OKC Energy FC News Release -- www.energyfc.com

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

OKLAHOMA CITY – OKC Energy FC hosts Arizona United SC on Thursday evening at 7 p.m. CT at Pribil Stadium. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.EnergyFC.com and at the Bishop McGuinness box office beginning at 1 p.m. CT on Thursday afternoon. The game airs live via YouTube Live and can be heard locally on 96.1 FM KXY.

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Energy FC (6-7-3) extended its unbeaten streak to seven games with a 2-0 win against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds this past Saturday at Pribil Stadium. OKC is 4-0-3 overall during its current seven-game unbeaten streak, with all four victories coming at Pribil Stadium. OKC has out-scored opponents 7-0 in those four wins. Energy FC is tied for seventh in the USL PRO standings with 21 points. 

Arizona enters at 5-9-3 on the year with 16 points, but is coming off a 2-1 victory against the Orange County Blues FC last Saturday that moved it into 13th place in the league standings. Jonathan Okafor had the game-winning goal for United against the Blues, and has scored in each of his side's past three games. 

Energy FC earned a 4-0 victory when the two teams met for the first time this season, but United claimed a 2-1 victory in the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup when the teams last met at the Peoria Sports Complex in May.

Parking is available in two locations for Thursday evening's game. There are 50 parking spots at Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School for just $10 (cash only). The spots are available on a first come, first served basis. The offer is available at both entrances. Free parking is available at the Chesapeake Energy parking garage #1 south of NW 63rd and Western. A shuttle is available for fans at the lawn party to the stadium beginning at 5 p.m. for $1 per person each direction. Complete details regarding parking and shuttle services can be found at www.EnergyFC.com. Stadium gates open at 5:30 p.m. CT.

Fans are reminded to bring ponchos or water-resistant jackets if there is inclement weather. Umbrellas will not be permitted in the stadium. Visit the FAQs page on www.EnergyFC.com to review the inclement weather policy.

Sacramento Republic FC News Release -- www.sacrepublicfc.com

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Sacramento Republic FC (10-6-2) will host Orlando City SC (14-0-3) on Thursday night. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Bonney Field. The match will be Republic FC’s first Salute to Military Night.

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The matchup will be the first and only time the two sides will meet in the regular season. Republic FC will try to stay unbeaten at Bonney Field in USL PRO play as it faces first-place Orlando City, a club moving to the MLS in 2015.

Republic FC enters the match after splitting its weekend East Coast road trip. Republic FC fell to the Richmond Kickers 2-1 on Saturday before rebounding and beating the Charlotte Eagles 1-0 on Monday. Republic FC is entering a stretch of five matches in 11 days, including three matches in five days.

Republic FC will rely heavily on playmaking midfielder Rodrigo Lopez. Coming off a suspension for yellow card accumulation, Lopez enters the match having scored three goals and recorded three assists in his last five appearances. Lopez’s six assists lead Republic FC and are second in USL PRO this season.

Republic FC forward Thomas Stewart tallied his fifth USL PRO goal of the season against Charlotte on Monday. Stewart is now tied with Lopez for the team lead in overall and USL PRO goals this season.

Orlando City comes into the match unbeaten in USL PRO play this season and has not lost in USL PRO play since August 14, 2013. Orlando’s defense has been the biggest key to the club's success this year, having conceded just 11 goals in 17 matches, including seven shutouts.  The Lions' defense is led by Luke Boden, who leads the club in minutes played. Boden is also a contributor offensively, with two goals and three assists.

On offense, Orlando is led by attacking midfielder Kevin Molino, whose seven assists lead USL PRO. Molino has also scored 11 goals on the season, second-most in USL PRO.

The match will be Salute to Military Night. Military members will be a part of pregame and halftime festivities. In addition, military members attending Salute to Military Night at Bonney Field will receive a 10% discount for Republic FC Merchandise and $5 beer specials with a military ID card. The match will also be the first match held during the California State Fair. A Sacramento Republic FC ticket will allow the holder access to the fair on match day.

The match will be broadcast on KHTK Sports 1140 AM and streamed live at SacRepublicFC.com/matchday. Updates of the match will also be provided via Twitter @SacRepublicFC and by using #SRFCvORL.

PDL Game Report

Thursday, July 17, 2014

TAMPA, Fla. – The PDL announced its Team of the Week for the 11th week of the 2014 season on Thursday, with Jersey Express forward Kene Eze named Player of the Week. Eze had four goals in two games as the Express moved top of the Mid Atlantic Division with big victories against NJ LUSO Parma and F.A. Euro.

An MLS SuperDraft selection by Toronto FC earlier this season after a strong college career at Rutgers, Eze had a hat trick to lead the Express past NJ LUSO Parma in a 5-0 win last Wednesday, July 9 as Jersey regained the division lead. Eze added another goal on Sunday in an 8-0 win against F.A. Euro, which put the Express in position to clinch the division title earlier this week.

Another pair of players to notch hat tricks joined Eze on the Team of the Week forward line. The Michigan Bucks’ Dzenan Catic led his side to a 5-0 win against FC London, while Kitsap’s Miguel Gonzalez scored the first hat trick in Pumas history as they clinched the Northwest Division with a 3-1 win against the Washington Crossfire

The midfield includes four players who made key contributions to their side’s postseason efforts, with Long Island’s Joseph Holland honored after his two goals and two assists for the Rough Riders against NJ LUSO. CFC Azul’s Reco McLaren scored twice as his side clinched its first postseason berth with victory against Westchester, while K-W United’s Jay Chapman had the game-winner in his side’s 3-1 win against the Chicago Fire U-23 last Saturday that moved United in a position to claim a postseason berth, which it did on Wednesday night. West Virginia’s Jake Szabo completes the group after his goal and assist lifted the Chaos past Cincinnati and into sole possession of first in the South Atlantic.

The defensive group is led by Seacoast United’s Dominic Dimaggio, who recorded his league-best eighth shutout as the Phantoms advanced to the playoffs with a 1-0 win against the Western Mass Pioneers. Laredo Heat defender Genaro Hernandez was selected as his two goals lifted the Heat to a crucial 3-2 victory against Mississippi last Thursday, and he was joined by Ventura County’s Tony Alfaro, who scored as the Fusion claimed the Southwest Division, and FC Tucson’s Austin Ledbetter, whose outstanding finish capped a fine regular season for the Mountain Division champions.

The PDL regular season concludes this weekend with 23 games on the schedule. The South Atlantic Division will be settled on Saturday night as the West Virginia Chaos visit the Southern West Virginia King’s Warriors, and the Cincinnati Dutch Lions visit the River City Rovers with all three of the Chaos, King’s Warriors and Dutch Lions still alive for the title.

The PDL Playoffs also pick up steam on Saturday as the first inter-divisional playoff round is set to be held at the University of Nevada Las Vegas’ Soccer Complex, with Mountain winner FC Tucson set to face Southwest runner-up the LA Misioneros, and the Southwest champion Ventura County Fusion ready to meet the Mountain runner-up the BYU Cougars. The winner of the two contests will advance to face the Kitsap Pumas or Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-23 in the conference semifinals next weekend.

Follow all of the action from the 2014 PDL season via twitter (@USLPDL), and also on Facebook and Instagram as the league’s 20th season shines the spotlight on some of the top college and academy prospects from across the country.

PDL Team of the Week

Honorable Mention – Austin: Marshall Tucker, Travis Golden; Baltimore: Mamadou Kansaye, Malcolm Harris; Boston: Reuben Resendes; Carolina: Monbo Bokar; CFC Azul: Ryan Kinne; Chicago: Joey Calistri; GPS Portland: Jonathan Redmond; Houston: Wessel Verharr; IMG Bradenton: David Abidor; Jersey: Walker Hines; K-W United:  Shane Keely; Lane United: Josep Baldovi; Laredo: Yair Hernandez, Jorge Ortega; London: Danny Deakin; LA Misioneros: Chris Smith; Michigan: Brad Vanino; Midland-Odessa: Rory Knibbs, Walker Hume; Ocala: Ilija Ilic; Ocean City: Zoncher Dennis, Mitch Grotti; Reading: Quincy Thomas; San Jose:  Matthew Sheldon, Maxwell Oldham; Vancouver: Ali Musse; Washington: Nik Besagno; West Virginia: Dion Peters.

USL PRO Game Report

Thursday, July 17, 2014

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Riverhounds won for the third time in their last four games as they defeated the Charlotte Eagles 2-0 on Thursday evening at Highmark Stadium on the strength of second-half goals by Kevin Kerr and Jose Angulo.    

Joseph Ngwenya assisted on both goals with identical crosses from the right side, as the Riverhounds earned their fourth victory of the year and kept their playoff hopes alive.  

"It was the most complete performance of the season.  It was great by everyone, our forwards, our defense, everyone was really working together," said Niko Katic, Riverhounds Interim Head Coach.  

After a first half which they controlled possession, and after Charlotte's Wells Thompson was sent off in the 42nd minute to reduce his side to 10 men after receiving his second yellow card, the Riverhounds seized the match in the second half. 

"First 10 minutes we were rushing, and losing some balls, but after that, when we settled down, we kept the ball moving from side-to-side, it got a lot better.  It started to open things up for us," said Katic. "We were patient, and we knew we would score a goal, it was just a matter of time."  

The game-winning goal finally came in the 67th minute, as Ngwenya played a ball to Angulo just inside the right side of the box. Angulo played the ball back to Ngwenya who made a nice run to the goal line and placed a cross in the middle of the penalty area for Kerr to head home.  

"Joseph is an unreal player. He's going to make a difference whenever he plays," said Katic. "He was a big difference for us tonight."  

The Hounds didn't let up, and missed on some great opportunities in the following minutes. Angulo laid a nice pass for Rob Vincent at the top of the penalty area, who let loose a hard, left-footed shot that Charlotte goalkeeper Alec Kann was forced to make a diving save. In the following sequence, Matt Dallman sent a hard, low-lining ball that went through traffic in the box, toward the far post, where Angulo lunged forward, just missing a low header that drew a collective gasp from crowd at Highmark Stadium, nearly missing what could have been a spectacular goal.  

Finally, in the 82nd minute, Ngwenya worked a nice give-and-go with Mike Green and found himself in the same spot where he set up the first goal. He again delivered an uncontested cross that Angulo touched into the net. It was Angulo's fifth USL PRO tally of the season, leading the Riverhounds.

The Riverhounds did everything but score in the first half, even setting up six corner kicks. Play became more physical as the match passed the half-hour mark. On a Charlotte corner, Riverhounds goalkeeper Mike Lisch came out to play the ball, and as it was knocked away, a scrum for the ball ensued in the box, with a lot of pushing and shoving between both sides. The Eagles got the worst of the scuffle, as Thompson was cautioned for throwing an elbow.  

The Riverhounds kept pressing forward, and on their next corner kick in the 39th minute, Andrew Marshall's shot was headed off the line by Charlotte's Fred Sekyere. 

Three minutes later, Dallman gained possession of the ball near midfield, and was leveled hard by Thompson, who lowered his shoulder into Dallman, sending him flying to the ground. Thompson was issued his second yellow card of the match, which forced Charlotte to have to play a man down for the final 48 minutes.  

The Riverhounds (4-10-5, 17 points) appear to be playing well, maybe just in time to make a run to earn an elusive playoff spot.  Katic and his players are now feeling more optimistic as they head toward the final month of the season.  

"This is a great time of the season to peak.  We have nine games left in the season and we have to treat every game like a cup final," said Katic. "We have to give our best effort in every single game.  It's going to be very challenging, but we're up for it."  

The Riverhounds next two matches are on the road, as they head west to take on the Real Salt Lake Reserves on Friday, July 25, then to Sacramento on Sunday, July 27. The Hounds return to Highmark Stadium on Saturday, August 2, at 7 p.m., to take on the LA Galaxy II.

To purchase Riverhounds game tickets, call the Highmark Stadium Box Office at 412-325-7241 or visit www.riverhounds.com.

Super-20 Finals Game Report

Thursday, July 17, 2014

BRADENTON, Fla. – The Grand Rapids Crew Juniors took a 2-1 victory against the Brownsville Bravos Academy FC on the opening day of the Super-20 League North American Finals presented by Nike at IMG Academy. Esteban Russell and Andrew Lewis found the back of the net to lead the Crew to victory after a strong second half in windy conditions.

The Bravos opened the game well, and forced Grand Rapids goalkeeper Wes Mink into a pair of early saves. Alexis Herrera had the first in the fourth minute, as his low shot was turned away, and six minutes later Reyes Saldivar forced Mink to fully extend to tip a long-range effort onto the crossbar and behind for a corner.

The Crew gradually settled and had their first opportunity in the 15th minute when Adam Clauss’ shot from the top of the penalty area went high of the net. Clauss then sent a low cross through the penalty area that none of his teammates were able to get on the end of, but in the 20th minute Russell fired home into the right corner after Lewis made space for himself on the left side and sent in a good low cross to the strong forward.

Brownsville hit back seven minutes later as Saldivar again took a chance to shoot from distance. His lofted effort from the right held up in the wind, and while Mink was able to get a hand to the shot, he wasn’t able to replicate his earlier save as the Bravos pulled level.

Russell went close to putting the Crew up again at the half-hour mark, but the pace slowed as the wind was joined by a heavy burst of rain that caused problems for both sides until the halftime break. As the second half progressed, however, Grand Rapids began to take control and began to press the Bravos back.

The Crew’s Ryan Scott had a pair of good efforts from distance. The first came with 20 minutes to go as his shot deflected wide for a corner, the second saw a free kick clip the defensive wall before a low cross drifted wide. The pressure paid off with 13 minutes to go as Lewis finished off a chance created by Matt Wilson.

Grand Rapids continued to control much of the final 10 minutes as Brownsville struggled to find a way through the Crew’s defense. A late handball would offer a chance from a free kick for the Bravos, however, but a curling shot went wide of the post, and the Crew held on to take all three points.

IMG ACADEMY 2, BEACHSIDE SC OF CT 1: IMG Academy defeated Beachside of Connecticut 2-1 on Day 1 thanks to a late winner from Ramundo Marquez.

A hot and humid Florida day took its toll on the players, but the action went back and forth. It took 45 minutes for the breakthrough goal. After some slick passing from the wing, IMG Academy forward Alex Zidani pounced on a loose ball and tucked it home.

Beachside managed to get on the scoreboard in the 65th minute after Joey DeVivo was brought down inside the box to earn a penalty kick. Nick Zuniga stepped up and buried the spot kick.

IMG and Beachside both managed to carve out a few chances, but the score line did not change until the 85th minute.

As both sides sent numbers forward to find the game-winner, IMG Academy midfielder Jarett Busacca found a bit of open space on the right wing and whipped in a cross. The ball sped past the front post and found forward Raymundo Marquez, who fired it past the keeper just under the crossbar.

IMG Academy plays again Friday at 1 p.m. against the Grand Rapids Crew, hoping to remain perfect. Beachside’s next action will be Friday at 11 a.m. versus Deportivo Coras.

PARSIPPANY SC 2, DEPORTIVO CORAS USA 0: Parsippany SC kept its composure through unfavorable conditions, defeating Deportivo Coras USA 2-0 in Group A play.

Matthew Villano put Parsippany ahead after only six minutes of play, heading in a long throw from Andrew Ruane just past Deportivo goalkeeper Javier Lopez.

Chances were at a minimum, with the two teams trading possession for the majority of the first half. 

Coras USA had probably its best chance to equalize shortly before half time, as Edgar Cervantes placed a shot in the lower left corner only to see it cleared off the line by Andrew Ruane.

Parsippany doubled its lead in the 53rd minute as a quick counter-attack resulted in a one-on-one opportunity for Joseph Armaswalker, who placed that ball in the lower left corner.

Weather conditions quickly worsened after the second goal, with strong winds and heavy rain making it harder for Coras USA to stage a comeback.

“I was kind of glad it rained,” Parsippany Head Coach Anthony Tuesta said. “The guys seemed to be getting tired and I think the conditions cooled them down and made them a little more focused.”

Coras was left with 10 men after having used all of their substitutions when Jose Perez left the game with an injury.

GROUP B

CHICAGO FIRE 2, TRIANGLE FC 2: The Chicago Fire twice took the lead, but Triangle FC hit back each time as the two teams finished level in a Group B contest.

Chicago controlled much of the early going and took the lead in the 14th minute when an excellent through ball played Jeff Farina into the left channel, and he rounded the goalkeeper and put his finish into the open net. The Fire had chances to add to their lead throughout the first half, but Farina twice missed the target on good opportunities to leave Chicago 1-0 up at the break.

Triangle went close to an equalizer through Craig Gage late in the first half, but Gage played a role in his side’s opening goal as he found Yosef Teffera for a low shot into the left corner. Farina again went close for the Fire as he hit the crossbar after a pass from Anthony Smith with 25 minutes to go, but Chicago regained the lead in the 71st minute when Farina’s shot was partially blocked, and Michael Frasca was on hand to tap in the loose ball within the six-yard area.

Triangle hit back two minutes later, however, as James Compton drove home a low finish to make it 2-2. Compton continued to threaten in the final 15 minutes, the closest coming in stoppage-time when a free kick just missed the top-right corner of the net.

TORONTO LYYNX JRS. 0, JUNIOR LONE STAR FC 0: A 10-man Toronto Lynx Jrs. held off an attacking Junior Lone Star FC side to earn a 0-0 draw in its opening match in Group B.

Toronto went down a man in the 44th minute when Matthew Mashkoor denied a potential scoring opportunity with his hand on a Tben Donnie ball through the middle.

With 45 minutes remaining to play, Toronto was forced to change its style of play and spent most of the game defending, with opportunities to go forward at a minimum.

“It definitely went different than we planned due to the early ejection,” Toronto Head Coach Duncan Wilde said. “We completely changed our game strategy. They’re very quick with a great counter-attack and that kept us back, when usually we like to press high.”

Junior Lone Star was thwarted on several opportunities in the second half, as Lynx goalkeeper Daniel Merkel was forced to make several saves.

The best opportunities for both sides came on set pieces in the final 20 minutes of the game, when a 70th-minute Vlandy Slueue strike hit the post for Junior Lone Star. Minutes later a Gary Griffin free kick for the Lynx was denied by appeared to be a possible handball.

TAMPA BAY UNITED 5, IRONBOUND SC 0: Jason Collister had a pair of goals as Tampa Bay United pulled away for victory in Group B against Ironbound SC.

The game opened quietly and neither side seriously threatened until four minutes before the halftime break when a low cross found Brett Durrance, who finished clinically into the bottom-right corner of the net. 

Durrance continued to feature for Tampa Bay early in the second half. First a well-struck shot from 25 yards out went just wide of the left post, but his good through-ball in the 57th minute set up a fine finish by Michael Spezza as his left-footed shot caromed in off the right post and in.

Ironbound had a chance to get back into the game seven minutes later when it was awarded a free kick 25 yards from goal. Lucas Terci hit his shot well, but it came off the left post and was cleared to safety. Collister then bagged his first in the 71st minute, which took the wind out of the New Jersey side’s sails, and Dimitri Zerbos and Collister added a pair of late breakaway goals to round out the victory.

USL PRO Game Report

Thursday, July 17, 2014

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Sacramento Republic FC and Orlando City SC play to a 0-0 draw on Thursday night at Bonney Field despite Republic FC playing down a man for the final 11 minutes of the match. The match was the first scoreless draw for both sides this season.

Orlando and Republic FC both created early scoring chances but neither was able to take the lead. Republic FC could not capitalize on three early corner kicks, while the Lions' best chance found the back of the net but was disallowed after an offside call. 

Republic FC had its best chance at goal in first-half stoppage time when forward Max Alvarez received a pass at the top of the penalty area, settled and fired a left-footed shot toward the bottom-right hand corner, but the shot was saved on a diving effort by Orlando goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo.

City came out strongly in the second half as the Lions controlled possession and challenged the Republic FC back line. One of their best scoring opportunities came in the 52nd minute when Orlando sent a cross into the box where Adama Mbengue was able to get his head to it and sent it towards Republic FC keeper Jake Gleeson’s right. Gleeson made a quick reaction save and parried the ball out of play. 

In the 79th minute Republic FC would go a man down. Alvarez was sent off with a straight red card after a confrontation with another player during a throw in. Playing a man down for the final 11 minutes of the match, Republic FC looked to attack more than the rest. 

Republic FC saw their best chance of the half in the 86th minute as second-half substitute midfielder Gilberto Dos Santos Souza used three stepover moves to shake off a defender and get a bullet shot off, only for his effort to be blocked away by Gallardo. 

The final chance of the match came for Orlando leading scorer Kevin Molino in the 89th minute, as a cross into the penalty area was deflected to his right foot and he tried to put a shot on goal. Republic FC midfielder Ivan Mirković stepped in and blocked the shot with his chest.

“We got a good result, we were just lacking that little bit of quality and finishing,” said Republic FC Head Coach Preki following the match. “I’m so proud of our guys, they showed a lot of heart against a team that is going to the MLS.”

Republic FC will be at home again on Saturday night to take on Rangers FC of the Scottish Championship League in their second friendly of the season. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PT at Bonney Field.

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC News Release -- www.switchbacksfc.com

Thursday, July 14, 2014

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and the City of Colorado Springs broke ground at Sand Creek Stadium today commemorating the second time that the pitch hosted such a ceremony. In 1985, the US Soccer Federation, the US Olympic Committee, and the City of Colorado Springs broke ground at the same site to celebrate the building of a facility that was intended to host US National matches and the first field of a larger sports complex master plan. Almost 30 years later, the facility is finally on its way towards completion.

Colorado Springs City Council approved an agreement with the Switchbacks on June 14th that gave the new USL PRO franchise a 10-year lease on the site. The team, lead by Owner Ed Ragain, wasted no time in moving forward with stadium improvement plans designed by Populous architects and have already begun moving earth at the site.

“Colorado Springs has a world class sports industry and it is fitting that professional soccer is finally coming to Sand Creek Stadium,” said Mayor Steve Bach as he addressed the crowd. Owner Ed Ragain, Park Operations and Development Manger Kurt Schroeder, and Kevin O’Grady of Populous architects also addressed the crowd providing the history and the vision for the Stadium. Eight-foot tall banners displaying the design team (Populous, ME Engineers) construction team (Bryan Construction, Southern Bleacher), and title sponsors (Penrose-St. Francis Health Services & Nike) set the main backdrop for the ceremony.

Upon completion, Sand Creek Stadium will have a seating capacity of 3,500, a press box, enhanced sports lighting, suite seating, broad cement concourses, restroom / locker room / and administrative facilities, eight points of sale for concessions and public wifi.

The Switchbacks Football Club continues to make large strides on its path to the USL PRO in 2015. Still to come from the team: a fall exhibition announcement, jersey presentation, mascot introduction, tryouts, and player signings.  Make sure to stay up to date by visiting switchbacksfc.com and on our social media outlets.

W-League News Release

Thursday, July 17, 2014

TAMPA, Fla. –

When the season began, the Gulf Coast Texans, Colorado Pride and Braddock Road Stars Elite were new faces to the W-League, hopeful of success at their new, higher level of competition.

A little more than two months later, all three find themselves within a victory of the 2014 W-League Championship as a combination of smart player selection, continued growth from younger players, and determined leadership saw each reach their respective conference title game.

For the Stars Elite, who face the Washington Spirit Reserves on Friday night, continuous progression through the season has been the biggest key to the club’s success. With a group of players who brought extensive experience from the youth ranks, Coach Larry Best understood there would be a learning curve in the Northeastern Conference for his side.

“To be honest we knew it would take time for our younger players to adjust to the league,” he said this week.

The way Best’s side competed, despite its early defeats, left him with an optimism that proved to be well founded as a strong run through the second half of the season culminated with a 3-0 win against the North Jersey Valkyries to clinch a postseason berth. 

“There is no question the W-League has provided a great foundation and challenge for our young players to excel in,” Best said. “We felt as the season progressed our training model and methodology would kick in and give us a chance to compete in every game. With a few breaks here and there we have found ourselves in the playoffs.”

Another key to Braddock Road’s success has been the veteran leadership Best was able to bring into the squad, with players like Marisa Park, Kristen Meier and Allie Wisner all playing important leadership roles for the side. That theme has been apparent for the Pride and Texans too, with Gulf Coast able to claim the Southeastern Conference regular-season title thanks in part to the contributions of Chilean international Maria Jose-Rojas.

The Texans, though, were able to call upon a number of strong collegiate players as they made the move up to the W-League this season. Players such as Nicole Waters and Jessica Oram, both of whom played every minute of the regular season, have also played an important role in the strong Southeastern Conference.

“Every single game in our conference is tough,” said Texans coach David Kemp. “You cannot relax for a second; the intensity and the speed of play has been top level and exactly what we hoped for when we joined the league.”

Now the Texans visit one of the W-League’s most historic teams, the Charlotte Lady Eagles, with a chance to add to their outstanding debut season. The two teams drew in each of their first two encounters, and Kemp is expecting another tight contest.

“Both games were pulsating affairs with each team committed to attacking soccer,” Kemp said. “We have created some good chances against them, and hope we can keep that up. It's going to be another classic.”

While the Texans take on one storied club, the Pride will face another in defending champions the LA Blues in the Western Conference Championship. Colorado’s path to the postseason was definitely smoother than that for the Stars Elite and Texans, but there were some bumps in the road as Daniel Clitnovici’s side pushed through the season.

Arguably the biggest was a 3-0 defeat against Seattle on June 13. With another contest two days later against fellow playoff contender the Bay Area Breeze, Clitnovici said the loss to Seattle was an important moment for his side, and the response it showed proved critical in its progression to the postseason.

“The girls knew when they walked off the park [in Seattle] that it wasn't their best performance and they needed to smarten up,” Clitnovici said. “I believe the result in Seattle was a good wake-up call for several of the players who expected to get a result without applying themselves. Two days later against the Breeze the attitudes were back where they should be, and the football side of things took care of itself. We played to our strengths and won the game.”

The loss against Seattle was the last time the Pride fell, and they punctuated clinching their playoff berth with a 4-0 win against Seattle in the return fixture with the Sounders Women last week. Now, as they prepare to face the Blues for the second time after a 2-0 defeat in May, the Pride know they will likely need their best performance of the season to score a place in the championship at IMG Academy.

“The most important thing that we will take into Saturday’s game is that LA haven't been beaten yet and we want to be the team that beats them,” Clitnovici said. “It will be a difficult game, and we need to be 100 percent switched on, but anything's possible when you have two good teams playing each other. As a coach all I will demand from the players is to have the right attitudes, the game will take care of itself if they do.”

It’s not difficult to envision one of the Pride, Texans, or Stars Elite moving on this weekend. Regardless of how the results fall, however, it will be hard to look at their first seasons in the W-League as anything other than an unqualified success.

Des Moines Menace News Release -- www.menacesoccer.com

Thursday, July 17, 2014

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – The 2014 PDL Playoffs roll into Des Moines next week, and the Des Moines Menace have the chance to secure the league’s best record heading into the postseason.

The recently crowned Heartland Division and Central Conference champs can seal the PDL regular-season championship this weekend with two wins against WSA Winnipeg (2-8-2) at Valley Stadium. Friday’s and Saturday’s games kick off at 7:30 p.m.

The Menace (10-1-1) secured the division last Saturday with a 1-1 draw against St. Louis, and the conference on Tuesday with a 1-0 win against the Springfield Demize. Des Moines eyes its second PDL regular-season title, hoping to join the undefeated 2002 Menace in elite company.

The PDL also announced on Wednesday that Des Moines will host the Central Conference Championship next weekend at Valley Stadium. On Friday, July 25, the action begins at 4:30, with a matchup between the St. Louis Lions (Heartland Division runner-up) and the Michigan Bucks (Great Lakes Division champion). At 7:30, the Menace hosts K-W United FC, the Great Lakes Division’s second-place team. The conference semifinal winners face off on Saturday, July 26 at 7:30 p.m.

ABOUT THE MENACE
- Are 10-1-1 in its 21st PDL season, and second under Mike Jeffries.
- Riding an eight-game unbeaten streak
- Have conceded only seven goals in PDL play – second best in the league.
- Hold a 7-0-0 record when leading at half.
- Chris Hellmann ranks in the PDL’s top 10 in points (21, fifth), goals (eight, seventh), shots (33, 10th) and assists (five, seventh). He ranks fifth with 1.91 points per game.
- Have outscored PDL teams 14-2 in the first half. Holds an 11-5 edge in the second half.
- Have the most shutouts in franchise history (eight).

ABOUT WSA WINNIPEG
- 2-8-2 in its fourth season.
- Returner Moses Danto leads the team with five goals in nine games.
- Comes off a midweek 3-1 defeat against the St. Louis Lions.
- Has lost five straight games.
- Best season in franchise history was 2012 (3-8-5, 14 points).
- Eduardo Badescu leads the team as head coach for the fourth year.

ALL-TIME SERIES
- Des Moines leads the overall series, 9-0-1.
- The Menace won in Winnipeg on July 5 (2-0) and July 6 (3-0).
- The Menace lead the aggregate scoring in the series: 29-8.
- Des Moines has scored two or more goals in all but one of the meetings (a 1-0 home win on May 18, 2013).

MENACE AIMS FOR ANOTHER TITLE
- Heading into the final weekend of the PDL regular season, the Menace (10-1-1) have the league’s best record.
- Contending with the Menace for the PDL’s regular-season crown are the Jersey Express (10-1-2), the Seacoast United Phantoms (9-1-2), the defending champion Austin Aztex (10-1-2) and FC Tucson (11-2-1).
- In 20 previous seasons, the Menace have one regular-season title (2002) and one post-season championship (2005).

Washington Spirit Reserves News Release - www.washingtonspirit.com

Thursday, July 17, 2014

BOYDS, Md. - The Washington Spirit Reserves will host the Braddock Road Stars Elite in the Northeastern Conference Championship at 7 p.m. Friday at the Maryland SoccerPlex. The winner will advance to the 2014 W-League Championship presented by Nike, set for July 25-27 at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

The Spirit Reserves finished the regular season at 10-0-2 and in first place of the Northeastern Conference. Braddock Road finished second with a record of 5-6-1. The Spirit Reserves and Stars Elite met three times during the regular season with all three games going in favor of the Spirit Reserves, 4-1, 3-1 and 3-0.

The lopsided scores may mean little on Friday night. Braddock Road made its playoff run late, adding new players and hitting its stride in the final weeks of the season. In addition, Braddock Road is one of only two teams able to score against the Spirit Reserves during the regular season.

The Spirit Reserves, who won the conference title last year after finishing in second place in the regular season, are familiar with the potential for upset Friday night.

The winner of Friday night’s match will travel to Florida to meet up with the Central, Southeastern and Western Conference Champions. This week, the Charlotte Lady Eagles (5-1-4) will host the Gulf Coast Texans (5-1-4) to determine the Southeastern Conference Champions. The LA Blues (12-0-0) will host the Colorado Pride (9-2-1) for the Western Conference title. K-W United FC (6-3-3) will face the Ottawa Fury (11-0-1) in the Central Conference Championship.

The Spirit Reserves finished in third place at the 2013 W-League Championship after a heartbreaking 3-2 overtime loss against the Pali Blues in the semifinal. The Spirit Reserves will need to get through Braddock Road this Friday night at 7 pm, if they hope to look for redemption at this year’s W-League Championship in Bradenton, Florida.

Super-20 League Game Report

Friday, July 18, 2014

BRADENTON, Fla. – Two early goals propelled Tampa Bay United to its second victory in as many games as it moved into first position in the National Division at the Super-20 League North American Finals presented by Nike with a 6-1 win against the Toronto Lynx Jrs. on Friday at IMG Academy. Brett Durrance scored twice as United set up a showdown with Triangle FC for a place in Sunday’s final.

In a contrast to its slow start in Thursday’s opening contest, Tampa Bay jumped on Toronto early as Eric Mubang opened the scoring in just the fifth minute with a finish from just inside the top of the penalty area. Four minutes later Durrance added a second as Mubang led a counter-attack down the right, and found his teammate alone on the left side of the penalty area for a simple finish.

Durrance’s second arrived just before the half-hour mark when Toronto goalkeeper Dan Merkel was able to parry a good long-distance shot, but then decided to try and chase down the rebound. Durrance won the race to the ball on the left edge of the penalty area, and as Merkel retreated, he turned and curled a perfect chip into the riight corner of the net past the defenders who had retreated to defend the goal in Merkel’s absence.

Toronto pulled a goal back six minutes before the halftime as a good flicked header by Jordan Roberts found the right corner after Tampa Bay only half-cleared a corner kick. The Lynx came close to pulling the deficit to a goal in the second half as Anthony Novak had two chances, the second from a free header that went wide of the left post.

As Toronto pushed forward to try and get back into the game, however, Tampa Bay was able to find gaps in defense, and pulled away in the final 20 minutes. Michael Ciluffo had an immediate impact after coming on as a substitute as he scored off a breakdown from a corner in the 72nd minute, and Anthony Alvarez added a fifth with seven minutes to go as his late run into the penalty area was rewarded with a low cross, and he fired home into the top-left corner of the net. Jason Collister added his third goal in two games in stoppage time to wrap up another impressive victory for United.

TRIANGLE FC 2, JUNIOR LONESTAR FC 0: Triangle FC kept its hopes of a place in the final alive as goals by Yosef Teffera and Hunter Weiland earned victory against Junior Lonestar in the National Division.

Junior Lonestar had much the better of the game early on, and Trey Madon came close to giving his side the lead in the 11th minute when his near-post shot was well-saved. Vlande Siluany also went close in the 20th minute as he intercepted a bad defensive pass, only for his shot to hit the crossbar and rebound away to safety.

Triangle didn’t threaten very much in the first half, but they were able to take the lead 10 minutes before the halftime break. After a good move down the left, the ball came to an unmarked Craig Gage on the right of the penalty area. Gage’s shot was going wide of the target, but it deflected off Teffera and into the back of the net to give Triangle a halftime lead.

The second half played out in a similar fashion. Junior Lonestar went close to an equalizer nine minutes after the break, but Bliss Harris’ header went wide of the right post. Triangle gradually got into the game again, and hit the post before Weiland added their second with eight minutes to go as he finished off a counter-attack from close range to wrap up victory.

IRONBOUND SC 1, CHICAGO FIRE 0: Ironbound SC took and early lead and never looked back, defeating the Chicago Fire 1-0 in National Division play.

Michael Olla put Ironbound on the board after just eight minutes of play, receiving a long through ball played down the middle of the pitch from midfielder Michael Prieto. Ironbound made the best of its opportunity, as chances were slim for the remainder of the match with a Chicago attack looking hungry for an equalizer.

“We came out strong,” Ironbound Goalkeeper Ryan Baird said. “But after scoring the goal they really started get possession. We were able to stay very organized in the back and didn’t let them get the equalizer.”

Chicago’s best chance came only 10 minutes before the half with and Elliott Borge ball finding Ryan Sierakowski, whose soft knock from the penalty mark was not enough to worry Baird.

The Fire squandered several golden opportunities to equalize, but a solid back line and some outstanding saves by Baird were enough to preserve the victory for Ironbound.

“The boys came out real strong,” Ironbound SC Head Coach John Soares said. “We knew we had to play with a lot of high pressure to try and get an early goal. We were short a couple legs after some injuries, but the boys were able to hold their shape and that was most important.”

Ironbound now sits ahead of Chicago in group B after the Fire secured only a point from its draw against Triangle FC yesterday. Both teams will resume play tomorrow, looking for a win in their final group matches.

AMERICAN DIVISION

GRAND RAPIDS CREW 0, IMG ACADEMY 0: Both the Grand Rapids Crew and IMG Academy remained in contention for a berth in the final from the American Division as they finished scoreless.

The Crew had the better of the early going, but didn’t create a clear scoring opportunity until midway through the first half when Esteban Russell’s curling effort toward the right corner was well saved by IMG goalkeeper Jorge Navarette.

Grand Rapids’ Charlie Constantino had another good strike from distance that went over the crossbar just before the half-hour mark, but then IMG was able to create a pair of chances of its own as Raymundo Marquez had a shot saved, and Raul Gonzalez hit the left post.

Constantino threatened again in the 68th minute with a free kick from the left from 25 yards out that again forced a good save from Navarette, but it was IMG that had chances late to grab victory. Connor Sparrow went close with eight minutes to go, only for his finish to flash wide of the left post, and IMG threatened again just before the final whistle as the Crew scrambled to clear their lines. The draw would leave both sides needing victory on Saturday to have a chance at reaching the final, with IMG set to face division leader Parsippany SC and Grand Rapids facing the winless Deportivo Coras.

PARSIPPANY SC 4, BROWNSVILLE BRAVOS ACADEMY FC 1: Parsippany SC took down Brownsville Bravos Academy FC, 4-1, in a sweltering morning tie.

A sleepy start saw the teams go into halftime 0-0, but Brownsville leapt into action at the start of the second half. In the 50th minute the Bravos earned a free kick just outside the area. Brownsville’s Carlos Acevedo stepped up and drilled the ball under the wall; the shot skipped just before the goal and with just the slightest touch of the bar, it found the side of the net.

Brownsville’s lead did not last long. A minute later Parsippany midfielder Jordan Salig sped down the left wing, and with a great cross from the outside of his boot, picked out Enver Caymaz on the back post, who tapped the ball in to make it 1-1.

In the 55th minute Parsippany forward Santiago Mateus nonchalantly hit a back pass to defender Mark Stellwag, who promptly ripped a 30-yard blast that kissed the post and tucked inside the net for a 2-1 lead.

Parsippany continued its scoring ways when in the 65th minute Caymaz hit a clever backheel across the face of goal to Saling. He rounded the defender and calmly shot the ball low and hard to the near post. For one final hurrah, Parsippany forward Jamal Vinson dummied a pass through his defender and sent a slick cross across to Carmine Colasurdo to make it 4-1 for the New Jersey-based club.

“I think we played really well today. The team combined very well,” Parsippany Coach Anthony Tuesta said.

Parsippany will be in action again tomorrow against IMG Academy at 11 a.m. and Brownsville will play Beachside SC of CT in a 1 p.m. matchup.

BEACHSIDE SC OF CT 8, DEPORTIVO CORAS USA 1: Beachside SC of CT defeated Deportivo Coras USA, 8-1, earlier this afternoon.

Beachside started early with a flurry of shots. Deportivo’s goalkeeper Javier Lopez did well to stop the initial chances, but eventually Beachside’s  Francisco Agrest pounced on a loose ball and fired it home for the opener.

In the 15th minute, after a long sequence of possession, Beachside defender Lucjian Kazmlerczak found forward Nicholas Pappacena to make it 2-1.

Just five minutes later Beachside added another to the lead. This time it was Pappacena who had the assist when he crossed to Tobias Gimand.  Gimand used a couple pieces of skill to dance by his defenders and rolled it in at the far post.

Deportivo Coras was able to pull one back before halftime, when Jonathan Mendiola chipped a ball in for Geovanny Lopez, who poked it in to the back of the net.

Deportivo could not find another and Beachside continued to dominate from the wide midfield areas. With two second-half goals from Nicholas Zuniga and a goal each from Joey DeVivo, Gimand, and Patrick Figgie, Beachside closed out the game 8-1.

“I’m very proud of the way we played today. It’s a long tournament and the key is to find consistency. We will have to recover and rehydrate and do the same tomorrow,” Beachside Coach Pete Doneit said.

USL PRO Game Report

Friday, July18, 2014

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- The Harrisburg City Islanders played the Wilmington Hammerheads FC to a 0-0 draw at Skyline Sports Complex on Friday night in front of 2,518. Wilmington's Quillan Roberts and Harrisburg's Nick Noble both performed well as the Hammerheads took a point to move back into a tie for seventh in the league standings. 

The first half proved a tough start for both teams offensively. Wilmington had possession for the majority of the half, but the Islanders looks more threatening on the break. Harrisburg outshot the Hammerheads, 5-2, four of which went to the offensive duo of Morgan Langley and Jimmy McLaughlin. 

In the 18th minute, Langley's run earned a large amount of space and he received the ball with an opportunity for a wide-open break. As he charged the net, he was met by Roberts, who reacted perfectly to Langley's shot to deflect the ball. McLaughlin also went close in the final minute of the half as he took a shot from just outside the penalty area, but it was sent high as the game remained scoreless.

The second half proved to be much more aggressive from both sides. A 54th-minute shot by Wilmington midfielder Tom Parratt began the half, while the City Islanders' Antoine Hoppenot proved to be a great addition to the roster on loan from the Philadelphia Union for Friday's contest as he threatened in the final half-hour after coming on as a substitute.

Hoppenot had an explosive second half, beginning with a shot in the 65th minute that just missed. Hoppenot followed up in the 76th minute with another attempt that was just barely tipped by Roberts up and out of play, and had another chance four minutes later after an almost-perfect setup from Robbie Derschang. However, Roberts was once again there to intercept the Islanders' effort as he stretched vertically to swat the shot away. As the final minutes ticked away, the match ended as a draw.

The City Islanders will return to their home at Skyline Sports Complex on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. as they take on OKC Energy FC.

PDL Game Report

Friday, July 18, 2014

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – Chris Hellmann added to his team-leading totals, four players scored their first goals in a Des Moines Menace uniform, and a 5-0 victory against WSA Winnipeg on Friday night at Valley Stadium stretched the Menace’s unbeaten streak to nine.

The 11-1-1 Menace can clinch the PDL’s regular-season championship with a victory in Saturday night's 7:30 p.m. CT rematch.

Hellmann put the Menace on the board less than four minutes in on Friday match as he slotted home Ralphie Lundy’s through-ball. After scoring his ninth goal of the season, Hellmann set up Grant Bell and A.J. Jeffries for his sixth and seventh assists.

Jeffries’ one-time in the 81st minute opened the floodgates for a three-goal outburst in the match’s final 10 minutes. Jonny Macadam struck in the 86th minute and Michael Semenza capped the scoring three minutes later.

“Tonight was an all-in team performance,” said Macadam, a Grand View University grad in his third season with the Menace. “We’ve worked hard all season. Every day at practice, we’re pushing each other. It’s not just the starting 11; we’ve got a lot of players who are ready to step in.

“Being a Grand View boy, it means a lot to score in front of the fans,” Macadam continued. “It’s something I’ve been looking forward to.”

In its final action before hosting the PDL Playoffs next weekend, the Menace is poised to add to its resume. In the last week, Des Moines has seized the regular-season titles for the Heartland Division and the Central Conference.

“We’ve put together a really special team,” said Jeffries, whose father, Mike Jeffries, is the Menace’s head coach. “Our confidence is high, and our enthusiasm is high. We’re going to come out tomorrow with guns blazin’. We have a calm confidence, and we keep working hard. We’re getting ready for what’s next.”

Friday night’s win was the team’s largest goal-differential since a 6-0 triumph over Kansas City on July 17, 2010 – the last time five Menace players scored in a game.

The Menace's defense added to its franchise record for shutouts in a season. Des Moines has nine clean sheets, and goalkeeper Paul Blanchette is undefeated (6-0-1) with five shutouts. His goals-against average is a staggering 0.286.

LA Blues News Release - www.bluessoccerclub.com

Friday, July 18, 2014

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – The LA Blues (12-0-0) will host the Colorado Pride (9-2-1) at 7:30 p.m. PT Saturday at Occidental College to decide the Western Conference champion.  The winner will advance to the W-League Championship presented by Nike, featuring all four conference champions in a battle for the national title July 25-27 at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

The Blues and Pride faced off once this season in a match that was 0-0 until the 83rd minute when defender Abby Dahlkemper finally broke the stalemate on a corner kick.  Lynn Williams then secured the victory for the Blues with a goal four minutes later to make it a 2-0 win for the home side.

As a result of their perfect campaign, the Blues finished as the W-League's regular season champions. Outscoring opponents 50-4, the Blues are the only W-League team to finish with a perfect record.

The Blues are led by Mele French, who has scored eight goals and assisted on eight others for a total of 24 points.  Second on the team is Katie Stengel with eight goals and one assist for 17 points, but the forward has been called up for training camp with the U-23 Women’s National Team and will miss the match along with Blues teammates Aubrey Bledsoe, Abby Dahlkemper, Caprice Dydasco and Sarah Killion, who were also called up.

Shawna Gordon stands third on the team with five goals and five assists.  The midfielder has consistently been a standout player for the Blues, and much of her work goes unrepresented by statistics. 

Another threat for the Blues is defender Kandace Love, who gets forward at every chance.  Her six goals this season are the most scored by a defender in the league.

Blues goalkeeper Sammy Jo Prudhomme leads the league in goals-against average, just 0.235, while earning six shutouts in nine games played this season.

The Pride have made an impressive push into the playoffs in their first W-League season thanks to efficient attackers in Mallory Weber and Chloe Logarzo, as well as Tara Andrews and Sarah Schweiss, who was named the regular season Co-Assist Champion along with the Blues’ French.

Weber leads the Pride with 11 goals and one assist, while Logarzo has tallied six goals and seven assists.  Schweiss assisted on eight goals while scoring three and Andrews assisted on four and scored six.  Laura Kane has also played a major role, assisting on seven of the Pride’s goals.

Charlotte Lady Eagles News Release - www.charlotteeagles.com

Friday, July 18, 2014

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Charlotte Lady Eagles will host the Gulf Coast Texans Saturday in the Southeastern Conference Championship, hoping to earn a spot at the 2014 W-League Championship in Bradenton, Florida. Charlotte and Gulf Coast finished with identical 5-1-4 records during the regular season, and a tight matchup is expected at the Queens College Soccer Complex.

In the Lady Eagles' last game they earned a 2-1 victory against the Carolina Elite Cobras in a winner-take-all affair. The Cobras were the first to strike when Savannah McCaskill scored in the 19th minute, putting the Cobras ahead 1-0. The Lady Eagles retaliated in the 33rd minute when Emmi Dunn took a pass from Alex Brandt and shot into the top corner, beating Carolina goalkeeper Rose Hull.

Less than five minutes after tying it, the Lady Eagles struck again in the 37th minute when a pass from Hull to another Cobra was intercepted by Leah Fortune, who dribbled the ball past two defenders in front of the net and scored an unassisted goal to put the lady Eagles up 2-1. The second half of the match remained scoreless as the Lady Eagles advanced to the Southeastern Conference Championship.

The Texans and Lady Eagles last faced off in Charlotte, where they played to a 1-1 draw. The goals came from Maria Jose-Rojas for the Texans and Amanda Naeher for the Eagles.  Jose-Rojas currently has five goals and two assists this season, while Naeher has four goals.

Tickets can be purchased at a discounted rate until the day of the game and can also be purchased at the gate. If you can't make it out to the game make sure to follow all the action on twitter with the hashtag #LE00 and watch the game LIVE on www.youtube.com/charlotteeaglessc. 

USL PRO Game Report

Saturday, July 19, 2014

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Wilmington Hammerheads took a 1-0 victory against the Rochester Rhinos at Sahlen's Stadium on Saturday night. Wilmington's Jordan Hamilton, a loanee from the Hammerheads' MLS affiliate Toronto FC, scored the only goal of the match in the 77th minute, while Hammerheads goalkeeper Quillan Roberts kept the clean sheet for the visitors.

The Hammerheads had been threatening Rochester with long balls over the top of the Rhinos' back four throughout the second half and finally capitalized with 13 minutes to go. Hamilton made a run that split Rhinos center backs Babacar Diallo and Kyle Hoffer at the halfway line to get on the end of a long ball. Hamilton used his pace to get into the penalty area on a breakaway, but Rochester goalkeeper Luis Soffner came smartly off his line to block Hamilton's shot. Hamilton was first to the loose rebound, however, and tapped it into an empty net to give the visitors the lead. The goal was the fifth of the season for Hamilton.

Rochester had its best chance of the match in the 51st minute when New England Revolution loanee Donnie Smith dribbled across the halfway line on a Rhinos counter-attack down the left flank, and centered the ball to Rhinos' attacking midfielder JC Banks, who played a through-ball to attacking midfielder Jonny Mendoza that put him in behind the Hammerheads back four. Mendoza dribbled into the Wilmington penalty area, took the ball to his left around Wilmington's onrushing goalkeeper Roberts, and then put a shot on goal, but he could not finish from an acute angle as the ball ended up in the side netting and the match remained scoreless.

Three chance unfolded during end-to-end action in the 68th minute. After Banks was waved back on to the field by head referee Vito Testa Jr. after an injury, he immediately jumped in on a Rhinos counter attack. Mendoza had possession on the right flank in front of the Rhinos bench when Banks came back on the field, and played a through-ball to him down the right flank. Banks dribbled the ball to the endline before cutting the ball back to take on Hammerheads right back Albert Edward. Banks' cut unbalanced Edward and he fell to the turf, giving Banks a clear chance to cross. Banks whipped the ball into the penalty area where it bounced off the shoulder of Wilmington center back Christian Davidson.

Wilmington cleared the ball to midfielder Paul Nicholson at the halfway line, and he flicked the ball on to substitute Samuel Ochoa with his first touch. Ochoa, the Hammerheads' leading scorer, went in behind the Rhinos back four, but Hoffer had the angle and chased Ochoa down from 60 yards before his tackle played the ball back to Soffner's feet eight yards out from his goal. Soffner sparked an immediate counter attack back down to the other end that ended that saw Smith cut into the Wilmington penalty area from the left flank and take a shot that Roberts had to dive to his left to parry away. On the ensuing corner kick a Diallo header ended up in Roberts hands ending the most open sequence in the match with chances but no goal.

Roberts came to the rescue for Wilmington again in the 76th minute when Rhinos substitute Michael Garzi won a loose ball near midfield and played a pass back to Diallo at the midfield stripe. Diallo took a touch before switching fields with a diagonal ball to Smith down the right flank. Smith got on the end of Diallo's pass, cut into the Wilmington penalty area on his left foot, and then blistered a shot bound for the upper left corner with his left foot. Roberts flew to his right to parry the ball away for a corner kick.

Roberts ended the match with four saves for his fifth shutout of the season.

The victory moves Wilmington up to sixth place in the USL PRO table with 25 points from 15 matches after the Hammerheads took four points from their back-to-back trip north this weekend. The Rhinos remain in fifth place with 27 points from 20 matches.

The Rochester Rhinos next home match is Sunday, July 27th at 4:05PM in Sahlen's Stadium against top of the table Orlando City SC. Tickets for any match on the Rhinos home schedule will be available by by calling (585)454-KICK (5425), by visiting the MVP Health Care Box Office at Sahlen's Stadium, or by visiting ticketmaster.com. Rochester Rhinos season tickets, flex packages and group ticket sales are also currently available.

Super-20 League Game Report

Saturday, July 19, 2014

BRADENTON, Fla. – Tampa Bay United claimed a berth in the Super-20 League Finals Championship Game with a 1-0 victory against Triangle FC on Saturday morning at IMG Academy. Blake Wilson scored the only goal as Tampa Bay took its third win out of three to finish atop the National Division.

United needed only a draw to advance to Sunday’s final, while Triangle needed a win to overtake Tampa Bay for first. Both teams were patient to open the contest, but Tampa Bay had the first two good chances, both saved by Triangle’s Max Swartz. Triangle’s first good opportunity came in the 15th minute as Yosef Teffara got a cross by Philip Seamster, but shot wide of the left post.

Tampa Bay took control soon after, and began to press strongly just before the half-hour mark. Eric Mubang had a header go just wide in the 25th minute after a good back-post cross from the left from Joseph Metzger, and two minutes later Wilson had a header go off the ground and loop over the crossbar off a corner.

Wilson would make no mistake in the 34th minute, however, as he skied high above his marker on a free kick and sent home a powerful header just under the crossbar from 10 yards out.

Triangle almost responded immediately as James Compton hit the post with a good shot from 20 yards out in the 38th minute. Tampa Bay held onto its advantage to the break, and thought it had added a second three minutes into the second half when Brett Durrance found the back of the net, only for the assistant referee’s flag to be up for offside.

United remained solid defensively as Triangle tried to push forward for an equalizer, and had chances to add to its lead on the counter-attack. Michael Spezza made a good turn and break in the 67th minute, only for Swartz to parry away his shot from 20 yards, and other chances just went begging as Tampa Bay found more and more space.

Triangle remained dangerous, though, and again almost equalized in the 73rd minute when Craig Gage found space for a header in the penalty area, only for the effort to come back off the right post and be cleared to safety. Eric O’Brien had a pair of chances in the final five minutes, but United goalkeeper Brian Hoxi saved the first after a good piece of build-up play, and the second from a free kick went wide.

Tampa Bay held on to claim victory, however, as it salted away the remaining minutes to earn a chance to claim the first Super-20 League championship in club history.

TORONTO LYNX JRS. 3, IRONBOUND SC 1: The Toronto Lynx Juniors defeated Ironbound SC thanks to a second-half comeback.

Ironbound took control of the first half with direct ball movement and tireless running from forward Michael Olla. In the fifth minute Olla managed to break into space at the top of the box, but his shot glanced off the post and out of play.

After a number of other Ironbound chances, Olla finally made the breakthrough in the 45th minute. Ironbound midfielder Lucas Terci hit a deep through ball to Olla, who sped past both Toronto defenders and the goalkeeper before passing it into the back of the net.

Toronto came out of the break firing on all cylinders and was rewarded for its efforts in the 52nd minute, when Jordan Roberts intercepted a back pass and rounded the keeper to tie the score.

The Lynx Juniors continued to press and look for the winner, and 10 minutes later they had it. Toronto defender Matthew Mashkoor found a pocket of space deep in Ironbound territory and managed to pick out forward Anthony Novak to make it 2-1.

Ironbound was forced to commit numbers forward in an effort to tie the game, but in the 87th minute a clumsy challenge led to a Lynx Juniors penalty kick. 

Ryan Baird, Ironbound's goalkeeper, did well to stop the initial effort, but Toronto's Hitesh Joshi whipped in a cross on the following play and Toronto substitute Blake Jonas made it into an easy finish.

Toronto will look to continue its winning ways against Beachside SC of CT tomorrow at 1:15 p.m., while Ironbound will try to bounce back against IMG at 9 a.m. 

JUNIOR LONE STAR 2, CHICAGO FIRE 2: Junior Lone Star erased a two-goal deficit in the second-half to earn a draw with the Chicago Fire.

The Fire jumped to an early lead just seven minutes in when Jeff Farina sent a ball to Roderick Epps, who in a one-on-one situation slotted the ball past Luc-Annaud Toussaint.

Chicago continued to press early in the game and again found the back of the net in the ninth minute on a ball chipped over the keeper by Ryan Sierakowski.

Despite the early blows and having yet to score in its first two matches, Junior Lone Star was not discouraged, quickly controlling possession and determining the tempo of the game. Foray Thoronka put Junior Lone Star on the board with his 47th-minute strike after receiving a long ball from Kenneth Lassiter.

Two minutes later, Terry Kemokai played a ball out wide to Vlandy Slueue, who calmly finished with his right after beating out a defender.

A draw was not a satisfactory result for Junior Lone Star, as the attack continued to create quality chances. Slueue again put himself in a good position after cutting a ball in from the left, but his shot was not enough to beat keeper Adrian Remeniuk.

"I’m proud of the way the guys fought today, “Junior Lone Star Head Coach Thomas George said. “We put ourselves in a good position in the second half, scoring two quick goals, but I guess we just lost our legs and weren’t able to find a winner.”

AMERICAN DIVISION

PARSIPPANY SC 1, IMG ACADEMY 1: Parsippany held on to claim a draw against IMG Academy in its final group game, which proved enough to earn the right to face Tampa Bay United in the Super-20 League Finals Championship Game as it finished ahead of the Grand Rapids Crew on goal difference in the American Division.

Parsippany had a chance to take the lead in the 15th minute when a good cross found Zach Reed, but his effort was blocked and cleared. IMG then began to press forward well, and both Raymundo Marquez and Brendan O’Connor had chances to score, only to miss the target.

Raul Gonzalez was the next to have a good chance for IMG in the 31st minute as he broke into the left side of the penalty area, but his chipped finish slid wide of the right post, and the game went to the break scoreless.

Parsippany broke the deadlock two minutes into the second half as a free kick by Andrew Ruane was flicked home by Matthew Villano, but IMG rebounded well as Marquez’s header in the 55th minute was well saved by Brady O’Connor. IMG again went close eight minutes later through Connor Sparrow, only for his shot to be cleared off the line, but it was rewarded for its pressure in the 65th minute as O’Connor got his hand to a fierce shot by Alex Zidani, but couldn’t keep it out of the net.

IMG, which needed victory in order to keep its hopes of reaching the final alive, continued to press forward in search of a winner, but ended up reduced to nine men as first Brendan O’Connor was sent off following an off-the-ball incident, and then Juan Navarette was dismissed for his second yellow card. Parsippany wasn't able to take advantage of its numerical advantage, and had to wait out Grand Rapids’ final group game, but eventually took its place in Sunday’s final.

GRAND RAPIDS CREW 4, DEPORTIVO CORAS USA 2: The Grand Rapids Crew got off to a flying start, but were unable to achieve the five-goal victory they needed to jump past Parsippany SC as they defeated Deportivo Coras in the final group game in the American Division.

The Crew scored three goals in the opening 10 minutes. Andrew Lewis opened the scoring in the fourth minute before Matt Wilson added two goals in five minutes, both from close range, to put them in with a strong chance of advancing.

After its initial flurry, however, Grand Rapids’ pace slowed, and Coras was able to get back into the game. Deportivo pulled a goal back a minute before the halftime break as Matt Aldama put home a good finish from the right side of the penalty area to put a dent in the Crew’s hopes with 45 minutes to go.

Grand Rapids restored its three-goal lead 10 minutes into the second half on an outstanding solo effort by Kosti Moni, who controlled a long pass upfield with his chest and raced in on goal before he fired a low finish into the left corner of the net. The Crew continued to push for the two additional goals they needed, but spurned a number of good opportunities from inside the penalty area, and then with 17 minutes to go Aaron Gonzalez made the road harder as he scored directly from a corner kick from the left as Coras got a second.

The game continued to get stretched as it entered the final 10 minutes as the Crew continued to create, and fail to take, chances. Their hopes of reaching the final would come to an end as the final whistle blew, to leave Parsippany on top of the American Division.

BEACHSIDE SC OF CT 4, BROWNSVILLE BRAVOS ACADEMY 1: Beachside SC kept its composure despite an early deficit, comfortably beating Brownsville Bravos Academy FC.

Damian Torres gave Brownsville an early lead, poking in a ball on the goal line after a saved shot from Carlos Acevedo in the third minute.

Beachside quickly reorganized and created chance after chance before equalizing in the 20th minute when a Patrick Figgie cross found Francisco Agrest for the goal.

Nicholas Zuniga gave Beachside the lead in the 45th, with Joey Devivo extending the lead to two in the 47th minute with Figgie collecting his second assist on the day.

Any hope of a comeback was crushed for Brownsville when Zuniga again found the back of the net, this time on a strike from 25 yards out, with Christian Barral picking up the assist.

“The guys showed resiliency,” Beachside Head Coach Pete Doneit said. “They came back and had the wealth of possession, our ball movement was great, we tired out the other team and did a good job at finishing out chances.”

USL PRO Game Report

Saturday, July 19, 2014

RICHMOND, Va. – A goal and an assist from Jason Yeisley led the Richmond Kickers to a 4-0 victory against the Charleston Battery on Saturday night at City Stadium, highlighting their 50th meeting between the longtime rivals. George Davis IV also had a goal and assist, while Matt Delicate scored his league-leading 13th goal of the season.

Chances arrived frequently for the Kickers during the first half, with several Richmond players moving around the pitch to create chances to take the lead, including midfielders Davis IV and Shay Spitz, and defender Conor Shanosky.

The Kickers' persistent attack yielded a reward in the 45th minute as Shanosky was able to score the game's first goal when a short corner taken by Spitz and directed to Davis found its way to Shanosky on a run deep in the Battery's penalty area. The defender was able to quickly shoot the ball past Charleston goalkeeper Eric Shannon and lift the Kickers to 1-0 lead as the game entered first-half stoppage time.

As fans cheered the opening goal, it didn't take long for Richmond to find the back of the net again as a pass from Spitz reached Davis inside the penalty area, and gave the midfielder a prime opportunity to shoot the ball past Shannon in the box and extend their lead to two goals over the Battery at the halftime break.

Less than six minutes into the second stanza, Yeisley was able to get on the score sheet with a goal of his own thanks to the playmaking of defender Alex Lee and midfielder Luke Vercollone. Lee drove down the right wing in an effort to keep the ball in play. Once settled, Lee was able to find a waiting Vercollone on the edge of the penalty area, and the veteran midfield directed a quick aerial pass to Yeisley inside the box, who was able to direct the ball into the back of the net.

Richmond continued to press forward through the second half as Yeisley was able to get an assist after getting a low cross to the feet of a charging Delicate in the 68th minute. The veteran forward was able to take Yeisley's cross and send it into the back of the net to make it 4-0

Richmond goalkeeper Joe Willis was able to preserve the clean sheet in front of the Richmond net, stopping a number of late chances by Charleston, including a first-time shot by Battery forward Dane Kelly at the top of Richmond's penalty area.

Richmond and Charleston will meet again on Tuesday night at Blackbaud Stadium in a game that was previously postponed due to lightning.  . The Kickers return home on Saturday, July 26 to face the Harrisburg City Islanders, before hosting Crystal Palance of the Barclays Premier League on Monday, July 28. Tickets are on sale now at RichmondKickers.com.

PDL Game Report

Saturday, July 19, 2014

LAS VEGAS -- With FC Tucson moments away from winning its first-ever playoff match — two minutes into a four-minute stoppage time — defender Austin Ledbetter was whistled for a foul in the penalty area. The Los Angeles Misioneros had a potential game-tying penalty kick.

And head coach Rick Schantz, who normally can’t even watch PKs from the bench, felt unusually calm.

“As soon as the foul happened, somebody from the bench said, ‘Don’t worry, [Billy Thompson] is gonna save it',” Schantz said. “And I had this, like, gut feeling where I thought, ‘I think I believe in it'.”

LA’s Kyrian Nwazuebe shot toward the left post and Thompson dove toward the left post, smothering the shot and killing off the Misioneros last gasp.

FC Tucson’s 2-1 win is the franchise’s first-ever playoff victory.

“[I thought] time to be the hero,” Thompson said. “That’s why you’re in the position. 90th minute; the game in your hands. That’s why you’re the goalie”

Added Schantz: “I about jumped out of my shorts.”

FC Tucson opened the scoring in the 28th minute. Forward Ricardo Velazco cut to his right, into the center of the pitch and tried driving a shot through traffic. The ball deflected off a defender and to the feet of midfielder Peter Kelly. His shot, from just above the top of the penalty area, made it through the mass of players and beat the Misioneros goalkeeper to the left side for a 1-0 lead.

Just one minute later, FC Tucson was on the attack again. Connor Brandt found Kelly near the goal line to the left of the net. Kelly threaded a cross past the goalkeeper and across a wide open goal mouth to forward Christian Voleskey. All the forward had to do was tap it in for a 2-0 lead.

Tucson missed a couple of chances to add to the lead before the half ended, however, and the Misioneros came out attacking in the second half.

The high pressure led to what Schantz said was an uncharacteristic turnover in the midfield by Velazco. LA quickly capitalized with a counter that sent Nwabueze in alone on a breakaway before he slotted the ball past a sprawling Thompson.

For the rest of the second half, it felt like FC Tucson was holding on more than counter attacking with the Misioneros.

“One word to describe it is just ‘gritty',” said Kelly of the win. “Everyone was working their [butt] off. And after they scored that first goal it was kind of nerve wracking just because they always say a 2-0 lead is the worst lead to have and sure enough they get that goal right after the half. We weren’t nervous. We just had to keep playing the way we were because we were getting some chances. … It’s just good we saw it out through the whole 90.”

FC Tucson will now play in the Western Conference Semifinals against the Vancouver Whitecaps U23s on Friday, July 25. The time and location of the match are still to be determined but FC Tucson has placed a bid to host the next round of the playoffs.

USL PRO Game Report

Saturday, July 19, 2014

OKLAHOMA CITY – Raul Mendiola scored the match’s lone goal as LA Galaxy II ended OKC Energy FC’s unbeaten streak at eight games with a 1-0 victory in front of a season-high sold-out crowd of 4,102 on Saturday night at Pribil Stadium.

Mendiola’s goal came in the 75th minute of play after Galaxy II midfielder Dragan Stojkov worked the ball into the left side of the OKC penalty area before dishing to Mendiola, who fired a shot past diving Energy FC goalkeeper Samir Badr into the bottom-left corner of the net.

Energy FC’s best chance of the match came in the 55th minute of play when David Leichty shot a bounding pass from Javier Castro from about 15 yards out, but Galaxy II keeper Cody Laurendi dove and deflected the shot away.

The Galaxy II appeared to have been reduced to 10 men in the 63rd minute when OKC’s Steven Perry chased a loose ball into the top of the LA penalty box, where he collided with a charging Laurendi. While both players lay on the pitch, referee Kyle Phillips issued a red card to Laurendi, but the card was rescinded moments later as the play had been ruled offside prior to the collision.

Though the Galaxy II outshot Energy FC 12-8, both teams tallied three shots on goal – LA with six in each half and OKC with four in each. Mendiola's finish proved the difference, however, as Los Dos moved back into third place in the USL PRO standings with their second consecutive victory

Energy FC’s next match is on Wednesday, July 23, when it travels to Harrisburg, Pa. and takes on the City Islanders at 6 p.m. CT. OKC's next home game is set for Saturday, August 2 as Energy FC hosts the Orange County Blues FC at 7 p.m. CT at Pribil Stadium.