USL Week 15: San Antonio Takes on Water, Cincinnati Puts Out Fire
USL Down to One in the US Open Cup
All USL teams have been eliminated from US Open Cup play for this year, except one. FC Cincinnati carries forward the league banner having doused Chicago Fire of MLS in last week’s Round of 16.
Cincinnati’s victory—played at home to a penalty shootout, video below—sets up a quarterfinal showdown with the only other non-MLS side still in the tournament, Miami FC of NASL. The two teams are set to meet Wednesday night, July 12 in Miami.
Switchbacks Deal Setback to San Antonio in USL West
In USL league play, Colorado Springs Switchbacks fashioned an upset of their own as they downed San Antonio FC, 1-0, at home last Saturday.
San Antonio had been the last remaining undefeated team in the league. Despite completing the first 15 games of the season without a loss, San Antonio remain second on the Western Conference table to Real Monarchs of SLC. Monarchs themselves took a bit of a step backward last weekend, drawing away to Phoenix Rising, 1-1. San Antonio are still 3 points behind as the league schedule reaches the half-way mark.
Streaks Start and End in USL East
In the Eastern Conference, top of table Charleston Battery managed to open a slight gap to second place Louisville City FC last weekend. Gunners hung 6 on visiting Toronto FC II scoring a lopsided 6-1 victory at home.
Louisville saw their win streak stopped at 3 as they lost as visitors to Harrisburg Islanders, 1-0. It was Islanders’ first win in 9 matches.
Bethlehem Steel had defeated the same Harrisburg squad Tuesday previous to see its own current run of wins reach 3. Steel, currently 4th on the conference table, are continuing to threaten everyone ahead of them. And they now stand just 3 points from Louisville and 9 to Charleston with Tampa Bay Rowdies, looking very much stalled for now, in the mix as well.
Here’s a quick look at a couple of interesting league matches for the 4th of July weekend.
Charlotte Independence (H) vs Rochester Rhinos
Last Time Out: Independence celebrated the opening of their new home grounds on June 17 by posting just their fourth win of the season. They backed that up with a second straight win last Saturday away to Richmond Kickers, 2-0. It seems like Charlotte like having a home whether they are there or not.
Rochester are coming off a home loss last Friday to Orlando City B, 1-0. It was the first loss for Rhinos since getting drubbed, 0-5, away to Charleston on April 15.
Players To Watch For: Charlotte midfielder Enzo Martinez accounted for all of the scoring in the win over Richmond. That’s pretty good on a team that averages about 1 goal per match total.
Rhinos as a team have not scored more than 1 in a single match since they put 4 past Charlotte way back on April 29. But when they do score Rochester does spread the wealth with 9 different players having tallied this season. Wal Fall leads Rhinos with 3 goals while playing from a defending position. He is an intimidating presence on the pitch and growing in capability. His club might do well to find more ways to get him forward.
How To Watch: Click below for the live stream, Sat. July 1, 7p ET.
Tulsa Roughnecks FC (H) vs Real Monarchs SLC
Last Time Out: Tulsa lost at home on Tuesday to Swope Park Rangers, 1-2. SPR are definitely a team on the rise in the USL West so there’s really no shame in that. The problem is that it was also Roughnecks’ 3d loss in a row.
Also last Saturday, Monarchs were kept out of the win column for the first time since April 15. Real drew away to the Drogba-enhanced Phoenix Rising FC, 1-1.
Players To Watch For: Tulsa carries a -7 goal differential for the year. Their roster of keepers each averages above 1.5 goals conceded per match start. That is an especially troubling figure when facing the Monarchs.
Real have only failed to score more than 1 goal in a match 3 times this season. Resulting in 1 win, 1 loss, and the tie with Phoenix.
Whoever is in goal for Tulsa better wear the big gloves this time out.
How To Watch: Click below for the live stream, Sat. July 1, 8:30p ET.
Next: Preview Gold Cup Group of Life (Grp A)