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USL Week 18: Viva Las Vegas! and Other “Exitos Historicas”

By Richard DeLaurell

LEXINGTON, IL - JUNE 13: A gate blocks off a closed section of historic U.S. Route 66 June 13, 2007 outside Lexington, Illinois. Sections of the old road near the town have been turned into a park and walking and biking trails. Route 66 opened in 1926 stretching from Chicago to Los Angeles and became a western migration route for people looking for work during the great depression of the 1930's or to escape the Dust Bowl disaster. Later it offered vacation getaways and driving adventures until 1985 when it was decommissioned as a federal highway. Due to neglect and commercial development Route 66, the first highway to connect the Midwest with the West Coast, has recently been added to the biennially compiled list of the world's most endangered landmarks by the World Monuments Fund and the National Trust for Historic Preservation's yearly list of the 11 most endangered historic places in America. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, IL - JUNE 13: A gate blocks off a closed section of historic U.S. Route 66 June 13, 2007 outside Lexington, Illinois. Sections of the old road near the town have been turned into a park and walking and biking trails. Route 66 opened in 1926 stretching from Chicago to Los Angeles and became a western migration route for people looking for work during the great depression of the 1930's or to escape the Dust Bowl disaster. Later it offered vacation getaways and driving adventures until 1985 when it was decommissioned as a federal highway. Due to neglect and commercial development Route 66, the first highway to connect the Midwest with the West Coast, has recently been added to the biennially compiled list of the world's most endangered landmarks by the World Monuments Fund and the National Trust for Historic Preservation's yearly list of the 11 most endangered historic places in America. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) /
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USL Motors West on Route 66, While Kickers Face Swans Song

The Las Vegas, NV city council last week gave approval for a new USL club to begin playing there in 2018. Next year the USL will expand into Fresno, CA, Birmingham, AL and, now, the city known variously as “the Entertainment Capital of the World,” “Sin City”, and “Glitter Gulch”. Either way, the league just keeps getting bigger.

Right now there are 30 member clubs in USL. Several of those have already made their intent to pursue “higher ground” by seeking MLS franchise status. But there are already at least those three mentioned above joining and, seemingly every week, more candidates on the horizon. If this keeps up, the USL’s 2019 season may have to start on Christmas Day of this year just to fit it all in.

For Las Vegas too, this is the latest in a string of pro sports expansion announced over the past several months. The city is already looking forward to new franchise agreements with the NHL and the NFL. And an NBA expansion franchise was rumored earlier this year as well.

If that also keeps up there may no longer be room for slot-machines! Just kidding. I’m sure the “one-arms” at the airport will always be there to greet flush and gullible visitors like myself.

Swans Get Their Kicks Back East

Meanwhile, last week in Richmond, VA—a city perhaps best described as the complete opposite of Las Vegas in every way imaginable—Welshmen ran wild. Or at least visiting Swansea City AFC of England’s Premier League won a friendly with the local USL Richmond Kickers. Perhaps it’s a comment on the home town club’s USL campaign thus far, but that loss may have been their best match this year.

Still, the season is only half run its course and there is still time for every side to climb the table and make their fans happy…or is there?

Here’s a look at a couple of good matches coming up this weekend.

San Antonio FC (H) vs Real Monarchs SLC

Last Time Out: This is the big one. This match up between Western Conference leaders has been looming on the calendar for some weeks. This should be a clash of titans! The shootout on the Riverwalk! Slapping leather at the Alamo! No quarter given cerca el mercado! …okay, that’s it. I’ve run out of San Antonio landmarks. Still, this was supposed to be all that and then some. But  Swope Park Rangers happened. If SA FC and Real Monarchs draw, there’s a solid chance that Swope, now just 3 points out of first, could be one win away from the top of the table by next week. SPR host Reno this Saturday though, so don’t blink. Could be an interesting weekend.

In their last match, Monarchs gave Seattle Sounders FC 2 a thrashing, 4-1, at home on July 8. San Antonio drew, 1-1, at home to OKC Energy FC on July 14.

Players To Watch For: The match should be a classic case of good offense meeting good defense. Monarchs score a lot. None of them scores more than Chandler Hoffman. The 26-year-old forward has scored 11 goals in 16 appearances. What’s more, he’s put 25 of 36 shots on target as well. Fans could keep an eye out for him, but he usually takes care of the attention-getting all by himself. San Antonio has touted one of the best goalkeeping records in the league with 10 clean sheets over 17 matches played. Both Diego Restrepo and Matt Cardone have had their share.

Unstoppable force vs immovable object. Go down to your fallout shelter and then click below.

How To Watch: Click below for the live stream, Sat. July 22, 8:30PM ET.

Charlotte Independence (H) vs Richmond Kickers

Last Time Out: As noted above, Richmond played and lost a friendly at home to Swansea City this past week. And that’s the good news. That one at least didn’t count on the conference table. Their match with Charlotte this Wednesday night, however, does. Richmond have lost 3 of their last 4 even if you don’t count the loss to Swans. Charlotte just had a 6 match win streak stopped by some bad luck which resulted in a draw away to Harrisburg City, 1-1. Richmond visited Harrisburg just the previous match to that, losing 0-1. On top of all of that Richmond will play Bethlehem Steel this Saturday before traveling to Charlotte. The Steel are nearly as hot as the Independence are right now.

As noted above, if Las Vegas is lucky in 2017, Richmond are definitely on the other side of the coin.

Players To Watch For: For Richmond, this category has been pretty hard to fill this season. Franck Tayou, a midseason acquisition from USL’s San Antonio FC, did put a nice one past Swansea City, but his club is going to need a lot more of the same. Soon.

Charlotte, on the other hand, have two players among the league leaders in scoring. Midfielders Jorge Herrera and Enzo Martinez have a combined 20 goals thus far in the 2017 season.

How To Watch: Click below for the live stream, Wed. July 26, 7PM ET.

Next: NWSL Week 13 Recap

…and ICYMI Jorge Herrera Scores a Free Kick to Lead Charlotte Over NY RB II

Herrera put this one in July 15 for a 1-0 lead away. The strike helped to keep his team’s then win-streak going to 6.

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