ST. LOUIS, MO (August 14, 2010) – AC St. Louis, playing in the USSF Division-2 Professional League, lost to the Portland Timbers 1-0 Saturday evening at The Anheuser-Busch Soccer Park in front of 2,312 fans. St. Louis dropped their record to 5-11-6, and suffered their first loss on their current five-game home stand.

“We could not find enough moments to create the chances we needed,” stated Head Coach Dale Schilly. “The problem is Portland is a very good team, a physical team, and the referee allowed them to get away with some things that just didn’t allow us to play. So when you are in an environment where a referee allows certain things for a physicality side it is just hard for us to be able to compete.”

Portland got on the board late in the second half when Bright Dike struck for a 41st minute goal, Keith Savage provided the assist. The goal capped off a first half shooting onslaught by the Timbers that saw them rack up 10 shots, four of which were on goal. The Timbers took a 1-0 lead to the break after a very physical first half that had the visitors committing 11 fouls to St. Louis’ two.

The best chance St. Louis had to equalize wound up in the arms of Steve Cronin when Chris Salvaggione attempt to steer in a Luke Kreamalmeyer cross just missed connections. Kreamalmeyer drove a solid ball across the top of the six-yard box, but it was just slightly behind Salvaggione who did well to direct it onto goal. Kreamalmeyer would make a bid to tie it in stoppage time, but his shot from the near right-side was blocked by Ross Smith.

“I turned around to shoot and the foot that I planted I hit the ball right into and ended up not really hitting it at all,” said Salvaggione. “It was a chance in front of goal that I have to be ready for.”

Newcomer Luis Gil made his debut as a substitute in the 76th minute. Gil had limited touches in his near 19 minutes of playing time, which included five minutes of stoppage time. Gil did have a header on goal in stoppage time off of a St. Louis corner.

AC St. Louis’ next home match is on Friday night, August 19 at 7:10 p.m. against the Puerto Rico. Tickets are still available and can be obtained by calling 1-888-STL-GOAL, or by visiting www.ac-stlouis.com.

AC St. Louis v. Portland Timbers – U.S.S.F Division II Pro League
August 14, 2010 – The Anheuser-Busch Soccer Park, St. Louis, Missouri

SCORING SUMMARY:
POR 41st Dike (assisted by Savage)

LINEUPS:
STL: Dufty; Traynor, Lesko. Bauer, Bloom; Kreamalmeyer, Cosgriff, Velten, Salvaggione; Ambersley, Kafedzic

POR: Cronin; Smith, Purdy, Danso, Cameron; Savage, Pore, Nimo, Marcellin; Muhamadu, Dike

SUBSTITUTES:
STL 45 minute Stisser for Kafedzic
POR 62 minute Lopez for Nimo
POR 64 minute McManus for Savage
STL 67 minute O’Garro for Velten
POR 70 minute Suzuki for Muhamadu
STL 76 minute Gil for Lesko
STL 79 minute Moore for Cosgriff
POR 87 minute Claesson for Dike

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
POR 7th minute Yellowcard – Nimo
STL 7th minute Yellowcard – Traynor
POR 13th minute Yellowcard – Purdy

STATS SUMMARY:
STL POR
Total Shots: 10 13
Shots on Goal: 6 5
Saves: 5 6
Fouls: 9 16
Corners: 3 4
Offsides: 4 6

Attendance: 2,694