Game Preview

The Charlotte Eagles enter the second game of the 2006 season against a familiar opponent.  The Eagles and the Western Mass Pioneers played three times during the 2005 season – with the final game being the USL-2 championship game.  That game ended in a tie with the Eagles ultimately winning the title 5 – 4 on penalty kicks.  Western Mass was a physical, defensive minded team in 2005 and returned a number of the players from last years squad as well as the head coach so their style will probably be the same in 2006.  In the game in Charlotte last year, the Pioneers were content to hang back on defense.  The only offense the Pioneers mounted was on quick counter attacks.  Even though the Eagles out-shot the Pioneers 18 – 2, they could not score and the game ended in a 0 – 0 tie. 

Game Summary

The Eagles started the game the quicker team and they dominated early possession and set the tempo for the game.  The first scoring chance for the Eagles came in the 5^th minute.  Chris Lemons took a corner kick and sent it all the way across the goal.  Patrick Daka controller the kick and turned quickly to take an open shot from about ten yards.  Daka got under the ball too much and his shot sailed over the cross bar.

The Eagles continued to dominate possession and created another scoring chance in the 17^th minute.  Again, off a Chris Lemons corner kick, the ball sailed to Dustin Swinehart at the top of the six yard box.  Although Dustin had a good look at the goal, his shot to the right post was deflected by a diving Pioneer keeper Cole.  Off the ensuing corner kick, Chris sent the ball to the far post and Jacob Coggins rose above everyone to for a header.  Jacob’s shot to the left post was just wide.  The Eagles had another excellent chance to score in the 25^th minute.  Daka created space with some great footwork and found Dustin open in the 18 yard box.  The Pioneer defense was beaten as Swinehart was one on one with keeper Cole.  Dustin hesitated just an instant too long and Cole was able to close the angle and make a great stop on the shot.  In the 38^th minute, Jacob Coggins had another header go just left off a Ben Johnson throw-in deep on the offensive end.  The shot beat the keeper, but sailed left.

Western Mass generated its first real offensive threat of the first half in the 37^th minute off a very quick counter attack.  Omar McFarlene broke open down the right side and got behind the Eagles defense.  Gregg Schroeder had the angle and slowed McFarlene enough to force him to attempt a difficult pass which missed the mark and allowed the Eagles defense to catch up.  Again, in the 39^th minute McFarlene got behind the Eagles defense with his speed.  He got by a sliding Josh Rife and turned the corner to the goal.  Eagle’s keeper McClellan was beaten by the shot but Ben Johnson was in perfect position to clear the shot off the goal line and out of danger.

An ugly incident occurred just before halftime.  The Eagles were rushing upfield on a quick counter attack.  Coggins had the ball in the middle, pushed it wide and moved to pass a slow-footed defender.  The defender, realizing he was beaten, threw an elbow in the direction of Jacob’s face and it connected, hitting him in the mouth and nose and sending Coggins to the turf.  I don’t believe it was a deliberate act, just an act of desperation to try to do something to stop the play.  The defender immediately knelt beside Jacob and tried to help him.  After Jacob was attended by the training staff, the Eagles staff, team and fans were amazed to realize no foul had been called.  The referee, who had his back turned to the incident as he tried to catch up to the play, refused to consult with either the assistant referee or the 4^th official to make sure he got the call correct.  It was one of many missed calls on the night as the referee had a difficult night.

The Pioneers picked up the pace in the 2^nd half and the game was much more evenly played than the first half.  The time of possession was even throughout the half and Western Mass had several looks at goal.  In both the 53^rd and 56^th minutes, the Pioneers created some offense which resulted in decent shots.  The Eagles came close again in the 56^th minute.  Ben Johnson took a throw-in deep on the offensive end.  The Western Mass defense was sloppy in clearing the ball and somehow Dustin Swinehart found an opportunity for a header.  The shot was on target but a diving Josh Cole was able to push the ball wide.

The teams shared possession through the remainder of the half until another scoring chance came for the Eagles in stoppage time.  Again, a long throw-in by Johnson to the top of the 18 year box found an open Dustin Swinehart.  Dustin, who started the play with his back to the goal, turned in the air and hit a bullet directly on target.  Josh Cole made the save and the game ended in a tie at 0 – 0.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Coach Steffens was pleased with the Eagles play despite the failure to score.  The defense played another excellent game limiting the Pioneers to very few real scoring opportunities.  Chris McClellan got his second shut-out of the season.  The play of the midfield was also strong.  The offense was strong, especially in the first half with the Eagles creating multiple outstanding chances to score – they just couldn’t finish and the Western Mass keeper played a very good game – including the game saving play in stoppage time.

Injury Update

The Eagles do have some concerns about the health of Jacob Coggins.  Jacob seems to have a target on his back this season as he is routinely taken down hard with only an occasional foul being called.  After two exceptionally hard tackles, Jacob had to be helped from the field in the 82^nd minute.  Hopefully he is fine and will be able to play at full speed next week against Wilmington.  Andy Guastafero has been nursing an injured ankle but will be available next week.

Game Statistics

Scoring Summary

Cautions/Ejections

Substitutions

Referee: Saeed Mohamed

Assistant Referee: Mark Kadlecik

Assistant Referee: Francisco Risso

4^th Official: Mark Buda