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USL-2 Qualifying : Round Two
Charlotte close to qualification, 'Hounds dig an 0-3 hole
Five matches were featured in the second week of USL Second Division qualifying, and one team is already one victory away for securing their spot in the 2008 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, while another has dug itself a giant hole to climb out of. Defense has also been tough at home in week two with four of the five matches featuring shutouts by the home team.
The Charlotte Eagles continued their strong start to the 2008 season, blanking the Richmond Kickers 3-0. Jonah Long started the scoring in the 11th minute after a pass from Dustin Swinehart, setting up Long’s 30-yard shot. Charlotte went into halftime with a 1-0 lead, despite out shooting Richmond 8-1. Charlotte doubled their lead in the 58th minute, when former Kicker Robert Ssejjemba was brought down in the penalty area by Adam Chavez. Dustin Swinehart converted the spot kick, giving him five goals in the first two games. Jorge Herrera would score the third and final goal, his second of the year, in the 75th minute to clinch the win for the Eagles.
On the opposite side of the table, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds (0-3-0) are still looking for their first victory after dropping two games in the state of Maryland. On Friday, Crystal Palace Baltimore jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead, on an 8th minute goal from Gary Brooks. The play started with a 50-yard cross field pass from Abe Kante to Matthew Mbuta, who eventually found Brooks at the far post to head the ball into the back of the net. Half an hour later, a free kick by Crystal Palace’s Cecil Lewis created a mess in front of goal, until Alex Ughivohe poked home the second goal.
Midway through the second half, Ughivohe received his second yellow card, giving the visitors a man advantage. Even with 10 men, Palace would add a third in the 87th minute thanks to Pat Healey putting away a loose ball in front of the goal, following a corner kick.
The expansion Real Maryland kept the Riverhounds winless the following day, defeating them 2-0. William Brindley and former MLS star Ronald Cerritos provided a goal each before the halftime break, and even when Cerritos was sent off in the 75th minute, the Riverhounds were not able to close the gap.
Thanks to Charlotte’s promising start, they could have their place in the Open Cup locked up by next weekend. An Eagles win combined with a Pittsburgh loss will send Charlotte to the tournament. While sitting at 0-0-3, all hope is not yet lost for the Riverhounds. In 2007, Crystal Palace Baltimore lost their first four games, but earned a spot in the Cup with a win and draw in their final two games.
The Bermuda Hogges aren’t eligible of the Open Cup, so they played the role of spoiler in a 2-0 defeat of the Wilmington Hammerheads in their home opener on Saturday. Kwame Steede and Stephen Astwood scored second half goals to lead the way. The Hammerheads are trying to return to the Open Cup after failing to qualify last season.
Finally, Harrisburg and Cleveland played to a 1-1 draw, in a match completes Sunday after severe weather in Harrisburg halted the game on Saturday night while scoreless in the 41st minute. Cleveland took the lead after 59 minutes on a header by Derek Potteiger, but Harrisburg would equalize through a Nate Baker penalty kick. Cleveland’s Ian Leibbrant, the hero in last weeks win over Pittsburgh, was sent off in the 89th minute for a hard foul. The two clubs meet again next weekend at Cleveland.
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