USL-1 Season Preview – Part I
A look at the Opening Night foursome
Of the four clubs that kick off their 2009 USL First Division campaigns Saturday on Opening Night, only the Charleston Battery come into the upcoming season looking to build on last season. The Minnesota Thunder, Carolina RailHawks and the defending champion Vancouver Whitecaps are in transition mode. The ever-dreaded rebuilding tag, however, may have been proven to be a non-factor in the USL First Division last year with the performance of the Whitecaps.
The Timbers Army have long been praised for their passion
Play with Passion
Welcome to the new look of USLsoccer.com
USL represents the sport in the truest, purest sense. The league searches for talent in the furthest corners of the world and affords every talented player the right to pursue their dream of playing professional soccer. It is gritty, unrefined, urban, rural, and unadulterated. And somewhere between genuine simplicity and determined complexity. It is pure devotion. USL is proud to welcome you to the new design of USLsoccer.com. The new look stems from USL’s new branding platform, Play with Passion.
Carolina hosts Thunder in Opener
Opening Night 411: Rookie coaches make official USL-1 debuts
A pair of new USL-1 head coaches will take the field for the first time Saturday night at 7:00 pm ET in Cary, NC when the Minnesota Thunder visit the Carolina RailHawks in first of two games on Opening Night.
Champion Whitecaps host Charleston
Opening Night 411: Vancouver begins title defense Saturday
The Charleston Battery will be looking to make history with a win in Vancouver Saturday at 10:00 pm ET on USL Opening Night, but will have to knock off the defending champion Whitecaps on to do so.
Serna and Erpen bring MLS experience to club (Getty Images)
Miami signs Serna, Erpen
Blues also bring back Inacio
Miami FC announced that it has come to terms with returning Brazilian midfielder Leo Inacio Nunes as well as striker Diego Serna, and Argentine defender Facundo Erpen for the upcoming 2009 season. All three signings are subject to USL and USSF approval along with international clearance.
Gbandi's overtime strike nearly provided Puerto Rico win
Misery in Mexico City
Puerto Rico falls in penalties after extra time affair
Holding a 2-0 lead from the first leg, the Puerto Rico Islanders attempted to hold off the Mexican Primera Division’s Cruz Azul in Mexico City Tuesday evening only to find themselves in overtime tied 2-2 on aggregate. An early Islanders goal in extra time gave the visitors the lead only to see the hosts level and eventually advance in penalties, 4-2, to the CONCACAF Champions League Final after a 3-3 series draw.
