Missed Chances and Squandered Opportunities; Stars Eliminated from US Open Cup Play by St. Louis

St. Louis goalkeeper Alec Dufty came up big on a Kentaro Takada shot. Photo by Jeremy Olson - www.digitalgopher.com

A nine hour bus ride from St. Louis to the Twin Cities didn’t stop AC St. Louis from winning their first ever second round game in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The USSF D2 team defeated the NSC Minnesota Stars on Tuesday evening in Blaine, MN by a score of 1-0.

A good game plan from AC St. Louis head coach Claude Anelka and motivated players got the job done – that and an amazing full volley shot from Mike Ambersley in the 35th minute from 30 yards out. The 1-0 lead was enough to topple Minnesota from the oldest sporting tournament in the US.

Minnesota controlled long sections of the game throughout the match but seemed to lack a player who wanted to go one-on-one or take a shot. Despite an overwhelming majority of possession in the first half, AC St. Louis held a 4-0 shot advantage at the break.

“The other team (NSC Stars) had the possession, but it’s what we do when we have the ball,” said AC St. Louis head coach Claude Anelka.

Anelka said it was his game plan after the long bus ride and the away game in Minnesota to play a counter attack style. “I think we could have scored more goals tonight because we were more dangerous on the ball.”

Minnesota had better chances in the second half but AC St. Louis goalkeeper Alec Dufty came to the rescue several times. In the 58th minute Dufty made his best save of the night with a reaction foot save on an Ely Allen’s shot that was low and hard and looked to have beat the keeper.

St. Louis played a good tactical game and stalled off Minnesota’s attack the last 10 minutes of the game, preserving a win and assuring a matchup with the LA Galaxy at the Home Depot Center next Tuesday. Hopefully the team will be flying to Los Angeles.

For a full game report please see NSC Minnesota’s website.

NSC Minnesota Lineup (4-4-2): Joe Warren, Kevin Friedland (Scott Lorenz 46),
Kyle Altman, Andres Arango, Chris Clements, Daniel Wasson, Kentaro Takada
(Geison Moura 85), Ely Allen, Melvin Tarley, Brian Cvilikas (Neil Hlavaty
76)

AC St. Louis Lineup (4-2-2-2): Alec Dufty, Mark Bloom, Christian Nzinga, Tim
Velten, Jack Traynor (Ryan Moore 46), Dillon Barna (Jeff Cosgriff 60), Troy
Cole, Luke Kreamalmeyer, Gauchinho (Elvir Kafedzic 72), Mike Ambersley, Brad
Stisser

Scoring Summary
STL – Mike Ambersley (Luke Kreamalmeyer) – 35th minute

Misconduct Summary
STL – Troy Cole (caution, reckless tackle) – 5th minute
STL – Mike Ambersley (caution, dissent) – 29th
STL – Brad Stisser (caution, delaying a restart) – 62nd