Crystal Palace forward Sergio Flores already was focused on the team’s next playoff game just minutes after its shootout victory over defending United Soccer League Second Division champion Harrisburg City Islanders on Wednesday night.
“The team played well to get here,” Flores said. “We deserve to be here and we have revenge on our mind after losing 3-0 to [Charlotte] twice this season.”
Flores secured the franchise’s first playoff win by burying his penalty kick to give Palace a 7-6 victory after the score was tied at 2-2 following 120 minutes of play.
But fourth-seeded Palace (12-8-1) has a short turnaround before playing at 7 p.m. Saturday at Restart Field against the top-seeded Charlotte Eagles (12-3-5) in North Carolina. The Eagles dominated Palace in Baltimore and in Charlotte, winning 3-0 each game.
Charlotte enters the game second in the league (45) in goals scored and goals allowed (15). The team, led by midfielder Dustin Swinehart (16 goals, seven assists), is 7-0-3 at home this season.
“We have a big match coming up, we have a chance to celebrate but then have to refocus and be ready,” Palace co-manager Jim Cherneski said. “Take ice baths and get ready for Saturday.”
If Palace is to upset the Eagles, it must get stellar play from goalie Brian Rowland and consistent finishing from its attackers. Leading scorer Gary Brooks (eight goals, one assist) found the back of the net off of a header against the City Islanders and midfielder Pat Healey (six goals, two assists) finished off a great pass from teammate Val Teixeira in the first half.
Rowland, a former UMBC star, made several crucial saves in the win over Harrisburg, including a diving stop on a penalty kick in the eighth round of the shootout to set the stage for Flores’ heroics.
“We savor this tonight and then wake up tomorrow and move onto the next challenge,” Rowland said. “We expect a lot from ourselves and when you win games like this it lifts the spirit of the team.”
