Thursday, July 25, 2013
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Charlotte Eagles and Los Angeles Blues played to a thrilling 3-3 draw in midweek USL PRO action. Los Angeles took a 3-2 lead into the break and were on their way to passing the Eagles in the USL PRO standings before Drew Yates scored a second half stoppage-time goal to earn the draw. Charlotte now sits with a 8-2-10 record and remains in fourth place with six game to play in the regular season.
Los Angeles had the first chance of the night as Shay Spitz’s shot found the crossbar off a long throw-in. Chris Cortez, who was the Blues' most dangerous player of the night, created a pair of chances in the first 15 minutes, the first coming on a header that flew right at Eagles goalkeeper Eric Reed. Moments later, Cortez’s goalmouth cross found Mershad Momeni, whose shot went just wide of the post.
Charlotte countered with a good piece of combination play, but Yates’ shot went wide of the post. Stephen Okai had a chance to open the scoring in the 18th minute but his shot was punched away by Blues goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski.
The Blues opened the scoring in the 21st minute as Shay Spitz hit a left-footed volley into the top corner off a cross by Rodrigo Lopez.
Charlotte answered the opening goal 12 minutes later as Jorge Herrera capitalized on some miscommunication between the Blues defense and finished his opportunity into an empty net.
Los Angeles didn’t wait long to take the lead as Cortez caught the Eagles on a quick restart and fired a shot past Eric Reed to give the Blues a 2-1 lead. The Blues kept the pressure on the Eagles' defense, and added a third goal seven minutes later via a Charlotte own goal to take a two-goal lead.
That lead appeared it would stand until the halftime break until Charlotte rallied following a good move by Stephen Okai and Jorge Herrera inside the penalty area that opened up a chance for Okai. The former Reading United standout finished well, cutting the Blues' lead in half as the sides headed to the break.
The two teams traded possession for much of the beginning of the second half with Los Angeles coming close in the 60th minute as Cortez’s cross was deflected wide by Eric Reed.
Charlotte pushed late for an equalizer as second-half sub Christian Meza’s shot was fired inches wide of the left post off an 86th minute free kick. The late pressure paid off in stopage time, however, as Yates scored on a header to give the Eagles their 10th draw on the season. Jorge Herrera continued his fine run of form with a goal and two assists on the night, while Yates' goal was his second in stoppage time this season following a late finish that earned a point against the Charleston Battery on June 5.
The Eagles will return home on Saturday to play Phoenix FC at 7 p.m. Tickets and more details can be found at www.CharlotteEagles.com.