USL Official Match Information

Recently signed Jamaican forward Gary Brooks concluded a torrid three game stretch (3 goals, 1 assist) with the crucial assist this evening as time was running out on the Baltimore franchise’s inaugural season. Brooks stripped a New Hampshire defender in the penalty area and slotted the ball to on onrushing midfielder and Baltimore native Sean Rush, (who had entered the match seconds earlier), and Rush buried the ball in the back of the net from 12 yards out. What made the victory even more remarkable for the visitors was that it was their third game in six days, and third straight victory on the road. Palace was also without the services of team captain and defensive leader Ibrahim Kante, top scorer Mathew Mbuta, and co-manager Pete Medd, all serving suspensions from red cards in the previous night’s match with Western Mass. With wins over Bermuda, Western Mass, and New Hampshire this week, Palace now sits fifth in the table, 6 points behind the Harrisburg City Islanders, who Palace plays host to this Wednesday night at The Navy Marine Corps Stadium. The top 4 teams advance to the USL playoffs.

Goalkeeper Brian Rowland earned his second shutout in as many days, blanking the home side while only having to make 3 saves. One such save came as Almir Barbosa of New Hampshire got behind the Palace defense and was in on goal, albeit at a difficult angle in the 70 th minute. Rowland was off his line quickly to snuff out any danger. That proved to be the only scare for the Palace defense which has only allowed more than 1 goal once in the last 14 matches. “Our defense of Mateus Anjos, Andrew Marshall, Shintaro Harada, and Alex Ughove played extremely well tonight. We put them under tremendous pressure by throwing so many numbers forward, but a tie was no better than a loss tonight so we had to go for the win.” Co-Manager Jim Cherneski said.

Palace controlled long stretches of the game with sustained possession, frequently stringing 10 or more passes together but failing to produce any goals. Palace outshot the Phantoms by a 7 to 3 margin, with Gary Brooks, Mateus Anjos, and Andrew Herman hitting the woodwork and forcing three spectacular saves from New Hampshire GK Brian Levy. Palace also had a 4 to 1 advantage in corners. New Hampshire answered with a dangerous counterattack led by Barbosa, Miguel Gonzalaz (on loan from the New England Revolution) and hulking forward Niel Krause. With the game seemingly headed for a 0-0 draw, the Palace pressure finally broke the Phantoms stout defense and left the home crowd stunned and Baltimore alive for another week.

Crystal Palace 1 (0), Phantoms 0 (0)

Summary:
CPB: Sean Rush (Gary Brooks) 89

Cautions
CPB: Andrew Marshall 20, Harold Urquijo 33
NH: Thomas McNiel 19, Miguel Gonzalez 32, Michael Cafeterio 61

Referees: Eric Forrest, Ken Etheridge, Dan Marques, Todd Stigliano