The Cleveland City Stars continued their dream start to the 2007 season, remaining unbeaten on the year with a 4-0 victory over the PDL’s Kansas City Brass.
Cleveland struck first in the 19th minute off the foot of Ian Leibbrandt, with help from a John DeVae cross. The Stars nearly scored on three occasions following the goal, and finally put one in the back of the net just before halftime. Gerardo Alvarez sent a cross to Adam Moffat, who beat the Brass goalkeeper to give Cleveland a 2-0 lead going into the break.
Kansas City did have their chances, however. Keith Gorczyca had a couple of near misses, and Jordan Raybould forced City ’keeper Caleb Patterson to make a fingertip save in the 58th minute.
Cleveland got their third goal from the penalty spot, when Nigel Codrington’s shot found the hand of a Brass defender. Codrington stepped to the spot himself and scored to make the game 3-0. The Stars completed the scoring nine minutes from full time, as Liebbrant notched his second of the game.
With the win, Cleveland will travel to Richmond on June 26 for the Second Round, in a battle of the only undefeated team in the USL Second Division.
Scoring
(CLE) Ian Leibbrandt (John DeVae) 19’
(CLE) Adam Moffat (Gerardo Alvarez) 34’
(CLE) Nigel Codrington (PK) 63’
(CLE) Ian Leibbrandt (Luke Williams) 81’
Cleveland City Stars: Caleb Patterson, Jack Cummings, Jeremy Tolleson, Ian Leibbrandt, Adam Moffat (Luke Williams), Derek Potteiger, Nigel Codrington (Andrew Peterson), John DeVae (Dana McGregor), Mark Schulte, Anthony Stovall, Gerardo Alvarez (Chris Lemons)
Kansas City Brass: Kyle Schroeder, Calvin Clark, Josh Howard, Josh White, Kevin Shrout, Ali Dorri, Thomas Michael, Keith Gorczyca, Kevin Nekuda, Haggai Leboo, J.D. Warman