NSC Stars Pull Two Back From AC St. Louis in Final Minutes of Game for Draw
BLAINE, Minn. (July 14, 2010) – With time winding down and trailing 2-0, hope looked lost for the NSC Minnesota Stars Wednesday night until two late goals salvaged a 2-2 draw with AC St. Louis. Brian Cvilikas and Geison Moura scored goals in the 87th and 91st minutes to rally the Stars, who once again dominated a game, but failed to finish before the late heroics.
St. Louis struck in the 42nd when Jeff Cosgriff finished from close range after a Mark Bloom cross. The Stars nearly answered immediately after winning a penalty kick, but St. Louis goalkeeper Alec Dufty dove to his right to deny Johnny Menyongar’s spot kick right before halftime. St. Louis doubled its lead in the 67th minute when Chris Salvaggione placed a long-range shot just out of Stars keeper Matt Van Oekel’s reach. Cvilikas made for a dramatic last few minutes in the 87th minute when he tucked home the rebound from a Kevin Friedland header, and Geison Moura equalized less than a minute into stoppage time, chipping Dufty after doing well to control a flicked-on header.
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The Stars did a good job of not giving up until the final whistle and provided some entertainment in what was a rather uneventful game. The substitutions really made an impact in the end. The starters seemed rather lax throughout the game.
I’m a big fan of Geison Moura and quite honestly, I think recently he’s been more effective than Menyongar. I also think Takada plays better when Moura is on the field. The two seem to have a chemistry between them.
*Rant on
This game was much like the last 3 or 4 for the Stars. Moments in the game with great midfield play but nothing on the end of it. There just seems to be a disconnect when in the attacking third. From what I understand, for the last several weeks, that’s all the team has been working on in training is finishing, finishing, finishing. Yet when they get in or near the box in a game I feel like singing, “Are you Arsenal in disguise.” Someone has to take the bull by the horns and be the go-to guy and take people on and for Pete’s sake, shoot the ball and stop trying to pass it into the goal.
*Rant off.
My impression was (especially in the second half) was that the Stars were afraid to penetrate and their forwards were highly ineffective and not creative. Cvilikis did start playing better once he swtiched out of his black boots and put on the gold boots.
I also saw a back line that was weak–especially in the middle, and I think that had a lot to do with Kallman being on the pitch and The Wrangler watching from the beer garden. Thank God The Wrangler we back out there next match! (I know Clements was out, and I also thought that hurt the back line. He has been playing some good ball lately.)
I was disappointed that there were only just over 2000 fans in the stands for a USA Cup match. I know the mid-week match during the Cup has been an exhinition match for the last few years–and I understand the dynamics behind not having something like that again this year.
My disappointment in this regard is directed at the youth coaches and not getting their kids out there. I could careless if you had two matches today–one long day here and there never killed anyone.
Okay, as BQ would say, “Rant off.”
Come on you Stars! See you all at the Nessy on Friday night.
Rant On:
BQ – I have been saying as much for a while. The attacking third has killed the Stars all season, and it should not be that way. I have continually been disappointed in the lack of creativity and goal killing instinct displayed on the pitch. The talent is there, no doubt, the instinct to score or die trying is not. The midfield is developing and Wasson, Takada and Moura have shown great improvement as they are gelling in movement on the pitch. I would like to see Wasson attack more effectively as I have seen him in the past do so, but until the forwards (Tarley and Menyounger) do more to control the ball and redirect passes, mid field attacks are not going to develop.
The back line was struggling all night. The familiarity of the movement and coverage was not coordinated well. Having Andre and Clements out was evident, but there are still plenty of good defenders on the team. Van Oakel just looked so out of place and awkward on the field. I have never seen him with so little self confidence.
Rant Off
I am hoping to see Clements rehab and get back on the filed soon. He had shown some great improvement this year and was really getting his game back.
nice to see the stars come back and salvage a tie wednesday night. nice to see the subs given more time to have an impact which they did. i would also be nice to see hlavaty with more time on the pitch,since he always brings good energy and some offensive movement to the game. maybe some changes are in store for next weeks game. lets wait and see. come out and support your stars. GO STARS