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USL Week 13: Review, Preview and How to Watch

By Richard DeLaurell

Jul 2, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Ottawa Fury FC forward Paulo Junior (7) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the first half against the New York Cosmos at James M. Shuart Stadium. New York Cosmos won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 2, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Ottawa Fury FC forward Paulo Junior (7) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the first half against the New York Cosmos at James M. Shuart Stadium. New York Cosmos won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
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USL Week 13: Drogba Released! Neck Wear Rebranded! Exclamation Points Overused!

This past week the USL witnessed the first on-field appearance by the legendary Didier Drogba. Drogba, long time star of the Ivory Coast (Republic of Côte d’Ivoire) men’s national team, Chelsea and Montreal Impact, amongst other top clubs worldwide, played all 90 minutes for Phoenix Rising last Saturday night.  He scored the first goal (check the video below) to lead his side to victory.

Phoenix’ ownership have already officially made known their interest in moving to MLS as an expansion team.  The debut of the ageless Drogba is likely just another step along that road.

No wonder that the USL seems to be feeling pretty good about itself these days.  Evidence this fetching new bit of league memorabilia which could be yours.  The ad for the USL branded collectible scarf went out this past Wednesday announcing a limited run of just 150.  They are numbered and certified so if you want one you’d better hurry.

Meanwhile the drive to midseason continues.  Here’s a preview of a couple of interesting matches for this weekend.

Swope Park Rangers (H) v. Phoenix Rising FC

Last Time Out:  SPR defeated Tulsa Roughnecks, 3-1, at home this past Sunday. Phoenix downed Vancouver, as previously mentioned, 2-1, at home on Saturday.  In the two teams’ last meeting, Phoenix defeated Swope at home in late April, 3-4.

Players To Watch For: Did you imagine I was going to say Didier Drogba?  Well, I will.  He’s a celebrated player for a reason.  He has a striker’s instinct for turning every cross into a legitimate chance to score.  But if defenders become too focused on DD, Shaun Wright-Phillips who scored the game winner last week, will be the next Rising to the ball.

SPR are putting together a very respectable season.  That despite approaching 20 points off the pace from Western Conference leaders, Real Monarchs.  But then the Monarchs as well as second place San Antonio have been threatening to lap the field for quite a while now.  Speaking of San Antonio, Rangers played two consecutive matches against SA FC during the last 2 weeks and only conceded once.  Unfortunately they also scored zero. Forward Kharlton Belmar has shown signs of becoming a serious threat on offense of late, but the team is still lacking for goals from the run of play.

How To Watch: Click below for the live stream, Sunday, June 18, 5p ET.

Rochester Rhinos (H) v. Ottawa Fury FC

Last Time Out:  Since losing big in the third match of the season, a 0-5 defeat away to Eastern Conference leaders Charleston Battery, Rhinos have been on a roll.  In fact, Rochester are undefeated in league play since that April 15 loss.  This past weekend they drew, 1 all, away to Tampa Bay Rowdies on the back-end of a two game swing through south Florida.

Ottawa have also been hot of late.  Fury has won 3 of their last 4 in league play. They also currently lead Toronto FC of MLS, 2-1, after the first leg of the semi-finals of the 2017 Canadian Championship.  In USL regular season play, Ottawa defeated Harrisburg City Islanders, 1-0, at home last Saturday.

Players To Watch For:  Rochester have definitely been relying on good goalkeeping to maintain their slim +2 goal differential.  Keeper Tomas Gomez has started 9 of the club’s 10 league matches and kept a clean sheet in 4 of those starts.  He doesn’t do it alone of course but given the low scoring nature of his club’s offense it often comes down to the keeper.

Ottawa has also posted a +2 GD over their first 11 league matches.  Midfielder Sito Seoane leads the team in scoring.  The 28-year-old Spaniard has 4 goals thus far in 2017.  But ten of Fury’s players have scored at least once in those same 11 games.  If Ottawa can maintain that kind of balance for the remainder of the season they will not spend long as a mid-table side.

How To Watch: Click below for the live stream, Saturday June 17, 6:05p ET.

Next: How Did Sporting KC Advance in US Open Cup?

…and ICYMI Didier Drogba Era Begins in Phoenix

Happy Father’s Day to everyone in the USA.  Now go call your dad!

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