Pittsburgh Riverhounds News Release -- www.riverhounds.com

Friday, July 19, 2013

PITTSBURGH — On a historic night of soccer in the United States’ newest soccer facility, Highmark Stadium, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds fell to current F.A. Cup Champions, Wigan Athletic FC, 4-1. The Riverhounds' Jose Angulo scored in the third minute, but the Latics answered with two goals in each half to win the Frank B. Fuhrer International Friendly and Fireworks sponsored by KEYTEX Energy.

In the opening minutes of the friendly, an individual effort by Angulo proved to be the Riverhounds' lone goal. Receiving the ball on the left flank, Angulo drove inside with power and pace towards the Latics goal. After passing three defenders, Angulo rifled a left-footed shot past goalkeeper Lee Nicholls that struck the bottom of the crossbar and dropped into the right side-netting.

The Latics got back on even terms in the 11th minute when former Sporting Kansas City standout Roger Espinoza struck a low, hard left-footed shot from 25 yards out. Maintaining possession in the Riverhounds defensive third, the Latics changed the point of attack through midfielder Ben Watson. Seeing Espinoza streaking down the left side, Watson provided the left back with time and space. Taking a touch to prepare his body, Espinoza whistled a shot into the bottom right corner passed the out-stretched hands of Riverhounds net-minder, Hunter Gilstrap.

Just before the half-hour mark, the Latics received a dangerous set piece at the left corner of the penalty area. Watson drove a bending right-footed shot towards the penalty spot for a slashing Emerson Boyce. The English center back turned Watson’s service on frame with a quality header that provided the Latics with the lead.

Wigan's Grant Holt would find the back of the net in the final minute of the first half, but was denied by an offside flag. The striker would not be denied a goal on the night though, as just three minutes after the halftime break, Holt would finish a service from Jean Beausejour on the left flank. A combination between Beausejour and Espinoza provided the midfielder with enough time to find Holt. Beausejour delivered a service to the near post, seeing Holt out-pace his marker and tap home from inside the six-yard box.

The Riverhounds nearly cut the Latics' lead in half in the 48th minute, but an offside infraction would negate the goal.  Mike Seth would strip Latics defender James Perch and travel towards goal. As Perch’s supporting defender closed down the ball, Seth slotted a ball to his counter-part Jhonny Arteaga. Taking a touch back to his right, Arteaga passed the ball around Nicholls and into the net, but his efforts would not stand.

The Latics' Jordi Gomez would cap the scoring in the 88th minute. Second-half substitute Adam Buxton traveled deep inside the Riverhounds right corner. Cutting back inside and past his defender, Buxton tiptoed the end line and slotted a ball back for Gomez. Receiving the ball calmly, Gomez curled a left-footed shot around his marker and into the right side netting.

The Riverhounds remain at home this Sunday to face the Wilmington Hammerheads. The game is scheduled for a 3 p.m. kickoff at Highmark Stadium.

Super-20 League Feature

Saturday, July 20, 2013

BRADENTON, Fla. – Force Football Club rounded out the quartet of semifinalists at the Super-20 League Championship presented by Nike at IMG Academy on Saturday morning as a stoppage-time goal by goalkeeper Elliot Tarney earned a 1-1 draw with Alamo SC and a place in the knockout stages on goals scored. Force joins the Toronto Lynx Jrs., Pacesetter SC and St. Louis Scott Gallagher in the final four.

Force had the better of much of the game, but was trailing, and going out, as the game entered stoppage time. Tarney had to make a fine save to deny Alamo a second goal on a counterattack early in the additional four minutes as he denied Robert Alexe, but as the clocked ticked into the fourth minute of stoppage time, Force was awarded a free kick central to the goal, 20 yards out. While most eyes were on Patrick Smith as he lined up the kick, Tarney stepped up and curled a fine shot into the top-right corner of the net, setting off a wild celebration, and setting up a semifinal against the Toronto Lynx Jrs.

Force had opened the game brightly, possessing the ball well as they built attacks quickly. Nazeem Bartman had the first good opportunity of the game in the seventh minute as his shot from the left side was saved by Eric Beltran.

Alamo played more directly, and got its first scoring chance six minutes later as a low cross from the right was met by Vinny Guerrero at the near post, only for his finish to sail high. Force carried more of the play, however, and went close twice before the half-hour mark as Joey Tinnion turned his man well before having a good shot saved by Beltran in the 18th minute and Bartman sent a diving header from a cross from the right wide of the left post 10 minutes later.

Despite just needing a draw to advance, Force continued to push forward at the start of the second half to try and find the opening goal. It was Alamo that found the breakthrough, however, as Matt Stohlmann found the back of the net in the 57th minute. After a long free kick was blasted into the defensive wall, the ball came to Sergio Gonzalez, and the center back floated a perfect pass that found the late run of Stohlmann as he broke into the right side of the penalty area. The full back beat Tarney to the ball off a bounce, and lifted a header into the right side of the net.

The goal took some of the wind out of Force’s sails, but they regained their composure and went in pursuit of an equalizer in the final 20 minutes. Its chance appeared to have arrived with three minutes to go as a good run and low cutback from the left found Greg Timmer, only for his shot from 15 yards to go over the crossbar. Just as Force appeared to be heading out, however, Tarney’s late strike sent his side through in dramatic fashion.

Group B winner the Toronto Lynx Jrs. await Force Football Club in the semifinals, with the Lynx having already clinched a place in the semifinals thanks to victories against Potomac SC and the Laredo Heat in their opening two games. Toronto took a pair of 2-0 wins in its opening two games, and the Lynx used the opportunity to rest some of their players as they fell 2-1 to Orlando City in their final game of group play.

Group A winner Scott Gallagher and Group C winner Pacesetter SC employed a similar tactic in their final group games as they prepared for their semifinal meeting. Scott Gallagher had taken a tense 2-1 victory against IMG Academy to earn its berth in the semifinals, and was able to rest a number of key players as it fell 7-0 in its final game of group play to Beachside SC.

Pacesetter, meanwhile, had already earned victories against Texas Football Club and Ironbound SC, putting it out of reach at the end of Friday’s play. As with Scott Gallagher, Pacesetter elected to rest players, and while Ryan Peterson and Radjan Danilo scored in the opening half of its final group game against FASA for a 2-0 lead, it then took its foot off the gas and conceded five consecutive goals as the focus switched to the semifinal.

Dayton Dutch Lions News Release - www.daytondutchlionsfc.com

Saturday, July 20, 2013 

DAYTON, Ohio - The Dayton Dutch Lions were defeated 2-1 by the Carolina Elite Cobras in the Southeastern Conference Championship on a sultry night at Beavercreek’s Miami Valley Hospital Stadium. The Cobras have advanced to the 2013 W-League Championship presented by Nike in Bradenton, Florida.

Dayton and Carolina both appeared hungry from the start, and went on the offensive early. Both displayed strong possession and the linking play throughout the midfield on both sides created many opportunities, but the Carolina opportunities had better results.

Midway through the first half the Cobras' Tiffini Turpin received a through-ball from the left flank, stared down Dayton keeper Helena McCurdy, and pulled the trigger. McCurdy punched the ball out but it found the feet of TTurpin, who nailed the second attempt for the score.

As the half was closing, Carolina’s India Trotter shook Dayton defender Alexandra Warren loose and charged one on one with McCurdy, stuttering a half-second before scooting the ball to the far right post, just out of the diving reach of the Dutch Lions’ goalkeeper. The teams left the field at the half with the score 2-0, Carolina.

After a locker room conversation, the Dutch Lions appeared to be on their toes for the second half, once again creating many opportunities but unable to convert. Late substitute Erika Kay seemed determined to make things happen and found her moment with a header to Emilie Fillion in the 83rd minute, but Carolina defender Blakely Mattern shielded the Dayton player to prevent the score.

Moments later, Juliana Libertin, flanked by Carolina’s Tabitha Padgett and Kaleigh Kurtz, broke free but the Cobras' keeper, Elzabeth Hull, dove in and scooped the ball roff her feet to deny the goal.

Carolina sat back, which bit them in the 89th minute when Dayton’s Kay snatched the ball away and threaded it through two defenders to Emilie Fillion’s feet. She looped the ball past the Cobras goalkeeper for Dayton’s only score. 
 
As expected, Dayton Head Coach Sid van Druenen was not happy with the result of the match.

“It’s a big disappointment, but if you look back at the seson, we did more than anybody expected," he said. "We all really, really wanted to go to the final four in Florida, but what we’ve done this season - a team that won nothing last year - this year was so different. People are talking about the team, people are talking about the players, people are talking about the assists.

In spite of the loss, van Druenen had high praise for his team and hopes for the future.

“It was a great group of people to work with. We’ll let this sink in a little bit and look back at the season and see what we could have done differently. Our objective next year is clear – we want that playoff spot.”

Washington Spirit Reserves News Release - www.washingtonspirit.com

Saturday, July 20, 2013

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - The Washington Spirit Reserves defeated the Virginia Beach Piranhas 2-1 Friday night in the Northeastern Conference Championship to secure a spot at the 2013 W-League Championship presented by Nike. The top-seeded Piranhas were unable to hold off a second-half Washington comeback, capped by Ashley Herndon’s game-winner in the 64th minute.

After falling to the Piranhas just six days prior, the Spirit Reserves entered Friday’s match with a sense of determined purpose. Finding themselves down 1-0 at the half, Washington roared back with two unanswered goals in the final 45 minutes. The win propels the Spirit Reserves into the 2013 W-League Championship next weekend at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. The W-League Championship utilizes a final four tournament format to determine the North American title-winner.

Soaring temperatures and solar heat radiating off the Virginia Beach Sportsplex turf throughout the day gave way to a welcome sunset and pleasant coastal breeze at kickoff. In contrast to the pleasing conditions, both teams eagerly renewed the local rivalry and fiercely went at each other from the opening whistle.

Several opportunities tested the defenses at either end, and it seemed the half was destined to end scoreless. Virginia Beach dispelled that notion in stoppage time to send the home side Piranhas into the locker room with the 1-0 lead.

With a single minute of added time in the first half, the Piranhas launched a rapid assault at the Washington goal. Following a bit of confusion from a Virginia Beach rebounding shot, the Piranhas earned their first corner kick of the match. Virginia Beach midfielder Meghan Dullea drove the kick to the far side of the Washington goal mouth to crashing teammate Esther Anyanwu. Anyanwu pounded her volley into the upper right corner of the net with authority to open the scoring.

For the second time in less than a week, the Spirit Reserves faced a single-goal deficit against the Piranhas. With more at stake for Friday’s match, Washington was quick to dismiss any thoughts of a repeat of events and furiously drove at the Virginia Beach goal early in the second half.

At the start of the second half, Virginia Beach called on its scoring champion Shan Jones and focused its attack by consistently feeding the ball her direction. A member of the U-17 United States National Team, Spirit Reserves defender Andi Sullivan held her in check throughout the night, limiting the dangerous scorer to only two shots.

Stalwart Washington captain Hayley Siegel drew first blood for the visitors, nabbing the equalizer on a feed from midfielder Katie Yensen in the 57th minute. Yensen cut into the Piranhas defense and slotted a crisp ball across the front of the Virginia Beach goal to Siegel. The Spirit Reserves captain collected the pass with her back to the goal, spun and took several quick touches before hammering her shot untouched past Piranhas keeper Lauren Vetock to draw the match even.

The Spirit Reserves refused to ease up the pressure and were rewarded seven minutes later. As she has done all season, W-League assist champion Amber Stobbs added another statistical notch in the post-season in dramatic fashion.

The ever-reliable Stobbs raced down the right side of the Virginia Beach box and cruised in on goal. At the moment Virginia Beach keeper committed to the attack, Stobbs touched the ball past the sprawling Vetock to Herndon three yards out and facing nothing but net. The pass allowed Herndon to complete the Washington rally.

With the go-ahead goal in hand, the Spirit Reserves did not change the gameplan and continued on the offensive for most of the remaining 25 minutes. The heat of the day, the Washington comeback, and a few Piranhas player injuries seemed to deflate Virginia Beach as it struggled to create further chances in the waning minutes of the match.

After five minutes of added time, the Spirit Reserves and their traveling faithful in the stands erupted into jubilation with the final whistle.

“I couldn’t be happier for this group of incredible young ladies,” General Manager Tim Schweitzer said. “We have had our share of these types of games this season and seen them go the other way.

“To rise up and grab the reins when it really matters and fearlessly orchestrate a comeback like tonight shows everyone the character I have had the privilege to experience from these players all season."

The Spirit Reserves await the remaining results this weekend to determine their opponent in the W-League Championship held at the end of next week. The Carolina Elite Cobras defeated the Dayton Dutch Lions 2-1 on Friday evening to earn the Southeastern Conference spot in the finals, however both the Western and Central Conference Finals have yet to be played.

Saturday, July 20, 2013

ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando City SC (12-2-6, 42 points) defeated the Harrisburg City Islanders (11-8-1, 34 points) 3-1 on Saturday night at Fifth Third Bank Field at the Florida Citrus Bowl. 7,311 supporters watched Orlando midfielder Jean Alexandre score twice in his return from national team play, leading the Lions to a crucial three points at home.

“I thought first half we played terrific and played a lot of really good football,” said Orlando City Head Coach Adrian Heath. “We dropped off in the second half but after all the travel and games we’ve played recently- the upcoming break is coming at the right time.“

Orlando began the match in fine form, finding open spaces behind the Harrisburg backline in the first minutes of play. The first scoring chance for the Lions came in the 20th minute, with the second Orlando corner of the night nearly bringing the lead. Defenders Luke Boden and Rob Valentino almost connected on the attempt, with Valentino’s header ricocheting off the crossbar and out of danger. Orlando kept digging, however, with their first score of the match following soon after.

Midfielder Jean Alexandre’s return to the Lions provided an immediate boost for Heath’s side in the midfield. Alexandre, who spent the last three weeks as captain of the Haitian National Team in CONCACAF Gold Cup play, converted Orlando’s first score in the 25th minute. After another corner attempt, Boden found himself free with possession and crossed in to the near post as Alexandre nodded it in for the 1-0 advantage.

The Haiti native wasn’t done scoring in his return to Orlando, with a well-played ball by midfielder Jamie Watson found Alexandre for his second of the night. In the 36th minute, Watson fed a charging Alexandre behind the City Islanders’ defense, with the midfielder tucking it in the back of the net for the 2-0 lead.

Orlando kept the scoring up as the match went on, with forward Dennis Chin netting his fourth goal of the season in the process. Substitute Jonathan Mendoza began the play, with his effort deflecting right to Chin. The speedy striker slotted home the score inside the 18-yard box, giving the Lions a 3-0 lead midway through the second half.

A late goal by Harrisburg’s Lucky Mkosano put the visiting side within striking distance, but the two-goal differential proved to be too much as Orlando came out on top 3-1.

After a tough stretch of matches in the month of July, the Lions will now be able to take time and recuperate with their next game set for August 3rd at Fifth Third Bank Field at the Florida Citrus Bowl against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. The two clubs met on Wednesday night, with the game ending in a 0-0 draw in Pittsburgh, Penn.

For more information on the upcoming home match against the Riverhounds, stay tuned to OrlandoCitySoccer.com.

Super-20 League Feature

Saturday, July 20, 2013

BRADENTON, Fla. - Force Football Club Academy advanced to the Super-20 League Championship final via a nail-biter against the Toronto Lynx in the second of two semifinals at IMG Academy Saturday. The 1-0 match featured a decisive strike from FFCA's Bubacarr Jobe in the 10th minute of the first overtime in the hotly contested match.

Both teams slogged it out in the humid Florida afternoon. The only real chance of the first half came in the 15th minute when FFCA’s Nazeem Bartman wiggled past two defenders and forced a good save from Lynx goalkeeper Triston Henry.

Just before halftime Jobe gave a flash of what was to come when he chested the ball up in the air and hit a bicycle kick wide of the right post. The Lynx had a golden opportunity slip through their fingers at the start of the second half when Anthony Novak got on the end of a poor back pass and blasted his shot wide of the post.

At the end of regulation both teams were exhausted and the 0-0 stalemate meant extra time. The game-winner came right before the break in the two halves of overtime. Bartman whipped in a corner and the second ball fell to Jobe who hit a half volley under the outstretched Henry in the 100th minute.

It was an emotional battle for the regional rivals, and subsequently Toronto saw itself reduced to eight men before the overtime expired.

“Either team could have won it, really. It was a great finish by [Jobe] that got us the win. They’re a very resilient team and we saw that early on when they looked a bit sharper. We’ve played them before and we knew it would be tough,” Force Coach Chris Edwards said. “Tonight we will get some ice baths and tomorrow morning we will see who can play.”

Pacesetter SC 2, St. Louis Scott Gallagher 0

Pacesetter SC continued its run in the Super-20 League Championship presented by Nike by defeating St. Louis Scott Gallagher 2-0 in the first of the semifinals Saturday afternoon.

It was a sweltering afternoon with the heat index topping at 102 degrees. Both teams showed signs of fatigue, but the will to play on had both keepers busy in the first 10 minutes.

It wasn’t until the 21st minute that either team had a solid chance. St. Louis’ Brett Lane got his head on a corner and flicked his header just wide of the far post.

Six minutes later Kevin Tikhormiroff of Pacesetter managed to make solid contact on a quick counter but pulled his shot wide of the right post. Pacesetter continued to threaten and dominate the air as St. Louis’ legs tired. The first goal came shortly after the second half began.

A quick punt from Pacesetter keeper Michael Soderlund freed Youssef Naciri behind the St. Louis defense, but Lane made an incredible recovery run and blocked the shot just wide for a corner. However, Pacesetter was determined to open the scoring and after a poor clearance from the corner kick Matt Almsetter slotted a short pass into Naciri, who beat the offside trap and then the keeper with a low curling shot to the far post.

St. Louis regained some of it’s foothold as the second half progressed and it sent numbers forward, but Pacesetter was unrelenting in the back. Ryan Merrifield latched onto a ball in the box and fired a rocket to the low right corner, but before it could get there Zach Martin threw his body in front of it and blocked it away.

St. Louis made one final attempt to get the equalizer on an 88th-minute corner as it sent all 11 players into the box. The commitment proved to be fatal, however, and Naciri cleared the corner downfield to Tikhormiroff, who only had dribble the ball into the empty net for a final score of Pacesetter SC 2, St. Louis Scott Gallagher 0.

“We’ve played well defensively all tournament...We’ve played both the Toronto Lynx and Force [Football Club Academy] in the regular season and we know they’re good teams,” Pacesetter SC Coach Ryan Creech said. “The team with more fitness, the team that runs harder, the team that has more courage will have the best chance at winning tomorrow.”

Ottawa Fury News Release

Saturday, July 20, 2013

LAVAL, QC - After capturing the W-League Championship last season on penalty kicks, the Fury’s good fortune on kicks from the spot ran out in Laval on Saturday evening as the Comets downed the Fury 5-4 on penalties after the two sides played to a 1-1 draw through 120 minutes. Amandine Pierre-Louis, who scored the goal to help Laval defeat Ottawa in the regular season to capture the division title, scored the decisive penalty kick winner to send Laval to their first W-League Championship.

The Fury were winless against Laval during the regular season but came into Saturday’s showdown with a wave of momentum after an impressive 5-1 victory against Toronto mid-week. Laval, who became the first team to take the division title away from Ottawa in ten years, came out the better of the two sides in the first half. Fury captain Jasmine Phillips had to be sharp early to keep the game scoreless. Former Fury W-League player and Canadian International Christina Julien was brought down in the box and the Comets were awarded a penalty. Kelsey Wilson, who scored against the Fury on a penalty on July 10, stepped up to the spot and opened the scoring for the home side to put the Comets ahead in the 12th minute. 

The goal gave Laval added energy as the pressed for a second, but Phillips stood tall in the Ottawa goal to keep the Comets lead to just one. Taylor Uhl produced the Fury’s best chance late in the first half, but her shot missed wide and Ottawa would head into the dressing room trailing 1-0 after the opening 45 minutes.

Whatever was discussed during halftime injected energy into the Fury attack as Lisa-Marie Woods would produce an early chance before Emily Gielnik would rattle a shot off the post from 20 yards. The continuous pressure would lead to an Ottawa corner where Woods picked out Tessa Gavilsky at the back post who headed the ball across to Emily Gielnik to pull the Fury level in the 56th minute. 

For Gielnik, it was her second goal of the post-season and the Fury looked to be in the drivers seat. The pressure would continue leading to two straight corners for the Fury, but the Laval defense was on their game clearing a lose ball off the goal line to keep the game level. After owning the first 25 minutes of the second half, the Comets regained their first-half form, but both goalkeepers proved unbeatable for the duration of the half. With 90 minutes completed and the division rivals playing to a 1-1 stalemate, the game would head to extra time.

In the first 15 minutes of extra time the Fury’s Lauren Hughes would produce the best chance on goal, but her header went wide. Ottawa would again have the better of the scoring chances in the second stanza of extra time, but Woods’ header was saved and Gielnik would fire wide of the target. With both sides remained locked at 1-1 after 120 minute, the W-League Central Conference Championship would be decided on penalty kicks. 

In the seventh round, the Fury’s Lauren Hughes hit the post and Amandine Pierre-Louis scored to end the defending champions’ run at a repeat in a heartbreaking 5-4 shootout loss. 

For only the second time in five years the Fury will not participate in the W-League Final Four and the first time in three years that Ottawa will not play for the W-League Championship.

Sunday, July 21, 2013

PITTSBURGH — On a humid afternoon in Station Square, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds defeated the Wilmington Hammerheads 2-1 at Highmark Stadium. Entering the match at halftime, Mike Seth wasted little time to put his mark on the game with a goal in the 52nd minute. Likewise, a Hammerheads second half substitute, Kyle Greig, equalized 20 minutes later off a corner that was not cleared by the Riverhounds. In the 78th minute, Seth played the set-up man on the game-winning goal by Matt Dallman.

The game started with the Hammerheads seeing the better of the play following the opening whistle. The visitors nearly capitalized on two quality services one minute apart. Receiving a corner in the eighth minute, Danny Roberts delivered a cross towards the penalty spot for Gareth Evans. Fighting off his marker, Evans turned the ball towards the Riverhounds goal with his head, but his attempt missed just right of the upright.

The ensuing goal kick was picked up by the Hammerheads at midfield by Paul Nicholson. Freeing the ball to the right flank, Nicholson found Shawn Nicklaw behind the Riverhounds defense. Nicklaw served an early, right-footed service into the penalty area for Roberts. Rising above the crowd, Roberts headed the ball towards the left upright, but his header sailed wide of the goal.

The Riverhounds had two dangerous services of their own, five minutes apart. Outside back, Mike Green changed the point of attack for Dallman on the right flank. Dallman served the ball across the goal mouth for Jose Angulo. As the service came down for Angulo, a Hammerheads defender deflected the ball just enough for Angulo to miss-hit the ball wide of the goal in the 22nd minute.

A combination between Rob Vincent and Darren Amoo, freed the striker on the left flank. Driving the ball across the goal mouth on the ground, the ball trickled by the Riverhounds attackers and Hammerheads defenders and out for a goal kick.

Head Coach Justin Evans inserted Stefan Lundberg, Seth C’deBaca and Seth into the game to start the second half. The substitutions paid dividends seven minutes later when C’deBaca found Seth at the back post to tap home from one yard out. Angulo drove inside from right-to-left and attempted a shot on goal. A Hammerheads defender denied the shot with a slide tackle, but the ball bounced directly back to Angulo. Seeing C’deBaca run past his marker to his right, Angulo played a soft volley to C’deBaca. Picking his head up to see his options, C’deBaca saw Seth and delivered a perfect cross for an easy tap in.

The Hammerheads got back on even terms in the 72nd minute when the Riverhounds failed to clear their lines on a corner. The Hammerheads service bounced off multiple players from both sides, but Cody Arnoux turned the ball back on goal for a slashing Greig. Taking a first time attempt, Greig’s shot from close range deflected off of Riverhounds goalkeeper, Hunter Gilstrap and into the back of the net.

Six minutes later, the Riverhounds would find the game-winner when Dallman would slot a shot home from a hard angle. Chasing down a service in the left corner, Seth turned back inside to free himself of his marker. Delivering a cross to the near post, Seth’s service deflected off a Hammerheads defender and towards goalkeeper Troy Hernandez. Continuing his run, Dallman beat Hernandez to the ball and touched it to his left. Seeing Hernandez out of position, Dallman shot low into the back of the empty net for his second of the season.

Angulo nearly added an insurance goal with 10 minutes remaining on a brilliant individual effort. Driving with speed past two Hammerhead defenders, Angulo provided himself with time and space. Setting up his favorite left foot, Angulo rifled a shot past Hernandez, but his attempt would strike the upright and ricochet out of danger.

The Riverhounds return to action next Saturday on the road against Toronto FC Reserves. The game is scheduled for a 4:30 p.m. kickoff at BMO Field. The Hammerheads return to North Carolina for a Friday night game against VSI Tampa Bay FC. Their game is slated for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff at Legion Stadium.

Sunday, July 21, 2013

FULLERTON, Calif. -- The Richmond Kickers overcame a halftime deficit to take a 2-1 victory against the Los Angeles Blues on Sunday evening at Titan Stadium. The Kickers got two goals in the final 15 minutes through Brian Ownby and a penalty kick converted by David Bulow, which allowed the side to extend its USL PRO-record undefeated stream to 19 games and pull within a point of Orlando City at the top of the league standings.

The Blues opened the scoring in the fifth minute when Matt Fondy found a ball served up by Rodrigo Lopez, and beat Richmond goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra to get on the board. Fondy contributed more than just a goal in the first half, with great target play and a clear field of vision to connect passing for the Blues on more than one occasion. Both Fondy and Matt Hall did a great job at getting forward, but it was the Kickers' defense that really played a big part in the Blues' inability to finish, proving why they have conceded the fewest goals in the league this season.

The Blues did have several chances to add to their lead, but their closest opportunities came in the the 37th minute and right before the halftime whistle. Hall fed a superb pass to Allan Russell, who served a cross up to Fondy, and the forward tried to hammer it home with his head, but it was smothered by Dykstra. Just before halftime, Fondy impressively went one-on-one with a defender and served Russell with a clean pass, but he was unable to put the finish away and the Blues ended the first half with a 1-0 lead.

In the second half, Richmond came roaring back as they applied greater pressure, which led to the equalizer in the 77th minute. On a counter-attack that saw the Kickers break out two-on-two at the halfway line, a one-two ball between Matt Delicate and Ownby allowed the Houston Dynamo loanee to break in on goal, and he delicately chipped it over Mohammadi as the goalkeeper advanced off his line.

The Kickers would then take the lead in the 86th minute after a long ball into the penalty area was handed by Erlys Garcia. The referee called for a penalty kick, and Bulow converted easily to put Richmond ahead 2-1.

The Blues pushed for an equalizer in the remaining minute, but their final ball let them down. Los Angeles was also reduced to 10 men in stoppage time as Allan Russell was shown a second yellow card, and Richmond was able to hold on for all three points.

The Blues will travel east for their next two games in the league as they face the Charlotte Eagles on Wednesday night at Queens Sports Complex, and then the Charleston Battery on Saturday night at Blackbaud Stadium. They will then come back home to close out the season with three home games at Titan Stadium.

Super-20 League News Release

Sunday, July 21, 2013

BRADENTON, Fla. – Force FC Academy of Michigan defeated Pacesetter SC of Ohio 2-0 Sunday at IMG Academy to capture the title at the 2013 Super-20 League Championship presented by Nike.

Championship MVP Bubacarr Jobe provided the only offense Force FC needed when he scored in the 15th minute and Nazeem Bartman added an insurance goal on the final kick of the game.

With only 14 players on its roster for the tournament, Force FC was fighting a battle against fatigue as well as its opponents. After playing five games in four days, including two overtime periods in a semifinal win against the Toronto Lynx on Saturday, Force FC Head Coach Chris Edwards knew the early part of the match was key.

“At the start we knew we didn’t have enough fitness, so we knew we had to have a good start.” Edwards said. “We were hoping to get a lead, because we haven’t done that the whole tournament. Today to actually get one and hold one was a tough one.”

Force FC target forward Joe Tinnion started the scoring play when he picked up an errant pass near the right sideline and cut toward the box. He fed Jobe near the top of the box, and after beating a defender Jobe fired a low shot that eluded outstretched Pacesetters keeper Mike Soderlund, hit the post and bounced in.

Following Jobe’s breakthrough Pacesetter SC became more involved and began to gain more possession, and it nearly found the equalizer in the 23rd minute when a shot from the top of the box was deflected on goal, forcing Force FC keeper Elliot Tarney into a diving save.

Tarney, one of several Oakland University standouts on the Force roster and the goal-scoring hero that allowed Force to advance to the semis, shared the tournament’s top goalkeeper honors with Triston Henry of the Toronto Lynx.

As the second half got underway Force FC legs tired and the squad dropped back into a more defensive posture led by center backs Philip Piper of Yale and Quincy Thomas of Memphis. Pacesetter FC began to exert regular pressure, led by Andre Landell and Kevin Tikhomiroff.

Landell had a strong chance in the 67th minute but fired just wide from the top of the box, and Tikhomiroff had a chance of his own in stoppage time that he also fired wide.

In the end, despite tired legs and minds from their third game in two days in the oppressive Florida heat and humidity, Force FC’s players held on to claim the title.

“At the end there we were dying on our feet and we were defending almost in our six-yard box, which you don’t want to do, but they’ve been amazing,” Edwards said. “We only have 14 guys and I can’t say enough about them. It was fun to watch them.

“Unbelievable.”

With four goals in three games, forward Zachary Zurita of Beachside FC claimed the tournament’s Golden Boot.

PDL News Release

Monday, July 22, 2013

TAMPA, Fla. – The field for the 2013 PDL Playoffs was set on Sunday night as a dramatic night of action saw the final berths in the postseason claimed, and the Thunder Bay Chill claim the regular-season championship for the first time in their history. The Chill will also be one of four hosts for the PDL Conference Championships, also announced on Monday, with Thunder Bay’s Chapples Park the location for the Central Conference Championship.

Also hosting conference championships this weekend are the Austin Aztex, who will host the Southern Conference Championship, the Ocean City Nor’easters, who will host the Eastern Conference Championship, and the Ventura County Fusion, who will host the Western Conference Championship.

The Chill had entered the weekend in control of first place overall in the PDL, but a draw on Friday night against WSA Winnipeg opened up the opportunity for the Fresno Fuego to move ahead with a victory in the final game of the regular season on Sunday night against the LA Misioneros. Needing the win to clinch the title and seal an undefeated regular season, the Fuego were unable to come through as the Misioneros took a 1-0 victory to finish third in the Southwest Division.

The most dramatic game of the night took place in Ocean City, N.J., however, as the Baltimore Bohemians vaulted into second place in the Mid Atlantic Division to secure the club’s first playoff place after rallying from a two-goal deficit to win 3-2 against the Ocean City Nor’easters.

Ocean City had taken a 2-0 lead through goals by Ken Tribbett and Frank Tweneboa, but the Bohemians roared back in the final 15 minutes as Pete Caringi tied the game with goals in the 78th and 88th minutes before goalkeeper Zach Kane scored in the fourth minute of stoppage time from a corner to give his side victory and not only a place in the playoffs, but also home-field advantage against Reading United in Tuesday night’s divisional playoff.

The Chicago Fire PDL also claimed their berth on the final day of the season as they took a 4-1 victory against the Chicago Inferno before K-W United defeated the Toronto Lynx 3-1 to hand the Fire third place in the Great Lakes Division. Luis Medina and Brian Ciesulka each scored twice for the Fire as they moved past the Lynx, who would have gone through with a win against United.

Also decided on Sunday night was the Southeast Division title, which was claimed for the second consecutive season by the Ocala Stampede with a little help from VSI Tampa Bay FC. Ocala held a two-point lead against the Panama City Beach Pirates entering the final day of the season, and having completed their schedule had to look on as the Pirates visited Tampa Bay. VSI’s Andres Navas and Josey Portillo each scored to deny the Pirates the win they needed, however, allowing Ocala to finish atop the standings.

The PDL Playoffs begin on Tuesday night with five divisional playoff games, three of which are set for the Eastern Conference. In addition to Baltimore’s contest with Reading, the Northeast Division’s Ottawa Fury will host the GPS Portland Phoenix, while the Carolina Dynamo will host the Virginia Beach Piranhas.

The other two contests are set for the Great Lakes Division, where the Chicago Fire PDL will visit the Michigan Bucks, and the Northwest Division, where the Portland Timbers U-23s will host the Vancouver Whitecaps U-23. The winners of each of those contests will move on to their respective conference championships this weekend. 

W-League News Release

Sunday, July 21, 2013

TAMPA, Fla. – The participants for the 2013 W-League Championship presented by Nike have been set, with the Carolina Elite Cobras, Laval Comets, Pali Blues and Washington Spirit Reserves set for Friday’s semifinals at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. The semifinal winners will advance to the 2013 W-League Championship final at 3 p.m. Sunday.

Both of Friday’s semifinal matchups and Sunday’s championship and consolation match will be available live on USL Live on UNATION (www.uslnation.com).

The Pali Blues (8-2-2) earned their fourth trip to the final four in their six-year history thanks to a 2-0 victory against the Los Angeles Strikers in Sunday’s Western Conference Final. Wake Forest star Katie Stengel scored once and set up Chioma Ubogagu for the second for Pali in the win. The Blues will face the No. 3-seeded Washington Spirit Reserves (7-3-2), who finished second in the Northeastern Conference but defeated the top overall seed – Virginia Beach – 2-1 in the conference title game.

The Central Conference Champion Laval Comets (8-1-3) enter the championship weekend as the top seed and will face the No. 4-seed Carolina Elite Cobras (5-4-1), who earned their trip to the W-League Championship by defeating the Dayton Dutch Lions in Friday’s Southeastern Conference Championship. Laval captured the Central Conference crown Saturday, knocking off the defending W-League champion Ottawa Fury in penalty kicks.

Of the participants, Pali is the only squad to have captured a W-League title, having taken back-to-back crowns in 2008-09. Pali fell against the Ottawa Fury in the 2012 championship.

2013 W-League Championship presented by Nike
At IMG Academy
Bradenton, Florida

Semifinals
Friday, July 26
#3 Washington Spirit Reserves vs. #2 Pali Blues, 2 p.m. ET
#4 Carolina Elite Cobras vs. #1 Laval Comets, 5 p.m. ET

Consolation
Sunday, July 28, 12 p.m. ET

Championship
Sunday, July 28, 3 p.m. ET

USL PRO News Release

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

TAMPA, Fla. – USL PRO named its Team of the Week for Week 18 of the season on Tuesday, with Richmond Kickers midfielder Brian Ownby earning Player of the Week honors after scoring once and playing a key role as the Kickers extended their USL PRO-record undefeated streak to 19 games.

Ownby, a native of Virginia on loan from Major League Soccer’s Houston Dynamo, has been an integral figure in the Kickers’ success this season. On Friday night he was a catalyst for the Kickers’ comeback in a 2-2 draw against Phoenix FC, and then scored the game-tying goal in a 2-1 victory against the Los Angeles Blues that saw his side move within a point of Orlando City at the top of the USL PRO standings.

Ownby is joined on the Team of the Week by teammate Shane Johnson, who had the game-tying goal in the Kickers’ 2-2 draw against Phoenix. Joining Johnson in the Team of the Week’s defense is Rochester’s Troy Roberts, who put in two solid performances as the Rhinos didn’t concede a goal in either of their contests last week. Charlotte’s Matt Gold also earned selection after the Eagles played to a 0-0 draw with Dayton, for which goalkeeper Matt Williams earned selection after a five-save shutout.

Pittsburgh also had a pair of selections along with Richmond, led by Mike Seth, who had a goal and an assist in the Riverhounds’ 2-1 win against Wilmington. He is joined by defender Andrew Marshall, who put in a pair of strong performances as the Riverhounds earned four points and moved within two of VSI Tampa Bay FC for the final place in the playoffs.

Orlando’s Jean Alexandre joined Ownby in the Team of the Week midfield after he returned from international duty at the Gold Cup, where he captained Haiti, to score twice in the Lions’ 3-1 win against Harrisburg on Saturday night. Charleston’s Nicki Paterson completed the trio after his penalty kick lifted the Battery past the Dayton Dutch Lions on Friday night.

Phoenix’s Tommy Ramos and Harrisburg’s Lucky Mkosana complete the side, with Ramos scoring both goals for the Wolves in their 2-2 draw against Richmond. Mkosana also scored twice during the weekend as he notched the game-winner for the City Islanders in their 2-0 win against VSI Tampa Bay FC on Friday night.

Stay up to date with every game from USL PRO venues in 2013 through the league’s free online streaming service, USLNation.com, and also follow the race for the playoffs via Twitter (@USLPRO), Facebook and Google+ for live updates from every game, every night of the season, plus news, previews and recaps of all the action.

USL PRO Team of the Week

Honorable Mention: Charleston – Jose Cuevas, Odisnel Cooper; Charlotte – Eric Reed; Dayton – Joel DeLass, Remco Klaasse; Harrisburg – Tom Mellor, Jimmy McLaughlin; Los Angeles – Matt Fondy; Orlando – Dennis Chin, Luke Boden; Phoenix: Isaiah Schafer, Reid Schmitt; Pittsburgh – Matt Dallman, Hunter Gilstrap; Richmond – William Yomby, David Bulow; Rochester – Kristian Nicht, Tyler Bellamy; Tampa Bay – Josh Rife, Tony Donatelli; Wilmington – Kyle Greig.

W-20 News Release

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

TAMPA, Fla. – The schedule for the 2013 W-20 Championship presented by Nike was announced today, with the event set to open Thursday at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. The six qualifying teams have been drawn into two groups of three for the group stage, with each team playing a crossover game against a randomly selected opponent from the other group.

Teams will check in on Wednesday, July 24 with group play beginning Thursday morning and continuing through Saturday. The W-20 Championship final will take place at 9 a.m. ET on Sunday, July 28 at IMG Academy's Soccer Complex.

For the first time, all W-20 Championship matches will be available on video through Tourbeau Sports as group stages matches will be available live and on-demand with audio commentary, and final will be available for free on USLNation.com.

GROUP A

Kalamazoo Kingdom
The Kalamazoo Kingdom won the Midwest Division in impressive fashion, scoring 38 goals and conceding only five all season. Olivia Emery, a rising sophomore at Grand Valley State, is one of four players for Kalamazoo who scored at least four goals this season.

Carolina Elite Cobras
The W-20 Cobras join their W-League counterpart in Bradenton this weekend for a chance to claim two titles for the club. Multiple players were key contributors to both the W-League and W-20 teams’ success throughout the season. Stephanie DeVita and Savannah McCaskill helped the W-20 team secure a second-place finish in the South Atlantic Division, and then a week later helped the W-League team qualify for the final four, behind DeVita’s game-winning assist.

Ottawa Fury
Ottawa rounds out Group A, and despite being a young team, finished first in the New England Division. Seventeen-year-old Delphine Laroche has three goals this season for the Fury as they look to build on last year’s championship run, where they finished second in their group behind D.C. United, which lost 1-0 in the finals.

GROUP B

Lake Norman SC
Leading Group B is Lake Norman, which won the South Atlantic Division against Carolina Elite by only three points. Wake Forest transfer Megan Curan will be the key to controlling Lake Norman’s midfield. She is the only current college player on the roster and has two goals this season.

Force Football Club Academy
Oakland University star Kyla Kellermann leads Force Football Club, which finished second in the Midwest Division. Kellermann, a rising junior, was the Summit League Offensive Player of the Year at Oakland and led Force in scoring, averaging more than a goal a game.
 

Fredericksburg Impact
Fredericksburg also returns from last year’s championship and hopes to use its experienced players to claim this year’s W-20 title. Nine players on Fredericksburg’s roster competed for its W-League team this season, including goalkeeper Jesse McGinley, who played more than 800 minutes in net for the W-League team.

The W-20 Championship found a new home in 2012 at the world’s largest and most advanced sports training institution, IMG Academy, and will be held there for the next several years, providing an amazing opportunity for some of the best talent on the continent.

For more than 30 years, IMG Academy has helped countless youth, adult, collegiate and professional athletes reach their full potential in and out of sport. IMG Academy alumni have collectivity won more than 900 tournaments, 107 major championships, 63 MVP awards, 131 All-Star honors, 32 Olympic gold medals, 29 world championships, 5 national titles, and 3 Heisman trophies.

2013 W-20 Championship presented by Nike
At IMG Academy
Bradenton, Florida

Group Play
Thursday, July 25
Group A – Ottawa Fury vs. Kalamazoo Kingdom, 10 a.m. ET
Group B – Fredericksburg Impact vs. Lake Norman SC, 10 a.m. ET
Crossover – Carolina Elite Cobras vs. Force Football Club, 10 a.m. ET

Friday, July 26
Group A – Carolina Elite Cobras vs. Kalamazoo Kingdom, 10 a.m. ET
Group B – Fredericksburg Impact vs. Force Football Club, 10 a.m. ET
Crossover – Ottawa Fury vs. Lake Norman SC, 10 a.m. ET

Saturday, July 27
Group A – Carolina Elite Cobras vs. Ottawa Fury, 10 a.m. ET
Group B – Force Football Club vs. Lake Norman SC, 10 a.m. ET
Crossover – Fredericksburg Impact vs. Kalamazoo Kingdom, 10 a.m. ET

Championship
Sunday, July 28, 9 a.m. ET

Tuesday, July 23rd, 2013

TAMPA, Fla. – The Super-20 League announced its 2013 Championship All-Tournament Team today, honoring Force Football Club Academy forward Bubacarr Jobe as Most Valuable Player for leading his side to the championship this past weekend at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

Jobe scored four goals in five games for Force, but it was his critical goal-scoring ability that led to him being named MVP. With four goals in three games, forward Zachary Zurita of Beachside FC shared the Golden Boot Award with Jobe.

Zurita’s teammate, midfielder Tyler Turner, also was chosen as a member of the team, along with Force defender Quincy Thomas. Midfielders Osagioduwa Malkin and Kevin Tikhomiroff make the All-Tournament Team from Pacesetter SC, the other finalists. Defender Peter Beasley makes his second All-Tournament Team after being named last year in the Chicago Fire’s championship-winning effort. The Fire did not perform as well this year, but USL National Technical Director Peter Mellor was very pleased with their approach.

“The Fire brought in a mix of U16, U18, and U20 players,” Mellor said. “It’s good to see that some teams are preparing for the future and concentrating on a mix between good player development and winning trophies.”

The Safe Hands Award is typically awarded to the best goalkeeper of the tournament, but this year it was a tie between Force FC’s Elliot Tarney and the Toronto Lynx’s Triston Henry. Henry was instrumental in building Toronto’s semifinal run and commanded his line well. Not only did Tarney defend his own goal well, but he sank the decisive goal that put Force into the semifinals from a free kick in stoppage time. Tarney’s performance earned a special spot in the eyes of Mellor.

“From the moment it was given [Tarney] wanted to take it,” Mellor said. “That courage for a keeper to go up in the dying minutes of a game and put the game-deciding play in his own hands 80 yards from his own goal and then the perfect execution – that’s phenomenal.”

Henry is joined on the All-Tournament roster by teammate Matthew Barsalona, who did well in helping his team retain possession from the midfield. IMG Academy defender Eduardo Juarez put in a clinical display despite his team’s early exit. Midfielder Domonik Small was moments away from leading Alamo SC to a semifinal berth and was vital in providing his team with chances.

Men’s Super-20 League All-Tournament Team

GK – Triston Henry, Toronto Lynx
GK – Elliot Tarney, Force Football Club Academy
D – Peter Beasley, Chicago Fire
D – Eduardo Juarez, IMG Academy
D – Quincy Thomas, Force Football Club Academy
D – Tyler Turner, Beachside SC of CT
M – Matthew Barsalona, Toronto Lynx
M – Osagioduwa Malkin, Pacesetter SC
M – Domonik Small, Alamo SC
M – Kevin Tikhomiroff, Pacesetter SC
F – Bubacarr Jobe, Force Football Club Academy
F – Zach Zurita, Beachside SC of CT

USL News Release

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

TAMPA, Fla. – United Soccer Leagues was saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Josef Schulz, the founder of Ft. Lauderdale Schulz Academy, after a battle with cancer at the age of 61. One of the major figures in South Florida soccer, Schulz will be best-known for the discovery and development of current U.S. Men’s National Team standout Jozy Altidore.

“Josef was one of the most influential figures in the transformation of the American elite youth soccer landscape over the past 15 years,” USL President Tim Holt said. “Not only did his Schulz Academy teams win numerous SYL National Championships, but more importantly his club developed dozens of players for the collegiate, professional, and national team levels.

“In recent years, he provided a further platform for the top pre-professional players in South Florida through the PDL team he owned, operated and coached. We are grateful for his contributions to the sport and privileged to have him part of the USL family over the years. Our thoughts are with his wife Barbara and their family.”

After a playing career in the Austrian First Division, while also gaining a doctoral degree in economics at the University of Vienna, Schulz turned to coaching, beginning his career with Vienna FC. He then made the move to Rapid Vienna, the most successful club in the country, and was the General Manager of the side that reached the final of the 1985 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup.

Schulz would eventually move to Florida, where he launched an academy in Palm Beach Gardens for local and international players to continue their development on a year-round basis. After spending time at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Schulz returned to South Florida, where his academy began to thrive.

Schulz Academy was a fixture in the Super Y-League as the league grew from its inception in 1999, but it was the team led by Altidore that won three successive titles from 2004 to 2006 that was its finest hour. In addition to Altidore, the side also contained Edvin Worley, who played professionally with the Wichita Wings of the MISL after a stellar career at Boston College. Current Rochester Rhinos player Matt Luzunaris was another player who came through the club’s system.

In recent years, the club also played in the PDL, with current professionals Darnell King and Shawn Berry, now playing in the Austrian First Division with LASK Linz, having developed as part of the club. Schulz will be remembered by all those who came into his presence as a great nurturer of talent, and someone who provided opportunity to players to fully develop their abilities. 

W-League News Release

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

TAMPA, Fla. – The W-League announced its 2013 All-Conference teams today, honoring the standout players who led their teams during the league’s 19th regular season. The W-League All-Conference Teams, selected through a vote of team management, feature some of the top young women’s soccer talent in the world.

Each of the four teams that will compete in this weekend’s W-League Championship presented by Nike at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida are represented on the All-Conference teams, with the top-seeded Laval Comets leading the way with four selections and the Carolina Elite Cobras and Pali Blues each boasting three. The Northeastern Conference Champion Washington Spirit Reserves placed two players on the All-Conference team.

A total of five players were selected for the second consecutive season, while Pali Blues defender Sasha Andrews earned her third consecutive All-Western Conference nod. Earning their second consecutive selection are Long Island’s Grace Hawkins (Northeastern), Laval’s Catherine Charron-Delage and Nkemjika Ezurike and Ottawa’s Alyscha Mottershead (Central), and Brooke Spence of the Colorado Rapids Women (Western).

The W-League All-League Team will be announced on Wednesday, July 24. The finalists for Coach of the Year, Defender of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player will be announced on Thursday, July 25, with the awards presented at the W-League Championship banquet in Bradenton on Saturday, July 27. Goalkeeper of the Year will also be presented at the banquet.

2013 W-League All-Conference Teams

Southeastern Conference
GK – Elizabeth Hull, Carolina Elite Cobras
D – McCallie Jones, Charlotte Lady Eagles
D – Blakely Mattern, Carolina Elite Cobras
D – Meghan Scharer, Dayton Dutch Lions
D – Ashley Swinehart, Carolina Elite Cobras
MF – Stacy Bishop, VSI Tampa Bay
MF – Leah Fortune, Charlotte Lady Eagles
MF – Amanda Naeher, Charlotte Lady Eagles
F – Emilie Fillion, Dayton Dutch Lions
F – Savannah Jordan, Atlanta Silverbacks
F – Cherie Sayon, Atlanta Silverbacks

Northeastern Conference
GK – Lauren Vetock, Virginia Beach Piranhas
D – Rachel Breton, New Jersey Wildcats
D – Gabby Charno, Long Island Rough Riders
D – Meghan Cox, Washington Spirit Reserves
D – Jessica Kalonji, Virginia Beach Piranhas
MF – Esther Anyanwu, Virginia Beach Piranhas
MF – Amber Stobbs, Wash. Spirit Reserves
MF – Alicia Tirelli, North Jersey Valkyries
F – Jessica Fuccello, New Jersey Wildcats
F – Grace Hawkins, Long Island Rough Riders
F – Shan Jones, Virginia Beach Piranhas

Central Conference
GK – Genevieve Richard, Laval Comets
D – Kathryn Acton, Laval Comets
D – Kadeisha Buchanan, Toronto Lady Lynx
D – Diamond Simpson, K-W United
D – Shelina Zadorsky, Ottawa Fury
MF – Chantelle Campbell, London Gryphons
MF - Catherine Charron-Delage, Laval Comets
MF – Alyscha Mottershead, Ottawa Fury
F – Nkemjika Ezurike, Laval Comets
F – Emily Gielnik, Ottawa Fury
F – Furtuna Velaj, Toronto Lady Lynx

Western Conference
GK – Erin McNulty, Seattle Sounders Women
D – Sasha Andrews, Pali Blues
D – Rachel Daly, Los Angeles Strikers
D – Danielle Johnson, Bay Area Breeze
D – Brooke Spence, Colorado Rapids Women
MF – Melissa Busque, Seattle Sounders Women
MF – Sarah Killion, Pali Blues
MF – Ashley Nick, Pali Blues
F – Ana Borges, Santa Clarita Blue Heat
F – Danica Evans, Colorado Rush
F – Kristen Hamilton, Colorado Rapids Women

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

VANCOUVER, B.C. – The Richmond Kickers concluded their three-game west coast swing in style with a 2-1 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Reserves on Tuesday night at UBC Thunderbird Stadium. Franchise all-time leading scorer Matthew Delicâte and defender Conor Shanosky scored on either side of the half to give the road-weary Kickers the lead for the majority of the match before Whitecaps forward Kekuta Manneh pulled a goal back in stoppage time.

Through the groundbreaking affiliation between USL PRO and MLS, the inter-league match-up counts towards the official USL PRO standings, boosting the Kickers to the top of the table while extending their record-breaking unbeaten streak to 20 regular-season games and 22 games overall.

Determined to be the first team in North America to break the Kickers’ undefeated streak, the Whitecaps pressed forward out of the gates and Manneh drew a free kick deep in Kickers territory inside the first five minutes. On the ensuing free kick, Daigo Kobayashi tested the Kickers goalkeeper from 30-yards out but Andrew Dykstra denied his effort to keep the match scoreless.

Four minutes later, the Whitecaps had their first real opportunity of the match stemming from open play when a confident Erik Hurtado dribbled his way past a handful of Richmond defenders before firing a shot, but Dykstra came up big again to make the block.

Despite the early offensive pressure, it was the Kickers who broke the ice when a nice build-up through the midfield between Luke Vercollone and Philippe Davies found Sascha Görres on the left flank in the 15th minute. The Kickers’ veteran defender served a cross into the box, connecting with Delicâte sandwiched between two defenders and the Kickers all-time leading scorer made no mistake with his flick-on header to the near post.

Looking for the equalizer in the 32nd minute, Aminu Abdallah lobbed a through ball into the path of Kobayashi. The Japanese midfielder’s shot beat Dykstra but was deflected then cleared off the line by a pair of Kickers defenders.

Frustrated by the Kickers’ staunch defense to close out the first half, the Whitecaps peppered their visitors with shots just past the hour mark. First, Hurtado beat several defenders off the dribble before firing a shot that was saved by Dykstra. Then, Greg Klazura also saw his shot parried by Dykstra. In the last of the string of chances, Manneh carried the ball from midfield into Richmond’s box, before laying it off to forward Corey Hertzog, but his resulting effort glanced just wide.

Minutes later, and just seconds after entering the match as a second half substitute, midfielder Nate Robinson served in a free kick from the left edge of the box. Shanosky leapt to redirect his nod just inside the far post to double the lead in the 63rd minute.

Holding the MLS Reserves into stoppage time, the Kickers conceded a last-gasp goal when a giveaway in the midfield allowed Kobayashi to intercept the ball and feed it through to Manneh 30 yards out. The swift forward eluded defenders and cut inside to take on Dykstra 1v1 before slotting his low driven shot into the left corner. However, it was a case of too little, too late for the Whitecaps, as the Kickers held on to steal the full three points.

After a month on the road, the Kickers return to City Stadium to host VSI Tampa Bay FC this Sunday, July 28. Kickoff is set for 5:00 p.m. and tickets are on sale now at RichmondKickers.com.

W-League News Release

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

TAMPA, Fla. – The W-League announced its 2013 All-League Team today, featuring four players who will compete at this weekend’s W-League Championship presented by Nike at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. The 2013 W-League All-League Team was selected through a vote of team management.

The Laval Comets, who are the top seed this weekend, had two players chosen with goalkeeper Genevieve Richard and defender Kathryn Acton both honored. Laval features the league’s stingiest defense, allowing only seven goals in 12 games.

Laval’s opponent in Friday’s W-League semifinal, the Carolina Elite Cobras, is represented by defender Blakely Mattern, who recorded two goals and an assist in 10 games for the Southeastern Conference champions. Midfielder Ashley Nick of the Western Conference champion Pali Blues was selected after serving as one of Pali’s offensive catalysts with seven goals in 12 games.

The entire 2013 W-League All-League Team is made up of first-time selections with a trio of W-League rookies comprising the forward line. Kristen Hamilton of the Colorado Rapids Women - who joined Laval with two selections - Shan Jones of the Virginia Beach Piranhas and Savannah Jordan of the Atlanta Silverbacks make up the attacking trio.

The finalists for Coach of the Year, Defender of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player will be announced on Thursday, with the awards presented at the W-League Championship banquet in Bradenton on Saturday. Goalkeeper of the Year will also be presented at the banquet.

2013 All-W-League Team
 

PDL News Release

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

TAMPA, Fla. – The 16 teams that will compete in the four PDL Conference Championships were finalized on Tuesday night as the Ottawa Fury, Reading United, Carolina Dynamo, Michigan Bucks and Portland Timbers U-23s all advanced through their division playoff contests.

The Timbers U-23s needed a penalty shootout to advance past the Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-23 in the Northwest Division, with goalkeeper David Meves scoring the decisive fifth kick to give his side a 5-4 win after the two teams had played to a 1-1 draw after regulation and extra time. The Timbers U-23s will face the Fresno Fuego on Saturday in the Western Conference Championship semifinals, with the Victoria Highlanders meeting the Ventura County Fusion in the other semifinal.

Reading also needed extra time to advance against the Baltimore Bohemians, and got goals in the additional 30 minutes from Fatai Alashe and Dante Marini, both off assists by Jason Plumhoff, to take a 3-1 victory and move on from the Mid Atlantic Division playoff. United will now face Ottawa in Saturday’s Eastern Conference Championship semifinals, with the Fury pulling away for a 6-0 victory against the GPS Portland Phoenix in the Northeast Division playoff behind a hat trick by Carl Haworth.

The Carolina Dynamo round out the Eastern Conference Championship field after a late goal by Sebastian Ibeagha earned a 2-1 victory against the Virginia Beach Piranhas in the South Atlantic Division playoff. The Dynamo, who reached last season’s PDL Championship Game, will meet the Ocean City Nor’easters in Saturday’s semifinals.

The Michigan Bucks got a big second half, and goals from four different players, to defeat the Chicago Fire PDL 4-0 to advance in the Great Lakes Division playoff. Dion Peters opened the scoring, and his goal was followed by strikes by Zach Steinberger, Matt Walker and Kenny Uzoigwe, setting up a contest with the Thunder Bay Chill on Saturday in the Central Conference Championship semifinals. FC London and the Real Colorado Foxes will meet in the second semifinal.

The 2013 PDL Playoffs continue Friday night with the semifinals of the Southern Conference Championship, hosted by the Austin Aztex. The opening semifinal will see the Ocala Stampede face the Laredo Heat, with the host Aztex then meeting the Panama City Beach Pirates in the second semifinal.

The four conference champions will convene for the 2013 PDL Championship, to be held at a location to be determined from August 2-4, 2013.