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USL Pro Week 5: A Look Back

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Photo courtesy of USL Pro

By FRANCO PANIZO

When the Pittsburgh Riverhounds scored late to pull level with Orlando City SC, some fans thought the game would end in a 1-1 draw.

It turns out that was far from the case.

Orlando City topped Pittsburgh, 3-2, in a thrilling match at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla. on Saturday night. Both teams endured a roller coaster of emotions in the final moments of the match before an 88th-minute goal from substitute Ian Fuller proved to be decisive.

The wild second half began when Dennis Chin scored unassisted for the Lions in the 68th minute of the dramatic match. Pittburgh equalized in the 79th after an own goal from Wes Allen, but it took just one minute for Orlando to shake that off and reclaim the lead through a Charlie Campbell finish.

With the 6,722 fans in the stands still celebrating, Orlando surrendered the lead once again in the 85th minute. Former New York Red Bulls midfielder Matt Kassel appeared to don the hero's cape with his first goal of the season, but that was not enough for the Riverhounds as Fuller capped the affair with a clutch goal two minutes prior to the end of regulation.

Here's a look back at all the Week 5 action in USL Pro:

CHARLOTTE EAGLES 2, HARRISBURG CITY ISLANDERS 1

Two second-half goals saw the Eagles win their second game of the season, as they topped the Islanders, 2-1, on Friday night in front of 1,223 fans at Skyline Sports Complex in Harrisburg, Pa. On-loan Philadelphia Union forward Antoine Hoppenot opened the scoring in the first half for the Islanders, but Dary Roberts pulled Charlotte level before Jorge Herrera knocked in the winner. Joseph Kabwe assisted on both goals for the Eagles.

CHARLESTON BATTERY 4, ANTIGUA BARRACUDA FC 0

Friday was a day to remember for the Battery and one to forget for Antigua Barracuda. Charleston treated the 3,162 supporters in attendance at Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, S.C., to a fine performance, as they claimed a 4-0 victory over Antigua. All four goals came in the second half and from four different players to drop Antigua to 2-4 on the season.

LOS ANGELES BLUES 2, WILMINGTON HAMMERHEADS 1

The Blues won their first game of the season on Friday, claiming a 2-1 result against the Hammerheads at Sherbeck Field. Only 200 fans turned out to see the Blues, which overcame a 1-0 deficit through goals from Matt Fondy and Allen Russell. Bryce Taylor scored the opener for the Hammerheads before they surrendered the two second-half goals.

ROCHESTER RHINOS 1, CHARLOTTE EAGLES 0

Playing in their second game in two days, the Eagles fell to the Rhinos in one of the cruelest ways possible. Eagles defender Mark Bloom scored an own goal nine minutes into the match, and there was no equalizer for the visitors in their 1-0 loss to the Rhinos at Sahlen's Stadium in Rochester, N.Y., on Saturday. The win for Rochester came in their 2012 home opener, which was played with 7,959 fans in attendance.

RICHMOND KICKERS 1, DAYTON DUTCH LIONS 1

The Dutch Lions were on the brink of winning their first game of the season, and then disaster struck in the final minute of regulation in their game against the  Kickers. A controversial penalty kick was awarded to Richmond moments before the final whistle, and David Bulow converted it for the visitors to give them a 1-1 draw as 1,012 frustrated fans looked on at Miami Valley South Stadium in Bellbrook, Ohio, on Saturday.

WILMINGTON HAMMERHEADS 2, LOS ANGELES BLUES 2 

The Blues were not able to repeat their success from Friday, having to fight back twice to pull out a 2-2 draw against the Hammerhads at Cal State Fullerton Titan Stadium on Sunday. Playing Wilmington for the second time in three days, Los Angeles twice canceled out goals from Hakop Avesyan to grab a point. Former New York Red Bull Irving Garcia scored the first equalizer for the Blues and Cheunyong Park buried the second in front of the 847 fans in attendance.

USL PRO STANDINGS

1. Orlando City (4-0-1, 13 points, +8 GD)

2. Charleston Battery (4-1-0, 12 points, +8 GD)

3. Rochester Rhinos (4-0, 12 points, +5 GD)

4. Wilmington Hammerheads (2-2-2, 8 points, 0 GD)

5. Charlotte Eagles (2-5-1, 7 points, -5 GD)

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

7. Antigua Barracuda FC (2-4, 6 points, -7 GD)

8. Richmond Kickers (1-2-2, 5 points, -2 GD)

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

10. Los Angeles Blues (1-2-1, 4 points, -2 GD)

11. Dayton Dutch Lions (0-2-2, 2 points, -3 GD) 

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What do you think of these results? Surprised Orlando was able to pull out a win in their thrilling match against Pittsburgh after giving up the lead twice? Impressed by Charleston's mauling of Antigua? Impressed with the Blues' 2-1 win over the Hammerheads?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Orlando match was a lot of fun, but the team needs to step it up if they want to repeat this season

    Reply

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