Cleveland City Stars are the Professional United Soccer Leagues

The Cleveland City Stars played impressive defense on Sunday to shut out the first place Puerto Rico Islanders for a 0-0 tie in the third match-up for the squads. Superb play by City Stars defenders and keeper Hunter Gilstrap helped Cleveland clinch a league point.

The first half was a relentless game of give and take between the two squads. With most of the play centered at midfield, neither team managed to scrape together any viable opportunities though both sides had several chances that didn't pan out. The Islanders had several promising build-ups, but were hampered by their forwards being constantly offsides.

In the 4th minute Joshua Boateng sent the ball into the attacking third for the City Stars, which after a series of play resulted in a corner kick for the Stars. Pato Aguilera took the corner and found Ibrahim Kante, whose header bounced into the waiting arms of Puerto Rico keeper Bill Gaudette.

The Islanders almost got lucky in the 32nd minute when City Stars midfielder Alioune Gueye fouled Puerto Rico's Martin Nunez 30 yards out directly in front of the Stars box. The Islanders passed the free kick out wide, but the outside midfielder chipped the ball into the box for an easy clear by Gueye. Gueye hammered the ball up the field to forward Pato Aguilera, but Aguilera was unable to catch the powerful ball before it went out of bounds.

Gueye and Aguilera combined again for a chance in the 39th minute, when Aguilera launched a ball across the face of the Islanders goal. A waiting Puerto Rico defender headed the ball away, directly to the feet of Gueye, who wound up and took a solid shot. Unfortunately the ball soared high and wide of the net, leaving the score at 0-0. 

Midfielder Leo Gibson got a shot in 5 minutes later, after a corner kick taken by Aguilera. Aguilera's cross went long, but midfielder Warren Kanu managed to backpedal and head the ball to Gibson who was wide open. Gibson wound up and took a good shot, but much to the relief of goalkeeper Gaudette it drifted wide of the far post.

The second half had a similar feel to the first, with neither team gaining ground. The City Stars most memorable chance came in the 65th minute when midfielder Leo Gibson took charge of the ball on the sideline. While trying to outsmart an Islanders defender, Gibson heeled the ball behind him up the line towards the Puerto Rico goal, effectively beating the baffled defender. Gibson expertly launched a beautiful cross towards the back post where forward Ricardo Pierre-Louis was waiting. Pierre-Louis was well-positioned, but his header lofted over the Islanders goal.

The 70th and 71st minutes were tense for City Stars fans, as the Islanders finally mounted an attack. Midfielder Sandy Gbandi beat his defender to take a shot that bounced across the face of the City Stars goal before going out of bounds just wide of the far post. Just one minute later, goalkeeper Hunter Gilstrap was forced to make a diving punch to keep the ball out of the City Stars net. Luckily the skilled keeper managed to clear the ball without incident.

City Stars defender Troy Roberts was the hero of the 83rd minute when the ball got loose in the Cleveland box. Several Puerto Rico players scrambled to get the ball after Roberts was tripped up and fell on the ground. With great focus, Roberts executed an amazing roundhouse kick from his prone position on the ground, successfully clearing the ball. Keeper Gilstrap followed suit later that minute, when he dramatically saved a furious shot while on his knees.

"We are really pleased with the composure of our defense and of course, of Hunter," said head coach Rod Underwood. "We held off a very impressive, top-ranked offensive line and forced them to make quick decisions. Hunter's performance was phenomenal and we're glad he remained so focused throughout the match."

The Islanders launched an even more fervent attack in the three minutes of extra time. Noah Delgado got off an un-marked shot from the 18 yard line and the rocket of a shot went over the top of Gilstrap's outreached hand,  Before a hushed crowd, the ball bounced off the top of the cross bar much to everyone's relief.

A minute later the Islanders had the last chance of the match when Fraser received a ball just outside of the 6-yard box but Fraser's uncontested header went right into the awaiting arms of Gilstrap as the Cleveland keeper successfully preserved the 0-0 draw.

The City Stars conclude the eight game home stand Friday July 17th against the Charleston Battery at 7 p.m. Tickets are available through clevelandcitystars.com or by calling 330-425-2003.

Starting Lineups:
Cleveland; GK Hunter Gilstrap, D Anthony Stovall, D Troy Roberts, D Ibrahim Kante, D Stephen Cruickshank (Paul Ballard 61'),  M Joshua Boateng (Eric Carpenter 89'), M Alioune Gueye, M Warren Kanu (Gordon Kljestan 71'), M Leo Gibson (M Israel Sesay 78'), F Jason Hotchkin (Ricardo Pierre-Louis 63'), F Pato Aguilera

Puerto Rico: GK Bill Gaudette, D Cristian Arrieta, D Nigel Henry, D John Krause, D Kevon Villaroel, M Dan Gargan, M Sandy Gbandi, M Andres Cabrero (Josh Hansen 58'), M Martine Nunez (Jonathan Steele 71'), F Petter Villegas (Sean Fraser 71') , F Kendall Jagdeosingh (Noah Delgado 88')

Attendence: 1,959