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USL Pro Week 13: A Look Back

USLPro

By JOHN BOSCHINI

If the rest of the American Division isn't careful, Orlando City could wrap up the division title before the end of July.

A couple of weekend wins saw Orlando City move 10 points clear of the Richmond Kickers. Richmond does have three games in hand but a scoreless draw with FC New York highlights the early-season leaders inconsistent form.

The Charlotte Eagles wrapped up their unbeaten June with a 2-0 win over Pittsburgh. The Eagles exploded during June, garnering 10 points from a possible 12 and moving out of the bottom of the American Division. The Riverhounds have a dismal -12 goal differential and are second from bottom in the National Division.

Currently in the cellar of the National Division is the Dayton Dutch Lions, who lost 1-0 to Rochester. The Rhinos keep their lead at the top of the National Division. Their closest rivls is the Harrisburg City Islanders, winners of two games over the weekend. The Islanders are just three points behind Rochester with a game in hand.

After a bright start, the Wilmington Hammerheads have faded fast. A 2-0 loss to the Charleston Battery moves them to the bottom of the American Divison and are now winless in their last three matches.

Here is a look back at the weekend's action in the USL Pro.

Charlotte Eagles 2, Pittsburgh Riverhounds 0: Sallieu Bundu scored two goals just nine minutes apart midway through the first half. Eric Reed came up big for the Eagles, making seven saves to record his sixth shutout of the season in just 12 games.

Richmond Kickers 0, FC New York 0: Richmond recorded 10 shots but couldn't find a breakthrough as both goalkeepers were up to the task. The Kickers forced eight corners and had the majority of possession but lacked a finishing touch in front of goal.

Orlando City 3, Antigua Barracuda FC 1: An own goal from Stefan Smith was followed quickly by a goal from Max Griffin in the first half. Antigua quickly responded with a goal from Orlando Mitchum but Luke Boden's headed goal in the second half ended any hopes of a comeback.

Charleston Battery 2, Wilmington Hammerheads 0: Seedy Bah and Dane Kelly scored in each half as Charleston coasted to an easy victory. Wilmington registered nine shots but only forced two saves from Andrew Dykstra.

Harrisburg City Islanders 1, Los Angeles Blues 1: A goal from L.A's  Josh Tudela on the hour mark canceled out a Andrew Welker goal scored just six minutes earlier. Both teams combined for only five shots on goal all game.

Rochester Rhinos 1, Dayton Dutch Lions 0: JC Banks scored in stoppage time to break a scoreless deadlock and give Rochester a thrilling victory. 

Pittsburgh Riverhounds 2, Charleston Battery 0: Matt Tuttle scored within the first 10 minutes and Shintaro Harada added an insurance goal in the second half for Pittsburgh. Richard Hunter Gilstrap made three saves in the shutout.

Orlando City 2, Antigua Barracuda FC 1:  Devorn Jorsling scored a brace in the first half and Roy Gregory scored a consolation goal in the second half. Orlando was reduced to 10 men with four minutes to go when Demar Stewart was sent off but managed to hold out for a victory.

Harrisburg City Islanders 2, Los Angeles Blues 1: Sainey Touray and Andrew Welker scored in each half to gie Harrisburg the lead. Israel Sesay's goal in the 82nd minute served as little more than a consolation.

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What did you think of this weekend's games? Impressed with Orlando? Can Dayton ever get on track? Can Rochester hold on to win the National Division?

Share your thoughts below.

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