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BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Crystal Palace midfielder Pat Healey had no shortage of confidence prior to his team’s recent U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal game against Major League Soccer’s New England Revolution.
“Any day, especially in soccer, anything can happen,” the former Towson standout said. “We are looking at that and trying to build on what the coaches have talked about.”
Palace played up to the level of competition against an MLS team for the second straight round, but saw its tournament run come to a heartbreaking, 5-3 loss in penalty kicks.
After the teams tied, 1-1, after 120 minutes, the game went to penalties, marking the second time in the tournament Palace had to win the game on 12-yard kicks. But this time, it came up just short against the defending U.S. Open Cup champions.
The U.S. Open Cup, started in 1914, is the largest soccer tournament in the United States that includes amateur and professional teams. Palace, which plays in the United Soccer League’s Second Division — the equivalent to baseball’s Double-A — defeated teams from Los Angeles and Harrisburg, Pa., before stunning the New York Red Bulls.
New England plays in the MLS, which is the country’s highest level of professional soccer.
“In the first half we were the better team, and in the second they were,” Palace co-manager Jim Cherneski said. “We won on penalties [against Harrisburg] to get there, so we can’t be too upset at the system.”
Palace has little time to dwell on the defeat. It’s USL Second Division schedule continues on Saturday night at 7 when it travels to Cleveland to play the City Stars. Cleveland is 7-2-5 this season, but 4-0-3 at home, including tying for the league-low in home goals allowed with two. On offense, the City Stars are paced by forward Sallieu Bundu (five goals, one assist) and midfielder Adam Ruud (four goals).
Palace (7-3-1) is in fifth place, but has played a league-low 11 games — at three fewer than three of the teams in front of it. If Palace wins its next three games — at Cleveland, against the Western Mass Pioneers on July 18 and at the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on July 20 — it could move into a tie for first place with the Charlotte Eagles (9-1-4).
To beat Cleveland, Palace must get consistent finishing from its offense, including leading scorer and forward Gary Brooks (six goals, one assist) and Healey (four goals).
“We need to go out and win and use everyone on the roster,” Cherneski said. “We have a lot of games in a short period of time and every player has proven they can win.”
dcarey@baltimoreexaminer.com
Comments from Examiner Readers
1:50 PM MST on Sun., Jul. 27, 2008 re: "Palace upends defending champs, prepares for first-place Eagles"
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3:11 PM MST on Tue., Jul. 8, 2008
re: "Palace eyes to stop MLS’s Revolution"
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2:02 PM MST on Thu., Jun. 26, 2008
re: "Palace ready to run with Bulls"
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7:15 AM MST on Fri., Apr. 25, 2008
re: "A new look at Palace"
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6:12 AM MST on Fri., Apr. 25, 2008
re: "A new look at Palace"
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Attila the Hon said:
Crystal Palace Baltimore actually played the Charlotte Eagles last night. Unfortunately they lost 3-0. Don't worry. The Baltimores already clinched a playoff berth! GO PALACE!
8 agree | 7 disagree
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Attila the Hon said:
There was absolutely no articles about Crystal Palace Baltimore in today's Sun. The Examiner wins again & it wasn't even close. GO PALACE! UPSET NEW ENGLAND!
12 agree | 11 disagree
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Attila the Hon said:
All articles about Crystal Palace Baltimore in the Examiner are outstanding. Little wonder why The Sun, who continues to ignore them, is losing readers rapidly. Keep the coverage flowing! Even though next Tuesday's match is in Annapolis, here's hoping Palace pulls off the upset in front of a SELLOUT crowd. GO PALACE! UPSET NEW YORK!
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Examiner Reader said:
Not after the two more games they play they will be in playoffs and be promoted to EPL!!! GO PALACE!!!
24 agree | 23 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Crystal Palace isn't in the EPL. They are in the League Championship, which is one level below.
21 agree | 22 disagree
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