USL PRO News Release
Friday, August 23, 2013
TAMPA, Fla. – The 2013 USL PRO Playoffs kick off on Saturday as the road to the USL PRO Championship begins with four quarterfinal contests. The regular-season champion Richmond Kickers open the playoffs against first-time playoff side the Dayton Dutch Lions, with other contests in Orlando, Fla., Charleston, S.C., and Harrisburg, Pa. all set to provide compelling competition for a place in the semifinals.
No. 1 Richmond Kickers vs. No. 8 Dayton Dutch Lions
Saturday, 7 p.m. ET, City Stadium
After only losing once in the regular season the Kickers face a side in Dayton that it has never lost to, going 7-0-1 in its previous meetings in the league and U.S. Open Cup. The Kickers’ success was fueled by the stingiest defense in USL PRO, which only conceded 24 goals in 26 games, and a balanced attack that saw no-one score double-digit goals, but six players score at least four goals. Joseph Ngwenya led the way with nine goals and five assists, with Brian Ownby recording seven goals and six assists on loan from the Houston Dynamo.
While Richmond clinched the regular-season title in the penultimate game of the season, Dayton needed victory in its final contest against Harrisburg Saturday to claim its first postseason berth in club history. Goals by leading scorer Gibson Bardsley (nine goals, seven assists), Eli Garner and Brandon Swartzendruber gave the Dutch Lions a 3-1 win, but they will need to find a way to accomplish another first and advance to the semifinals.
No. 2 Orlando City vs. No. 7 Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, Florida Citrus Bowl
After falling short of a third consecutive regular-season championship, Orlando City is aiming to win its second USL PRO Championship in three seasons, but it will be tested by a Pittsburgh Riverhounds side that won the season series against the Lions. Pittsburgh was one of two teams to go into the Florida Citrus Bowl and take victory in the regular season, something Adrian Heath’s side will aim to reverse with the help of 2012 Most Valuable Player Kevin Molino and Dennis Chin.
The Riverhounds, meanwhile, are coming off a solid 1-1 draw with Richmond in their final game of the season, a contest that saw Jose Angulo record his 15th goal of the season. Angulo and Matt Dallman (12 assists) were pivotal players throughout the regular season for Pittsburgh, but a defense led by Andrew Marshall and Rich Costanzo that shut out Orlando in both meetings in the regular season may be the key to Saturday’s quarterfinal.
No. 3 Charleston Battery vs. No. 6 Los Angeles Blues
Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, Blackbaud Stadium
The Charleston Battery begin the defense of their championship at Blackbaud Stadium, where they finished with a record of 9-1-4 this season. Among those nine victories was a 3-0 win against the Los Angeles Blues that saw Dane Kelly score one of his team-leading 11 goals, and the Battery will look to him and Nicki Paterson, who returns after sitting out the final game of the regular season due to suspension, to lead the team into the semifinals.
The Blues will pose a threat, however, as they make the trip east in their return to the postseason. Matt Fondy scored twice as Los Angeles took a 2-1 win against Charleston in California earlier this month, and has been outstanding since rejoining the team with 10 goals in 10 games. Battery Player of the Year Colin Falvey and the rest of the Charleston defense will need to be focused to withstand the threat of Fondy and Chris Cortez (nine goals) as the Blues try to spring an upset.
No. 4 Harrisburg City Islanders vs. No. 5 Charlotte Eagles
Saturday, 2 p.m. ET, Skyline Sports Complex
The Harrisburg City Islanders host the Charlotte Eagles in a contest that saw both teams take victory on the road in the regular season. Harrisburg, in fact, struggled at times at home, posting a better away record (7-4-1) than at the friendly confines of Skyline Sports Complex (7-6-1). Despite that, the City Islanders will be hopeful of moving on as their strong attacking duo of Sainey Touray and Lucky Mkosana (28 points apiece) lead what the club hopes will be a return to the USL PRO Championship Game.
The Eagles, meanwhile, were solid on the road throughout the regular season, going 3-2-7 on their travels. Led by Jorge Herrera (10 goals, four assists) and rookie Christian Ramirez (eight goals, five assists), the Eagles have also been boosted offensively in the latter part of the season by Drew Yates, with the former Maryland standout having recorded six assists to lead the team. Charlotte is hoping to replicate its 2-1 victory in Harrisburg earlier this month, while the City Islanders are hoping for a repeat of their 4-0 victory in Charlotte on June 1 as both look to advance to the semifinals.
Stay up to date with all of the action in the 2013 USL PRO Playoffs through the league’s free online streaming service, USLNation.com, and also follow the race for the playoffs via Twitter (@USLPRO), Facebook and Google+ for live updates from every game, plus news, previews and recaps of all the action.