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USL Pro Week 6: A Look Back

Sacramento Republic FC (SacRepFC)

By MIKE GRAMAJO

There was a big party in Sacramento on Saturday, and Harrisburg decided to crash it.

After starting their first five games on the road, Sacramento Republic FC kicked off their home schedule at Hughes Stadium with a sellout crowd of 20,231 that set the USL Pro record. But it was the Harrisburg City Islanders that walked away with a 2-1 victory.

Midfielder Robbie Derschang gave Harrisburg the lead in the first five minutes of the match when Yann Ekra found the former Philadelphia Union draft pick in an open space.

Sacramento Republic FC leveled the match in the 32nd minute after Adam Jahn’s flick header made its way past Nicholas Noble, but Harrisburg forward Morgan Langley delivered the game-winning goal in the 52nd minute after his shot from close range hit the near post.

Sacramento will now look for its first home win of the season when it welcomes the Orange County Blues FC on Saturday.

Here’s a closer look at the rest of Week 6 action in USL Pro:

ORLANDO CITY SPOILS OKC ENERGY’S HOME OPENER

Oklahoma City Energy FC opened up the home part of their schedule, but undefeated Orlando City SC spoiled the show.

Orlando City won 2-1 on Saturday night in front of 4,230 at Pribil Stadium. Dennis Chin gave the Lions the early lead in the 25th minute after midfielder Adama Mbengue’s header rebounded off Energy goalkeeper Jon Kempin. Orlando City doubled the lead in the 57th minute after midfielder Kevin Molino capitalized on a defensive error.

The Energy were able to pull one back in stoppage time after Steven Perry’s strike from close range slid past goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo.

LA GALAXY II CONTINUE DOMINANCE OVER OC BLUES 

Playing each other for the second consecutive week, the LA Galaxy II made their claim in who is the best Southern California-based USL Pro club by defeating the Orange County Blues, 3-0, on Sunday at Anteater Stadium.

Rafael Garcia gave Galaxy II the lead in the 34th minute after his free kick from outside the box curled into the net. Travis Bowen then doubled the score in the 50th minute after Kenney Walker found the former Phoenix FC forward. Gyasi Zardes capped the scoring in the 65th minute after his strike hit the bottom right corner of the net.

Los Dos battled earlier in the week to a 1-1 draw with Arizona United. The OC Blues, meanwhile, recorded their first blowout victory on Thursday, defeating the Harrisburg City Islanders 4-1.

KICKERS SNAP DUTCH LIONS UNBEATEN STREAK IN THRASHING 

The Richmond Kickers were still in search of their first win of the season after four matches, and they found it when they went on the road and mauled the Dayton Dutch Lions, 5-1, on Saturday.

Eli Garner put the hosts up 1-0 in the fourth minute, but the lead was short-lived. George Davis IV equalized the match minutes later, blasting a rebound off goalkeeper Matt Williams.

The Kickers added three more goals in the second half, including Matt Delicate sealing his brace in the 75th minute after a cross from Davis found the forward.

RHINOS EDGE BATTERY AT SAHLEN’S STADIUM

JC Banks early first-half goal kept the Rochester Rhinos in their winning ways, defeating the Charleston Battery, 1-0, on Sunday at Sahlen’s Stadium in front of 6,358 fans in attendance.

Banks’ opener came in the 19th minute after midfielder Tyler Rosenlund’s through ball found the striker, who rifled in a low shot past Battery goalkeeper Shannon Eric.

The Rhinos are now riding a two-game winning streak. Meanwhile, the Battery have opened up their season on a six-game winless run after battling to a scoreless draw earlier in the week at Pittsburgh.

EAGLES BOUNCE BACK AFTER ROAD WIN AT WILMINGTON 

Fatigue didn’t prove to be a factor on Saturday, as the Charlotte Eagles defeated the Wilmington Hammerheads, 2-0, in front of 2,634 supporters at Legion Stadium.

Despite falling to the Chicago Fire Reserves, 3-2, the day prior, the Eagles were victorious on the weekend thanks to midfielder Wells Thompson’s long-range strike in the second half.

Drew Yates then secured the victory in the dying minutes.

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What did you think of Week 6? Do you like seeing the attendance figure in Sacramento? Surprised to see Orlando City remain in unbeaten? Can Los Dos keep their momentum going? Do you think the Rhinos can continue their winning ways?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

      • MLS seems to be cooking the books. I wouldn’t pay much attention to their attendance numbers these days. They are reporting near capacity attendance in stadiums that have huge sections empty.

      • “”MLS seems to be cooking the books.””

        You are correct about that. MLS is also cooking the books by reporting falsely inflated salary figures. The figures released by the “union” that is, are fake.

      • You know that the union is independent from the league, right? If the league is “cooking the books,” it has no bearing on what the union is reporting for salaries.

      • Reporting tix sold…not attended.

        The Cosmos just announced 4K and probably 400 people showed up.

        From what I know MLS started announcing sold tix only 4 or 5 years ago. Cosmos number still includes tix distributed….inc handouts and the like.

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