Fans, we apologize for the trouble with the webcast from Baltimore yesterday evening. We will talk with Crystal Palace Baltimore about getting a video for a gamecast for those of you who would like to watch the match.

The NSC Minnesota Stars defeated Crystal Palace Baltimore Saturday evening 3-1 at Paul Angelo Russo Stadium in Baltimore. The Stars opened the scoring in the 17th minute on Warren Ukah’s first league goal of the season. Five minutes after the halftime break, Tsuyoshi Yoshitake scored his first goal for Baltimore off of a splendid free kick. In the 65th minute, Brian Cvilikas’ third goal of the season made it 2-1 for the Stars. NSC Minnesota polished off the game with a goal from Andres Arango in the 81st minute. The victory improves the Stars’ record to 6-8-2, while Baltimore falls to 3-7-3.

Minnesota provided the first scoring opportunity of the match four minutes in, but a shot from the left wing by Scott Lorenz sailed high over the net. On nine minutes, Adauto Neto countered for Baltimore, but his effort from the top of the box also missed the target. The Stars piled on the pressure in the 13th minute, forcing goalkeeper Evan Bush to make a timely save against Kyle Altman. Three minutes later, Chris Clements received the ball from a Daniel Wasson corner kick, but his shot went just left of the post.

The visitors broke the deadlock in the 17th minute, as Ukah maneuvered his way brilliantly past four Baltimore defenders, before hitting a strike from nine yards out that eluded the reach of Bush. The Baltimore goalkeeper did well to save his side from further embarrassment in the first half, as he stopped two close range shots from Ukah and Geison Moura mere minutes after the opening goal.

With temperatures hovering in the 90s, Baltimore head coach Jim Cherneski was forced to make three substitutions in the first half. Dan Lader, Paul Robson, and Gary Brooks replaced Lucio, Stephen Basso, and Santiago Fusilier before 35 minutes had elapsed. The fresh faces couldn’t create any major scoring chances before halftime, although Tsuyoshi Yoshitake and Mathew Mbuta challenged the Minnesota defense in the final minutes of the half. Both players, however, were unable to slot the ball past goalkeeper Joe Warren.

Five minutes after the restart, Baltimore earned a free kick 25 yards from goal. Tsuyoshi Yoshitake stepped up and delivered a fierce, curling strike into the top right corner of the net, leveling the contest at 1-1.

In the 57th minute, Cvilikas replaced Melvin Tarley after a clash of heads with Palace striker Gary Brooks left him battered and bloodied. The substitute would pay dividends for Minnesota eight minutes later. After a failed shot attempt by Geison Moura, Cvilikas looped the ball over Bush towards the goal. Val Teixeira gave it his all to clear the ball off the line, but the ball reached the back of the net to give the Stars a lead they would never relinquish.

Minnesota dominated the next 15 minutes of play, creating four shot attempts to Baltimore’s one. The visitors would seal the result in the 81st minute. A corner from Daniel Wasson took a deflection off of Andres Arango, leaving Bush with no chance to make a save, as Minnesota extended their lead to 3-1.

NSC Minnesota has earned points in five of its last six league games recovered well from a 2-0 home loss to Portland in their last match. The Stars next game is a July 4 rematch with Baltimore in Blaine, Minn. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. CDT. Fireworks will follow the match. For tickets, call (763) 792-7355 or visit www.nscminnesota.org/tickets.

NSC Minnesota Stars lineup (4-4-2): Joe Warren, Scott Lorenz, Kyle Altman, Andres Arango, Chris Clements, Ely Allen, Kentaro Takada (Neil Hlavaty 90+2), Daniel Wasson, Melvin Tarley (Brian Cvilikas 57), Warren Ukah

Crystal Palace Baltimore lineup (4-4-2): Evan Bush, Zach Flores, Andrew Marshall, Val Teixeira, Stephen Basso (Paul Robson 29), Santiago Fusilier (Gary Brooks 33), Adauto Neto (Pat Healey 82), Lucio Gonzaga (Dan Lader 26), Matthew Mbuta (Yaikel Perez 81), Tsuyoshi Yoshitake, Randi Patterson

Misconduct Summary
MIN – Daniel Wasson (caution, delaying a restart) – 71
BAL – Paul Robson (caution, unsporting behavior) – 88
MIN – Brian Cvilikas (caution, delaying a restart) – 90+3

Report from Crystal Palace Baltimore