USL Week 7 Preview: Highlight Matches and How to Watch
USL Week 7: News Cycle Spins, San Antonio Wins
Following the USL this season is not easy. Most of the news is about future stadiums, future clubs and the future of the league in general.
Tampa Bay Rowdies get approval for Stadium Reno
This past week saw Louisville City FC reveal the club’s plans for it’s future home in a place called, “Butchertown”, more encouraging signs of a new franchise coming to Nashville, and an affirmative vote for Tampa Bay’s stadium plans. All of that coming on top of the recent announcement of a new division within USL to debut in 2019, and a new network of broadcast partnerships for this season. The USL’s world is definitely spinning.
Meanwhile, deep in the heart of Texas, San Antonio FC is quietly staking an early claim to the Western Conference title. That’s zero losses in seven matches played this season. At the same time things in the Eastern Conference got a good deal murkier this past weekend.
Here’s a preview of a couple of highlight contests for USL’s week seven.
San Antonio FC (H) v. Sacramento Republic FC
Last Time Out: San Antonio played and won two matches in three days in week six. On Tuesday April 25 they bested Seattle Sounders 2, 3-2, on Devin Vega’s first tally as a pro. On Friday they visited Portland Timbers 2, winning 4-0, two of those breakaways in second half stoppage time. Last Saturday Sacramento drew at nil away to Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2.
Players To Watch For: SA FC’s César Elizondo was named USL player of the week last time. He plays well as a true striker or even a “false 9”. With the recent emergence of Vega as either line mate or sub, Elizondo becomes even more dangerous for opponents.
Sacramento pride themselves on solid defending. Club stalwart James Kiffe has anchored the backline for more than two seasons now. He will need all his experience going in as visitors to the streaking San Antonio.
How To Watch: Click below for the live stream, 6:30p, ET, Sat. May 6, 2017.
Ottawa Fury FC (H) v. Tampa Bay Rowdies
Last Time Out: Out of league play Ottawa won the first leg of their Canadian Championship preliminary tie with visitors Edmonton of NASL on May 3. The previous weekend the Fury played an outstanding match in Charleston to tie the home side Battery 2-2. On that same night the Tampa Bay Rowdies rode DeShorn Brown’s spectacular first half scissor kick tally to a 1-0 victory over Richmond.
Players To Watch For: Anyone who’s watched the replay of his goal from last Saturday would definitely say keep your eye on Mr. Brown of Tampa Bay. But TBR’s ace in the hole has been keeper Akira Fitzgerald. If Fitzgerald gains the start at Ottawa he will be going for his 5th clean sheet in as many matches started.
Ottawa’s last two matches seem to indicate that this bottom of the table side may still have some life for 2017. The team’s two goals against the Battery came as the result of set pieces including a terrific free kick from midfielder Ryan Williams. Williams also scored the winner against Edmonton. Perhaps the Fury have finally found an offensive threat.
How To Watch: Click below for the live stream, 2p, ET, Sat. May 6, 2017.
Next: More on Tampa Bay Rowdies Future Plans
…and ICYMI Pittsburgh downed Toronto FC II on Victor Souto wonder-strike
Souto’s first ever score as a pro came in the 22d minute. The home side Riverhounds managed to make it stand up to win 1-0.
Stay tuned for more USL news, as the league seems to keep in churning out every few days. That happens when you have so many clubs and forming a second division.