USL News Release
Monday, August 22, 2011
TAMPA, Fla. – Orlando City and the Rochester Rhinos will play host as the USL PRO Playoffs move on to the Division Final weekend, with the Rhinos playing host to the Harrisburg City Islanders on Friday night and the Lions hosting the Richmond Kickers on Saturday night as all four teams move closer to the USL PRO Championship.
Orlando and Richmond both had to work overtime to move on from the American Division Semifinals this past weekend. The Lions defeated the Charleston Battery 3-1 as goals by Dennis Chin and Lewis Neal gave them an overtime victory, and the Kickers needed a clutch save by Ronnie Pascale in a penalty shootout to defeat the Wilmington Hammerheads 5-4 after the two teams had finished scoreless after regulation and overtime.
The Lions and Kickers split their two meetings this season, both winning at home. Richmond took a 2-0 victory on the opening day of the season through goals by Stanley Nyazamba and Matt Delicâte. Orlando got revenge at the Florida Citrus Bowl on May 25, taking a 2-0 victory of their own on goals by Neal and Kevin Molino.
Rochester and Harrisburg were both able to advance in regulation in the National Division Semifinals, the Rhinos sweeping to a 4-0 victory against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds as Isaac Kissi had a goal and assist. The City Islanders had a much closer call, edging out the Los Angeles Blues 3-2 as Andrew Welker scored twice and Brian Ombiji once to send their side through.
As with the American Division Final, the Rhinos and City Islanders split their two regular season meetings with the home side winning each contest. Harrisburg eked out a 1-0 victory on May 10 through a goal by leading scorer Jose Angulo, while Rochester took a 1-0 victory on June 11 on a goal by Kendall Jagdeosingh. The Rhinos also took victory when the two teams met in the second round of the U.S. Open Cup at the Skyline Sports Complex, a 90th-minute penalty kick by Tony Donatelli sending the Rhinos through.
The USL PRO Championship Game’s host will also be determined this weekend, with the winner of the Orlando-Richmond contest earning that honor after both teams finished with better records than their National Division opponents. The USL PRO Championship Game is scheduled for Saturday, September 3 at 7 p.m. and will be aired live on FOX Soccer.
USL PRO DIVISION FINALS
Friday, August 26, 2011
NATIONAL DIVISION FINAL
Rochester Rhinos vs. Harrisburg City Islanders, 7:30 p.m., Sahlen’s Stadium, Rochester, N.Y.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
AMERICAN DIVISION FINAL
Orlando City vs. Richmond Kickers, 7:30 p.m., Florida Citrus Bowl, Orlando, Fla.