Charlotte Eagles: Game Nine

What a difference a week makes.  After dropping points in their last three outings, the Eagles were looking to rebound at home coming off a two-game road stint.
Hosting the Harrisburg City Islanders, Charlotte Coach Mark Steffens chose a curious starting lineup.
One could say his choices were based on the fact that the Islanders had played the previous night against league leaders Charleston, coming away with a 1-1 draw.  Harrisburg's starters might have been tired or their coach could have given his usual subs a start.
A coach has to make lineup decisions based on many factors, one would be who the opponent is.
Of course you would select your best players when up against Manchester United......but for Wolverhampton?...give the rookies some pitch time.
Was this Steffens' plan?  No clue.  But if it were, I would strongly disagree with the philosophy.
Charleston drew last night and lost tonight.  When a shark smells blood in the water, it doesn't swim away...it swims at full-speed toward the struggler and finishes him off!!!
So...I'm not sure why USL-2 player of the week Erik Lefebvre was not in goal, or why veteran Chris Lemons was not a starter in the midfield.    
Charlotte shot out of the blocks and immediately made an impact on the Islanders' goal.  Debo settled a poor clearance by Harrisburg's keeper, zigged and zagged through defenders and scored in the 4th minute.
Eagles 1-0 Islanders.
After the initial flurry, the game slowed down as Harrisburg took control in the midfield.  The 5-4-1 chosen by Steffens seemed to be struggling under the mid-heavy strategy of the Islanders' 4-5-1.  The packed midfield allowed Harrisburg to pressure Charlotte and control the tempo...it paid off just before the half when Dominic Oppong slotted home the equalizer.
Eagles 1-1 Islanders
Only one change was made at halftime with defender Brady Bryant making way for Joe Connor. 
Harrisburg kept pressuring and were unlucky twice with balls hitting the post.  But Charlotte rallied back in the 62nd when Josh Rife crossed to Debo who scored his second of the match. 
Eagles 2-1 Islanders.
Finally in the 76th minute, Steffens was looking to freshen the game and put reinforcements in the midfield and up front with Lemons and Ben Page.
The Islanders threatened in the final minutes with an open goal shot just going wide.
The Eagles held on for the win and a much-needed 3 points.  With the Battery's poor showing for their weekend double (1 point out of 6), the second-place Richmond Kickers and third-place Eagles made up precious ground on the leaders.
The Kickers and Eagles each have two games in hand on the Battery.  Richmond is 6-points out of first and the Eagles are 7.

Charlotte's next game is Saturday the 12th vs Real Maryland.

Debo doin' the double

 Player of the Week:

Miguel Ferrer (3/28/1987)

Hometown: Miami, FL

Height: 5' 10"

College: UNC Pembroke

2009 Club: UNC Pembroke

Interesting Fact: Miguel is the first person in his family to go to college

Favorite Bible Verse: Isaiah 41:10  "So do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold
                                       you with my righteous right hand."
Hobbies: Hanging out at the Beach, Art