USL PRO News Release
Thursday, May 3, 2012
TAMPA, Fla. – The Harrisburg City Islanders and Rochester Rhinos host the final two home openers of the USL PRO season this weekend, with both teams aiming to build on solid road performances to open their 2012 campaigns.
Both sides will host the Charlotte Eagles, who make a two-game trip to the northeast looking to build on their 2-0 win against Antigua Barracuda FC this past Saturday. The City Islanders took victory when the two teams met earlier this season, though, with goals by Andrew Welker and J.T. Noone earning a 2-1 victory on April 20. Harrisburg then went on to earn a point against Wilmington the following game, giving it a 1-0-1 record as it starts its schedule at Skyline Sports Complex in a game that can be seen on USL Live.
Rochester, meanwhile, is off to its best start since 2006 after taking three consecutive victories to start the season, with the Rhinos are set to open their schedule at Sahlen’s Stadium on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. The last time the Rhinos started a season this well was also the last time the club reached a league championship game, and with new goalkeeper Kristian Nicht and his defense yet to concede a goal, the early season indicators are such that the Rhinos could be a serious challenger for Orlando City’s crown.
The Lions are also undefeated to start the season, and are also at home this Saturday night as they host the Pittsburgh Riverhounds at the Florida Citrus Bowl. After being held to a 0-0 draw in its last outing, Orlando will be aiming to get back in the victory column. The Riverhounds will also being trying to bounce back after falling 1-0 twice last weekend in Wilmington and Charleston.
At the other end of the table, the Los Angeles Blues will try to earn their first victory of the season as they host Wilmington for the first of a pair of games this weekend on Friday and Sunday evening. Meanwhile, the Charleston Battery will try to continue their strong start against an Antigua Barracuda FC side looking to break a two-game losing streak that was extended in a 3-0 loss to the Hammerheads on Wednesday night. Finally, the Dayton Dutch Lions will host the Richmond Kickers, also in search of their first victory of the season on Saturday night.
Six of this weekend’s seven games will be available live on USL PRO’s new streaming video platform, www.uslnation.com, which also contains archived games from all of the season’s previous broadcasts.