By TRAVIS CLARK
The USSF Second Division entered its final full month of play with the two-way race for the top as tight as ever.
Top spot in the second division will likely go to either Rochester Rhinos or Austin Aztex, with the Texan club holding an advantage of having two games in hand. Ausin jumped back into first place in both the USL Conference and the overall standings with a 2-0 win over NSC Minnesota at House Park over the weekend, while the Rhinos had a weekend off.
A brace from Eddie Johnson — with both goals set up by strike partner Jamie Watson — were enough as Austin's strong season continued. Johnson sits two goals behind Ryan Pore for the USSF D-2 goal-scoring title.
Here's a look at the rest of last weekend's USSF D-2 action:
ST. LOUIS STAYS ALIVE
To say that it's been a rocky first season for A.C. St. Louis seems like an understatement. The results on the pitch have been inconsistent, but slim playoff hopes were given a shot in the arm after a 3-1 win over bottom of the table Miami FC. Luke Kreamalmeyer and Mike Ambersley grabbed a goal apiece as St. Louis reduced the gap for a playoff spot to two points. The battle for the last playoff spot looks set to come down to either St. Louis, Minnesota or Tampa Bay.
RAILHAWKS CRUISE AT HOME
Winning at home in 2010 has proved to be a tricky task for Carolina in league play, but the visit of Crystal Palace Baltimore, and an emphatic 3-0 win should help exercise some of those demons. Three second half goals by Daniel Paladini, Allan Russell and Tom Heinemann — on loan from the Charleston Battery in USL-2 — were plenty as Nic Platter posted a shutout.
WHITECAPS DRAW AGAINST PUERTO RICO
No team in the USSF D-2 knows how to draw quite like the Vancouver Whitecaps. The MLS-bound side had quite a busy week as far as 2011 plans are concerned, but as far as this season goes couldn't score against Puerto Rico at home, tying 0-0. It was much of the same story for Vancouver as it has been all year — holding steady at the back, while unable to capitalize on opportunities created up front. The Islanders head home after a two-game swing in the Northwest, coming away with just one point from that stretch.
Man, why is everyone always so confused in the comments section here?!? The UK Eddie Johnson is in his second season for the Aztex and he is only 25. He played with Coventry from 2004-2005. He trained with the Sounders in the offseason but decided to stay in Austin. He’ll be in the MLS soon enough though. Also, Heath doesn’t own the team as far as i know, but a partial owner of Stoke City does hence the relationship.
It would be too easy to respond in kind to this post. Suffice to say that this kind of xenophobic commentary does the poster nor this website no credit.
Its weird to see any brit player outside their country. Probably the whole lack of technical skills things.
We have enough ‘guys with heart’ in this country… how about we just bring skilled players in?
And I think were the only country (canada doesnt count as a country, more of a banana republic that hangs on to us so they can have pro sports. Lazy icebacks.) that brings in english soccer people.
No other country seems to turn to them for their expertise (dont bring up ol Roy, he is the exception that proves the rule)
I blame the accent… it always impresses the locals who think the people with them are smarter than they actually are.
In what other league would a guy like Mo Johnston have a job besides groundskeeper?
Because they’re the USL. They’ve changed their own name numerous times over the years. They don’t know who the hell they are.
why can’t they give it a proper name like
First Division Soccer or
Major League Soccer Division 2 or
North American League One/Two
something beside USL PRO
My point, not clearly made and in direct reply to your entry, is that the club is run by Brits who have some channels back in the UK to bring players here. the Brit EJ played for Adrian Heath at Coventry in the mid-90s.
Hi.
I know that reposnses sometimes can seem a little pointed in writing when that is not the intent, but your reply seems a little aggressive?
I ask:
1. What does it really matter
and
2. Why do you need proof? Is there a point you are trying to make?
No buying out needed. The NASL has submitted their plan to the USSF for being the D2 league next season. The USL doesn’t have a D2 in its plans for next season. They’ve renamed USL2 ‘USL Pro’.
http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/2010/09/02/austin-aztex-not-committing-and-rochester-rhinos-sorting-out-their-options-a-ussf-d2-d3-update/
AFAIK, Heath is *not* one of the Aztex owners. Anyone else have any other solid proof that he is?
The team is owned by a minority owner of Sotke City and by Everton Hall of Famer Adrian Heath, who also coaches the team.
They kind of learned their way around the league last year and are leading it this year.
I read some rumor that NASL was submitting a bid soon to buy out the USL. Other than that rumor nothing substantial.
Has there been any word on what will be happening to this league(s) next year?
are you serious? So weird to see lower league english players playing in MLS.
Its not that Eddie Johnson. Its the British one who couldn’t hack it there either.
Is Miami FC the worst team in D2/USL/NASL history? Seriously, 3 wins for a team full of former MLSers, and a former MLS MVP and former #1 overall pick in the Superdraft.
I’ve never seen such a bad team in my life and we have had some bad ones down here.
I guess i’ll say it- Good to see EJ back scoring goals at home