USL PRO Game Report

Saturday, July 12, 2014

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Continuing its impressive 2014 USL PRO unbeaten run, Orlando City SC (14-0-3, 45 points) defeated the Wilmington Hammerheads 2-0 at ESPN Wide World of Sports on Saturday night. Dennis Chin and Anthony Pulis both scored for Orlando as the Lions extend their unbeaten run to 17 consecutive matches.

“I’m obviously delighted to get the win and keep the run going, which is important,” said Lions coach Adrian Heath. “I thought that there were some excellent performances on our end. We dictated things throughout the entire game and probably had the ball for most of the evening.”

Due to the wet conditions, both sides had a slow start in the opening minutes as they tried to feel each other out. The first sign of action came in the seventh minute when Kevin Molino drove a low effort that skipped just wide of the target.

Four minutes later, Tommy Redding nearly scored his first goal of the 2014 campaign from a deep corner served into the box from Darwin Ceren. The El Salvadorian’s corner floated to the back-post and Molino knocked it back into the danger area for Redding, whose effort was cleared off the line.

The majority of the first half featured keep-away soccer as Orlando was in full control of possession, forcing Wilmington to chase all over the pitch. When Wilmington did manage to gain possession, the Lions’ midfield and defense closed them down quickly.

As the half progressed, Orlando’s possession finally created an end-product when Chin found the back of the net in the 33rd minute. The goal was the result of good build-up play on the edge of the penalty area with quick one-touch passing that saw Molino find Chin in the box with ample space. Heading into tonight’s match, the Oviedo native hadn’t scored since bagging a brace against Oklahoma City on May 4, but tonight he displayed clinical proficiency with a calm finish past Wilmington goalkeeper Quillan Roberts.

To open up the second half, Orlando found the back of the net once again after Molino was clumsily fouled by Sammy Ochoa inside the penalty area, resulting in a penalty kick being awarded in Orlando’s favor in the 49th minute. Veteran midfielder Anthony Pulis converted the penalty, sending Roberts the wrong way as he placed his effort in the bottom-right hand corner.

Molino nearly added a third in the 60th minute and the 89th minute, but a big save from Roberts and a foul called by the referee kept the club’s first MLS signing off the scoresheet as he aims to jump back into first place on the USL PRO scoring table.

New signing Giuseppe Gentile made his first appearance in purple and white when he was brought on by Head Coach Adrian Heath in the 75th minute. The former Chicago Fire striker nearly scored in the 87th minute with a clever flick, but Roberts once again managed a big save to prevent further damage.

City will now begin preparing for its upcoming road fixture against Sacramento. The California-based club will prove to be a strong test for Orlando as the Lions look to extend their unbeaten run and a 10-point lead over the Richmond Kickers.

For more information, including tickets to future Orlando City home games, visit www.OrlandoCitySC.com or call 855-ORL-CITY.

PDL Game Report

Saturday, July 12, 2014

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – The Des Moines Menace accomplished what they needed, but not what they wanted.

After they rallied for a 1-1 draw with the St. Louis Lions, the Menace clinched the PDL’s Heartland Division title at Valley Stadium on Saturday night.

Needing just one point to seal the championship, the Menace got just that. Goal-scorer Rich Ballard and goalkeeper Paul Blanchette emerged as Saturday night’s heroes. In the running for the PDL’s regular-season title with three games left, the 9-1-1 Menace have clinched the franchise’s third division crown – its first in five years.

Des Moines will bring a sense of unfinished business into a busy last week of the season – Tuesday at Springfield and a Friday-Saturday home doubleheader against WSA Winnipeg.

“It’s a pretty huge accomplishment,” Ballard said of the division title. “We don’t stop here, though. We know we can win it all. We click so well off the field, it brings high spirits into our games. We’re all pushing each other; we’re all in it together.”

Blanchette preserved the draw with a pair of superhuman saves in the 76th minute. After making a miraculous, acrobatic stop of a curling shot going into the upper-corner of the far post, the goalkeeper scrambled back to paw away an effort on the goal line, after a lurking Lion thought he had the easy rebound volley.

“It’s definitely amazing, to be part of a division championship,” Blanchette said. “It’s mixed emotions, though. My mistake at the beginning cost us, and put is in that position. It’s a game we should have won.”

The Lions drew first blood in the 13th minute, pouncing on a miscue by the Menace’s normally reliable backline. Jordan Roberts collected a misplayed clearance, found some space and curled a 25-yard shot out of Blanchette’s reach. Entering tonight, the Menace had allowed just one goal at home, and the team had a 14-1 scoring advantage in the first half.

Ballard leveled the game with a strike to the left post. After receiving an cross from scoring leader Chris Hellmann, Ballard controlled the ball eight yards from the goal. With a touch on the outside of his left foot, he struck the ball cleanly into the net for his first Menace goal.

“Pretty happy, but wish we could’ve come back for the win,” said Ballard. “At least we tied it up.”

The title-sealing result keeps alive the Menace’s seven-match unbeaten streak. Head coach Mike Jeffries’ team is one win from sealing the Central Conference crown. The Menace will learn this week if the team will be hosting the opening weekend of the PDL Playoffs, July 25-27.

St. Louis, meanwhile, is still in the running for the division’s second and final playoff spot. The Lions (4-3-4) need at least a couple wins and one tie in their final three games.

USL PRO Game Report

Saturday, July 12, 2014

RICHMOND, Va. – Matthew Delicâte’s two second-half goals led the Richmond Kickers to a 2-1 victory against Sacramento Republic FC on Saturday night at City Stadium. Delicâte’s 11th and 12th goals on the season are good enough to move him into a tie for the USL PRO-lead in goals.

After a scoreless first half, Richmond fans thought they had the opening goal in the 49th minute. Shay Spitz played the ball over the top of the defense to Michael Seaton, whose subsequent volley found the left side netting. However the play was called back as Seaton scored in an offside position.

Richmond’s next chance came in the 55th minute, when Spitz found Luke Vercollone just inside the box. Vercollone found himself in a pocket of space initially, but a late challenge by Nemanja Vukovic caused him to push his shot wide left.

In the 62nd minute, Vercollone found a charging Kyle Porter down the right side. Porter attempted to catch Republic FC goalkeeper Jake Gleeson off his line, but the keeper was able to recover and knock the shot over the bar.

Sacramento broke the ice in the 64th minute on header by Adam Jahn. Emrah Klimenta began the movement by dancing around Richmond defender Sascha Görres, and he whipped a cross into the box. His cross was met by the head of Yomby, but his header went only as far as the back post where Jahn was waiting to nod the ball home.

Richmond found their equalizer two minutes later, however, as Samuel Asante sent a long ball to Jason Yeisley, who flicked the ball on past the defense. Yeisley’s flick found Delicâte in on the goalkeeper, and the veteran striker did the rest by beating Gleeson to his left.

Richmond scored the go-ahead goal with 11 minutes to go. Defender Alex Lee switched the play to George Davis IV, who found himself with room to maneuver down the left wing. Davis beat his defender to the byline before centering for Delicâte, who made a diagonal run across the goal. Delicâte dragged the ball past Gleeson and into the back of the net for Richmond’s second.

Sacramento had a chance at the equalizer in the 88th minute on a late corner, but Richmond goalkeeper Joe Willis was quick off his line to glove the ball before any damage could be done.

Richmond had the first chance of the night in the sixth minute on a shot from Spitz, who received a ball that was chipped over the defense by Davis IV, and hit a low shot that missed wide right. 

Richmond featured some nice combination play from Porter and Seaton in the 21st minute as Porter connected with Seaton on a throw-in, who returned the favor by finding Porter down the right side. Porter’s cross into the box drew Gleeson off his line, and into some acrobatics. Gleeson juggled the initial cross, and just as Davis IV was about to make an attempt at the ball, Gleeson tipped it over his head before securing it.

Sacramento had its first chance of the game in the 22nd minute. Klimenta made a long run down the left wing before sending a cross into the box. His cross found the head of Justin Braun in the six-yard box, but his header went straight down before being cleared by Richmond defender William Yomby.

On the ensuing play, Braun slipped a through-ball to Klimenta who carried the ball to the end line. Klimenta cut the ball back on the ground to Jahn, who fanned on his shot. 

Sacramento’s final chance in the half came in the 32nd minute on a shot by Ivan Mirkovic, who received a ball from Tommy Thompson just outside the box, and rifled a shot into the gloves of Willis.

The Kickers return to City Stadium next Saturday, July 19 to host the Charleston Battery and SUMMER FEST, presented by Bounce 2 the Moon at City Stadium.  Gates open at 5:30 p.m. with splash zone, inflatable games, live music, food trucks and draft beer trucks.  Four tickets for $20 before 6:30 p.m.

W-League Match Report

Saturday, July 12, 2014

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - In a must-win game against the Carolina Elite Cobras, the Charlotte Lady Eagles took a 2-1 victory Saturday night, pushing them into a Southeastern Conference title game matchup against the Gulf Coast Texans.

The Lady Eagles will host the Texans on Saturday, July 19 at 7 p.m. The winner will advance to the 2014 W-League Championship at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

The Lady Eagles started out with a good push and in the second minute when Leah Fortune had a good shot that almost opened the scoring, but Carolina goalkeeper Rose Hull punched it out over the crossbar to keep the game scoreless. In the 19th minute the Cobras struck first when forward Savannah McCaskill was played through the Lady Eagles' offside trap by Lydia Vandenbergh.  McCaskill's shot slipped underneath Robyn Jones and put the visitors up 1-0.

The Lady Eagles quickly back quickly in the 33rd minute when Emmi Dunn took a pass from Alex Brandt and took a shot from distance past Hull into the top-right corner to tie the game. Less than five minutes later Fortune intercepted a Hull was pass attempt and dribbled it past two defenders in front of the net for an unassisted goal to put the Lady Eagles up 2-1 in the 37th minute.

Coming back from the half the Lady Eagles continued to get a number of opportunities to widen the gap but could not capitalize. Amanda Naeher had free kick attempts in the 70th and 73rd minutes, but sent both just over the crossbar.

The second half remained scoreless and the Lady Eagles were able to hold on for  the win. Tickets for the Southeastern Conference Championship match can be purchased online at a discounted rate until the day of the game. Tickets can also be purchased at the gate. 

PDL Game Report

Saturday, July 12, 2014

LAREDO, Texas – The Laredo Heat closed their 2014 home schedule on Saturday night with a touch of first-half flair as they defeated the Mississippi Brilla 2-0 at the Texas A&M International University Soccer Complex. With the victory, the Heat re-enter the Mid-South Division’s postseason qualification position, holding the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Midland-Odessa Sockers with each team facing the Houston Dutch Lions in their respective season finales.

Forward Felix Garcia and midfielder Miguel Fernandez both bulged the net in the first 45 minutes on Saturday, while goalkeeper Jorge Ortega and his backline clinched a clean sheet in the rubber match between the two teams. The Brilla and Heat split the season series before Saturday’s match, with the home teams standing victorious in each affair.

The Heat (6-4-3, 21 points) control their playoff destiny, securing qualification if they win at Houston on July 19. The Heat will also qualify if the Sockers lose at Houston on Sunday night with the Heat’s regular season finale holding no consequences. If both teams draw, Laredo qualifies by again holding the tiebreaker. If the Heat fall in their finale and the Sockers win or draw, then Laredo would be left out of the postseason for the first time in its decade-long existence.

Against the Brilla (3-7-3, 12 points) on Saturday, Laredo opened with an onslaught on goal as Garcia tried chipping Brilla goalkeeper Carl Blundell but floated it over the crossbar. Blundell made two saves in the first 11 minutes of the match, but Garcia finally finished a chance for the early lead in the 16th minute.

Joao Monteiro blazed the left touchline and delivered a skipping cross to the near post, where Garcia flicked it into the nylon for his fourth goal of the season. He nearly nailed a brace in the 33rd minute, but saw the strike sail inches over the crossbar again. Garcia later sustained an ankle injury that forced his removal from the match in the 58th minute.

The Heat doubled their lead in the 42nd minute, when the Brilla fouled Heat left back Frank Lara just outside the 18-yard box and slightly left of center – creating a tantalizing free kick within striking range. Lara stood over the ball, but rather than launching a left-footed laser, he laid off an alternate-angle ball for Fernandez – who sent a right-footed strike inside the far post from about 20 yards.

With the 2-0 advantage at home, Laredo increased its pressure throughout the final 45 minutes. The Heat peppered Blundell with nine of their 15 total shots in the second half, forcing three of his five saves. If not for the high activity of the assistant referee and his six second-half offside stoppages, Blundell may have faced more.

The Heat will close their season at Houston on July 19 with a 7:30 p.m. kickoff. That match will be streamed live on YouTube at www.YouTube.com/LaredoHeatSC.

The Southern Conference Championship will be played at the Austin Aztex’s House Park on July 25-27 with the Mid South champion Aztex facing the Southeast Division’s second place finisher, while the Heat – if they qualify – would face the Southeast champion. The Ocala Stampede (8-1-2, 26 points) currently sit atop the Southeast table with a game in hand over the SW Florida Adrenaline (6-2-4, 22 points). The Adrenaline have one match remaining while Ocala has two.

W-League News Release

Sunday, July 13, 2014

TAMPA, Fla. – The W-League announced the schedule for its four conference championships today, with the Charlotte Lady Eagles, LA Blues, Ottawa Fury FC and Washington Spirit Reserves hosting championships this Friday and Saturday.  Three of the four conference title games are set, with the Central Conference play-in match between K-W United FC and the Laval Comets scheduled for Tuesday night.

The four conference champions that emerge from next weekend’s action will travel to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida July 25-27 to compete at the 2014 W-League Championship presented by Nike.

The LA Blues (12-0-0) earned the regular season title thanks to a perfect season, scoring 50 goals and allowing only four in the process. Formed through an off-season merger of the LA Strikers and the 2013 W-League Champions the Pali Blues, LA will host the Western Conference Championship on Saturday, July 19 at 7:30 p.m. PT at Occidental College. The Blues will face the expansion Colorado Pride (9-2-1), who clinched second place in the conference Friday night with a strong 4-0 win against the Seattle Sounders Women. The Pride, who lost 2-0 at LA in the only meeting this season, are in excellent form having rattled off six consecutive wins to finish the regular season.

The Southeastern Conference race came down to the wire Saturday night, with the expansion Gulf Coast Texans claiming the regular season title thanks to a 1-1 draw against Atlanta. Due to stadium availability issues that leave them unable to host, the Texans will travel to face the No. 2 seed Charlotte Lady Eagles Saturday in the conference title game. Charlotte advanced Friday by defeating the Carolina Elite Cobras 2-1 in a winner-take-all showdown.

The Washington Spirit Reserves cruised to their fourth consecutive Northeastern Conference title with a record of 10-0-2. Washington will welcome the Braddock Road Stars Elite to the Maryland SoccerPlex on Friday night. In its first W-League season, Braddock Road completed a remarkable turnaround by defeating North Jersey 3-0 Saturday to advance to the title match.

The Central Conference will once again see three teams advance to the post-season, as second-place K-W United FC will host the third-place Laval Comets on Tuesday night for the right to face the No. 1-seed Fury. Ottawa, which closed out the season at 11-0-1, will welcome the winner of that match on Saturday at 3 p.m. ET at the Algonquin College Soccer Complex.

Central Conference Championship

Play-in Game

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Wilfrid Laurier University - Alumni Field, Waterloo, Ontario
No. 3 Laval Comets at No. 2 K-W United FC, 7 p.m. ET

Conference Championship

Saturday, July 19, 2014

Algonquin College Soccer Complex, Ottawa, Ontario
Play-in winner at No. 1 Ottawa Fury FC, 3 p.m. ET

Northeastern Conference Championship

Friday, July 18, 2014

Maryland SoccerPlex, Germantown, Maryland
No. 2 Braddock Road Stars Elite at No. 1 Washington Spirit Reserves 7 p.m. ET

Southeastern Conference Championship

Saturday, July 19, 2014

Queens Sports Complex, Charlotte, N.C.
No. 1 Gulf Coast Texans at No. 2 Charlotte Lady Eagles, 7 p.m. ET

Western Conference Championship

Saturday, July 19, 2014

Occidental College, Los Angeles, California
No. 2 Colorado Pride vs. No. 1 LA Blues, 10:30 p.m. ET

PDL Game Report

Sunday, July 13, 2014

SUMNER, Wash. – The Victoria Highlanders FC (8-3-3, 27pts) claimed a 2-1 victory against the Sounders FC U-23 (5-6-2, 17 pts) on Sunday afternoon at Sunset Stadium. A stoppage-time own goal by Sounders U-23 defender Austin Dunker was the difference in an otherwise evenly played match.

The Highlanders got on the board first in the 32nd minute after threatening with some earlier good looks. Victoria forward Cam Hundal picked up a loose ball at the top of the Sounders U-23 penalty area, took a touch around his marker and lined up a shot as he moved to his left across the top of the area. Hundal fired a low left-footed shot back across goal and buried it into the side netting for the 1-0 lead.

The Sounders U-23 nearly had the equalizer in the closing moments of the half. Sounders U-23 midfielder Michael Bajza played a pass into the penalty area where Mo Dumbuya was running on. With a defender on his hip, Dumbuya got a touch on the ball just as the Highlanders keeper Elliot Mitrou was closing him down. Mitrou was able to keep the Sounders off the scoreboard as he slid in to deflect the best look for the Sounders U-23 away to keep the Highlanders in front 1-0 at halftime.

The Sounders U-23 quickly leveled the score coming out of the halftime break. Sounders U-23 left midfielder, Luis Esteves found himself alone in front of the goal on the receiving end of a Dumbuya pass. Esteves was able to turn and beat Mitrou with a clinical low shot into the corner to level the score.

For the remainder of the half, both sides struggled to put any meaningful chances on target. The most exciting play of the second half came in stoppage time as both sides pushed for a game-winning goal. Highlanders forward and first half goal scorer, Hundal, picked up the ball on the left side of the Sounders box and ran toward goal. He sent a low driving ball toward the back post past a diving Sounders U-23 keeper, Jefferson Caldwell. In an effort to clear the danger, Dunker slid in to intercept the ball, but instead redirected it straight into the Sounders U-23 net, sealing the game for the Highlanders at 2-1.

The win moved the Highlanders into second place in the Northwest Division, and they will now host the Vancouver Whitecaps FC  U-23 on Wednesday night in a divisional playoff for a place in the Western Conference Championship alongside division winner the Kitsap Pumas. Kickoff at Royal Athletic Park is set for 7 p.m. PT.

MLS Round-Up

Monday, July 14, 2014

It might just be coincidence, but whenever Sporting Kansas City’s Dom Dwyer has come up against the Montreal Impact this season, goals have been quick to follow.

Dwyer, a 2013 USL PRO All-League selection for Orlando City, scored his fifth and sixth goals of the season against the Impact this Saturday night - including the game-winner in the 89th minute - to lead SKC to a 2-1 victory to remain in second place in the MLS Eastern Conference standings. Dwyer currently sits second in the race for the MLS Golden Boot with 14 goals, just one short of his regular-season record total for the Lions last season.

“I think I maybe got lucky this year,” Dwyer told SportingKC.com’s Kurt Austin. “I'm just delighted that we have three points. That was the goal tonight and that's all that matters to me. It's nice to get two goals but three points and we're buzzing right now.”

Dwyer became the 10th player in MLS history to score at least six goals in a regular season against the same team, and the first to do so in the league’s post-expansion era since 2005. His work-rate, which was consistently on display in USL PRO last season, has propelled him to the verge of an MLS All-Star Game appearance, and drew the admiration of his head coach.

“He is a handful,” SKC coach Peter Vermes said. “He’s got a work ethic that is incredible and at the same time an incredible hunger to score goals. He really doesn’t stop until you take him off the field. His hunger and his courage are two things that win the day for him.”

The side Sporting KC is chasing in the Eastern Conference, D.C. United, remained two points clear in the standings as former Orange County Blue Star standout Luis Silva had the game-winner in United’s 2-1 win against the San Jose Earthquakes on Friday night.

A pair of former PDL standouts had outstanding finishes that earned nomination for MLS Goal of the Week, as 2012 All-League selection Deshorn Brown of the Colorado Rapids and 2012 All-Western Conference selection Gyasi Zardes of the LA Galaxy both helped their sides earn points on Saturday.

At the other end of the field, former Michigan Bucks goalkeeper Steve Clark of the Columbus Crew and former Atlanta Blackhawks goalkeeper Sean Johnson were nominated for MLS Save of the Week. Johnson’s penalty save - and performance overall - proved crucial as the Fire took a 1-0 win against the New England Revolution, and earned him MLS Team of the Week honors.

Other PDL alumni named to the Team of the Week included former Austin Aztex midfielder Dillon Powers, who helped Colorado rally to earn a 3-3 draw in Philadelphia, and former Cleveland Internationals defender Chris Korb, who helped D.C. United remain solid at the back as it claimed victory in San Jose.

USL PRO Game Report

Monday, July 14, 2014

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Sacramento Republic FC moved into third place in the USL PRO standings as Tommy Stewart's early goal earned a 1-0 victory against the Charlotte Eagles on Monday night at the Queens Sports Complex. Republic FC's 10th win of the season jumped them past the LA Galaxy II as they earned a split in their two-game east coast road trip.

The game started off quickly with chances for both teams, but Sacramento opened up the scoring when Stewart collect a ball that wrong-footed Charlotte defender J.J. Greer. Stewart was able to sneak past Bilal Duckett and slip a shot underneath Eagles goalkeeper Alec Kann to give the visitors the lead only 10 minutes in.

The Eagles kept pressure on and in the 22nd minute came close to an equalizer when Zak Boggs controlled a long pass and sent a low cross in front of the goal, only for a final touch from a teammate to be absent. Three minutes later a free kick by Jorge Herrera was parried away to safety by Republic FC goalkeeper Jake Gleeson as the shot arrowed toward the right corner of the net.

Another opportunity presented itself when Boggs intercepted a Sacramento pass and was tripped at the top of the penalty area, which gave the Eagles another dangerous free kick in the 27th minute. Herrera’s cross found an unmarked Fred Sekyere, but the Ghanaian midfielder's header struck the post and was cleared by the Republic FC defense as Sacramento held onto its lead at the break.

The game opened up more in the second half up as both teams were able to create scoring opportunities. Both Kann for Charlotte and Gleeson for Sacramento stood tall, however, as Kann made a couple of stops as the Republic FC attack tried to test him from distance, while Gleeson controlled his penalty area well in dealing with Eagles’ crosses.

Charlotte had some good pressure late in the game, only to have its chances repelled by a stout Sacramento defense, which recorded its fourth shutout of  the season. The Eagles now head to Pittsburgh and Dayton for a two-game road trip that begins on Thursday night against the Riverhounds at Highmark Stadium at 7 p.m. ET. Sacramento returns home to host league-leaders Orlando City on Thursday night at Bonney Field.

The Eagles will return home to host the Wilmington Hammerheads on Saturday, July 26th at 7 p.m. ET at Queens Sports Complex.

PDL Game Report

Monday, July 14, 2014

HILLSBORO, Ore. — Midfielder Foster Langsdorf tallied his first goal of the season as the Portland Timbers U-23s played to a 1-1 draw against Washington Crossfire in their final match of the 2014 PDL season on Monday night at Liberty High School.

Langsdorf opened the scoring for the Timbers U-23s (5-4-5, 20pts) in the 16th minute. Midfielder Sam Werner found space on the left flank, sending a pass across the front of the goal to Langsdorf, who finished with a one-touch shot to give Portland a 1-0 lead. The assist was Werner’s first of the season.

Pushing numbers forward, the Crossfire (3-6-5, 14pts) equalized in the 90th minute as defender Parker Holland scored with a header off a long free kick.

The Timbers U-23s nearly opened the scoring in the fifth minute, but defender Bobby Conner’s header from a corner kick was knocked away by Crossfire goalkeeper Mike Arguello.

Portland controlled the majority of possession and came close to doubling its lead in the 71st minute when Langsdorf found midfielder Lucas Stauffer with a diagonal ball across field, but Stauffer’s shot hit the crossbar.

Holding a 10-9 advantage in shots, the Timbers U-23s earned six corner kicks to Washington’s four in the match. Portland goalkeeper Justin Luthy tallied five saves.

The Timbers U-23s finished the 2014 campaign unbeaten in their last seven matches (4-0-3) and finished the regular season in fourth place in the Northwest Division.

Southern West Virginia King's Warriors News Release -- www.wvkingswarriors.org

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

BLUEFIELD, W.V. -- The Southern West Virginia King's Warriors will play their final two regular-season games this week, both at home, with a PDL playoff berth and the South Atlantic Division title on the line.

Southern West Virginia (6-4-2 for 20 points) has won four games in a row, and its playoff fate is in its own hands. On Tuesday, the King's Warriors will host the Carolina Dynamo at the East River Soccer Complex at 7 p.m., and on Saturday they will close out the regular season at home against in-state rival the West Virginia Chaos. If the King's Warriors win both games, they will punch their ticket for the PDL Playoffs.

To add to the intrigue, both of the Southern West Virginia's opponents this week are also in the playoff hunt. It starts Tuesday against the Dynamo. The loser of the match will be eliminated from the playoff race. If the teams tie, Carolina would be eliminated but the King's Warriors would still be alive.

The King's Warriors are unbeaten at home this season at 4-0-1. The Dynamo is 1-3-1 on the road so far this season, while the Chaos are 2-2-2 away from Charleston, W.V.

"I would simply reiterate the approach we have taken from the beginning," said Southern West Virginia Head Coach Scott Reitnour. "This type of approach builds credibility with the coaches who send us players. As we head into the final week of the regular season, in the midst of a playoff race, it is difficult not to get distracted by the league table. Our goal as a team is to continue to focus on the processes that have brought us to this point.

"We will continue to focus on player development. We want to ensure the boys return to their collegiate environments in perfect health, in fine form and ready to contribute to their team cultures. Our main focus Tuesday night will be on playing to our own standard, playing for each other, and playing for an audience of one."

Southern West Virginia is coming off a 3-0 victory against the River City Rovers this past Saturday, its fourth straight win. During the four-game winning streak, the King's Warriors have outscored their opponents 11-4. The Dynamo, meanwhile, kept their playoff hopes alive this past Saturday with a must-win 3-1 victory against the Cincinnati Dutch Lions in Greensboro, N.C.

"It's a big game as the winner will inevitably kill off the other team's playoff hopes," said Southern West Virginia midfielder Sam Blackman. "The lads are treating it as a semi-final type game as three points lines up a winner-take-all game with West Virginia on Saturday. But all the chaps are focused on getting a positive result tomorrow, enjoying the game and representing this club in a positive manner as that's what it is really about."

The King's Warriors are 1-1-0 so far in the three-game season series with Carolina. Southern West Virginia was defeated 4-1 in Greensboro on June 21, but came back to get its first-ever victory against the Dynamo in the team's three-year existence at home on June 28 with a 2-1 triumph.

King's Warriors' leading scorer Gideon Asante gave his take on Tuesday's game. "Well with our preparation for this game, we are going come out and play to glorify the Lord. And with that being said, we are not going to dwell on either a win or a loss but we are going to play hard to our highest potential."

Charleston Battery News Release -- www.charlestonbattery.com

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Jose "Chiva" Cuevas -- the PDL prospect from California who earned league Rookie of the Year honors and was named MVP of the USL PRO Championship Game in 2012 -- has returned to Charleston for the remainder of the 2014 season, pending U.S. Soccer approval.

"Getting Jose back gives us a good option," said Battery Coach Mike Anhaeuser. "He's scored goals for us. He can put the ball in the back of the net.

"But the other thing that people don't see is that he can get the assist. He gets good balls in from free kicks and the run of play. And that's something we've maybe been missing throughout the beginning of the season. We hope he can expand on that and give us a little extra punch here as we push for the playoffs."

Cuevas came close to cracking the Battery roster in 2011, but returned to PDL 's Fresno Fuego for an additional season. Anhaeuser signed Cuevas in early 2012, and he made an immediate impression on April 7 with two goals against the Richmond Kickers in his first league appearance. Cuevas quickly established himself as one of the league's most creative attackers, and capped his first season by assisting Mike Azira on the lone goal in the Battery's Championship win over Wilmington.

His 2013 preseason picked up where he'd left off in 2012, but Cuevas was injured in the regular-season opener and didn't fully return to form until late summer, when he helped lift the Battery to the third seed in the playoffs. He received credit for an assist in the Battery's 3-2 loss at Orlando in the USL PRO semifinal.

Cuevas and the Battery were unable to reach an agreement last fall to bring him back for the 2014 season, and Cuevas returned to Farmersville, Calif., where he coached at his former high school and rejoined the Fuego. He currently leads PDL in assists with seven in 11 appearances.

"It's a lot of emotions I can't even explain," the 25-year-old Cuevas said Tuesday afternoon just minutes after joining the team. "I'm glad to see the guys, they've given me a warm welcome, and it's good to be back."

K-W United FC News Release - http://www.kwunitedfc.com

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

WATERLOO, Ont. - For the first time in franchise history, K-W United FC will field a playoff team when the W-League squad takes the pitch tonight against the Laval Comets at Alumni Field. K-W finished the regular season with a 6-3-3 record, earning the No.2 seed in the Central Conference.

As a result, K-W hosts the Central Conference semifinal game, with the winner heading to Ottawa to take on the No. 1 Fury on Saturday. A home game will be to the advantage of K-W, which will have a solid crowd behind it in a smaller venue than usual. United has moved to Alumni Field for the event, with free admission for the match.

In face-to-face matches this season, Laval and K-W are tied with a win apiece. At the end of June K-W defeated the Comets 1-0 at University Stadium before dropping their final game of the regular season 3-0 in Laval.

K-W has relied heavily on its defensive core of Kelsey Tikka, Kelly Cook, Elysia Masters, Kira Bertrand and Lia Foster this season and will turn to them again to keep its championship hopes alive. Leading scorer Leticia Skeete will be one to watch going forward. Skeete has scored four goals and recorded two assists in 12 games and registered a total of 22 shots. Emily Brown and Nicole Lyon also shape the forwards, with three goals each, while Lyon also recorded two assists.

The game will mark several firsts for the club, as this is the first W-League playoff game in franchise history, first playoff game (men's or women's) for the club in franchise history. 
 

USL PRO News Release

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

TAMPA, Fla. – USL PRO named its Team of the Week for Week 17 of the 2014 season on Tuesday as Richmond Kickers forward Matt Delicâte was named Player of the Week. Delicâte came off the bench to score both goals as the Kickers took a 2-1 victory against Sacramento Republic FC on Saturday.

Aiming to strengthen their hold on second place in the league standings against the fourth-placed Republic FC, the Kickers trailed when Delicâte was introduced with 25 minutes remaining. With his first touch he brought Richmond level, as a flicked header by Jason Yeisley put the veteran forward in on goal for a good finish into the right corner of the net. Delicâte then gave Richmond victory with a well-timed near-post run and finish that put home a low cross from George Davis IV for his 12th goal of the season.

Delicâte was joined on the Team of the Week attack by Rochester’s Colin Rolfe, who had a goal and an assist to lead the Rhinos past FC Dallas Reserves in a 3-0 win Friday night. Arizona’s Brad Stisser also earned selection as his outstanding finish paved the way for United to claim a 2-1 win against Orange County Blues FC.

Harrisburg’s Jimmy McLaughlin earned a second consecutive selection in the midfield as his goal and assist helped the City Islanders earn a 3-1 win against Dayton, while OKC Energy FC’s Adda Djeziri had a pair of assists as his side took a 2-0 win against Pittsburgh. Sacramento’s Octavio Guzman was named after his dramatic game-winning goal against Orange County, and the quartet was completed by Orlando’s Anthony Pulis, who scored in the Lions’ 2-0 win against Wilmington.

The Lions also had defender Tommy Redding named to the Team of the Week after another solid display at center back against the Hammerheads. He was joined by Charlotte’s Bilal Duckett and OKC Energy FC’s Gareth Evans, both of whom marshalled their respective defensive units well in shutouts. Rochester’s John McCarthy earned the goalkeeper berth as he recorded his seventh shutout of the season in the Rhinos’ victory against FC Dallas Reserves.

The USL PRO season continues on Thursday night with a marquee contest at Bonney Field as Sacramento Republic FC and Orlando City SC meet for the first time at 10:30 p.m. ET. Friday night brings a key contest in the race for the playoffs as the Harrisburg City Islanders host Wilmington Hammerheads FC at 7 p.m. ET, while OKC Energy FC will try to extend its undefeated streak on Saturday as the LA Galaxy II visit Pribil Stadium at 8 p.m. ET.

Every game of the 2014 USL PRO season can be seen live on YouTube, with live updates also available via Twitter (@USLPRO), Facebook and Google+. Stay up to date with news, previews and match reports from throughout the league via USLPROSoccer.com.

USL PRO Team of the Week

Honorable Mention – Arizona: Jonathan Okafor, Paolo DelPiccolo; Charleston: Haviel Cordoves; Charlotte: J.J. Greer; Dayton: Brock Granger; Harrisburg: Garret Pettis, Yann Ekra; Oklahoma City: Dan Delgado, Michael Thomas; Orange County: Enrique Cardenas; Orlando: Dennis Chin, Adama Mbengue; Pittsburgh: Jose Angulo; Richmond: Alex Lee, Luke Vercollone; Rochester: JC Banks, Babacar Diallo; Sacramento: Jake Gleeson, Justin Braun; Wilmington: Quillan Roberts, Mikael Oliveira.  

W-League News Release

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

TAMPA, Fla. – The W-League announced its 2014 regular season honors Tuesday, with Colorado Rush striker Danica Evans leading the honorees.

Evans, who captured the Scoring Champion and Golden Boot titles thanks to her 13 goals and 29 points in 12 games, led the league’s second-best offense as the Rush scored 38 goals en route to a 6-3-3 record. Evans, a two-time Team of the Week selection who is entering her sophomore season at the University of Portland, tallied a pair of hat tricks this season.

Mele French of the LA Blues and Sarah Schweiss of the Colorado Pride are the Co-Assist Champions after they each tallied eight this season. They will have a chance to settle the score Saturday as they meet head to head for the Western Conference Championship at 10:30 p.m. ET at Occidental College in Los Angeles, California.

French, a W-League veteran, also finished second in the scoring race with 24 points and third in the Golden Boot rankings with eight goals. Schweiss, a W-League rookie entering her junior year at Colorado College, helped the expansion Pride navigate a highly competitive Western Conference to advance to the title game.

Staying with the Western Conference theme, the W-League’s Goals-Against Average Champion is LA’s Sammy Jo Prudhomme, who allowed only two goals against in 765 minutes of action for a miniscule 0.235 GAA. Prudhomme, who has completed two standout seasons at Oregon State University, edged Adelaide Gay of the Washington Spirit Reserves (0.268) for the honor. Gay led the league in shutouts with seven while Prudhomme was one of three tied for second with six.

The 2014 W-League Playoffs get underway Tuesday when K-W United hosts the Laval Comets at 7 p.m. ET in the Central Conference play-in game. The winner advances to face the conference’s top seed, Ottawa Fury FC, at 3 p.m. ET Saturday. The Northeastern Conference Championship sees the Braddock Road Stars Elite visiting the Washington Spirit Reserves at 7 p.m. ET Friday, while the Southeastern Conference title game sees the Gulf Coast Texans visiting the Charlotte Lady Eagles at 7 p.m. ET Saturday.

The winners of each of the conference title games will advance to the 2014 W-League Championship presented by Nike, set for July 25-27 at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

The W-League All-Conference Teams will be announced on Monday, July 21, followed by the All-League Team on Tuesday, July 22.  The finalists for Coach of the Year, Defender of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player will be announced on Wednesday, July 23, with the awards presented at the W-League Championship Awards Banquet in Bradenton on Saturday, July 26. Goalkeeper of the Year will also be presented at the banquet.

PDL Game Report

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

BLUEFIELD, W.V. -- The Southern West Virginia King's Warriors and Carolina Dynamo finished level at 2-2 on Tuesday night at the East River Soccer Complex. The King's Warriors barely kept their playoff hopes alive with the tie while Carolina was officially eliminated from postseason contention. Jeremy Payne and Jorge Mackenna scored the King's Warriors' goals while Mamadee Nyepon had both Carolina goals.

Mackenna's goal in stoppage time secured the tie for Southern West Virginia. The Dynamo led 1-0 and 2-1, only to see the King's Warriors equalize each time. 

Southern West Virginia remains unbeaten at home at 4-0-2 and now posts a 6-4-3 record for 21 points. Carolina's record after the tie stands at 6-5-2 for 20 points. 

"After a lackluster first half, where the Dynamo thoroughly outplayed us, our boys responded well in the second half," said Southern West Virginia King's Warriors' Head Coach Scott Reitnour. "We showed perseverance determination and heart, twice coming back from a goal down. I was very proud of the effort the Warriors put out in the second half. Our goal heading into our final match Saturday against the West Virginia Chaos will be to put in a full 90-minute effort."       

Southern West Virginia, the Cincinnati Dutch Lions and West Virginia Chaos are all still in the chase for the PDL's South Atlantic Division title with one regular-season game remaining. The South Atlantic Division winner will advance to the PDL Playoffs. Should the King's Warriors take victory against West Virginia in its final game of the season, and Cincinnati defeat River City, the three teams would each finish the season with identical 7-4-3 records. In that case the first tiebreaker, head-to-head results, would be eliminated due to a three-way tie, as would the second of total wins, with each side finishing with seven, leaving goal differential as the deciding factor.

Should the Chaos earn at least a draw, they would advance, while Cincinnati would be favored should there be a three-way tie with the Dutch Lions holding a +7 goal differential that would increase with a victory against River City. Southern West Virginia will hope for Cincinnati to fail to claim all three points, and take a two-goal victory against the Choas itself, to give itself a chance at the postseason, which would level the head-to-head series between the two teams, and leave both with seven total wins and a +5 goal differential. The fourth tiebreaker, total goals, would send Southern West Virginia into the postseason.

On Tuesday night, the teams played to a scoreless first half, but the Dynamo had the better scoring opportunities, outshooting the King's Warriors 8-3.

Both teams had chances in the first 25 minutes of the second half, but it was Carolina who would finally break the deadlock in the 69th minute. Nyepon's shot, off an assist from Tony Murillo, was partially deflected by King's Warriors' goalkeeper Jonathan Davis, but landed in the back of the net for a 1-0 Dynamo lead.

Davis, making only his third start of the season in net for Southern West Virginia and first since June 5, played well. He thwarted several excellent scoring opportunities in the first half by Carolina. "He played a good game,"said King's Warriors' goalkeeping coach Andrew Dailey. "The expectation coming in was for him to do the little things right, to be very consistent with angle play and to push everything toward him. He did everything we asked and it ended up making a big difference for us tonight where it kept us in the game where we could battle."

Southern West Virginia would equalize in the 82nd minute as Payne's shot off an assist from Harry Sherwood landed just inside the post past Carolina goalkeeper Alex McCauley. Nyepon, dangerous all night with a team-high five shots, turned James Brace's pass into the back of the King's Warriors' net in the 86th minute to put Carolina back on top at 2-1.

The King's Warriors had one last effort in stoppage time and it proved to be a game-leveler. Payne's shot was stopped by McCauley, but Mackenna was there to put home the rebound and Southern West Virginia managed to secure the tie with seconds left in the match for the 2-2 final.

"When we were one nil down I thought 'we're at home and we don't lose at home'," King's Warriors' Assistant Coach Paul Cox said. "When they made it 2-1 with four minutes left you're thinking that our home steak is over. But Jorge hopped on that rebound with seconds left and we get the tie and keep the home streak alive. That gives us confidence going into Saturday."

Carolina will close its regular season on Friday night in Columbia, S.C. against the SC United Bantams, while Southern West Virginia will close out its regular season at home Saturday night hosting its in-state rivals, the West Virginia Chaos at 7 p.m.

Wilmington Hammerheads FC News Release -- www.wilmingtonhammerheads.com

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

WILMINGTON, N.C. – Wilmington Hammerheads FC forward Sunny Jane will return to his country of Lesotho to represent the Lesotho National Team as they compete in the third round qualifier for the Africa Cup of Nations against Kenya on July 20. The two countries will play again on August 3 in Nairobi, Kenya.

Jane will return to Wilmington upon completion of the second match.

The forward traveled to Lesotho after being called up to play for Lesotho’s national team back in June where they claimed a 2-1 aggregate win over Liberia with their second-leg 2-0 home victory in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers.

For further information regarding Wilmington Hammerheads FC, call (910) 777-2111 or visit www.wilmingtonhammerheads.com. 

W-League News Release

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

TAMPA, Fla. – The W-League announced its Team of the Week for the final week of the 2014 regular season today, naming Colorado Pride midfielder Chloe Logarzo as Player of the Week. Logarzo scored twice and turned in a dominant all-around performance as the expansion Pride defeated the Seattle Sounders Women 4-0 Friday night to clinch a spot in the postseason.

A member of the Australian Women’s National Team, Logarzo had a strong rookie regular season in the W-League, finishing with six goals and seven assists in only eight games played. She helped lead the Pride (9-2-1) to the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, and will be a key factor if Colorado is to defeat the No. 1-seeded LA Blues in the conference title game Saturday night.

Joining Logarzo in the Team of the Week midfield are three others taking part in the postseason, with Braddock Road’s Rachel Moore, Ottawa’s Courtney Raetzman and K-W United FC’s Leticia Skeete all helping their teams lock in playoff spots.

Rounding out the attack at forward are Kennya Cordner of the Seattle Sounders Women, who tallied a hat trick against the Colorado Storm, and Braddock Road’s Maire Shine, who scored twice in the playoff-clinching 3-0 win against North Jersey.

Anchoring the defense this week is Colorado Rush goalkeeper Sabrina Macias, who shut out Sedona and made nine crucial saves in a 1-1 draw against Seattle. She is joined on defense by LA’s Rachel Daly, who scored the game-winner as the Blues knocked off Bay Area 1-0 to remain perfect and claim the regular season title. Daly is joined by the Pride’s Holly King, Charlotte’s Amanda Naeher, and Laval’s Rhian Wilkinson, who were each named as huge factors in wins that ensured playoff spots.

With K-W United’s 1-0 victory against Laval in the Central Conference play-in game Tuesday night, the W-League conference championship matchups are set for this weekend.

The action kicks off Friday night as the Northeastern Conference sees the No. 1 Washington Spirit Reserves hosting No. 2 Braddock Road at 7 p.m. ET. K-W United travels to face the No. 1 Ottawa Fury at 3 p.m. ET Saturday in the Central Conference Championship, while the No. 2 Charlotte Lady Eagles host the No. 1 Gulf Coast Texans at 7 p.m. ET Saturday in the Southeastern Conference Championship. The final matchup sees the No. 2 Colorado Pride at the No. 1 LA Blues at 10:30 p.m. ET Saturday in the Western Conference Championship.

Select W-League conference championship games can be seen live on YouTube, with live updates also available via Twitter (@USLWLEAGUE) and Facebook. Stay up to date with news, previews and match reports from throughout the league via WLEAGUEsoccer.com.

W-League Team of the Week

Honorable Mention – Atlanta – Grace Damaska; Braddock Road – Elysse Branton, Marisa Park; Charlotte – Leah Fortune; Colo. Pride – Tara Andrews, Ashley Spina; Colo. Rush – Danica Evans, Civana Kuhlmann; Colo. Storm – Diana Potterveld; Gulf Coast – Alex Arlitt; LA – Shawna Gordon; Long Island – Casie Ludemann; New York – Sara Sanau Ruiz; North Jersey – Jen Andresen, Ani Sarkisian, Stefanie Scholz; Ottawa – Lauren Hughes, Christabel Oduro; Seattle – Jaclyn Softli; Washington – Ashley Herndon.

PDL Game Report

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

VICTORIA, B.C. – The Vancouver Whitecap FC U-23 scored three goals in the opening 20 minutes on their way to a 7-2 victory agains the Victoria Highlanders FC on Wednesday night at Royal Athletic Park as they advanced in the PDL Playoffs' Northwest Divisional Playoff. Kianz Froese, Cody Cook and Niall Cousens each scored twice, while former Highlander Brett Levis rounded out the scoring as the Whitecaps U-23 joined the Kitsap Pumas in the Western Conference Championship.

With play barely underway in the opening half, Levis found himself orchestrating the first of three successive blows against his former club as he fed Cook at the top corner of the penalty area, who had time to fire a rocket past ‘keeper Elliot Mitrou for the early lead.

Levis followed suit almost immediately with a goal of his own, as he took advantage of miscommunication by the Highlanders back line and receiving the ball inside the attacking zone before wiring it home for the 2-0 advantage in the eighth minute.

With the Highlanders on their heels, the ‘Caps struck again off a penalty kick from Cook. One-on-one in the attacking zone, Mitrou’s contact with the striker gave the referee no option but to assess a caution and subsequent penalty kick. The goal would put the visiting side up 3-0 before the match had hit the 20-minute mark.

Despite the three-goal disadvantage, the Highlanders pushed forward with a majority of possession through the remainder of the half, receiving a slew of chances that would ultimately fall short of putting the home team on the board. Among the chances was a near breakaway for recent scoring machine Cam Hundal, who fired a low shot just wide right of the goal mouth.

Following Hundal’s near-goal, the ‘Caps struck again on one of their few forays into the attacking zone. This time it was Cousens, who redirected a header inside the left post for the 4-0 advantage heading into the second half of play.

Things got interesting early in the final frame, as the Highlanders finally broke through on the scoreboard with Sturrock putting the ball in from an awkward angle after a scramble in the goal mouth. Vancouver answered back the following minute however, with Froese getting on the score sheet.

Refusing to go down without a fight, Victoria responded with their second goal of the game, as substitute Hughes wired home a blast of his own to cut the goal advantage to three.

Highlanders captain Tyler Hughes was assessed a red and subsequent ejection in the 70th minute after taking down his mark just outside the 18-yard box. The veteran fullback received the largest ovation of the night as he made his way to the tunnel, acknowledging the fans with applause of his own.

Vancouver took advantage on the ensuing free kick, as a Froese free kick ricocheted off Cousens and through a screen of gold and black for the 6-2 lead. Froese would notch his own brace in the 84th minute.

Unable to cut the lead further, the Highlanders would fall 7-2, ending their PDL campaign, while the Whitecaps push their winning streak to nine games, advancing to the Western Conference Championships next week.