Game Preview:

The Charlotte Eagles are entering this midweek game with the Toronto Lynx coming off a disappointing loss.  The Eagles lost to the Milwaukee Wave United by a score of 0 – 2.  Toronto, on the other hand, enters the game coming off a 1 – 1 tie against Rochester at home and a 1 – 0 win against a much-improved Virginia Beach team on the road.  The Eagles are playing the first game on their home field for the rest of the 2003 season, E. E. Waddell High School. 

Game Highlights:

      Play throughout the first half was very even, although the statistics would indicate an edge for Toronto.  The Eagles certainly had more possession but were unable to translate that possession into offensive opportunities.  The Toronto defense was solid but the Eagles exposed some weakness in the back line from time-to-time.  The first opportunity for the Eagles came in the 8^th minute as forward Dustin Swinehart broke through the Toronto back line only to stumble as he neared the box. Dustin lost the ball, which rolled easily to Lynx keeper Theo Zagar. 

      Toronto had a good scoring chance in the 11^th minute as the ball was served in nicely to forward Ryan Lucas, but his header went just wide right.  Eagles keeper Dwayne Adams seemed to be fooled on the play and reacted slowly to the shot.  The Eagles threatened again in the 13^th minute as Swinehart played a ball into Andy McDermott who got off a hard left-footed shot from just outside the box.  Andy tried to curve the ball into the net, but it went just wide to the left.  If the shot had been on target, I believe Zagar was in position to make the stop.  The Eagles had another chance to score in the 15^th minute as Jacob Coggins served up a nice ball to Jose Gomez who just missed left on the flying header.  In the 16^th minute, Coggins made another break through the Toronto back line and was pulled down by Toronto defender Vincello, resulting in the game’s only caution.  Andy McDermott took the free kick from about nineteen yards out and his hard shot hit the right side of the net.

      The Eagles were given a gift in the 25^th minute as Toronto took advantage of a quick restart off a free kick and made a beautiful run up the right side.  The ball was centered perfectly in front of the Eagles’ goal and the defense was totally out of position.  However, the Toronto forward (whose number I missed) apparently didn’t realize how open he was and took a quick shot from about eight yards out, which sailed wide right.  Toronto had another scoring opportunity in the 39^th minute as a pretty shot by forward Vignjevic just sailed over the top of the net. 

      The first half ended with no score.  The Eagles saw several promising scoring opportunities wiped out by poor officiating.  One assistant referee needs to review the rules for offside.  The Eagles were called for four offside infractions in the first half – all of which were bad calls.  Then, the one time the Eagles were clearly offside, it was not called.  The Toronto players went crazy on the no-call and I don’t blame them. 

      The 2^nd half started off promising for the Lynx.  In the 46^th minute, Toronto midfielder Brian Ashton took a nice feed from Mattacchione and hit a screaming shot from twenty yards out, just past a diving Dwayne Adams.  Adams appeared to be at least partially blocked on the play as he reacted slowly to it.  However, the shot was placed so perfectly that it probably wouldn’t have mattered.  The ball just kissed the inside of the left post and flew into the net.  This was disappointing for the Eagles who came out of halftime flat for the second game in a row.  They also gave up a 46^th-minute goal to Milwaukee in their last game.

      The next twenty-five minutes were pretty dull.  The Eagles had the best of possession, but did nothing with it.  They seemed content to serve up long ball after long ball but the Toronto defense easily stopped those attempts.  Toronto had the lead, was playing on the road, and was falling back on defense.  I wouldn’t describe it as a full “bunker” defense, but it was close.  However, the Eagles made several substitutions between the 64^th and the 77^th minutes that ultimately changed the outcome of this game.  During this time, Lee Paul and Andy Hylton came in at forward.  Andy Guastaferro came in at midfield and Ben Johnson and Jeremy Sorzano came in at defense.  The Eagles’ energy level picked up tremendously with these substitutions.  The team was immediately on the attack and created more offense in the next thirteen minutes than had been created in the thirty-two preceding minutes of the 2^nd half (and possibly more than they had all game).  During these thirteen minutes, Toronto was playing cautiously with everyone behind the ball.  Somehow the Eagles still found gaps and created scoring chances.  Finally, in the 90^th minute, Andy Guastaferro used his speed and dribbling ability to break down the Toronto defenders and served up a pretty pass to Eagles newcomer Andy Hylton.  Andy calmly took the pass and one-touched it past Zagar for the score.  This was Hylton’s first A-League match.  After Hylton’s goal, regulation time ended with the score tied at 1 – 1.

      The Eagles controlled play in the first overtime.  In the 6^th minute, Eagles forward Lee Paul was pulled down in the penalty area by a Toronto defender as he turned toward the goal.  There was no call by the referee.  In the 8^th minute, Kevin O’Brien served up a beautiful free kick from 25 yards out.  For some reason, everyone was fooled on the play, including Toronto keeper Zagar.  The ball bounced several times but everyone seemed frozen in place.  The ball appeared as though it would bounce unchecked into the Lynx’s goal but ultimately rolled just wide left.  It was bizarre, as the play seemed to take place in slow motion yet absolutely no one reacted.

      The second overtime was played more evenly as both teams started to show the effects of fatigue.  Play was sloppy and there were fewer offensive attacks as both teams seemed to play defensively, not wanting to make a mistake and lose the game.  Toronto had the best scoring opportunity of the period in the 3^rd minute as a defensive mistake by the Eagles led to a great shot, which sailed just over the top of the goal.  The game ended 1 – 1.

Summary and next game:

      Overall, the Eagles were fortunate to come out of this game with a point.  They played well in midfield and on the defensive end, but continued to struggle on the offensive end.  The defense was solid, but there were defensive lapses and the Eagles were fortunate to still be close at the end.  Midfield was very strong defensively, but not nearly as strong creating offensive opportunities.  Offense is still the weakest area for this team.  There is reason for optimism, though.  The front line of Andy Hylton, Lee Paul and Andy McDermott with Andy Guastaferro and Jose Gomez attacking from midfield created a lot of energy up front.  Even with Toronto playing “bunker” defense at the end of the game, the Eagles created some decent opportunities to score and ultimately broke through with a goal by Hylton.  This energy level and offensive pressure continued into overtime.  This lineup looked much better than any lineup to date. 

The Eagles’ next game is at Waddell H.S., Saturday, May 31^st at 7:30 p.m. against the Virginia Beach Mariners.

Eagles Injury/Visa Report

·        Leo Gajardo (midfield) has been out for several weeks with a pulled hamstring, but may be ready to play against Virginia Beach.

·        Dean Short (goalkeeper) is out with an injured hand.

·        Hugo Galeano (defender) is still in Columbia trying to resolve Visa problems.

·        Roger Groome (defender) is still trying to get a Green Card.

·        Dwayne Adams (goalkeeper), who is from and lives/works in Bermuda, has graciously agreed to play for the Eagles while they try to resolve these Visa problems.  His time with the team is limited though, so his status is week to week.

Game Stats

Cautions/Ejections

Substitutions