By FRANCO PANIZO
Nothing can stop the Charlotte Eagles right now. Not even Mother Nature.
The Eagles extended their winning streak to five games this past Saturday by beating the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, 2-0, on Saturday night amid wet conditions. Devon Grousis scored the winner in the first half for Charlotte, and forward Chris Salvaggione came off the bench and added an insurance goal in stoppage time of a match that extended the Eagles' streak of games without giving up a goal to three.
The start of the match was delayed by a long rain delay, and kickoff did not come until 10:30 p.m. But that did not seem to matter to Charlotte, which has not tasted defeat since early June and is now in sixth place in the league standings.
Here's a look back at all the Week 15 action in USL Pro:
DAYTON DUTCH LIONS 0, HARRISBURG CITY ISLANDERS 0
The Dutch Lions missed out on an opportunity to move up the standings on Friday, playing to a scoreless draw with the City Islanders on Friday. The result was still a positive one for the visiting Dutch Lions but if they had won, they would have moved further away from the dreaded last-place spot in the league table.
RICHMOND KICKERS 3, PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDS 1
The Kickers cruised to victory on Friday, defeating the Riverhounds, 3-1, on Friday. The Kickers scored three consecutive goals, starting with William Yomby's winner in the first half. But Matt Kassel ruined Richmond's clean sheet by converting on a penalty kick in stoppage time.
ORLANDO CITY SC 4, ROCHESTER RHINOS 0
Orlando City's lead atop the league standings continued to grow this past Saturday, as they picked up an emphatic win over another team near the top of the table. Orlando topped the third-place Rhinos, 4-0, in a game that saw the hosts jump out to a 2-0 lead after the first 15 minutes. The Lions had four different players find the back of the net in the match, including Matt Luzunaris and Rodrigo Lopez.
LOS ANGELES BLUES 2, ANTIGUA BARRACUDA FC 0
The Blues made progress in their quest to reach the playoffs, blanking Antigua Barracuda FC, 2-0, on Saturday afternoon. Max Griffin and Matt Fondy scored on each side of halftime to five the Blues a win over last-place Antigua. Los Angeles is now in seventh place in the league standings.
CHARLESTON BATTERY 3, WILMINGTON HAMMERHEADS 1
If the Battery were on a mission to reclaim second place in the league table, they can consider their weekend a success. The Battery jumped back into second after picking up a 3-1 triumph over the Hammerheads on Saturday. Dane Kelly knocked in the winner for Charleston at the hour-mark, and Nicki Paterson scored an insurance goal five minutes later.
USL PRO STANDINGS
1. Orlando City SC (13-1-4, 43 points, +24 GD)
2. Charleston Battery (11-6-0, 33 points, +15 GD)
3. Rochester Rhinos (9-5-5, 32 points, +5 GD)
4. Wilmington Hammerheads (7-6-5, 26 points, -1 GD)
5. Harrisburg City Islanders (6-4-6, 24 points, -1 GD)
6. Charlotte Eagles (7-8-2, 23 points, +1 GD)
7. Los Angeles Blues (7-8-2, 23 points, -1 GD)
8. Richmond Kickers (6-6-5, 23 points, -1 GD)
9. Pittsburgh Riverhounds (3-10-5, 14 points, -12 GD)
10. Dayton Dutch Lions (2-8-7, 13 points, -8 GD)
11. Antigua Barracuda FC (3-12-1, 10 points, -23 GD)
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What do you think of these results? How long do you think this winning streak will last for Charlotte? Expecting the Blues to reach the postseason?
Share your thoughts below.
Any of these teams have an MLS ready striker? FCD needs help… running out of time to bring someone in!