Donkeys hammer 'heads to send Richie out a winner
August 2, 2006 (Official Game Summary)
An early goal by Seth Stammler and an 86th minute winner by substitute Jordan Cila was enough for the New York Red Bulls to grind out a 2-1 win over USL 2nd Division side, the Wilmington Hammerheads, at Legion Sports Complex on Wednesday night in the fourth round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. With the victory, the Red Bulls will next face D.C. United in the competition's next round.
Although New York controlled the play in the first 45 minutes, the hosts had a number of chances to find the back of the net in the second half and equalized before the Red Bulls struck just seconds later.
The Red Bulls came out to a fast start as they took the lead just four minutes in. Midfielder Mike Magee took the ball on the right wing and passed it to Stammler. Stammler took a couple of touches before smashing a shot into the top left corner from 20 yards out and beating Wilmington goaltender Bart Creasman.
Stammler was again threatening less than five minutes later. After the Red Bulls earned their first corner kick, he latched onto Chris Henderson's delivery and flashed his header just past the right post. The Red Bulls had much of the possession in the first half and continued to threaten Creasman's net. In the 25th minute, forward Jerrod Laventure, making his first New York start, forced Creasman to make a stop after he shot from outside the penalty box.
New York was forced to make its first substitution of the match in the 33rd minute as defender Marvell Wynne picked up an injury and was replaced by Steve Jolley, who slotted in at right back. Riding a one-goal lead going into halftime, the Red Bulls used up two more substitutions, bringing on midfielder Elie Ikangu and Cila for defender Todd Dunivant and Laventure, respectively.
Both substitutes almost made an immediate impact after Ikangu stole the ball, drove up-field and lost possession, before Cila picked it up and blasted high less than a minute in. Moments later, Henderson streaked towards the 18-yard box from the wing and slid a low, right-footed shot just past the left post. Cila almost put the Red Bulls two-up when he received the ball in the penalty box. His subsequent shot however, was knocked away by Creasman.
Wilmington earned an equalizer in the 85th minute. Brady Bryant, who just came into the game, launched a ball into the box that fellow substitute Ryan Miller headed past Tony Meola and into the bottom left corner.
But while the fans were trying to catch their breath, New York again took the lead just seconds later. Danny O'Rourke raced down the right wing before crossing the ball to Cila, who had no trouble putting the ball past Creasman. Wilmington looked to tie the game, but could not get a quality chance off with Chris Bagley blasting high.
Lineup: Meola, Dunivant, Mendes, Parke, Wynne, O'Rourke, Stammler, Henderson, Magee, Laventure, Buddle. Subs: Jolley, Ikangu, Cila, Graham.
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