The Week That Was: Coming Around Late
TAMPA, Fla. – With five weeks to go in the regular season, the race for the playoffs are in full swing. For some teams, while the postseason might be out of reach, the chance to play a part in who reaches the playoffs is still available.
The Week That Was: Coming Around Late
If past seasons in the USL have taught us anything, we already know the majority of the clubs that will be part of the postseason this weekend. While some clubs, like Wilmington Hammerheads FC a year ago, or the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in 2013, have seen their second-half form earn a place in the playoffs, the stories of those that surged, only to come up short, are more numerous.
Even the Charlotte Eagles, who went 9-2-1 in the second half of the 2012 season, couldn’t find a way into the postseason, as their poor first half left them a point short of Harrisburg.
That the playoffs are likely out of reach doesn’t mean the stretch is irrelevant, however. For some clubs, like FC Montreal, the second half of the season has shown the remarkable growth the side has seen this season. Winners of five of its past seven, and with games against Charlotte, Harrisburg and New York to come, Philippe Eullaffroy’s side could still have a say on who’s in and who’s out in the East.
The same applies to Wilmington Hammerheads FC, which took its first home win of the season with an impressive 4-2 victory against playoff contender the New York Red Bulls II on Saturday. While last season the Hammerheads’ late-season form earned a playoff berth, an attack led by bright young forward Qudus Lawal will hope a late-season run this year can provide a platform for success throughout 2016.
Out west, the talented squads of Arizona United SC and the Austin Aztex could provide problems for those battling for a place in the top six. Arizona’s victory on the road against the LA Galaxy II on Sunday, with Los Dos aiming for first in the conference, was arguably the best performance of a tough season for United. With games against Orange County, Sacramento, Vancouver and OKC to come, United could burst the bubble of one or more of its rivals down the stretch.
With playoffs berths, and seeding, still up for grabs in both conferences, and likely more twists and turns to come, a late run of form from one of the teams that won’t be playing in October could dictate which teams are.
QUOTABLE
“I’m just happy for the players and happy for the community. The only thing that our real kind of job is as a soccer club in this town is to bring joy to the fans. And finally we were able to do that.” – Wilmington Hammerheads FC Coach Carson Porter after his side took its first home win of the season, 4-2 against the New York Red Bulls II
“We were not satisfied with the way the first half went. We lacked pace and play in the offensive zone. The message was to change the pace and attack more. Afterwards, we kept defending well. The play was more interesting in the second half.” – FC Montreal Coach Philippe Eullaffroy after his side took a 3-1 win on the road against Saint Louis FC
“It seems this year the teams are a lot better. The league has gotten a lot stronger. Colorado is a great side and all credit is due to them. I just feel we’ve been on the short end of the stick all year, of chances created but not being able to put the ball into the nets.” – Sacramento Republic FC defender Emrah Klimenta after his side fell 1-0 to Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
“Just to score goals, that’s cool, but to score a hat trick, that’s always special [unless] you’re Lionel Messi, which I’m not, so I’m really happy right now.” OKC Energy FC forward Danni K nig after his hat trick helped earn a 4-3 win against the Portland Timbers 2
BY THE NUMBERS
10,000 – OKC Energy FC midfielder Gareth Evans became the first player to reach 10,000 minutes of action in the USL regular season in Saturday’s game against Portland. Later that night, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC midfielder Luke Vercollone joined him as he passed the threshold in his side’s game with Sacramento.
700 – Tulsa Roughnecks FC forward Sammy Ochoa scored the 700th goal in the USL this season as he earned his side a point in a 1-1 draw with Real Monarchs SLC on Saturday night.
125 – FC Montreal’s Maxime Crepeau recorded the 125th shutout in the USL this season in Montreal’s 4-0 win against Louisville last Wednesday.
10 – FC Montreal took 10 points from its five-game road trip, and is now 5-1-1 in the second half of the USL season
7 – OKC Energy FC’s Danni K nig scored the seventh hat trick in the USL this season on Saturday, and is now just one goal behind former two-time USL Most Valuable Player Kevin Molino’s single-season record of 20 goals.
Blues Sign Former PDL Standout Cohen
IRVINE, Calif. - Orange County Blues FC has signed goalkeeper Josh Cohen. Previously with the PDL's Burlingame Dragons FC, Cohen has begun training with the Blues in preparation for the remainder of the season.
Born in Mountain View, Calif., Cohen played at UC San Diego, where his performance in the net during his junior and senior seasons garnered him back-to-back CCAA Most Valuable Defensive Player awards.
During his junior season, Cohen was the NCAA Division II leader in individual goals against average and save percentage. After helping the Tritons advance to the third round of the 2013 NCAA Division II Championships during his senior campaign, Cohen earned NSCAA first team All-America honors.
At the beginning of 2015, the goalkeeper signed with the Burlingame Dragons in its first year as part of the PDL. In his 11 games for the Dragons, Cohen held an 8-1-2 record, ranking fifth in the PDL with a 0.636 goals against average, and third in shutouts with seven scoreless matches.
“I'm really excited to be joining the Blues and beginning my professional career. I hope to continue integrating with the team, improve my ability, and make a positive impact in any way I can,” said Cohen.
The Blues next travel to Scottsdale, Ariz. to face Arizona United SC on Saturday, August 15th. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. PT.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
| Team | PTS | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD |
| Rochester Rhinos | 44 | 21 | 12 | 1 | 8 | 26 | 11 | 15 |
| Louisville City FC | 38 | 20 | 11 | 4 | 5 | 38 | 22 | 16 |
| Charleston Battery | 35 | 21 | 9 | 4 | 8 | 31 | 19 | 12 |
| Richmond Kickers | 33 | 22 | 8 | 5 | 9 | 35 | 29 | 6 |
| New York Red Bulls II | 32 | 22 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 36 | 37 | -1 |
| Pittsburgh Riverhounds | 31 | 21 | 9 | 8 | 4 | 45 | 35 | 10 |
| Harrisburg City Islanders | 28 | 19 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 33 | 37 | -4 |
| Charlotte Independence | 24 | 18 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 23 | 22 | 1 |
| Saint Louis FC | 22 | 21 | 5 | 9 | 7 | 22 | 32 | -10 |
| FC Montreal | 21 | 21 | 6 | 12 | 3 | 26 | 30 | -4 |
| Toronto FC II | 15 | 18 | 4 | 11 | 3 | 14 | 31 | -17 |
| Wilmington Hammerheads FC | 15 | 21 | 3 | 12 | 6 | 16 | 32 | -16 |
WESTERN CONFERENCE
| Team | PTS | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD |
| Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC | 38 | 21 | 12 | 7 | 2 | 40 | 23 | 17 |
| OKC Energy FC | 37 | 22 | 10 | 5 | 7 | 36 | 29 | 7 |
| Seattle Sounders FC 2 | 36 | 22 | 11 | 8 | 3 | 37 | 32 | 5 |
| LA Galaxy II | 36 | 22 | 11 | 8 | 3 | 32 | 24 | 8 |
| Orange County Blues FC | 33 | 21 | 10 | 8 | 3 | 28 | 30 | -2 |
| Sacramento Republic FC | 33 | 21 | 10 | 8 | 3 | 31 | 25 | 6 |
| Tulsa Roughnecks FC | 32 | 23 | 9 | 9 | 5 | 39 | 37 | 2 |
| Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 | 29 | 23 | 8 | 10 | 5 | 34 | 42 | -8 |
| Portland Timbers 2 | 26 | 22 | 8 | 12 | 2 | 31 | 37 | -6 |
| Arizona United SC | 25 | 21 | 8 | 12 | 1 | 25 | 46 | -21 |
| Austin Aztex | 24 | 21 | 7 | 11 | 3 | 22 | 27 | -5 |
| Real Monarchs SLC | 13 | 20 | 2 | 11 | 7 | 20 | 31 | -11 |
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