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USL Weekend Preview – Week 14

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 06/23/17, 9:20PM EDT

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Monarchs aim to continue streak in Phoenix, while STLFC visits Cincinnati

TAMPA, Fla. – The busiest week of the 2017 USL regular season so far concludes this weekend after a big midweek slate of games that has shaken up the standings in both the Eastern and Western Conferences. With another 12-game slate for this weekend, the playoff pictures in both conferences will come further into focus as the halfway point of the season approaches.

Highlighting Saturday night’s slate is Real Monarchs SLC’s visit to Phoenix Rising FC, with the Monarchs aiming to continue their record-setting winning streak that has put them at the top of the Western Conference. Another game to watch is set for Weidner Field, as Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC welcomes San Antonio FC aiming to maintain its hold on a place in the top eight.

The second meeting of the regular season between FC Cincinnati and Saint Louis FC highlights the Eastern Conference’s action, with FCC looking to get back into the top eight after last week’s draw with conference leader the Charleston Battery. Saturday’s action also sees the New York Red Bulls II visit Ottawa Fury FC at TD Place after the teams played to a seven-goal thriller in their first meeting this season.

Every game of the 2017 USL season will be available on the league’s Match Center, with updates from across the league also available via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

GAMES TO WATCH


Photo courtesy Brett Hansbauer / FC Cincinnati

Saturday, June 24
Ottawa Fury FC vs. New York Red Bulls II
2 p.m. ET, TD Place

Ottawa Fury FC will look to continue its recent positive form when it welcomes the New York Red Bulls II to TD Place for the second meeting of the season between the clubs. Fury FC rallied for a dramatic 4-3 win when the teams first met at MSU Soccer Park earlier this season, and now sits two points ahead of New York in the Eastern Conference’s top eight.

Fury FC (5-4-4, 19pts) claimed its fourth win in its past six league contests on Tuesday when it edged past Orlando City B 1-0 through Steevan Dos Santos’ first-half goal. The contest saw Canadian international Carl Haworth make his first start this season after an ankle injury, and the standout forward provided the assist on Dos Santos’ goal before departing after an hour.

As Ottawa has risen up the standings, the Red Bulls II (5-7-2, 17pts) have seen their up-and-down form leave them in eighth place in the Eastern Conference going into Friday night’s action. Two consecutive defeats, including a first loss to Bethlehem Steel FC last week, have put the defending USL Cup champions in need of a boost to ensure a third consecutive postseason berth.

FC Cincinnati vs. Saint Louis FC
7 p.m. ET, Nippert Stadium

FC Cincinnati and Saint Louis FC both have an eye on returning to the top eight in the Eastern Conference when they square off for the second time at Nippert Stadium this season. After Djiby Fall’s four-goal performance when the teams first met this year, Saint Louis will be out for revenge as it looks to jump past its host with a win.

Cincinnati (4-5-5, 17pts) saw its winless streak in the league reach three games as it drew 2-2 with the Charleston Battery last Saturday, but Andrew Wiedeman’s excellent late finish at least salvaged a point at Nippert Stadium. FCC is only 3-1-4 at home this season, though, making a home win before it hits the road to Florida next week important.

Saint Louis (4-4-3, 13pts) has also seen a recent downturn in form with its 2-1 defeat to Bethlehem Steel FC in its last outing leaving the club with only one win in its past five league games. The side does have games in hand on the teams it is looking to reel in, but a good run of form is going to be needed soon to stay in touch with the top eight.

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC vs. San Antonio FC
9 p.m. ET, Weidner Field

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC will take its second shot at ending San Antonio FC’s undefeated start to the season, while also aiming to boost its own playoff hopes after falling in midweek to the Swope Park Rangers.

The Switchbacks (5-5-5, 20pts) came closest to handing San Antonio a defeat this season when it visited Toyota Field in April, with Aaron King’s first-half goal giving the visitors the lead until Kris Tyrpak’s standout equalizer with 11 minutes to go. Sitting in the middle of a congested pack in the Western Conference playoff race, a victory against SAFC would be a major boost to the Switchbacks’ season.

San Antonio (10-0-4, 34pts) regained its scoring touch last Saturday night as it earned a 3-1 victory against Tulsa Roughnecks FC, as the side scored multiple goals in a game for the first time since its 4-0 win against Portland on April 28. As its duel with Real Monarchs SLC continues at the top of the Western Conference, another road win is a top priority for Head Coach Darren Powell’s squad.

Phoenix Rising FC vs. Real Monarchs SLC
11 p.m. ET, Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex

Western Conference leader Real Monarchs SLC visits the star power of Phoenix Rising FC on Saturday night looking to add to its league record nine consecutive victories, but will get a strong test at the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex as Rising FC looks to break into the top eight.

Phoenix (5-5-1, 16pts) recorded a draw for the first time this season in its last outing as Didier Drogba’s two goals earned a 2-2 draw against the Swope Park Rangers. Drogba has now scored three goals in two games, and looks poised to help Rising FC push forward into the top eight and a first playoff berth in club history.

The Monarchs (12-1-0, 36pts) earned their ninth win in a row on Monday night against Reno 1868 FC as goals by Andrew Brody and Taylor Peay allowed the side to hold on late for its record night. Sebastian Velasquez provided the assist on both goals, continuing a strong month that has seen him come to the fore even more as a key figure in a strong Monarchs squad. 

NUMBER CRUNCHING


Photo courtesy Douglas Taylor / Sacramento Republic FC

6,013 – The USL averaged more than 6,000 fans per game over the course of Week 13 of the season, a record in the league’s history.

1,003 – Sacramento Republic FC’s Jeremy Hall became the first player this season to surpass 1,000 passes attempted in his club’s 6-2 victory against Rio Grande Valley FC on Wednesday night.

11 – Real Monarchs SLC’s Sebastian Velasquez (6) and Charlie Adams (5) have combined for 11 assists this season, the most by any teammates this season.

6 – Reno 1868 FC’s Dane Kelly saw his goal-scoring streak end at six games as he was held off the score sheet in Monday night’s 2-1 defeat against Real Monarchs SLC.

3Trevin Caesar notched the third USL hat trick in Sacramento Republic FC history on Wednesday night, following three-goal games by Tommy Stewart and Rodrigo Lopez in the 2014 season.

OTHER NEWS AND NOTES


Photo courtesy David Calvert / Reno 1868 FC

- U.S. Soccer announced on Friday that the 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 clash between FC Cincinnati and the Chicago Fire would air on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes next Wednesday night at 8 p.m. ET. FCC advanced to the Round of 16 for the first time in its history with a 1-0 win against Columbus Crew SC in front of a non-final record crowd of 30,160 on June 14 in the Fourth Round.

- Reno 1868 FC’s Junior Burgos became the first USL player selected for the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup, with the midfield playmaker named in El Salvador’s squad for the tournament that kicks off in the United States on July 7.

- The Swope Park Rangers (6-4-2, 20pts) rallied to take a 2-1 victory against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on Wednesday night to move into the top four of the Western Conference. Goals by Liam Doyle and Christian Duke lifted the Rangers to a victory as they extended their undefeated streak to four games.

- The Pittsburgh Riverhounds (5-6-4, 19pts) defeated the Tampa Bay Rowdies (6-4-6, 24pts) 2-0 on Thursday night at Highmark Stadium to earn their first victory this month and extend Tampa Bay’s winless streak to six games. Chevaughn Walsh scored early and Romeo Parkes late to boost the Riverhounds’ playoff hopes.

- Bethlehem Steel FC (7-6-1, 23pts) moved into the top four in the Eastern Conference on Tuesday night with a 1-0 win against the Harrisburg City Islanders (2-7-4, 10pts) at FNB Field. James Chambers’ goal early in the second half proved the difference as Steel FC earned its fourth win in its past five games.

- The Rochester Rhinos (5-1-5, 20pts) will aim to continue their eight-game undefeated streak when they host Orlando City B (4-6-4, 16pts) in the weekend’s opening game on Friday night at Capelli Sport Stadium (7:05 p.m. ET | Match Center). The Rhinos have won three in a row on home turf after last Saturday’s victory against Ottawa Fury FC, while OCB has fallen in each of its prior two games on its road trip.

- OKC Energy FC (5-6-2, 17pts) completes its three-game trip to Cascadia on Saturday afternoon when it visits Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 (4-7-2, 14pts) at Thunderbird Stadium (6 p.m. ET | Match Center). Energy FC has taken one win and one defeat so far on its trip, and will be looking to break into the top eight in the Western Conference with a win against a WFC2 side that has lost two in a row.

- The Richmond Kickers (2-7-5, 11pts) host the Charlotte Independence (4-3-4, 16pts) hoping their late equalizer in their past outing can provide some momentum in Saturday night’s clash at City Stadium (7 p.m. ET | Match Center). Franck Tayou’s debut goal earned the Kickers a 1-1 draw with the Tampa Bay Rowdies last Saturday, while the Independence are coming off a 2-0 home win against the Harrisburg City Islanders.

- Orange County SC (3-4-1, 10pts) will begin its assault on scaling the Western Conference standings when it hosts Seattle Sounders FC 2 (6-6-2, 20pts) on Saturday night at the Orange County Great Park (8 p.m. ET | Match Center). Orange County has at least three games in hand on all of its Western Conference rivals, but is on a three-game losing streak as it welcomes an S2 side that took a dramatic 3-2 win late against OKC Energy FC on Monday in its past outing.

- Louisville City FC (7-1-4, 25pts) will look for its fourth consecutive victory when it visits the Harrisburg City Islanders on Saturday night at FNB Field (7 p.m. ET | Match Center). Louisville has scored 11 goals in its past four outings, with Cameron Lancaster earning USL Player of the Week honors this past Tuesday. The City Islanders are currently on a four-game losing streak and sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.

- Sacramento Republic FC (6-6-3, 21pts) will look to build on its big midweek victory as it visits the LA Galaxy II (3-8-2, 11pts) on Sunday night at StubHub Center Track & Field Stadium (9:30 p.m. ET | Match Center). Republic FC earned a 6-2 win against Rio Grande Valley FC at Papa Murphy’s Park, and now faces its Southern California USL rival three days before facing the Galaxy’s MLS squad in the Round of 16 of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at the same venue.

- The Charleston Battery (8-2-4, 28pts) will look to maintain their lead at the top of the Eastern Conference when they host Toronto FC II (2-7-5, 11pts) at MUSC Health Stadium on Saturday night (7 p.m. ET | Match Center). The Battery played to a 2-2 draw against FC Cincinnati last Saturday night, while Toronto broke a 12-game winless streak with a 1-0 win against Orlando City B in its most recent outing.

- Reno 1868 FC (5-4-3, 18pts) will look to rebound from its loss to Real Monarchs SLC on Monday night when it visits the Portland Timbers 2 (1-12-1, 4pts) at Providence Park on Saturday (10 p.m. ET | Match Center). 1868 FC saw its seven-game undefeated streak come to an end, but will be hopeful of getting back in the win column against a T2 side that has lost eight consecutive games.

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