Cleveland City Stars are the Professional United Soccer Leagues

The first sunny home game in Cleveland brought the City Stars good luck on Tuesday as the team defeated the PDL's St. Louis Lions 3-0 in the first round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.  The City Stars will continue on to play the Rochester Rhinos on the road next Tuesday in the second round.

The match opened with a strong City Stars performance, as they easily dribbled the overwhelmed Lions to create several viable chances in the first few minutes of the game. In the 4th minute, Leo Gibson executed a precision pass to Ryan Stewart across the face of the Lions goal, but Lions goalkeeper Brenton Saylor's quick instincts blocked Stewart's shot at the front post. Just one minute later, Stewart crossed a ball into the crowded box that unfortunately skipped between the legs of teammate Ibrahim Kante before being deflected out of bounds.

The Lions tried to rally, but were unable to put together a real opportunity until the 25th, when forward Stephen Brocks took a shot which was easily saved by the City Stars rookie goalkeeper Evan Bush. It was Bush's first professional start in Cleveland, and he did not disappoint, staying calm and collected in the back.

"It's great to get the first victory at home," said Bush. "Regardless of whether it's the league or the Open Cup, it's always great to get that first victory here. We scored some goals and kept the clean sheet, so everything went well. Next week we're playing a good side, either Rochester or Pittsburgh, and whoever we end up playing we have to bring a lot of energy  and focus to play well."

The Lions were wishing they had capitalized on their chance just two minutes later in the 27th minute, when the City Stars earned a well-deserved corner kick. Pato Aguilera crossed a brilliant ball into the box and found the eager Ryan Stewart who headed the ball without hesitation into the back of the net, scoring the City Stars first home goal of the season.

"It's just another day on the job. I did what I had to do, and that is what is required of this game so I was thankful to get the assists and also the score," said Stewart.  "I believe we will continue to rise.  Next week we have to win. We're not looking for the draw or a loss, we are looking for the win."

The invigorated City Stars picked up momentum and Ryan Stewart again impressed offensively, when he crossed the ball into the box in the 34th minute. Forward Ricardo Pierre-Louis was ready and rocketed the ball through a Lions defender and the keeper to make the score 2-0. After several more great opportunities and close calls for the Lions defense, the City Stars retired at halftime with high spirits.

After an action-packed first half, the second half started slow for both squads. The Lions tried to apply pressure to the City Stars defense, but were unable to get through Bush and his strong defenders.

The match picked up in the 66th minute when the Lions goalkeeper dove out of his box with the ball, giving the City Stars a free kick in a prime location. Pato Aguilera's free kick found Troy Roberts, but unfortunately he headed the ball just wide of the goal. One minute later, rookie midfielder Steve Gillespie got the job done and scored his first professional goal as he tapped the ball into the Lions net for the third City Stars goal of the match, and the second assist for Ryan Stewart.

"It was a great game. It was awesome scoring my first goal," said Gillespie. "It felt unbelievable and I've got to give a lot of credit to the guys. Ryan (Stewart) played me a great ball and I was there and just did what had to be done, and I think really that's what everyone did today; they just got the job done. I know that this is a solid start and that it's only getting better."

Don't miss the City Stars next regular season match this Saturday at home at 7 p.m. as they take on the rival Rochester Rhinos. Saturday will also be Green Army Fan Night, with free tailgating prior to kickoff, exciting halftime competitions and tons of giveaways!


Lineups:
Cleveland: GK Evan Bush, D Troy Roberts, D Stephane Guillaume, D Gordon Kljestan, D Ibrahim Kante (D Paul Ballard 67'), M Pato Aguilera, M Ryan Stewart, M Warren Kanu (M Terrance McAllister 78'), M Godfrey Tenoff (M Steve Gillespie 64'), F Leo Gibson, F Ricardo Pierre-Louis

St. Louis: GK Brenton Saylor, D Sam Gelven, D Taylor Schaefering, D David Mueller, D Marc Bowron (D Brett Gregory 45'), M Martin Clayes, M Olly Dyson, M Ross Hopkins, M Nestor Hernandez (M Jona Andrade 84'), F Jonny Brown, F Stephen Brocks (F Brian Harris 74')

Attendence: 827