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USL Pro: A Look Back at Week 3

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Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Blues

By FRANCO PANIZO

Rochestor Rhinos forward Andrew Hoxie was substituted into the club's match versus the Los Angeles Blues at halftime to make an impact, and he did not take long to do just that.

Hoxie scored the winner five minutes after entering the scoreless game on Friday night, and he then helped set up an insurance goal shortly after. J.C. Banks netted in the 56th minute thanks to contributions from Hoxie, who inspired Rochester to a 2-0 victory over last-place Los Angeles in the teams' second meeting in six days at Cal State Fullerton Titan Stadium.

The win improved the Rhinos to 2-0 on the year, making them the only team besides Orlando City SC to have won all of their games this season.

Here's a look back at all the Week 3 action in USL Pro:

ORLANDO CITY SC 2, RICHMOND KICKERS 0

Orlando City kept up their winning ways on the road on Saturday, topping the Kickers, 2-0, in a rainy game played at City Stadium. Orlando improved to 3-0 on the season off of second-half goals from Ian Fuller and Anthony Pullis in a match that saw 3,169 fans brave the wet conditions. The defeat was the first of the season for the Kickers, who are now 2-1-0 on the year.

PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDS 2, DAYTON DUTCH LIONS 0 

Seth C'deBaca and Agustin Nunez scored on each side of halftime to give the Riverhounds a 2-0 home win over the Dutch Lions on a cold and rainy Saturday night. C'deBaca netted in the 17th minute of a match played in front of 562 spectators at Chartier Valley High School, and Nunez doubled the lead in the 81st to keep the Dutch Lions winless on the season.

HARRISBURG CITY ISLANDERS 2, CHARLOTTE EAGLES 1 

The Islanders won their first game of the year this past Friday, and they can partially thank J.T. Noone for that. The Islanders defeated the Eagles, 2-1, in front of 522 fans at Charlotte Christian Stadium thanks to a second-half strike from Noone. Charlotte forward Mauricio Salles had negated Andrew Welker's opener in the first half, but no one stopped Noone as he scored the winner in the 51st minute.

HARRISBURG CITY ISLANDERS 0, WILMINGTON HAMMERHEADS 0

Playing in their second match in two days, the Islanders were held to a scoreless draw by the Hammerheads in front of a crowd of 3,682 at Legion Stadium on Saturday. Neither side was able to break the deadlock despite some chances, with Islanders goalkeeper Nicholas Noble not registering a single save, while Hammerheads netminder Alex Horwath was forced into making two blocks.

USL Pro Standings

1. Orlando City (3-0-0, 9 points, +7 GD)

2. Charleston Battery (2-1-0, 6 points, +3 GD)

3. Rochester Rhinos (2-0, 6 points, +3 GD)

4. Pittsburgh Riverhounds (2-1-0, 6 points, +1 GD)

5. Harrisburg City Islanders (1-0-1, 4 points, +1 GD)

6. Antigua Barracuda FC (1-1-0, 3 points, +1 GD)

7. Richmond Kickers (1-2-0, 3 points, -2 GD)

8. Dayton Dutch Lions (0-1-1, 1 point, -2 GD)

9. Wilmington Hammerheads (0-1-1, 1 point, -3 GD)

10. Charlotte Eagles (0-3-1, 1 point, -6 GD) 

11. Los Angeles Blues (0-2-0, 0 points, -3 GD)

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What do you think of these results? Impressed with Orlando's win? Surprised Richmond mounted a comeback against the Battery?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Actually, it’s the NASL and USL team owners who have been resisting MLS. They want to be seen as an alternative professional league to MLS as opposed to a reserve/second-tier league. It’s a ridiculous reason, but that’s what they have been saying.

    Reply
  2. Franco,
    Thx for the USL coverage but do your homework. This was Riconds 2nd loss!

    The USL is a mixed league, some of the better teams belong in Division 2.

    Reply
  3. IF MLS worked with NPSL/PDL and USL Pro you’d have a much better network of teams for ‘reserves’. Is there any MLS regulation stopping for example AEG from owning a lower level regional league to make sure their roster is bolstered for the late season and to give room for their development players to **gasp** develop?

    It’s a shame there isn’t a west coast version of the USL Pro. Have them play isolated seasons and only come together to crown a national champion.

    Reply
  4. How, exactly, do the Los Angeles Blues fit into the current USL Pro format? They’re 2,500 miles away from their competitors. Antigua Barracuda are closer to most teams than the Blues. I think it’s great they make it work, it just seems financially unsustainable.

    Reply

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