By FRANCO PANIZO
The Charleston Battery's quest to take first place became more difficult this past weekend, as they suffered a pair of surprise losses to the rising Charlotte Eagles.
The Eagles first blanked the Battery, 2-0, on Friday courtesy of two goals in the second half. Nate Thornton and Juan Guzman netted the two goals that gave Charlotte three big points on the road.
If that result was not a big enough surprise, the Eagles winning again the next day surely was. Charlotte topped the shocked the Battery for the second time in two days, this time by a 1-0 mark at home. Darryl Roberts was responsible for the winner, and it came in the first half of the Saturday clash.
The two victories saw the Eagles go up two spots to sixth place in the league standings while dropping the Battery to third and putting them 10 points behind league leaders Orlando City SC.
Here's a look back at all the Week 14 action in USL Pro:
HARRISBURG CITY ISLANDERS 3, PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDS 2
The City Islanders took a lead, surrendered it, fell behind and then ultimately came out victorious in their match against the Riverhounds on Friday. The City Islanders defeated the Riverhounds, 3-2, in a game that saw three goals scored in the last 10 minutes. Harrisburg fell behind after Darren Amoo scored in the 80th, but finishes from Sainey Touray and Garett Pettis secured the win for the visitors.
ORLANDO CITY SC 1, LOS ANGELES BLUES 0
Playing in their first of two matches on the weekend, Orlando City claimed a 1-0 win over the Blues on Friday. Kieron Bernard scored two minutes into the match for the Lions, and that was all that was needed for Orlando to take the three points.
ROCHESTER RHINOS 2, DAYTON DUTCH LIONS 0
The Rhinos scored an early goal and a late one en route to taking a 2-0 result against the Dutch Lions on Saturday. Daniel Keith Earls netted three minutes in and Isaac Kissi came off the bench to knock in an insurance goal in a game that helped Rochester jump into second place in the league standings.
WILMINGTON HAMMERHEADS 1, RICHMOND KICKERS 0
Corey Hertzog just cannot stop scoring. The on-loan New York Red Bull striker lifted the Hammerheads to a 1-0 victory over the Kickers on Saturday by scoring the winner in the second half. The goal was the seventh for Hertzog during his loan spell, which has been extended for the remainder of the season.
ANTIGUA BARRACUDA FC 1, HARRISBURG CITY ISLANDERS 1
The City Islanders could not repeat their magic from a day before, as they settled for a 1-1 draw with Antigua Barracuda FC on Saturday. Antigua took a surprise lead in the 71st minute through midfielder Matthew Aldred, but Touray scored in stoppage time to help the City Islanders avoid a loss.
ORLANDO CITY SC 4, LOS ANGELES BLUES 0
The Blues did not learn from their mistakes from Friday, and instead they made more of them. The Blues fell to Orlando City, 4-0, in their second match in three days on Sunday. Dennis Chin led the way for the Lions with a brace in the rout, while Jean Alexandre and Matt Luzunaris added a goal apiece.
USL PRO STANDINGS
1. Orlando City SC (12-1-4, 40 points, +10 GD)
2. Rochester Rhinos (9-4-4, 31 points, +9 GD)
3. Charleston Battery (10-6-0, 30 points, +13 GD)
4. Wilmington Hammerheads (7-5-4, 25 points, +1 GD)
5. Harrisburg City Islanders (6-4-5, 23 points, +1 GD)
6. Charlotte Eagles (6-8-2, 20 points, -1 GD)
7. Richmond Kickers (5-6-5, 20 points, -3 GD)
8. Los Angeles Blues (5-8-2, 17 points, -6 GD)
9. Pittsburgh Riverhounds (3-8-5, 14 points, -8 GD)
10. Dayton Dutch Lions (2-8-6, 12 points, -8 GD)
11. Antigua Barracuda FC (3-10-1, 10 points, -18 GD)
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What do you think of these results? Surprised more that the Eagles won twice or that the Battery lost two times in one weekend? Think Orlando City is destined to finish in first place in the standings this season?
Share your thoughts below.
Pro/Rel would be better.
It’s the most logical thing NASL and USL could do. Does Atlanta really deserve to be in the “second division” over Orlando. No.
Never got the point with the Blues? LA already has 2 mls teams, why do they need the blues! Looks like even Dayton has better attendance.
Although, kudos on their live feed, one of the best in thr USL.
Orlando is running away with the title.
They should consider a move ti NASL next year.
Hopefully, will be MLS the year after.
In the meantime, how about a “super bowl” between USL and NASL champs?
Would be very well attended…
Blues just keep falling, in the standings and in attendance. If they stay in the league through 2013 like they said they were planning I don’t see them sticking around much after that.