USL News Release
Sunday, August 14, 2011
TAMPA, Fla. – The schedule for the USL PRO divisional semifinal weekend is set after the Charleston Battery secured the final playoff berth in the American Division with their victory on Friday night against the Charlotte Eagles and the Wilmington Hammerheads earned a home game with a win against the Dayton Dutch Lions on Saturday night.
The 2011 USL PRO playoffs will begin on Friday, August 19 with three divisional semifinals, with the National Division champion Rochester Rhinos hosting the Pittsburgh Riverhounds at 7:30 p.m. at Sahlen’s Stadium. The Rhinos completed a season sweep of the Riverhounds on Saturday night with a 1-0 victory, and have yet to concede a goal against Pittsburgh this season having earned a pair of 3-0 victories earlier in the season.
The other National Division semifinal will also take place on Friday night as the Harrisburg City Islanders will host the Los Angeles Blues at the Skyline Sports Complex at 7 p.m. The No.2 seed City Islanders went undefeated against the Blues this regular season, taking a win and two draws in their three meetings. The last matchup, though, saw the teams play to a 1-1 draw in Harrisburg, and another tight contest could be on the cards.
The American Division playoffs open on Friday night as the No.2 seed Wilmington Hammerheads host the Richmond Kickers at Legion Stadium at 7:30 p.m. While the Hammerheads have had a strong season, leading USL PRO with 42 goals, they had difficulties against the Kickers in their two meetings. Richmond won both games in the regular season, including a 2-0 victory this past Wednesday in Wilmington, which should give Leigh Cowlishaw’s side confidence it can advance.
USL PRO regular season champion Orlando City then closes out the divisional semifinals on Saturday night as it hosts the Battery at the Florida Citrus Bowl at 7:30 p.m. The Lions were convincing in a 4-0 victory to close their regular season on Friday night against Harrisburg, and have won three of the teams’ four meetings this season, including a win in the U.S. Open Cup. Charleston earned its place in the playoffs this past Friday night with a 4-3 win against the Charlotte Eagles, and will be hopeful of springing an upset as it tries to earn back-to-back championships.
The higher remaining seed in each division will host the division final between August 26-28, with the USL PRO Championship being hosted by the side with the most regular season points on Saturday, September 3 at 7:30 p.m.
USL PRO DIVISIONAL SEMIFINALS SCHEDULE
Friday, August 19, 2011
AMERICAN DIVISION
No.3 Richmond Kickers at No.2 Wilmington Hammerheads, 7:30 p.m., Legion Stadium
NATIONAL DIVISION
No.3 Los Angeles Blues at No.2 Harrisburg City Islanders, 7 p.m., Skyline Sports Complex
No.4 Pittsburgh Riverhounds at No.1 Rochester Rhinos, 7:30 p.m., Sahlen’s Stadium
Saturday, August 20, 2011
AMERICAN DIVISION
No.4 Charleston Battery at No.1 Orlando City, 7:30 p.m., Florida Citrus Bowl