Forward Caden Glover notched a brace, scoring the equalizing and game-winning goals
St Louis CITY2 came from behind to defeat San Jose Earthquakes II 3-1 on Sunday, August 27, at CITYPARK. After the away side converted a penalty kick to take the lead going into halftime, a second-half brace from forward Caden Glover and goal from midfielder Faysal Bettache sealed CITY2’s come-from-behind victory, extending the team’s unbeaten streak to six games (four wins, two draws).
Both teams fought for control in the opening minutes, with neither team able to generate sustained offensive pressure. Goalkeeper Michael Creek came up big for the team on one of Earthquakes II’s more threatening chances of the half, dropping to the ground to block a low shot and then keeping the ball from rolling over the line off the rebound. The visitors broke through, however, in the 23rd minute when midfielder Eduardo Blancas converted a penalty kick.
CITY2 came close to leveling the score later in the frame, bending a cross into the box during a transition moment, but the ball slipped just past Glover's boot as he slid toward the net.
The match’s ebb-and-flow tempo continued out of the break. Quakes II put together a run and launched a shot on frame, but Creek dove to his left and punched the ball away while airborne.
In the 62nd minute, CITY2 netted the equalizer. Midfielder John Klein worked down the left flank before crossing the ball into the box, connecting with Glover for a header to the far post. With the assist, Klein now has goal contributions in five (5) consecutive matches.
CITY2 snatched the momentum shortly afterward. Off a free kick from near midfield in the 70th minute, midfielder Max Schneider blasted the ball into the box, and defender Selmir Pidro nudged the ball over to Glover, who volleyed it home. With his brace, Glover now has six (6) goals on the season, good for second most on the team.
Just one minute later, CITY2 forced a San Jose turnover deep in the opponent’s half, and midfielder Faysal Bettache extended CITY2’s lead to 3-1 after punching in a feed from Schneider from distance.
UP NEXT
CITY2 heads south for an away battle with Houston Dynamo 2 on Sunday, September 3.
STARTING LINEUPS
Michael Creek, Nolan McGuire, Michael Wentzel ©, Selmir Pidro, Ezra Armstrong, Max Schneider, Miguel Perez (AJ Palazzolo 68’), John Klein (Aaron Heard 75’), Célio Pompeu (Dida Armstrong 88’), Faysal Bettache (Wan Kuzain 75’), Caden Glover (Mykhi Joyner 88’)
SUBSTITUTES NOT USED:
Christian Olivares, Sergio Rivas, Josh Maher, Larsen Hackworth
