An own goal by former MLS SuperDraft No. 1 pick Steve Shak gave the Cleveland City Stars the early lead and they went on to defeat the Charlotte Eagles, 2-1, and win the 2008 USL Second Division championship.

Kenyan Musa Otieno's header deflected off Shak and the ball found its way into the back of the Eagle net for an own goal in the 15th minute.

Sallieu Bundu of Sierra Leone, who had a goal controversially waived off earlier in the game, extended Cleveland's lead in the 39th minute when he scored on a rocket after stealing the ball from a Charlotte defender.

Zimbabwe's Joseph Kabwe gave the Eagles hope for the few remaining minutes when he scored in the 87th minute.

The Stars are in their third year of operation. Their most notable player has been young Scotsman Adam Moffat who went on to join MLS's Columbus Crew but was injured early this season after getting off to a promising start.

AWARDS
Most Valuable Player -- Dustin Swinehart (Charlotte)
Rookie of the Year -- Stanley Nyazamba (Richmond)
Goalkeeper of the Year -- Terry Boss (Charlotte)
Defender of the Year -- Mark Schulte (Cleveland)
Coach of the Year -- Mark Steffens (Charlotte)

All-League First Team
Goalkeeper
Terry Boss (Charlotte)
Defenders
Brady Bryant (Charlotte)
Sascha Gorres (Richmond)
Mark Schulte (Cleveland City)
Steve Shak (Charlotte)
Midfielders
Mike Burke (Richmond)
Floyd Franks (Cleveland City)
Shintaro Harada (Crystal Palace Baltimore)
Forwards
Jorge Herrera (Charlotte)
Boyzzz Khumalo (Pittsburgh)
Dustin Swinehart (Charlotte)

All-League Second Team
Goalkeeper
Ronnie Pascale (Richmond)
Defenders
Dustin Bixler (Harrisburg City)
Trevor McEachron (Richmond)
Federico Molinari (Western Mass)
Dame Walters (Wilmington)
Midfielders
Trey Alexander (Wilmington)
Justin Evans (Pittsburgh)
Matthew Mbuta (Crystal Palace Baltimore)
Forwards
Gary Brooks (Crystal Palace Baltimore)
Sallieu Bundu (Cleveland City)
Jeff Deren (Western Mass)