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USL Pro: A Look Back at Week 1

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By FRANCO PANIZO

The 2012 USL Pro season officially kicked off this past weekend, and two teams exchanged blows after playing twice in three days.

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds and Antigua Barracuda FC kicked off the second year of USL Pro action last Friday night, with the Riverhounds taking a 1-0 decision thanks to a Mike Seth goal in the first half. Richard Hunter Gilstrap recorded the cleansheet for Pittsburgh in the season opener played in front of 1,800 spectators at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.

The Riverhounds were unable to repeat that type of performance in their rematch at the same venue on Sunday, as the Barracudas exacted revenge with a 3-1 win over Pittsburgh in front of 1,200 fans. Quinton Griffith opened the scoring off a free kick and Stefan Smith bagged a brace before Michael Green knocked in a late consolation goal for the visitors.

Here's a look back at all the Week 1 action in USL Pro:

Orlando City 2, Charlotte Eagles 0 Orlando City SC, the reigning USL Pro Champions, got off to a winning start in 2012 courtesy of goals from Dennis Chin and Kevin Molino in front of a crowd of 891 at Charlotte Christian Stadium on Saturday night. Chin opened the scoring with a strike in the third minute, while Molino put the game away for the Lions off an assist from former San Jose Earthquakes striker Matt Luzunaris in second-half stoppage time.

Charleston Battery 2, Richmond Kickers 1 In his professional debut, midfielder Jose Cuevas scored on each side of halftime and led the Charleston Battery to a road victory over the Richmond Kickers at City Stadium on Saturday. Cuevas got on the scoresheet in the 41st minute, but Richmond equalized four minutes later on a goal from Stanley Nyazamba. Cuevas finished off his brace and gave the Battery the three points by scoring in the 67th minute of a game that had 5,009 fans in attendance. Cuevas' efforts earned him Player of the Week.

USL Pro Standings

1. Orlando City 3 points, +2 GD

2. Antigua Barracuda FC 3 points, +1 GD

3. Charleston Battery 3 points, +1 GD

4. Pittsburgh Riverhounds 3 points, -1 GD

5. Dayton Dutch Lions 0 points, 0 GD

6. Harrisburg City Islanders 0 points, 0 GD

7. Los Angeles Blues 0 points, 0 GD

8. Rochester Rhino 0 points, 0 GD

9. Wilmington Hammerheads 0 points, 0 GD

10. Richmond Kickers 0 points, -1 GD

11. Charlotte Eagles 0 points, -2 GD

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What do you think of these results? Surprised Pittsburgh did not win both games against the Barracudas? Expecting Orlando City to make another run at the championship?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. wow, impressive on the attendance numbers in Antigua, which is, respectively, 1750 and 1150 more then the attendance at nearby Trin & Tab matches (no really, go to that league’s website and you’ll see photos of games where there are just empty seats in the background…i guess only corruption keeps it going).

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