1. Don't be intimidated
2. Stay organized defensively
3. Don't be afraid to take shots!
I forgot to mention
The game will be available for everyone to watch from the comforts of their home computer! There's going to be a stream going from the City Stars' website. I know I'll be watching it.
US Open Cup Third Round Preview
CHICAGO FIRE VS. CLEVELAND CITY STARS
US OPEN CUP THIRD ROUND
TOYOTA PARK
KICK OFF - 8:30 PM EST
We go into tomorrow's match looking for a big upset. Some key players were rested on Saturday in preparation for this game, so the boys should be fully rested and ready to go. Last season multiple USL-2 teams scored victories against MLS sides. However, I think things will be different this year now that the winner of the Open Cup gets a birth into the CONCACAF Champions League. MLS teams now see value in winning this tournament. Will it be tough for us? Of course it will. Do we have a chance? Of course we do. However, we're going to have to play our best. I know the boys will be up for this.
My prediction: Chicago 2-0 Cleveland
I think Chicago are just the better team. I'm hoping for an upset, I'm just not that optimistic.
US OPEN CUP THIRD ROUND
TOYOTA PARK
KICK OFF - 8:30 PM EST
We go into tomorrow's match looking for a big upset. Some key players were rested on Saturday in preparation for this game, so the boys should be fully rested and ready to go. Last season multiple USL-2 teams scored victories against MLS sides. However, I think things will be different this year now that the winner of the Open Cup gets a birth into the CONCACAF Champions League. MLS teams now see value in winning this tournament. Will it be tough for us? Of course it will. Do we have a chance? Of course we do. However, we're going to have to play our best. I know the boys will be up for this.
My prediction: Chicago 2-0 Cleveland
I think Chicago are just the better team. I'm hoping for an upset, I'm just not that optimistic.
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