Photo by Sacramento Republic FC
By ADAM TROXTELL
This week’s USL action is highlighted by a battle for supremacy in the west.
Defending champions Sacramento FC host top of the Western Conference Seattle Sounders FC 2, a rematch from Sounders 2’s inaugural match earlier this season. Both teams have gone on to lead the west in the early proceedings, though Sounders 2 will have to overcome their issues with playing on the road in order to stay on top.
In the east, the Rochester Rhinos battle Toronto FC II to try and stay on top. They may find themselves battling from behind if the Richmond Kickers can start the weekend off with a win against the Charlotte Independence.
Oklahoma City Energy FC and LA Galaxy II will have to wait out this weekend, since the threat of severe storms in the OKC area has postponed their match until Aug. 4.
Here is a look at the games that will be going ahead in this weekend’s USL action:
CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE vs. RICHMOND KICKERS (7:30 p.m., Friday, YouTube)
The Charlotte Independence will do well to keep track of Richmond Kickers’ George Davis IV.
Davis scored a hat-trick when these teams met in April as the Kickers romped to victory. Now in front of a home crowd, the Independence seek revenge, or at least to avoid a repeat of last time. The Independence sit in eighth place following the club’s first win of the season against Louisville City FC last weekend. The unbeaten Kickers, on the other hand, can take top spot in the Eastern Conference with a victory.
NEW YORK RED BULLS II vs. HARRISBURG CITY ISLANDERS (2 p.m., Saturday, YouTube)
After picking up a first win in five outings last weekend, New York Red Bulls II now sets sights on a Harrisburg City Islanders side in similar shape.
The Islanders also endured a rough first few games to the season, though Red Bulls II will need to be cautious. A 4-0 win for the Islanders against Wilmington Hammerheads last weekend, courtesy of a Ken Tribbett brace, might just be the spark they need.
ROCHESTER RHINOS vs. TORONTO FC II (7:05 p.m., Saturday, YouTube)
The Rochester Rhinos continue to roll through the Eastern Conference early on, and now, struggling Toronto FC II stands in their way.
The Canadian side has just one win this season, 2-0 against FC Montreal, and is now winless in its last three games. That stretch includes drubbings at the hands of Red Bulls II and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. After a 2-1 win against Montreal last weekend, the Rhinos have now won three straight.
CHARLESTON BATTERY vs. PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDS (7:30 p.m., Saturday, YouTube)
One of the challengers to the Rhinos’ supremacy is the Charleston Battery, who now must mind its back line against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.
For all the attacking prowess the Battery have shown this season — 12 goals in six games — they have also conceded eight. The Riverhounds have only won twice this season, but it’s the nature of the 5-2 win against the Islanders and 5-1 win against TFC II that could have the Battery worried.
SACRAMENTO REPUBLIC FC vs. SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC 2 (10:30 p.m., Saturday, YouTube)
The weekend wraps up with a battle for the top of the Western Conference and a chance for Sacramento Republic FC to stake it’s claim on a repeat as champions.
Republic FC will have to overcome a disappointing 1-0 loss to Real Monarchs in the middle of the week, a second consecutive defeat after falling to Orange County Blues a few weeks ago. Sounders 2 was victorious against the Blues last Friday, though has not won in three games on the road this season.
SAINT LOUIS FC vs. WILMINGTON HAMMERHEADS (8:30 p.m., Saturday, YouTube)
AUSTIN AZTEX vs. REAL MONARCHS SLC (9 p.m., Saturday, YouTube)
COLORADO SPRINGS SWITCHBACKS vs. PORTLAND TIMBERS 2 (9 p.m., Saturday, YouTube)
ARIZONA UNITED SC vs. TULSA ROUGHNECKS FC (10:30 p.m., Saturday)