Photo by Vin Duffy / Charleston Battery
By ADAM TROXTELL
In a season when new teams have made the early headlines, it’s an established team that is leading the way in the USL.
The Charleston Battery have won their first three games after defeating Harrisburg City Islanders, 2-0 on Saturday. The Battery’s best start in 12 years has them sitting top of the USL standings after three weeks.
Herviel Cordoves opened the scoring in the 62nd minute when he chased down a lose ball, turned inside from the left and dispatched his third goal in two games. The Cuban is just part of a Battery attack that is off to a solid start, and the other half put the game away just nine minutes later.
Dane Kelly replaced Cordoves shortly after the opener, but he picked up from where things were left off. Kelly converted Maikel Chang’s pass to Charleston’s second goal of the night in the 71st minute.
New York Red Bulls II recorded its first ever win by beating fellow MLS-affiliate Toronto FC. Portland Timbers 2 recorded a second straight victory, while Arizona United came back to down LA Galaxy II.
Here is a closer look at the past week’s USL games:
RED BULLS II CRUISE TO FIRST WIN
Four different players got on the score sheet for New York Red Bulls II as the club recorded its first ever win, 4-1 against Toronto FC II.
The game was dominated by Red Bulls II, who handed TFC II its second loss of the season. Anatole Abang, on loan from the NYRB MLS side, scored the first goal in club history just eight minutes into the match.
Abang connected with Sean Davis to connect with a pass first-time and send the ball into the net. Just before halftime, Shawn McLaws cut in from the right for a far-post finish to double the lead.
Julian Uccello pulled one back for the visitors before Marius Obekop’s converted penalty kick restored the two-goal advantage in the 75th minute. Leo Stolz added the fourth with four minutes remaining.
Red Bulls II complete an opening three-game home stand against Wilmington Hammerheads this Sunday. TFC II get a week off before traveling west to face fellow Canadian side Vancouver Whitecaps II.
ANOTHER LATE STRIKE DOWNS LOS DOS
For the second straight week, Los Angeles Galaxy II succumbed to a late goal in a 2-1 loss to Arizona United.
Former Vancouver Whitecaps and D.C. United player Long Tan hit an 18-yard strike in stoppage time for Arizona’s second straight win. Dennis Chin, who provided the pass for Tan’s winner, equalized for the visitors in the 52nd minute.
Los Dos took the lead in the 19th minute when Galaxy homegrown players Raul Mendiola and Bradford Jamieson IV joined forces. Mendiola’s ball over the top of the defense was controlled by Jamieson before he calmly dispatched it into the low corner.
After a late Sacramento Republic FC goal led to a loss last week, Galaxy II has suffered back-to-back defeats early in the season. The chance to correct this and gain some revenge comes Saturday when Los Dos travels to Sacramento. Arizona next plays Austin Aztex, also on Saturday.
TIMBERS 2 COME BACK TO WIN AS BELMAR STRIKES AGAIN
Kharlton Belmar continued a flying start to the USL season by scoring the equalizing goal for Portland Timbers 2 in a 2-1 comeback victory against Sacramento Republic FC.
Belmar arrived at the back post to put Taylor Peay’s cross into the net in the 63rd minute, cancelling out Cameron Iwasa’s strike for visiting Sacramento just two minutes earlier. Steven Evans pounced on a rebound to score and give T2 all three points with just three minutes remaining.
While Sacramento hosts Galaxy II on Saturday, T2 has a much quicker turnaround with a trip to face Real Monarchs SLC on Wednesday.
ENERGY FC SPOIL SWITCHBACKS HOME OPENER
The first home game in Colorado Springs Switchbacks history was exciting, though it didn’t end in a home win.
Goals from Oklahoma City Energy FC striker Danni Konig sealed a 2-1 win for the visitors, the second coming with a minute of stoppage time remaining. The Switchbacks were down to 10 men at the time as Jordan Bert was shown a second yellow card in the 58th minute.
That didn’t stop them from pulling back from Konig’s 35th minute opener. Mike Seth scored the first goal in Switchbacks history in the 68th minute.
Just as the game looked as though it would end in a draw, Energy FC captain Michael Thomas headed a ball right to Konig for the go-ahead goal.
Here are all of the results from last week’s USL action:
Austin Aztez 0, Vancouver Whitecaps 2 3
Tulsa Roughnecks 0, Saint Louis FC 2
Portland Timbers 2 2, Sacramento Republic FC 1
LA Galaxy II 1, Arizona United 2
Wilmington Hammerheads 1, Charlotte Independence 1
Colorado Springs Switchbacks 1, Oklahoma City Energy FC 2
New York Red Bulls II 4, Toronto FC II 1
Richmond Kickers 1, Louisville City FC 1
Pittsburgh Riverhounds 1, Rochester Rhinos 2
Charleston Battery 2, Harrisburg City Islanders 0
Tulsa Roughnecks 0, Austin Aztex 2