Daily Five: Energy FC Takes Its Place
It was another weekend of movement in the race for the playoffs. Here are five things to know in the USL today.
1. ENERGY FC TAKES ITS PLACE: After the Rochester Rhinos became the first side in the Eastern Conference to claim a place in the playoffs last week, OKC Energy FC became the first side in the West to join them as the side took a 2-0 win in front of a sellout crowd of 6,089 at Taft Stadium against the Austin Aztex on Saturday night. The night was capped by Danni König’s 20th goal of the season, which tied the league’s single-season record, but the standout forward said post-game he’s more focused on helping Energy FC earn a top seed than celebrating his individual accomplishment.
“We haven’t talked about the record,” König said. “Some guys said congrats now, but I want to enjoy the record after the season. When the season’s over, I’ll be glad to say I’m happy about it, but right now I’m focusing on the team.”
2. RHINOS CONTINUE TO ROLL: The Rochester Rhinos continued to roll toward the USL Regular Season Championship, while Brandon Miller also tied a single-season league record, in a 2-0 win against Saint Louis FC on Sunday afternoon. Miller’s 11th shutout of the season pulled him level for the USL’s single-season shutout record with Orlando City SC’s Miguel Gallardo and former Rhino Kristian Night.
The Rhinos got goals from Colin Rolfe, starting in place of Steevan Dos Santos, and Tony Walls. Rolfe has seen reduced playing time and production this season, but is on board with Coach Bob Lilley’s plan. “Everyone wants to play but at the same time, you want what’s best for the team and that’s winning,”Rolfe told the Democrat & Chronicle’s Jeff DiVeronica. “Ultimately, everyone’s going to benefit from that.”
3. RIVERHOUNDS EARN WIN IN LOUISVILLE: The Rhinos were able to close in on the regular season title thanks to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, who gave their playoff hopes a big boost with a 1-0 victory on the road against Louisville City FC. Rob Vincent’s 18th goal of the season, in first-half stoppage time, proved the difference as the Riverhounds handed City just its third home loss of the season.
The Riverhounds’ defense then locked down in the second half, as goalkeeper Calle Brown had to make just one save for his fifth shutout of the season. Louisville outshot Pittsburgh 7-1 in the second half, but wasn’t able to find a way through as Anthony Arena and Willie Hunt both put in strong performances.
4. BATTERY GET BOOST IN RICHMOND: Entering with a six-game winless streak that had pulled them back into the race for the playoffs, the Charleston Battery earned a vital victory as they defeated longtime rivals the Richmond Kickers 2-0 at City Stadium on Saturday night. Justin Portillo and Zach Prince scored seven minutes apart in the first half for Charleston, while Odisnel Cooper recorded a five-save shutout to get the Battery back on track.
For the Kickers, meanwhile, the loss pushed them closer to the threat of missing the postseason. Richmond sits in fifth place, but the three teams trailing it all have games in hand, putting pressure on the side to produce in its final three outings. “We have to show up and get results,” forward Matthew Delicate told the Richmond Times-Dispatch’s Vic Dorr Jr. “Our mentality has to be: We need to win three. From now until the end of the season, every game is going to be a Cup Final.”
5. CORTEZ, ESTRADA LIFT BLUES, RIVALS: Chris Cortez had a pair of goals, and David Estrada a pair of assists, as Orange County Blues FC took a 3-1 win against the Portland Timbers 2 in what might be looked back on as the most significant result of the playoff race in the Western Conference. With the win, Orange County not only closed in on a playoff place itself, but also gave a boost to the teams around them in the top six as eighth-placed Portland’s challenge was dealt a major blow.
After a defeat to Austin in their last outing, Blues Coach Oliver Wyss thought his side wanted to prove a point in arguably the biggest game of their season.
“We wanted to come back and show our fans that we’re truly a team that is a contender for the USL Championship, and first and foremost the playoffs, so it feels very, very good,” Wyss said. “The players played fantastically, executed the game plan, fantastic training week, great results.”Miller Ties Record, Rhinos Clinch Bye vs. STL FC
ROCHESTER, N.Y. - The Rochester Rhinos clinched a bye to the semifinals of the USL Eastern Conference Playoffs as they took their third consecutive victory with a 2-0 win against Saint Louis FC in front of 5,532 fans at Sahlen’s Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Rhinos goalkeeper Brandon Miller led the way with his 11th shutout of the season, as he tied the USL single-season record, while Colin Rolfe and Tony Walls found the net for the hosts.
The Rhinos opened the scoring in just the fourth minute when Pat McMahon intercepted a Saint Louis pass and fed short to Kenardo Forbes, who found a streaking Rolfe at the top of the penalty area. The veteran striker made no mistake as he sent a low shot into the left corner from 18 yards to put the Rhinos ahead 1-0.
The Rhinos kept the pressure on the visitors as Forbes, Jonny Mendoza, Alex Dixon each had chances to extend the lead over the next 20 minutes. Rochester suffered a blow midway through the half as Rolfe picked up an injury and could not continue, and was replaced by Christian Volesky, who himself had not seen action since August 1st due to injury.
The Rhinos doubled their lead in the 35th minute on Forbes’ second assist of the night. Forbes took a corner kick on the right, and tapped a short pass to Mendoza, who stopped the ball for Forbes to cross with his left foot, swinging it in to the far post. Walls eluded his man in the penalty area and headed into the back of net for his fourth goal of the season.
Saint Louis FC looked to get back into the match in the second half as Kingsley Bryce got the visitor’s first shot of the match in the 53rd minute on a header that went wide of the target. Ten minutes later, Parker Maher forced a save from Miller on a shot from just outside the penalty area. The Rhinos also threatened to add a third twice midway through the half, but both Mendoza and Onua Obasi were denied by Saint Louis goalkeeper Alec Kann.
St. Louis’ best chance to pull a goal back fell to Bryan Ceisiulka in the 88th minute as his volley from 20 yards forced Miller to tip the ball over the crossbar. The teams were tied with four second half shots apiece, but the Rhinos managed the final 45 minutes well to earn the 2-0 win.
The Rhinos’ next match is this Saturday as they visit the Richmond Kickers at City Stadium. The next Rhinos home match is on September 12th at 7:05 p.m. ET against Toronto FC II at Sahlen’s Stadium. Tickets for all Rhinos home matches, including playoff tickets and group sales tickets, are currently on sale and can be purchased by calling (585) 454-KICK (5425), online via Ticketmaster, by visiting the MVP Health Care Box Office at Sahlen's Stadium during business hours or by visiting .
Late Goal Earns Independence Point In Toronto
VAUGHAN, Ontario - A late penalty kick from forward Ryan Finley rescued a point for the Charlotte Independence as the club earned a 2-2 draw against Toronto FC II on Sunday afternoon at the Ontario Soccer Centre.
A flurry of action in the first 15 minutes, courtesy of Patrick Slogic, set a hectic tone for the rest of the match. Toronto’s Jay Chapman pulled the home side ahead in the 58th minute before Finley scratched it out on a call that will leave the Reds feeling unlucky.
Toronto took the lead after a burst of end-to-end action saw a tumbling Slogic accidentally turn the ball into his own net in the 14th minute. A low cross from Toronto’s Mark Anthony Kaye took a quick bounce, and Slogic was unable to get his footing right on Toronto’s slick turf and sent the ball past John Berner and in.
Fortunately for the Independence, the towering defender kept his composure and provided the equalizer just a minute later. After Enzo Martinez won a corner out of Toronto’s goalkeeper Quillan Roberts with stinging effort that forced a brilliant diving save, Martinez took the ensuing corner and Slogic headed home from point-blank range.
The score remained the same going into halftime. Charlotte was forced to make two subs around the halftime whistle, and struggled to regain the same momentum. Toronto capitalized on the pendulum swing and a smooth passing move between Kaye, Raheem Edwards and Chapman gave the lead back to the hosts just before the hour-mark.
As the game dragged on, both sides tired, but a lung-busting run from Martinez gave the Independence a chance to snatch a point in the dying moments of the match as he was brought down in the left side of the penalty area. Finley made no mistake from the penalty spot and recorded his sixth goal of the season with a low drive to the left.
Collecting four of a possible six points in Canada this week, the Independence still are in control of their playoff destiny. With the draw, the Independence also extended their undefeated streak to nine games as they complete their road trip on Thursday night with a visit to face in-state rivals Wilmington Hammerheads FC at Legion Stadium.
The draw, meanwhile, mathematically eliminated Toronto FC II from playoff contention. TFC II returns to action next Saturday as it hosts FC Montreal at the Ontario Soccer Centre.
Full Stadiums, Record Crowds Soak in Playoff Chase
In the heat of the race to reach the 2015 USL Playoffs, stadiums across the league are enjoying a plethora of fans who are paying witness to the down-to-the-wire action. Saturday’s action included multiple record-setting numbers.
Defending USL champion Sacramento Republic FC’s fandom has been a staple all year with sellout crowds heading to Bonney Field during every regular-season home game. Another crowd of 11,442 – the club’s 25th consecutive sellout - was on hand to watch Republic FC’s important 3-1 victory against Tulsa Roughnecks FC on Saturday, which put Sacramento back in the upper half of the Western Conference standings and on the positive side of the playoff cutline with four more games to play, including a Sept. 19 home finale against Arizona United SC.
OKC Energy FC’s Taft Stadium was in high spirits with 6,089 fans on hand to witness several important feats – becoming the first West team to clinch a playoff berth, moving back into first place and star striker Danni König tying the USL single-season goal-scoring record. König tallied his 20th regular-season goal, which matches the record set by Orlando City SC’s Kevin Molino from 2014. Four games are left in OKC’s schedule, so König could potentially break the mark and earn the Golden Boot during that stretch. Energy FC has one remaining home game on Sept. 12 against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.
The turnstiles at Louisville City FC’s Slugger Field have been impressive during the club’s inaugural season. Fresh off of a 3-1 win against Major League Soccer’s Orlando City SC that drew 9,434 on Tuesday, the purple-clad fan base set another record on Saturday. A regular-season record 8,414 attended City’s 1-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Though the result wasn’t what Louisville was hoping for, the club still is in good shape to lock in a postseason spot, sitting in second place in the East with four games remaining. This Wednesday’s game against the Harrisburg City Islanders is Louisville’s home finale, before the club hits the road for the final three regular-season matches.
Richmond’s City Stadium drew a record regular-season crowd of 5,957 fans during the Kickers’ 2-0 loss to the Charleston Battery in an intense rivalry matchup of two Eastern Conference teams currently battling for a spot in the 2015 USL Playoffs.
Elsewhere, Arizona United SC drew its second-largest crowd of the season Saturday to witness a dramatic 2-1 victory against the LA Galaxy II. Los Dos, who were leading the West heading into the game, were on the verge of clinching a postseason spot with a draw, only to see Arizona’s Schillo Tshuma provide the home crowd with a thrilling last-minute winner.
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