Cleveland vs. Western Mass Post Game Reaction

I originally wasn't going to write this tonight, but I got some motivation. This was a must win game. We needed the three points badly. We'd only scored one goal in our past three league games. So when the Pioneers went up in the 1st minute, I was very much afraid that this would be our first regular season home loss. We dominated in the first half, but their keeper came up with some huge saves. The one in the 40th minute off of a great shot from Ian was superb.

In the second half, we came out with a purpose. We played like a team in desperate need of a win. When Ryan Stewart came on, the entire game changed. Stewart said "I'm going to take charge of this game. Everyone, pile on my back, I'm gonna take us to the promised land!" At least, that's what I imagine him saying. Whatev. When he came on, the dynamic of the game changed. We were much more positive. His beautiful backheel to Mark was the reason for the PK. I also loved that after he scored the third goal of the game (and his first of the season) he ran over to the fans and celebrated. Oh, yea, and Derek's goal, the game winning goal, was nice.

All in all, we deserved this win. I'm not even going to touch on the physical aspect of this game because it would simply disgust me. Put simply, Western Mass' players are a bunch of thugs.

My Man of the Match: Ryan Stewart

7/4/08 Cleveland vs. Western Mass Preview

USL Second Division
Kick-off: 3:00 pm
Krenzler Field, Cleveland, OH

Yet again, three points are an absolute must. We're currently only 1 point ahead of Crystal Palace Baltimore in the race for the top two spots. However, we've played two more games than them. This season we're 3-0-3 at home and Western Mass are 2-3-1 on the road. The Pioneers have gotten 7 or so yellow cards in their past 3 matches. I doubt they'll stop the physical play against us. So many times this season, the away team has come to Krenzler looking only for the draw. They sit almost everyone behind the ball and hack away at our players. Unfortunately, we haven't always tried hard to break the opponents down. We've just settled to lob long balls into the box and hope Sallieu or any of the forwards can get a head to it. We need to start shooting more. Against Wilmington we had the majority of the possession and did nothing with it. Baltimore is going to be on a long stretch of games. From now until the end of the season, I think the most time they have in between games is 4 days. They will definitely drop some points during that span. Now it's our time to start winning games and put some pressure on Charlotte at the top of the table.

I get teary-eyed just watching this

For those of you new to the Cleveland City Stars, watch this. Bonus points if you can spot me in any pictures.

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!

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.

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!

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.

6/28/08 Cleveland 0-0 Richmond

For the second week in a row, the boys were held to a 0-0 draw. I didn't get to see the game as I was out of town, but I plan on watching the replay on STO on Wednesday. This was a great opportunity for us to pick up points on Charlotte and put some distance between us and Baltimore in the race for second place. Baltimore has three games in hand and are only 4 points behind us. That's not a good situation, in my opinion.

Some players were being rested for the game (we play Chicago in the Open Cup on Tuesday). I'm not sure that I agree with this. I think that our number 1 priority should be doing well in the league. It's critical that we get one of the top two spots to get a bye into the second round of the playoffs.