USL News Release
Thursday, September 10, 2009
TAMPA, FL – With only two weeks left in the USL First Division regular season, the race for the remaining USL First Division playoff berth is down to two teams, and one is in a must-win situation for its final three games. Friday on Fox Soccer Channel the eighth place Miami FC Blues play the first of those three against the playoff-bound Battery in Charleston. The broadcast begins at 8:00 pm ET.
Miami comes into the contest trailing the Vancouver Whitecaps by eight points with three games remaining on their schedule. The Blues must win out and also hope the Whitecaps are unable to earn two points in their final two matches against the league’s bottom two sides.
Charleston, meanwhile, is facing a challenge of its own with the announcement that standout goalkeeper Dusty Hudock will not be returning this season, opting to have surgery on his ACL injury. The club will tasked with stepping up in his absence with either long-time reserve Keith Wiggans, who has allowed nearly a goal per game more than Hudock this season, or former Carolina RailHawk netminder Chris McClellan, who just joined the club from USL-2 regular season champion Wilmington Hammerheads only to allow three goals in a loss at home to Minnesota last week in his debut.
The Battery won the first two meetings this season by the same 1-0 scoreline. On May 2, a Walter Ramirez send-off left Miami with 10 from the 18th minute on, but the Blues held firm at home most of the way, seeing the winner come in the 73rd minute via Ian Fuller. Darren Spicer provided the winning strike in the 77th minute of the May 20 match in Charleston. Hudock was in goal for both shutouts.
Next Week in USL-1: The final regular season match of the 2009 USL Friday Night Football series will feature the Cleveland City Stars visiting the Vancouver Whitecaps. Game time is set for 11:00 pm ET. It will be the third and final meeting between the two clubs for the regular season. Playoff coverage begins Sunday, September 27 with the second leg of one of the Quarterfinal Round series. Full schedule [+]
USL Breakaway: Episode 4 of USL Breakaway will re-air on Fox Soccer Channel. The episode takes a look back at the recent PDL and W-League championships as well as a feature with the Puerto Rico Islanders. Episode 4 re-airs September 12 at 12:30 am ET. Check your local listings.
