(Charlotte, NC) The Charlotte Eagles will attempt to turn their playoff fortunes around Saturday night on their home field when they'll host the Portland Timbers at Providence High School at 7:30 PM in Game Two of their A-League playoff series. Charlotte dropped Game # 1 of the series 2-0 Thursday night in Portland Oregon.
The Eagles' will not only have to win Game 2 to advance to the next round of the A-League playoffs, but will have to win by more than two goals to win the series. Goal differential is the tie-breaking factor in the A-League playoffs. Should the Eagles beat Portland in regulation Saturday by two goals, the two teams would play two, 15 minute sudden death over-time periods. Should neither team score in the overtime sessions, penalty kicks would be used to decide a winner.
GAME # 1 RECAP - The Eagles were shutout 2-0 in Portland Thursday night. The Eagles came out in the first five minutes of the match and applied good pressure. The next 15 minutes of the match turned to Portland as the Timbers scored two goals and never looked back. Darin Lewis took Mark Baena's feed and beat Charlotte goalie Dwayne Adams in the 10th minute for a 1-0 lead. Nine minutes later in the 19th minute Baena beat Adams on an assist from Brian Winters to make 2-0 Portland. The Timbers' defense held the Eagles' scoreless for the entire match to assume command of the series. "We played very poorly the first 20 minutes of the match," quoted Eagles' Head Coach Mark Steffens. "We had two breakdowns in the back and they resulted in goals for the Timbers. Overall we outshot them 17-6 so we had several chances to score, but couldn't find the net. Portland's a good team and we'll have to go all out Saturday to get back in the series."
2001 REGULAR SEASON SERIES: The Eagles and Timbers met once during the regular season on Aug. 24 in Portland. The Timbers raced out to a 3-1 second-half lead on a pair of goals by Baena and a strike by Gavin Wilkinson, only to surrender a goal to Dustin Swinehart and two by midfielder Leo Gajardo over the final 22 minutes. The game ended in a 3-3 tie.
ON THE AIR: Game # 2 of the Eagles' / Portland Timbers' playoff series Saturday night can be heard via the internet by logging on to the Eagles' website at www.charlotteeagles.com. The Timbers' radio broadcast of the game will be available from the Eagles' website.
EAGLES OFFER FREE ADMISSION TO ALL POLICE OFFICERS, FIREFIGHTERS AND EMT PERSONNEL: To honor and recognize the courageous efforts of those involved in the rescue and aid efforts from last week's American tragedy in New York City, Washington, D.C. and western Pennsylvania, the Charlotte Eagles will be offering free admission to all police officers, firefighters and EMT personnel or Saturday's home playoff game. In addition, the Eagles will be accepting cash donations at the game which will be turned over to the American Red Cross to help in their relief efforts.
TICKET INFO: Tickets for the Saturday, September 22 Eagles / Portland Timbers playoff match at Providence High School are $ 9.00 for adults, $7.00 for youth ages 6-16, with children five and under admitted free of charge. Fans may receive a $2.00 discount if tickets are purchased in advance by 5:00 PM Friday, September 21. Groups of 15 or more also receive a $2.00 per ticket discount when purchased in advance. Advance tickets may be purchased at the Charlotte Eagles' executive offices at 2101 Sardis Road North, Suite 201, Charlotte - 28227. Advanced tickets may also be purchased by using Master Card and VISA and calling the Eagles' office at (704) 841-8644 Ext. 30. Eagles' fans who purchased tickets for the playoff game originally scheduled for last Saturday, September 15, may use those tickets for admission to the rescheduled playoff game this Saturday, September 22.
A-LEAGUE PLAYOFF SCHEDULE - FIRST ROUND:
Match A
(5) Charleston vs. (12) Pittsburgh
Thu., 9/20 @ Pittsburgh,
Pittsburgh 2
Charleston 1
Sat., 9/22, 7:30 p.m. @ CHR, Blackbaud
Match B
(6) San Diego vs. (11) Atlanta
Wed., 9/19 @ San Diego
San Diego 2
Atlanta 0
Sun., 9/23, 5:30 p.m. @ ATL, DeKalb
Match C
(7) Charlotte vs. (10) Portland
Thu., 9/20, @ PORTLAND
PORTLAND 2
CHARLOTTE 0
Sat., 9/22, 7:30 p.m. @ CHA, Providence HS
Match D
(8) Milwaukee vs. (9) Nashville
Wed., 9/19, @ Nashville
Milwaukee 3
Nashville 2
Sat., 9/22, 4:00 p.m. @ MIL, Co. Spt. Comp.
