by Gary Tim

Cary, NC (June 11, 2008) - The last words the Brooklyn Knights heard from their head coach was “go out and show what you’re capable of. You deserve to be here.” 90 minutes plus some later, the first words the players heard Joe Balsamo say were “guys, one thing, I really appreciate the great game we played. I really do. We did a great job and we had needed luck, but we showed that we have a very, very good team and I thank you.”

Those comments attest to the specifics of a marginal 1-0 loss the Knights bore in a fantastic fight to the finish with the Carolina Railhawks today away in Cary, North Carolina . It was the Knights’ first appearance in the prestigious Lamar Hunt US Open Cup championships, and the small loss is little testimony of the big, brave battle they put up even without four of their starters.

On a bright day when the mercury hit a record 96 degrees, 1,859 predominantly orange-clad fans turned up at the WakeMed Soccer Park to see a bunch of determined PDL soccer stars from the Big Apple evenly trade plays with the high-ranking USL-1 team. As their hometown endured a windy thunder and lighting rainstorm, they created their own gusts until it took a gaffe move on an 85^th minute free-kick to separate the two teams’ fortunes in the Open Cup clash.

Who could have believed it? A team sans four core players, traveling 450+ miles to almost trip-up a proud host that plays two divisions higher, and possesses four former MLS players.

But, an astute Balsamo put out an equally perceptive squad into a 4-4-2 formation with midfielder Hemir Niebles debuting as captain.  A few minutes into the 7:30 pm game, that team structure looked delicate as the Railhawks flew into Knights terrain and preyed on a revamped starting line trying to interconnect. A 2^nd minute free-kick by Railhawks’ former MLS midfielder Steven Curfman was headed out before a counter shot went wide of Elvir Prasovic in goal. Shortly after an Arthur Kulkov foul was driven by Curfman to midfielder Kupono Low who slipped on the natural grass outfield trying to pat one from close range.

Eleven minutes in, Brooklyn tightened ends, and turned the tables with breaks on the Railhawks’ defense. But, their runs failed to get the deserved finish as the attack force led by Tarik Smith was not gelling. There onwards the teams traded attacks with shots that were either off the mark or thwarted by defenders and goalies. Prasovic was outstanding and at the other end Chris McClellan made a dexterous parry over the bar to an equally nimble shot from Niebles that had GOAL written on it.

In the midst of the duel, Knights loss the services of Dan Buerhens who hit the deck in ‘trainer-demanding’ pain. Adding to the grievance, Smith was shown a yellow for obstruction. Later, Smith was unlucky not to get a penalty when he outran two defenders and McClellan tripped him going for the open ball. Then a quick cross from Juan Guerra ricocheted off the left hand of Chris Lemons and could have been a Knights penalty, had referee Abbas Piran seen it and agreed with the pleading Guerra. Instead it resulted in a corner that went abegging. In the latter stages of the half, the Knights looked the better team with creative plays raising their confidence even higher at the lemon-time whistle. Knights – 0, Railhawks – 0.

On resumption, Brooklyn showed they were encouraged by their first half heroics, the locker room ‘pepping’ from Balsamo, as well as a few women in the stands screaming, “come on, let’s go blue.” An excellent buildup, masterminded by Niebles and midfielder Frank Alesci took them almost to a goal as Guerra let lose a blaster that found McClellan at the right place at the right time.

Then the amazing happened in the 59^th minute. A Guerra pass attempt to Smith was blocked for a corner. Taken by Niebles, the ball floated to Smith whose shot from 15yds bounced off the goalie. The rebound found Mathias Carrizo in a reverse stance, but he created an acrobatic bicycle-kick to beat the goalie off his line, before a lucky Railhawks defender at the goal line had it glanced off his head for another corner. Taken again by Niebles, the Railhawks were quicker to head it away, but for yet another corner. This time, Niebles got the ball to defender Tomasz Groch about 20yds out. Groch headed towards goal and found Carrizo who sent a neat header to beat the keeper, but hit the head of a goal-tending defender, again, and go off for Niebles to do duties for the fourth consecutive time from the left flag. This time, he sent it closer, but a Carolina defender cleared it into play, to finally hawk and spew out the Brooklyn lads who seemed like a worrisome phlegm taking root in their throats.

The game grew with commanding midfield plays and a few breakaways to both goals. A few Carolina shots were superbly saved by Prasovic, while others went wide or high. A counterattack by Brooklyn saw Guerra take a firm right foot drive at goal that the goalie dove deep to keep out of the nets. Shortly after Smith was yank just outside the box to prevent him and midfielder David Panchano getting out of a cluster of players and into shooting range. That and the Knights beseeching for a foul apparently didn’t sway the referee. Three minutes later, Niebles’ plea couldn’t save him from a yellow card in the 76^th minute. The ensuing free kick resulted in three successive corners for Carolina, a sort of payback for Brooklyn ’s earlier fortune.

The partisan crowd bellowed “oohs” as the chances were wasted, and began chiming with a small, drum-playing ‘barmy army’ for “All we are saying, is give us a goal” in the ‘Give Peace A Chance’ melody. Undaunted, Brooklyn ’s Gabriel Ortega then fed a long pass to Guiseppe Buscemi on the right flank. The nippy striker applied his speedy style to evaded two and was bumped off-balance trying to get into position after making a short fake pass.

Then Niebles, after making a pass to Smith in the box, lost his balance on a tackle. Smith took the ball to the touch line and passed it before he too went off balance evading a tackle. The ball scurried across the goal mouth where Eric Rengifo missed a nudge as he fought a challenge from a defender. That chance had Carolina fans grimacing and a few Brooklyn supporters holding their heads, including relatives of Gonzalez who made the trip for the game.

Against the run of play, Abbas awarded a free-kick to Carolina which Low took from about 32 yards out. It went high and direct to the right, and caught Prasovic trying to back-pedal after advancing from his line. There was perplexity over the kick and the goal, as some Brooklyn players were seen protesting to a linesman. He warmed the hearts of the entreating home fans by remaining cold and unmoved, and so did the score as the game ended with desperate runs by Brooklyn to equalize, including a 25-yard volley from Kulkov that missed the goal by inches. Brooklyn – 0, Carolina – 1.

Sometimes, just sometimes, the fanatical dressing by fans, coupled with the antics of a mascot, a dance/cheerleading section, a flag bearer and a garbling chorus line are all that is needed to push a home team over the hump. But, in the face of all that this passionate, unswerving Brooklyn crew had a proud performance that converted many into believers. Some fans and Carolina players, including McClellan and veteran defender Mauricio Segovia echoed each other in saying, “this is the best team (Knights) we (Railhawks) have played all year.”

Some in the new look Knights rued the loss, but by the time they left the picturesque stadium an hour later, they all consented to “you guys have proven tonight that we have 22 starters,” as in the words of assistant coach Lucio Russo.

And, General Manager Gali Maimon hyped the in true Brooklyn style when he conceded, “the Knights ‘repped’ Brooklyn to the fullest, tonight. It’s our first Open Cup against a tough team at home, but you guys did beyond excellent. We were hawked, but not railroaded.”