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USL Weekend Preview – Week 23

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 08/26/17, 12:42AM EDT

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Monarchs close on postseason, key mid-standings clashes in both conferences

TAMPA, Fla. – The first berth in the 2017 USL Cup Playoffs could be claimed this weekend, and some postseason dreams will either be boosted or dented, as the USL regular season brings an 11-game slate to conclude Week 23’s action.

Real Monachs SLC sits on the verge of its first trip to the postseason on Friday night, with a victory against Rio Grande Valley FC and a loss for OKC Energy FC against Orange County SC enough to send the Monarchs to the playoffs. OCSC’s clash with Energy FC is also among the key games further down the standings, with Phoenix Rising FC’s contest against Sacramento Republic FC an important one for both, and fourth-place Reno 1868 FC playing host to the third-place Swope Park Rangers in a marquee contest.

A Keystone State clash between the Pittsburgh Riverhounds and Bethlehem Steel FC highlights the action in the Eastern Conference, which also sees the Rochester Rhinos host Saint Louis FC, and the defending champion New York Red Bulls II visit Ottawa Fury FC. There’s also the renewal of the longest-standing continuous rivalry in the United States, as the Richmond Kickers host the Charleston Battery. 

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 Steven Christy / OKC Energy FC

Friday, August 25
Real Monarchs SLC vs. Rio Grande Valley FC
9 p.m. ET, Rio Tinto Stadium

Western Conference-leader Real Monarchs SLC will look to close in on its first trip to the postseason and claim a season-sweep against Rio Grande Valley FC, as it kicks off the weekend’s action on Friday night at Rio Tinto Stadium.

The Monarchs (16-3-4, 52pts) played to a 2-2 draw with the third-place Swope Park Rangers last Friday night and hold a seven-point lead on San Antonio FC going into the weekend. With a win and a loss for OKC Energy FC against Orange County SC later in the night, the Monarchs would clinch their place in the 2017 USL Cup Playoffs.

The Toros (7-10-6, 27pts) will look to spoil the party and boost their playoff hopes in the process. With nine games remaining in the regular season, RGVFC is three points out of eighth place and six out of seventh, but while the side is undefeated in its last four games after a 1-1 draw with Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 last Saturday, it has gone only 1-0-3 in that span.

Orange County SC vs. OKC Energy FC
Champions Soccer Stadium, 10:30 p.m. ET

After a dramatic ending to its first official game at Champions Soccer Stadium last Friday, Orange County SC will try to earn its first win at its new home and overtake OKC Energy FC in the process in a massive game for both teams in the race for a Western Conference playoff position.

Orange County (7-6-8, 29pts) sits only a point behind Energy FC going into the contest but also holds two games in hands on its visitor. After Sola Abolaji’s late equalizer against Phoenix Rising FC in the club’s last outing, OCSC would record a major blow to OKC’s playoff hopes with a win that would push the side into the playoff positions.

Energy FC (8-9-6, 30pts) earned a 0-0 draw with San Antonio FC last Saturday to hold its position in the top eight but needs to get back on a winning track with pressure coming from OCSC and Phoenix Rising FC. OKC took victory when the teams met for the first time this season and is 5-2-1 in the all-time series. Another win could pave the way to a third consecutive playoff berth.

Saturday, August 26
Pittsburgh Riverhounds vs. Bethlehem Steel FC
7 p.m. ET, Highmark Stadium

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds will try to pull level on points with their Keystone State rival as seventh-place Bethlehem Steel FC tries to break a two-game losing streak in its visit to Highmark Stadium.

The Riverhounds (7-8-9, 30pts) are coming off back-to-back victories after Corey Hertzog’s brace earned a 2-1 win against Saint Louis FC last Saturday night. Pittsburgh has struggled at home this season, going only 3-5-3 at Highmark Stadium. With five of the Riverhounds’ remaining eight games on home turf, Saturday offers a big chance to turn that number around in time for a playoff push.

Steel FC (10-10-3, 33pts) fell twice in Week 22, but both came to the top two teams in the Eastern Conference, the Charlotte Independence and Louisville City FC. Bethlehem is still in good position to earn a first postseason berth with nine games remaining, but a win against the Riverhounds would go a long way toward that goal.

Reno 1868 FC vs. Swope Park Rangers
10:30 p.m. ET, Greater Nevada Field

The third-place Swope Park Rangers completed their trip west with a visit to fourth-place Reno 1868 FC with the teams separated by three points in the Western Conference standings entering the Saturday-night clash.

Reno (11-5-6, 39pts) won its third consecutive outing last Saturday as it rallied from an early deficit to defeat Sacramento Republic FC 2-1 at Papa Murphy’s Park. 1868 FC is also on a 10-game undefeated streak at Greater Nevada Field and would complete a season-sweep of the Rangers with a win after taking a 4-1 victory at Children’s Mercy Victory Field in the first meeting of the season.

The Rangers (12-5-6, 42pts) came close to victory on Wednesday night when it visited Sacramento Republic FC but had to settle for a 2-2 draw after conceding a late equalizer. Swope Park has drawn four consecutive games and will be looking for its first victory since July 20, as it seeks both revenge for its heavy home loss and to bolster its top-three position.

Phoenix Rising FC vs. Sacramento Republic FC
11 p.m. ET, Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex

Phoenix Rising FC will try to give its playoff hopes a big boost as it returns home to face fifth-place Sacramento Republic FC on Saturday night. Sitting three points back of eighth-place OKC Energy FC, but with three games in hand, Phoenix needs to put in a run over its final 12 games to put it in position for a first postseason berth in club history.

Rising FC (7-7-6, 27pts) almost took a big road victory last Friday night against Orange County SC, but a late equalizer for the hosts at Champions Soccer Stadium left the game level 1-1. Phoenix has been strong at home this season, going 5-2-1 at its new home, and with three consecutive home games starting on Saturday, the club has a chance to make a strong move.

Republic FC (10-7-5, 35pts) grabbed a point on Wednesday night, as Tyler Blackwood’s late goal earned a 2-2 draw with the Swope Park Rangers at Papa Murphy’s Park. Sitting comfortably in fifth place, Republic FC could make a move for a top-four place with a win, with the two sides sitting directly above it facing off earlier in the night.

NUMBER CRUNCHING

1.5 million – The USL surpassed 1.5 million total attendance on Wednesday night, surpassing the total attendance for the 2016 season with eight weeks remaining in the regular season. Nine teams are averaging more than 5,000 fans per game this season, up from four a year ago, as the league’s prominence continues to rise.

111FC Cincinnati goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt has faced 111 shots on goal this season, the most of any goalkeeper in the league. Hildebrandt also leads the league entering the weekend with 77 saves.

20Louisville City FC has scored 20 goals in its last six games, including a 5-0 victory against the Harrisburg City Islanders on Wednesday night, that have helped the side move into first place in the USL Eastern Conference.

10San Antonio FC goalkeeper Diego Restrepo recorded his 10th shutout of the season in San Antonio’s 1-0 victory against Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 on Wednesday night. Restrepo needs for more in SAFC’s last nine regular-season games to surpass the USL record of 13, held by Brandon Miller.

3Justin Portillo’s game-winning goal for the Charleston Battery against the Rochester Rhinos this past Saturday was his third from a free kick this season, putting him tied with Tulsa Roughnecks FC’s Juan Pablo Caffa for the USL lead in that category.

OTHER NEWS AND NOTES

- Nashville SC announced on Tuesday it would play its inaugural season at First Tennessee Park, with the 2018 USL expansion club excited to move into the downtown facility. “This first-class facility will provide fans an intimate viewing experience to match the first-class players on the field next year,” said Majority Owner John Ingram.

- FC Cincinnati moved back into the playoff positions on Wednesday night with a 3-1 victory against Ottawa Fury FC in front of 20,058 fans at Nippert Stadium. Goals by Danni Konig, Jimmy McLaughlin and Sem de Wit gave the hosts victory, boosting its playoff hopes against a fellow postseason contender.

- The USL announced on Friday the game scheduled for Saturday between San Antonio FC and the Portland Timbers 2 at Toyota Field had been postponed to Oct. 11 due to the threat posed by Hurricane Harvey as it made its way toward the region from the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday night.

- 2016 USL All-League First Team selection Amer Didic of the Swope Park Rangers was named in Canada’s squad for the first time, as he joined 10 players with USL experience called up for the game on Sept. 2 at BMO Field against Jamaica.

- The Rochester Rhinos (9-5-8, 35pts) will try to rebound from their second defeat in the past three games as it takes on Saint Louis FC (8-10-5, 29pts) on Saturday night at Capelli Sport Stadium (6:05 p.m. ET | Match Center). STLFC recorded a dramatic comeback victory on Wednesday night to defeat Tulsa Roughnecks FC 2-1 on Seth Rudolph’s 90th-minute winner to put itself firmly back into the playoff picture. Rochester fell 1-0 to the Charleston Battery this past Saturday as Justin Portillo’s late goal saw the Rhinos fall at home for the first time since June 23 against Orlando City B. The Rhinos remain in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, and will be hoping to improve on its 0-0 draw when it last faced Saint Louis on July 5 on the road.

- The Charlotte Independence (12-4-8, 44pts) will look to further their claim to top spot in the Eastern Conference when they take on last-placed Toronto FC II (4-14-6, 18pts) on Saturday night at the Sportsplex at Matthews (7 p.m. ET | Match Center). Charlotte was held to a 1-1 draw by Orlando City B this past Saturday, opening the door for Louisville City FC to claim top spot in the East on Wednesday night with its 5-0 victory against the Harrisburg City Islanders. Toronto fell 2-1 to the Richmond Kickers in its last outing on Saturday to fall behind Richmond at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, but managed to claim a 2-2 draw at BMO Field when it faced Charlotte on August 9. With a place in the postseason now almost out of reach, TFC II could play the spoiler role to its playoff-contending foe.

- The Richmond Kickers (4-12-8, 20pts) and Charleston Battery (11-5-8, 41pts) renew the longest continuously contested rivalry in North American soccer on Saturday night at City Stadium (7 p.m. ET | Match Center) when they meet for the second time this season, with both teams coming off victories in their last outings. The Kickers rallied to take a 2-1 victory against Toronto FC II at City Stadium this past Saturday to move off the bottom of the Eastern Conference. With a place in the postseason distant, Richmond could still put a dent in the Battery’s hopes of a top-four finish in the East, which were bolstered by a 1-0 win against the Rochester Rhinos behind Justin Portillo’s late winner on Saturday evening. Charleston won the first game between the clubs – both of which are celebrating their 25th anniversary seasons – on June 10, which leaves the Kickers looking for their first win in the series since the 2014 USL Cup Playoffs.

- Louisville City FC (13-4-5, 44pts) will look to build on its big midweek victory when it takes on Orlando City B (7-6-11, 32pts) at Slugger Field on Saturday night (7:30 p.m. ET | Match Center). Louisville saw five different players find the net, with Ilija Ilic and Niall McCabe both notching a goal and assist, to move into first in the Eastern Conference with a 5-0 win against the Harrisburg City Islanders on Wednesday night. Orlando is on a club-record 10-game undefeated streak (3-0-7) after it earned a 1-1 draw with the first-place Charlotte Independence last Saturday night. Hadji Barry scored his third goal in two games to claim the move the side into the playoff positions in the Eastern Conference. Louisville will be looking for a little revenge after Orlando took a dramatic 2-1 victory when it last visited Slugger Field a season ago.

- Ottawa Fury FC (7-9-7, 28pts) returns home after its three-game road trip looking to bounce back from a midweek defeat as it hosts the New York Red Bulls II (9-11-4, 31pts) at TD Place on Sunday afternoon (2 p.m. ET | Match Center). Ottawa fell 3-1 to FC Cincinnati on Wednesday night to fall to 12th place in the Eastern Conference and will now face a ninth-place Red Bulls II side that is playing its best soccer of the season. New York has won three of its past five games, including a 4-0 victory against FC Cincinnati that kept the side firmly in playoff contention.

- Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 (4-13-7, 19pts) returns home after its trip to Texas to take on the LA Galaxy II (4-12-7, 19 points) at MacLeod Athletic Park on Sunday afternoon (6 p.m. ET | Match Center). WFC2 fell 1-0 to San Antonio FC on Wednesday night, further dimming its hopes of a return to the postseason. Los Dos are coming off a big road victory in their last outing that kept their slim playoff hopes alive as a 2-1 win against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC earned the club its fourth road win of the season. The Galaxy II enter the weekend eight points out of the playoff positions with 10 games to play in the regular season.

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