Crystal Palace Baltimore News Release - www.crystalpalaceusa.com

Saturday, June 9, 2007

ANNAPOLIS, MD -- Crystal Palace Baltimore defeated the Charlotte Eagles 1-0 in a very exciting match at the Navy-Marine Corps Stadium in Annapolis on Saturday evening. Charlotte, sitting top of the table when the night started, fell to a record of 7-3-0 while Palace improved to 2-4-2 for the season.

Palace scored in the 9th minute of the match following a long period of possession. Mateus dos Anjos started the play when he passed down the left wing to Matthew Mbuta, who dribbled into the corner and crossed to Charlie Sheringham, who finished off his chest at the near post.

Crystal Palace gained revenge for their 4-1 opening game loss in Charlotte and extended their unbeaten streak to four.

Charlotte nearly scored late in the second half when Jacob Coggins headed off a free kick and Brian Rowland was forced to make a stretching save. Five minutes later, Coggins again looked dangerous with an impressive bicycle kick that went just over the crossbar.

Crystal Palace had three good chances to ice the match in the last 10 minutes of regulation and the eight minutes of injury time added on by referee Bryan Roslund.

Sergio Flores missed from 5 yards out as Dan Benton dove at his feet to smother a shot. Once again Flores had a good attempt, this time from midfield at the beginning of stoppage time when he found Benton way off his line and took a long shot from the center circle wide right of the undefended Charlotte goal.
Andrew Herman also had an opportunity that screamed over the bar from 20 yards out.

Palace will now go to Ocean City, NJ for a US Open Cup match Tuesday against the PDL Barons before resuming their League play next Saturday against Bermuda in Germantown, MD. Palace will seek to extend their unbeaten streak against the Hogges in a 7 PM start.