USL Week 8 Preview: Highlight Matches and How to Watch
The USL season enters week 8 with many focused on the future membership of the league. But there is still plenty of action on the pitch for the weekend.
League Looks to Add At Least 3 Teams This Summer
Once again this week news of USL expansion took center stage. On Thursday the league’s website reported that President Jake Edwards is expecting new teams to join this summer from Las Vegas, Fresno, and Birmingham, AL.
There is at least one USL club looking to move on to MLS (possibly two teams) as early as 2018. Also, the existing team in Austin has stated its intent to return to active play in USL next season as well with a new stadium (maybe).
Meanwhile, back on the pitch, week 8 finds most USL teams about a third of their way through the season. Here’s a look at two of the weekend match-ups.
Phoenix Rising FC (H) v. OKC Energy FC
Phoenix is one of those teams which is in the mix for MLS’ latest round of expansion plans. The OKC Energy are one of those that has already been snubbed by the big league. On the Western Conference table, however, just one game separates the two sides. Each team holds a shaky -5 goal differential as well. They are also both behind the calendar with only 5 matches played thus far in 2017.
Last Time Out: Phoenix went into last weekend riding a 2 game win streak. Reno 1868 FC’s super striker, Dane Kelly, ended that streak in the 3d minute of regulation. Just the front end of his hat trick on the night as the Rising went down 0-4.
OKC Energy also lost their last match away to Rio Grande Valley FC, 0-3 on April 29.
Players To Watch For: Phoenix boasts more than its fair share of famous names. Keeping an eye on Omar Bravo or Didier Drogba — provided either one or both start or play — would never be bad advice. But Luke Rooney directs the attack for Rising FC and has scored 3 of the team’s 6 goals this year.
OKC Energy have started keeper Cody Laurendi every match this season. He has conceded 9 goals over those 5 matches. Four of those came in 2 losses to Rio Grande Valley. The good news is that OKC have no more scheduled matches this season with RGV. The bad news for Laurendi is that his offense shows no signs of giving him much to work with regardless of the opponent. Maybe he could let his beard grow until they win?
How To Watch: Click below for the live stream, 10:30p, ET, Sat. May 13, 2017.
Richmond Kickers (H) v. Harrisburg City Islanders
HC Islanders travel to Richmond for the second time this season. The two clubs opened the season on March 25. Home side Kickers came away with a 1-0 victory.
On balance, the Islanders have done much better since. Harrisburg have split a pair of matches with NYRB II, defeated Bethlehem, drawn with Orlando, and lost at Pittsburgh.
All while Richmond have only scored 3 goals with one win at home against the same Pittsburgh side. That makes it even stranger that both teams currently sport the same -2 GD and are only a half-game apart in the lower half of the Eastern Conference table.
Last Time Out: Richmond drew at home with FC Cincinnati, 1-1. Harrisburg lost 1-3 away to NYRB II. They had defeated the same team earlier in the year, 1-0, again playing as visitors.
Players To Watch For: Coming into 2017 Harrisburg had a potential young dynamic duo in midfield with Paul Wilson and Cardel Benbow. But the two have produced just one goal each thus far this year. One or both is due for a breakout game at some point. Maybe this one?
A big part of Richmond’s troubles this season are due to the absence of Yudai Imura. Imura started and played to the 89th minute of the first match of the season against Harrisburg. He was substituted for at that time and he hasn’t played since.
In the meantime, Richmond have been seeking some kind of offensive threat. Teammates Sunny Jane and Fred Owusu Seykere are due to make their own presence felt soon. Maybe this weekend?
How To Watch: Click below for the live stream, 7p, ET, Sat. May 13, 2017.
Next: Preview: 2017 US Open Cup Round 1
…and ICYMI Charlotte Ran Away From NYRB II, 5-1
Charlotte Independence and NYRB II played a competitive first half in Rock Hill, SC. But the home side pulled away in the second on the strength of a very aggressive counter-attack.
Happy Mother’s Day Everyone. Call Your Mom!