Stumptown Unbeaten Streak at 6 After 1-1 Draw at Cal United

IRVINE, CA - Stumptown AC took to the road to put its five-match unbeaten streak on the line this evening, facing off against Cal United Strikers in the NISA Game of the Week. After a taking a one-goal advantage into halftime, the Stumps settled for a 1-1 road draw with the Strikers.

Over the last month, Stumptown stands alone as the only team to avoid defeat, moving from 8th in the NISA standings to the top-4 of the table. With three straight ties, following three straight wins Stumptown AC’s record sits at 4-6-3 on the year.

NISA’s all time leading scorer Christian Thierjung nearly gave Cal United a 5th minute advantage, but his full volley poke sailed just outside Stumptown keeper Kevin Gonzalez’s right post.

While the Strikers had the lion’s share of action in the first fifteen minutes, the Stumps settled in, taking control of the majority of possession over the middle of the first half. Stumptown AC was rewarded in the 37th minute, when Isma Longo finished off a beautiful team goal.

Just six minutes into the second frame, Cal United drew even as Felipe Liborio Jr. punched home a back post finish to knot things up 1-1.

Five minutes later, Stumptown AC center back Deshawon Nembhart challenged Cal United with a left-footed bender on a 28-yard free kick. Strikers goalkeeper Jean Gamain Antoine dove to his right, pushing the try just wide of frame.

With nine minutes left to play, Stumptown AC head coach Rod Underwood went to his bench for fresh legs, bringing Yuki Shibata and Michael Cunningham onto the field and into the attack. Despite a barrage of late game rushes, neither side was able to find a game winner before the final whistle blew.

Stumptown returns home to North Carolina, and will host league leading Detroit City FC next Saturday, October 23rd at the Matthews SportsPlex for a 7pm kick-off. Stumptown is the only team to knock off defending champion DCFC in the last calendar year. Tickets for the clash are still available at www.StumptownAC.com/tickets.