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USL Pro: A Look Back at Week 12

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By FRANCO PANIZO

It took them much longer than they would have expected or liked, but the Dayton Dutch Lions finally have their first win of the season.

Dayton claimed its first victory of the regular season and it did so in emphatic fashion, routing the Wilmington Hammerheads, 4-0, on Saturday night in a match that lifted the Dutch Lions out of last place. Thomas Eli Garner led the way for the hosts with a brace, while Gibson Bardsley and substitute Eric Kissinger also scored.

The Dutch Lions' victory could not come at a better time, as it will serve as a boost in confidence and give them momentum before traveling to take on Sporting Kansas City in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday.

Here's a look back at all the Week 12 action in USL Pro:

PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDS 2, WILMINGTON HAMMERHEADS 1

A second-half rally was required for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds to avoid defeat at home, scoring twice to record a 2-1 come-from-behind win against the Hammerheads on Friday. Manny Guzman knocked in the opener for Wilmington five minutes after halftime, but that lead did not last long. Former New York Red Bulls midfielder Matt Kassel converted a penalty kick seven minutes after Guzman's opener, and Darren Amoo buried the winner in the 82nd minute.

ORLANDO CITY 3, HARRISBURG CITY ISLANDERS 0

Not even the rain can slow down Orlando City SC right now. The Lions cruised past the City Islanders amid wet conditions on Friday night, picking up a 3-0 triumph at the Florida Citrus Bowl. Dennis Chin netted a second-half brace, but that came after Matt Luzunaris' winner in first-half stoppage time.

CHARLESTON BATTERY 3, HARRISBURG CITY ISLANDERS 1

A day after suffering a lopsided loss to Orlando City, the City Islanders' woes continued with a 3-1 defeat to the Battery on Saturday. Charleston jumped out to a 2-0 lead through goals from Jose Cuevas and Navion Boyd before Harrisburg's Tom Mellor pulled one back. The Battery made sure there was no equalizer, however, as Ryan Richter found the back of the net to seal the win and give Harrisburg another loss before the City Islanders' U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals match against the Philadelphia Union on Tuesday. 

ROCHESTER RHINOS 3, RICHMOND KICKERS 2

It was a back-and-forth affair, but in the end the team left standing was the one that clawed its way back twice. JC Banks scored the winner for the Rochester Rhinos in second half stoppage time of the club's 3-2 victory over the Kickers on Saturday, a goal that came shortly after Andrew Hoxie equalized for the Rhinos. Richmond took two seperate leads in the match, but neither was maintained and the points slipped away.

USL PRO STANDINGS

1. Orlando City (10-1-2, 32 points, +15 GD)

2. Charleston Battery (9-3-0, 27 points, +15 GD)

3. Rochester Rhinos (7-3-4, 25 points, +5 GD)

4. Wilmington Hammerheads (5-5-4, 19 points, -2 GD)

5. Los Angeles Blues (5-3-2, 17 points, +3 GD)

6. Richmond Kickers (4-5-5, 17 points, -3 GD)

7. Harrisburg City Islanders (4-4-4, 16 points, -1 GD)

8. Pittsburgh Riverhounds (3-6-4, 13 points, -6 GD)

9. Charlotte Eagles (3-8-2, 11 points, -5 GD)

10. Dayton Dutch Lions (1-7-5, 8 points, -7 GD) 

11. Antigua Barracuda FC (2-8-0, 6 points, -14 GD)

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What do you think of these results? Do you see the Dayton Dutch Lions' carrying over the momentum from their win to the quarterfinals tilt with Sporting KC? Surprised by the City Islanders' two losses this weekend?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Not only Dayton, the 2 other USL teams left in the openare also in the bottom of the league. How doyou expain that?
    I guess they played MLS teams that dont care about the open?

    Reply
  2. Incredible to think that Dayton just won their first league game, yet they’re in the quarter finals of the US Open Cup.

    Reply

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