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USL Preview: Key Games For Match Day 3

By Richard DeLaurell

Oct 16, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; General view of soccer balls on the field prior to a game between the Philadelphia Union and the Orlando City FC at Talen Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; General view of soccer balls on the field prior to a game between the Philadelphia Union and the Orlando City FC at Talen Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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USL Preview: 3d Week Key Matches

The 2017 USL season continues to produce interesting match-ups and exciting goals.  (Click here to check out Dan Garza’s “USL Best Goals” for week #2.)

Here’s a quick look at two of the league’s offerings for this weekend.

Eastern Conference Showdown: Pittsburgh v Charleston (H)

Charleston’s Battery find themselves currently top of the conference table, second only to regional rivals Tampa Bay on goal differential.  Pittsburgh and Charleston have already played a common opponent in 2017, FC Cincinnati.  The latter scoring just once against each.

Overall the Battery have relied mainly on a stingy defense.  Two matches and only one goal conceded. Conversely, Pittsburgh’s Riverhounds, when they have thrived at all, have found their best defense lies in potent offense.  Corey Hertzog scored twice from the run of play in the team’s first match against NY Red Bulls II to set his name among the league’s early scoring leaders.

For the Battery, Forrest Lasso has proved a reliable target on set pieces off the foot of service specialist, Justin Portillo.  Each of Lasso’s two goals came as headers off a Portillo corner.

You can watch the match live on YouTube, Saturday, April 8 at 7:00 pm ET.

Western Conference Shootout: Colorado Springs v San Antonio FC (H)

In the west, Colorado Springs’ Switchbacks—the only pro sports team with a railroad term as its mascot…true story—visit conference leaders San Antonio FC tonight at 8 pm Eastern.

San Antonio are top of the table in the west, second only to Sacramento by the slimmest of goal differential. The club is coming off a big 3-0 win over LA Galaxy II at home.

Colorado Springs are also undefeated having drawn OKC Energy 1-1 last week at home. The team scored its own 3-0 victory in week one over Tulsa Roughnecks. The Switchbacks have made the playoffs in each of the two years since joining USL.

…and ICYMI

Last night, Real Monarchs SLC hosted Reno 1868 FC and got the weekend off to a high-scoring start, posting a 5-3 final. The home side built a 4-1 half time lead on the strength of a blistering counter-attack and this header:

https://twitter.com/USL/status/850166365176705024

Reno kept it late into the second, but mounted a comeback to stand 4-3 in the closing minutes. The visitors were led back by super-sub, Dane Kelly, who scored his career 49th and then 50th goals in a three minute span.

Real’s Jose Hernandez capped the scoring in extra time with a gentle roll that just eluded keeper, Matt Bersano.

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