The Third Half - USL Week 3
Pittsburgh and El Paso Struggle, Louisville City and San Antonio Lay Down Markers
Another week has come and gone in the USL Championship and League One. It was a weekend where we saw two entertaining games for entirely different reasons, three teams go across country and pick up points, along with teams picking up their first wins of the season.
While some will argue it is too early in the season, I’m raising the red alert on three teams. Who are they? Let’s take a look as we recap the weekend that was.
Louisville City FC 3 v Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 1: On a day where Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC were horrifically bad, a Sean Totsch penalty and late Ray Serrano goal were more than enough for Louisville City FC to defeat Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 3-1.
The opening minute saw Elijah Widner lay off to Janson Wilson, Eric Dick having to deny a centering ball far post. The onslaught would continue in the third minute when Adrien Perez was denied by Luke Basi, the corner ultimately cleared. Make no mistake about it, Pittsburgh was firmly on the backfoot in the opening stages stuck in their own half.
The counter press from Louisville City nearly paid off in the sixth minute, Davila finding Ray Serrano, his shot from distance, a shot that Eric Dick should have handled but didn’t. Wilson Harris was on the scene first but couldn’t raise his effort over the Riverhounds keeper, the ball finding the side netting. Wilson Harris would continue to pepper the Pittsburgh net in the eight minute, Aeden Perez taking the ball to the end line before finding the unmarked Harris. Harris was simply unable to get his feet under him as he put the ball wide of the far post. 9 minutes in, Louisville City could have easily found the back of the net 3 times.
The game would finally settle down from here, not without Pittsburgh’s back line still looking unsettled. However, Pittsburgh couldn’t keep the ball for long and it wasn’t without Louisville City bombarding forward. Louisville could have easily put a fourth effort home after 17 minutes, Ray Serrano whipping a second phase ball into Sean Totsch to an unmarked Arturo Ordonez, his looping header going wide.
Credit to Bob Lilley, he realized midway through the first half that something had to change, Langston Blackstock starting to warm up at this point. Daniel Rovira would be the player replaced in the 27th minute, Pittsburgh adding an additional attacking option higher up the park. What it did was stem the tide of the pressure, but not outright eliminate it.
The one positive from the change was Pittsburgh finally started to get possession of the ball. Pittsburgh finally showed everyone they were in this contest six minutes from halftime. A spell of possession saw Danny Griffin spring Robbie Mertz. Mertz would find Langston Blackstock down the right edge of the penalty area, the entire Louisville City backline having to track back. Babacar Diene would get in the space vacated by Louisville City and take the Blackstock centering ball and put it on net. Damian Las was beat and it took Sean Totsch’s feet clearing the ball on the goal line to deny the shot, Adrien Perez ultimately clearing the danger.
Louisville City’s persistence in pressure would pay off on the stroke of halftime. Louisville City would win a wind aided throw in, some long ball tennis would eventually land to the feet of Adrien Perez. Perez immediately chipped the ball into the 18, Wilson Harris splitting Illal Osmanu and Daniel Griffin before shooting first touch past a late diving Eric Dick. Going into halftime it was just what the doctor ordered for Louisville City, unfortunate they weren’t up more as Pittsburgh were that far out to sea in the opening half hour.
Louisville City did something odd to start the second half, being way too content laying back to defend. It unnecessarily allowed Pittsburgh to work the kinks out of the 4-4-2 formation Bob Lilley went to. Ultimately Pittsburgh would make Louisville pay before the hour. Pittsburgh finally had a chance to put their high press to use, Brunallergene Etou picking the pocket from a horrible Sean Totsch touch. Etou found Diene on the run on the edge of the 18, Diene finishing the sequence by putting the ball perfectly on the foot of Kizza to score in front of Kyle Adams. The goal happened so quickly Damian Las was caught totally flat footed to make any sort of save. Louisville’s plan to lay back was ultimately undone and Pittsburgh for their play to start the second half was worthy of the reward post break.
The game would not stay level long, Louisville City waking up to win a penalty five minutes later. Louisville City would play it out the back to Wilson Harris, switching the field of play to Jake Morris. Morris timed his pass perfectly Ray Serrano on the run, who beat Illal Osumanu in the box. Osumanu was poor with his tackle from behind and the referee was in perfect position to award the penalty. Sean Totsch stepped to the spot and got Eric Dick to go the wrong way as Totsch went to his left to score. Eric Dick telegraphed where he was going to dive on the penalty, allowing Totsch to easily pick the other spot.
Pittsburgh Riverhounds thought they had pulled level in the 70th minute, a perfect pass from Jackson Walti found Edward Kizza between the center backs who put it in the back of the net. Unfortunately for Kizza he was judged to be offside, a tight call I couldn’t judge based on the available angles. Kizza was again offside in the 78th minute, just unable to time his run to connect with Kazaiah Sterling’s pass. In that instance, Damian Las did have it covered.
Louisville City would see the game out from here, adding a third late on. After a Wesley Charpie injury extended second half stoppage time, a late long ball to Evan Davila got Louisville an unexpected late attack. Davila was able to round Illal Osumanu, and lay the ball central. Sam Gleadle played the dummy central, taking Sean Suber out position as the ball found the onrushing Ray Serrano. Serrano was able to round Eric Dick with ease and fire home before Suber could get back in position. At 3-1 it was a fairer reflection of what the scoreline should have been, Louisville City wondering what would have been if had finished their chances in the opening half hour.
This is the fourth straight loss for Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, and this was the worst 30 minutes I have ever personally seen a Bob Lilley team play. The formation of last season does not work with this squad. It was only when they brought Langston Blackstock on and morphed into a 4-4-1-1/4-4-2 formation did they finally start to have any freedom of the park. By then it was still only a matter of when for Louisville City to score. I don’t care about the possession numbers here, most of their 51% possession was not positive possession.
Louisville City deserve to be called out for how anemic they started the second half. They had zero right to let Pittsburgh back into this contest and that’s exactly what they did. They were only fortunate Illal Osumanu was reckless with his challenge on Ray Serrano in the penalty area allowing Louisville City to retake the lead. Still, it was more positives than negatives for the hosts who start the 3 game home stand on a bright and positive note.
Indy Eleven 1 v Sacramento Republic FC 1: Indy Eleven would score both goals on the night, but it would take Augustine Williams cancelling out Callum Chapman-Page’s own goal to ensure Indy Eleven would get a 1-1 draw with Sacramento Republic in a tense, tight affair.
The opening 10 minutes were a quiet start, Luis Felipe being offside on a ball that found the back of the net being the only thing of note. Indy Eleven were tight in their 4-2-3 shape clogging up the space in the midfield, still Cicerone was able to get the ball out wide. However, neither side had a final product of note.
Sebastian Guenzatti foul of Aldair Sanchez earned Sacramento a dangerous free kick eighteen minutes with Yannik Oettl staring in the sun. Jack Gurr’s ball into the box ultimately fell to Russell Cicerone, the effort blocked out by Aedan Stanley for a corner kick easily caught by Oettl. The 24th minute would see Luis Rodrigues catch Jack Blake 25 yards from goal to give Indy Eleven their first dangerous set piece opportunity of the evening, Jack Blake unable to clear the wall.
Callum Chapman-Page, who did a good job denying Trevor Amann service all night, did well to time his tackle on Aldair Sanchez to give Sacramento Republic a corner kick in the 28th minute, the service in failing at the near post. Chapman-Page minutes later would find himself on the scoresheet for all the wrong reasons. Off a throw-in next to the corner flag, Lee Desmond returned the ball back to Aldair Sanchez. Sanchez played a 1-2 with Russell Cicerone before putting the ball into the box. The delivery in missed Trevor Amann, but found the chest of Chapman-Page, the chest redirecting the ball into the back of the net. It was an unfortunate moment of circumstance for the hosts who found themselves 1-0 behind.
Indy Eleven would not stay behind long, equalizing 3 minutes later. Sacramento Republic would see a poor long ball intercepted into the path of Max Schneider. Schneider’s pass to Augustine Williams got him in front of Conor Donovan firing far post on his second touch. It was a play out the back that Sacramento Republic will regret but Indy Eleven capitalized to level.
Jack Gurr and Aldair Sanchez would see efforts blocked in the 40th minute, it would be the best chances before halftime as the game was honors even at the break, very little between the two sides.
Gurr would start the second half with a probing ball into the box, Yannik Oettl unable to catch, but Cicerone unable to put the ball on target. It would take until the 56th minute before Indy Eleven would get their first chance of the second half, and it was a chance that should have been buried. A Jack Gurr pass missed everyone for Sacramento and was instead passed to Cam Lindley. Lindley spotted Augustine Williams brilliantly on the run from the halfway line and put it where he could get in front of Conor Donovan. The first touch fails Williams as it put him wider from goal, the shot near post never having a chance. Williams’s first touch has to be better there as the match stayed 1-1.
Indy Eleven again should have found the front in the 63rd minute. Cameron Lindley would chip the ball into Sebastian Guenzatti, Guenzatti allowing Jared Timmer to be first in the space which forced Guenzatti’s header to not have the power he wanted. However, even with reduced pace the header beat Daniel Vitello and hit off the crossbar. The resulting corner kick saw the pressure eased when Vitiello was fouled.
Sacramento Republic would take until the 77th minute before Aedan Stanley would take Jack Gurr out 18 yards out on the right, winning the Republic a free kick. Second half substitute Rodrigo Lopez would swing it in making it all the way to Jonathan Ricketts, Ricketts just too far forward of the ball and unable to get a quality chance on target. The second half definitely saw the game grind into a midfield slog, neither side truly able to break the other down. In the end, a draw was a fair result on the night.
The 87th minute would see the best chance for the half from either side. Rodrigo Lopez would start the attack springing the pass to Rafael Jauregui. Jauregui would get to the end line before sending in the centering ball. Trevor Amann was in position to bury it, but was unable to get it over the Indy Eleven defense, instead putting it wide of the far post. It was Sacramento Republic’s best chance in open play on the night and one Trevor Amann is going to have nightmares over for a month.
For Sacramento Republic to make back to back cross country trips and come out of it with four points, they will be more than happy with it. The biggest issue from their performance in this game was the lack of service to Trevor Amann, along with Trevor Amann’s inability to consistently break contain. Callum Chapman-Page shut him down in the first half, the rest of Indy Eleven shut him down in the second. Still unbeaten heading home is something they’ll have taken leaving this game.
Even with the own goal, Callum Chapman-Page was a shut down defender tonight. You could tell the plan was to get forward as quickly as possible, sometimes too quickly. When the link play between back to midfield to Augustine Williams was there, and it was a rare occurrence in this game, the signs are there for them to strike fast. They have built from the opening night loss to Oakland and should feel confident going into their match with Detroit City.
Monterey Bay FC 2 v Rhode Island FC 2: Tristan Trager for the second match in a row would come off the bench to equalize as Monterey Bay would have to come from behind twice in order to draw with Rhode Island FC 2-2 in a game Monterey Bay will think they got robbed in.
Conor McGlynn had the first chance of the night when he took Noah Fuson’s layoff 18 yards central, instead of picking a post he put it right on body of Antony Siaha, Kanifa Yao the one winning the ball to start the counter attack. Hugh Alexander Dixon on twenty minutes thought he had opened the scoring from Carlos Guzman’s cross, but Dixon was a clear yard offside. It was a tight opening twenty minutes, both teams allowing possession box to box but closing down once the opposition would get into the eighteen.
Rhode Island set up to give Monterey Bay a taste of their own medicine, forcing Monterey Bay to have sustained possession and trying to win the ball higher up the pitch. The visitors would begin to get back into the game when Joseph Brito and Stephen Turnbull played a long 1-2 ball, the Brito centering ball not able to get through to Albert Dikwa. Minutes later, a wind aided corner kick from Marc Ybarra forced Antony Siaha to punch it out for a third corner in succession, the third one caught and pushed out by the wind. Through the opening 35 minutes, there was nothing in it.
Joseph Brito was lucky to not see red in the 37th minute, his tackle on Hugh Alexander Dixon horrible, his antics after the foul almost worthy of a second bookable offense for dissent.
Rhode Island FC would take their first lead in franchise history in the 41st minute. Noah Fuson would put a zinger of a ball into Albert Dikwa without prejudice leaving Dikwa unmarked, a Monterey Bay defender on the floor, and Antony Siaha stunned as the shot went right through the five hole. It was a goal in 4 touches from midfield intercept to goal. The pass from Fuson took the entire Monterey Bay backline out of commission allowing Dikwa to go 1 v 1 with Siaha.
The lead would not make it to halftime, Monterey Bay equalizing on the 45. A free kick for Monterey Bay 18 yards out extended right was whipped in by Walmer Martinez into the path of Carlos Guzman, a redirecting touch in front of Franke Nodarse and Conor McGlynn only needed to beat the out of position Koke Vegas. It was poor set piece defending from the visitors, Monterey Bay putting the ball in the right spot for a simple finish. Luther Archimede will have nightmares he didn’t accept Koke Vegas’s golden gift to put it the ball into the empty net after Vegas whiffed on a clearing ball, Archimede going just wide of the near post. Going into the interval the chess match turned into one strange open play where both sides used the wind to their advantage.
Monterey Bay seconds into the second half would win a dangerous free kick when Grant Stoneman took out Luther Archimede on the route one ball, Stoneman fortunate Kanifa Yao was within the same block as an argument could be made that could have been a red card. The fact Stoneman didn’t argue a yellow tells me he knew that card should have been red. Walmer Martinez’s free kick would be aided by the wind and blasted into the fans behind the goal. Hugh Alexander Dixon 1-2 with Mobi Fehr should have resulted in a better effort on goal minutes later, not a hole in the wall in frustration from a shot he has to do better with. Minutes into the second half it was the visitors with all the momentum, it carrying over from the end of the first half.
Marc Ybarra and Stephen Turnbull would both find the book in the 54th minute, Ybarra for his challenge on Hugh Alexander Dixon, Turnbull for arguing he should have been awarded a free kick in way too colorful language to the referee.
Rhode Island would signal some intent on the hour, a poor Antony Siaha goal kick feel right to Marc Ybarra. A 1-2 with Jojea Kwizera later put Ybarra in a perfect centering position, the ball just too tall for the men on the edge of the six, Monterey Bay clearing the danger. Three minutes later, Rhode Island would hit the front for the second time. Joseph Brito would get the ball forward for Rhode Island on the counter attack, the second phase ball going to Conor McGlynn. McGlynn would set up Stephen Turnbull, his touch going to Brito. Brito’s ball in would get past Noah Fuson, marked by Kai Greene and into the path of Albert Dikwa. Dikwa, already in front of Morey Doner, had the point blank shot from 3 yards out, nothing Antony Siaha could have done to stop it.
This time the lead Rhode Island would lead for sixteen minutes before Monterey Bay would equalize. Second half substitute Chase Boone, back from injury, would win the ball in midfield before playing Mobi Fehr down the right. Fehr would get to the end line before putting his ball into the six, Tristan Trager forgotten about by everyone in Rhode Island yellow. Trager way too easily got in front of Kanifa Yao before redirecting the ball central past Koke Vegas, who was covering the near post. It was horrific defending from Rhode Island, caught completely flat footed at the back and ignoring men coming into the box. At 2-2 with 18 minutes to play it was well and truly game on.
Koke Vegas would get caught by Tristan Trager in the 77th minute, not long after Jackson Lee would have to replace him.
Monterey Bay thought they had taken the lead in the 84th minute, Carlos Guzman judged to interfere with play from an offside position as Kai Green put the ball into the back of the net. It was a snap judgment call to be sure, one I only think the referee got right because it was touched in by Monterey Bay. One does have wonder what would have happened Guzman wasn’t the first to start celebrating.
Rhode Island would get the last opportunity with the last kick of the game when Walmer Martinez took out Albert Dikwa, but the Jojea Kwizera delivery went through the mass of bodies out for a throw in, the final centering pass from Kwizera to Prince Saydee landing on the top of the net, honors even at full time.
Monterey Bay showed me one thing in this game, and in the El Paso game, that they never showed at any point last season, the ability to play from behind. Having Tristan Trager off the bench as a super sub is a hell of a gift. They also are a side who isn’t afraid to play with possession, something they looked scared to do last season. To still be unbeaten after 3 games is a much better result than I think even they expected. I’m sure Frank Yallop is going to be asking how Joseph Brito and Grant Stoneman weren’t sent off, and how the goal they thought made it 3-2 was waved offsides.
Rhode Island is going to be seriously disappointed in how they allowed both goals. They won’t be disappointed in how the Noah Fuson to Albert Dikwa connection has already found flight. The one thing I can see Khano Smith working on this week is their spacing in defense as it was all over the shop in this game, and it wasn’t because of the wind either. I also felt Rhode Island let themselves get too compact at time when trying to get forward making it easier for Monterey Bay to defend. You can still tell there’s promising signs for this expansion team, one where they can’t lose confidence heading into their next three games against historically difficult opponents, but where two of them are struggling.
Elsewhere Around the USL Championship:
Hartford Athletic 1 Birmingham Legion FC 0: A Michee Ngalina goal midway through the first half was enough for Hartford Athletic to continue their unbeaten start to the season as they defeated Birmingham Legion FC 1-0 on a wet miserable day in Hartford.
Hartford Athletic peppered the net from the off as a result of two poor Matt Van Oekel goal kicks in the opening 3 minutes, the second resulted in Marcus Epps teeing up Deshane Beckford for a double chance that ultimately was blocked inside the six-yard box and cleared. Marcus Epps would again set up a golden chance on goal, this time in the 16th minute, but Michee Ngalina would get under the ball and put is high and wide.
Hartford Athletic’s persistence would pay off at the midway point of the first half. After a spell of possession, Anderson Asiedu would place an aerial through ball down the middle. Ngalina would get between Mujeeb Murana and Alex Crognale, collect and trickle the ball far post past a late diving Van Oekel. It wouldn’t be the last effort Hartford would get in the first half, Marcus Epps unmarked header wide of the near post in the 32nd being the best chance the hosts would get in the first half to add as second before halftime.
It would take Birmingham Legion until the 47th minute to get their first shot of consequence of the night, Diba Nwegbo’s effort from the edge of the eighteen blocked by Thomas Vancaeyezeele. Hartford would then get back into the familiar pattern of peppering the Brimingham net, Matt Van Oekel forced to come up with a double save to deny Marcus Epps and Mamadou Dieng.
Birmingham would get their best chance of the night to equalize in the 74th minute when a 2 v 1 situation saw Enzo Martinez find Tyler Pasher, Paul Walters’s feet saving the day to deny the Pasher effort on goal. Tabort Etaka’s speculative effort from 25 five minutes later did have Walters beaten, the crossbar ultimately denying the shot. A late free kick from Diba Nwegbo was saved right into the path of Miguel Perez, who’s chance never found the target. That allowed Hartford Athletic to see the game out for three points that got sketchy late.
Detroit City FC 2 Loudoun United 1: Second half goals from Abdoulaye Diop and Maxi Rodriguez proved to be the difference as Detroit City FC continued their winning start to the season with a come from behind 2-1 victory over Loudoun United.
Despite an early Ali Coote effort for Detroit City inside the opening minute, Loudoun United would hit the front in the fourteenth. After a poor Nathan Steinwascher goal kick to Aboulaye Diop, Diop added to the misery with a pass that went right to Florian Valot. Valot found Wesley Leggett, let Diop over commit coming back, got an angle on Devon Amoo-Mensah before going near post with his shot, a deflection by Stephen Carroll assisting it into the back of the net. Loudoun United’s pressure paid off to give them the early lead.
Off the restart from Legget’s tight angle effort that went right to Steinwascher in the 54th minute, Detroit City would find the equalizer. Ben Morris would win the ball to James Murphy. Maxi Rodriguez selfless to let Murphy’s pass travel to Elvis Amoh. From there the touch found Aboulaye Diop. With Robert Dambrot staying on the edge of the penalty area, Diop settled, set and put his effort from 22 yards out near post. Hugo Fauroux waited way too late to make a diving effort that would have been routine save from his position and ended up a spectator as Diop’s shot went in without any fuss. At 1-1 it was truly game on.
Detroit City’s high press paid off with the easiest of game winners fifteen minutes later. After a poor pass forced Fauroux to rush a long ball forward, Elvis Amoh’s block went right to the waiting feet of Maxi Rodriguez, wasting no time putting the ball into an empty net. Rodriguez nearly had a second goal two minutes later when Rodriguez rounded Fauroux long ball from Mensah, Erlandson tracking back to be the defender who denied the shot. Detroit City would see the game out from here to start their season with back-to-back 2-1 victories.
North Carolina FC 1 Tampa Bay Rowdies 1: Rafael Mentzingen equalizer fifteen minutes from time was enough for North Carolina FC to earn a 1-1 draw against a Tampa Bay Rowdies side that continues to still look unsettled.
It was North Carolina that came out on the front foot, Oalex Anderson taking the dispossessed ball in the opening minute and going just over the crossbar. North Carolina FC would continue to get the better of the chances, their next best opportunity again falling to Oalex Anderson on the run off a throw-in in the 61st minute, the layoff falling to the feet of Rodrigo da Costa who ultimately put it over the crossbar from twenty yards out. Two minutes later Tampa Bay would be in front.
Off a Tampa Bay Rowdies corner kick, Hilton’s ball in near post would be deflected right to Michael Maldonado, his attempt to clear it out from 10 yards out deflected right into the back of his own net. It was a poor clearance attempt from Maldonado, who from appearances looked to be shooting into his own net instead of clearing the ball out. That’s how bad the clearance attempt was. It was truly a goal the Rowdies didn’t deserve but when the luck goes your way you don’t argue it as it did wake the Rowdies up if only temporally. Minutes later Cal Jennings nearly doubled the advantage, unable to take Manuel Arteaga’s pass and square his body allowing Jake McGuire to save on the near post.
Signs began to bubble again North Carolina FC would find the equalizer, a 74th minute effort saw Louis Perez get wrecked on a Forrest Lasso tackle from Rafael Mentzingen’s pass, not before touching the ball onto the path of Rodrigo da Costa. The effort could have been better far post but the shot ultimately never was threatening. A minute later North Carolina FC was level. Ezra Armstrong would start this attack, this time laying it back to Louis Perez. Perez’s ball into the box was for Oalex Anderson, who had the foresight to see that both Aaron Guillen had left his position to cover the centering ball, and that Rafael Mentzingen was completely unmarked far post, Jordan Farr covering anything Anderson would shoot. Anderson let the ball run through the box to Mentzingen for the easiest of finishes.
Charleston Battery 4 New Mexico United 0: Three second half goals allowed Charleston Battery to run riot over New Mexico United to pick up their first win of the season in a 4-0 rout.
It would only take seventeen minutes for Charleston to take the lead. A long throw in by Nathan Dossantos found Matt Myers, an immediate touch sent central to the waiting Nicholas Markanich. Markanich wasted no time firing home before Arturo Astorga could get back. It couldn’t have gotten any easier for Charleston to take the early 1-0 lead.
New Mexico United would have their best chance to equalize in the 49th minute. After a Greg Hurst effort minutes earlier was saved by the feet of Adam Grinwis, Marco Michaletto’s corner fall right into the path of Dayonn Harris. Harris’s effort did beat Grinwis only to be denied off the line by Aaron Molloy.
After that the floodgates opened for Charleston. After sustained possession in the attacking third, the ball fell to Nathan Dossantos. Dossantos found Arturo Rodriguez who decided in that moment to turn and fire far post, nothing Kristopher Shakes could have done would have stopped that. At 2-0 this game was well and truly over.
Charleston would continue to pepper the net, a free kick by Aaron Molloy in the 64th minute bending perfectly over the wall and into the near post before Shakes could see it and react. A 73rd minute chip by Nicholas Markanich from Shakes’s poor clearance had to be headed over the line by Will Seymore to deny a fourth goal at this juncture.
Jackson Conway would put an end to the scoring in the final minute, a Juan Torres shot finding the crossbar, Conway first to react to the ball before Arturo Astorga did to finish on the far post. It was a miserable night for New Mexico United all around, second best to just about everything and once Rodriguez made it 2-0, the legs went.
Las Vegas Lights FC 1 El Paso Locomotive FC 0: The horror start to El Paso Locomotive’s season continued on Saturday as an own goal by goalkeeper Javier Garcia twelve minutes from halftime was enough for Las Vegas Lights to pick up their first win of the season at home 1-0.
El Paso would have the first chance of the afternoon in the 26th minute, a free kick by Lucas Stauffer palmed by Raiko Arozarena right into the path of Arun Basuljevic. Basuljevic second touch fired just wide of the far post. It would end being one of the few decent efforts El Paso would have.
Las Vegas would work themselves into the game and would be rewarded in the 33rd minute. A free kick by Valentin Noel would be headed out to Jean-Claude Ngando, the ball was whipped back into Fabian Garcia. Garcia’s unmarked header found the far post, and bounced off the leg of Javier Garcia into his own net. The header alone deserved the goal but Garcia left himself too exposed resulting in the ball going in off the leg to give Las Vegas Lights the 1-0 lead.
Las Vegas nearly made it 2-0 in the 68th minute, Edward Berumen winning the ball to Valentin Noel, his centering ball between Bolo Akinyode and Tony Alfaro to the waiting head of Khori Bennett. Bennett’s flash header forced Garcia to put it out. A 79th minute free kick by Robinson Moshobane around the wall that went just wide of the near that represented El Paso Locomotive’s chance to equalize as Las Vegas held on for their first win of the campaign.
San Antonio FC 2 Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC 0: Two goals in the final quarter hour were enough for San Antonio FC to forget all about Juan Agudelo’s first half penalty miss and pick up their first victory of the season while keeping Colorado Springs Switchbacks at the foot of the Western Conference.
Colorado Springs’s had the first clear effort on goal, Matt Mahoney finding Quenzi Huerman central from 25 yards unmarked, the final product just curling wide of the frame late. It would take San Antonio 31 minutes to get anything of consequence on goal, a Cameron Lacey shot from a throw in that was ultimately an easy kick save for Christian Herrera for a corner kick.
The match would turn three minutes later when Lucas Silva would intercept a Colorado Springs pass out the back and immediately set up Jorge Hernandez just inside the penalty area. Juan Tejada was caught out of position and ran through Hernandez without playing the ball, another easy decision for the referee to make. Juan Agudelo would step up, get to theatrical in the run up, and end up the penalty right where Christian Herrera was. It was by far the poorest penalty kick of the weekend.
Colorado Springs would have to stand strong again on the verge of halftime when Agudelo would turn Duke Lacroix, get to the end line, the centering pass made a mess of by multiple Colorado Springs defenders, Kevon Lambert’s shot ultimately blocked off the line by Duke Lacroix, showing the sense to stay on the end line with Herrera off it. Going into halftime the field was tilted San Antonio’s way, without any end product to show for it.
Pablo Sisniega was called into immediate action 3 minutes into the second half, a dangerous Juan Tejada ball into the box was allowed to get to the far post as Sisniega was unable to redirect. However, the San Antonio keeper stood strong to deny both Ronald Dumas and Yosuke Hanya from inside of the six yard box.
San Antonio should have gone in front 20 minutes from time, a Jorge Hernandez cross to Juan Agudelo headed over from three yards out. Five minutes later these San Antonio missed chances would be all forgotten. From a second phase ball from a throw in, Jorge Hernandez put the ball into the 18 towards Luke Haakenson. Haakenson’s centering ball found Hugo Mbongue, his shot blocked. Lucas Silva put the rebound right where Matthew Mahoney was positioned before going to cover Mbongue, Herrera caught wrong footed and the ball rolled into the back of the net. On the balance of play San Antonio deserved the lead.
San Antonio would complete the scoring to start second half stoppage time, Mitchell Taintor’s interception cleared to Juan Agudelo. Agudelo took on James Musa and Mahoney before finding Hugo Mbongue, who Mahoney left marking to double team Agudelo. That left Mbongue 1 v 1 with Herrera for the composed finish.
Orange County SC 2 Miami FC 2: Orange County SC came from behind twice to ensure their unbeaten start to the season would continue in a thrilling 2-2 draw with Miami FC, a game both sides will be wondering if it was 1 point gained or two points lost.
Orange County had the first opportunity of the night, a ninth minute Sofiane Djeffal free kick finding Andrew Fox at the far post, the angle not conducive for a shot on target, Daniel Gagliardi had the post covered. Three minutes later Miami FC would be in front. After Alejandro Mitrano intercepted an Orange County pass out the back, the ball eventually found the feet of Rocco Genzano. Genzano laid his pass off to Frank Lopez, Lopez letting the ball roll through to Allen Gavilanes. Gavilanes did exceptional work to get the angle of shot near post off between Andrew Fox, Ashish Chattha and Kevin Partida that left Colin Shutler flat footed and stunned as the shot made it through the traffic and in on the near post. Seven Minutes later Frank Lopez would take the route one ball and see his chip over Colin Shutler curl late wide of the far post, a chance gone begging for Miami FC.
It would take until after the half hour mark before Orange County SC equalized. Off a corner kick, Ashton Miles was the only player to leap at the Brian Iloski delivery. Miles stayed composed to leap between two Miami FC defenders and head right past where Daniel Gagliardi came from. 5 minutes later Miami FC nearly handed Orange County a gift when their attempt to play out the back was intercepted by Seth Casiple. Casiple found Djeffal unmarked on the edge of the 18, the resulting shot going wide of the far post. It was an effort Djeffal will wish he had back as he slightly rushed the effort as Miami FC set their line.
First half stoppage time saw two chances, one converted one not. Owen Lambe should have done better from a deflected through ball, instead cutting the angle too narrow before going wide of the far post. 92 seconds later Miami FC would hit the front. A poor pass was intercepted by Gabriel Cabral and he sprung the counter to Rocco Genzano. Genzano laid the ball off Allen Gavilanes, who got the right side of Sofiane Djeffal before firing on target. Brian Shutler was only able to get a palm to it, but wasn’t able to do enough to keep it out, the ball slow rolling into the back of the net. With that, Miami FC would lead going into the break.
Orange County threw wave after wave of attack at Miami FC in the second half. Daniel Gagliardi had to be strong to deny Thomas Amang twice in five minutes from great opportunities. It Thomas Amang’s third opportunity of the half where he was finally rewarded. Off a corner kick, the ball was headed by Daltyn Knutson right into the path of Amang, Gagliardi unable to reach the ball in the gaggle of players near post. That allowed Amang to head it off Nicolas Cardona and into the empty net. It was another set piece undoing for the visitors, Orange County SC deserving of the equalizer.
Phoenix Rising FC 1 Oakland Roots SC 0: Panos Armenakas’s goal 4 minutes into the second half gave Phoenix Rising their first win of the season with a 1-0 result over Oakland Roots SC.
Phoenix Rising would get the first quality effort in the fourteenth minute, Laurence Wyke centering ball deflected off Blanchette into the path of Dariusz Formella central, Formella’s effort defended off the line. Despite the Phoenix Rising possession, the quality chances would be few and far between, Oakland Roots compact 3-4-3 difficult to break down. That would change in the 32nd minute when a Paul Blanchette whiffed clearing kick fell right to Formella, Blanchette’s trailing paw getting to the Formella shot central to deny. It was at this point one was wondering if this would be another night to forget for Phoenix Rising, a golden gift not capitalized on.
Oakland Roots would remind everyone they could get forward to two minutes before halftime an Oakland counter played to Baboucarr Nije. Nije spotted an unmarked Jonny Rodriguez 12 yards out and played the ball in. Rodriguez was not prepared for the gift cross Nije set up for him, the header rushed and wide. It would turn out to be Oakland’s best chance of the night.
Phoenix Rising would hit the front to start the second half. A ball played in from midfield to Juan Azocar allowed Azocar to get settled down the left and play a 1-2 with Dariusz Formella. That allowed Azocar to beat Guillermo Diaz, center to Panos Armenakas who was in front of Baboucarr Nije to finish into an empty net, Blanchette unable to get to the far post to cover. It was a goal that was coming, Phoenix Rising on the balance of play worthy of the 1-0 lead.
Phoenix used attack as their best form of defense, and despite not getting another effort of consequence on target were able to see the game out.
Around USL League One
Richmond Kickers 1 South Georgia Tormenta FC 3: Goals in the opening ten minutes of each half was enough for South Georgia to go on the road to pick up their first victory of the season, 3-1 over the Richmond Kickers.
Conor Doyle would get South Georgia on the scoresheet 4 minutes in. Conor Doyle started the sequence by winning the ball in midfield. The pass to Sebastian Vivas laid up Philip Spengler, his shot blocked by Sierakowski with an argument of handball inside the box to be made. The ball ended up right into the path of an onrushing Conor Doyle, Preston Spengler making the right decision to not touch it. Doyle’s shot was too tall for Pablo Jara to collect, a great goal to open the scoring. Ford Parker would deny one set piece and Sierakowski would go wide in Richmond’s best 2 efforts of the first half, but it was South Georgia who deserved the lead going into the interval.
Niall Watson would put the game away 10 minutes into the second half. After Preston Spengler won the ball from Simon Fitch, he took off down the center of the park. Spengler picked out Watson before Dakota Barnathan got up to put him offside, Griffin Garnett not bothering to put a foot out to stop the pass. From there Watson was 1 v 1 with Jara, Watson waiting until Jara was set before putting the shot down the middle. It was a perfect counter attacking goal to put the visitors 2 goals in front.
Richmond’s best chance to pull one back would come in the 81st minute, Nil Vinyals long ball getting Arthur Bousa behind Jake Dengler, the header from point blank range tipped over by Ford Parker. It would be the second minute of stoppage time before South Georgia gave Richmond a lifeline. Vinvals again would start the sequence finding Moran Correa. His layoff went to James Vaughan, Vaughan’s centering ball put into the net by South Georgia defender Preston Kilwien with Ford Parker going to collect the centering ball.
The lifeline wouldn’t last long as Gabriel Rodriguez would take Dakota Barnathan’s poor touch and find another second half sub, Mason Turnbridge for an easy tap in goal to finish the scoring for South Georgia with Jara caught out trying to stop Rodriguez.
One Knoxville SC 2 Lexington FC 0: Second half goals from Rodolfo Castro and Stuart Ritchie continued One Knoxville’s winning start to the season with a 2-0 triumph of Lexington FC.
After an opening hour that saw final touches lacking, One Knoxville would be the first to force Lexington keeper Amahl Knight into action. Stuart Richie was given freedom down the left, his centering pass to Frank Ross saw Ross shoot on goal before Kaelon Fox could defend it. Knight did well to collect. 10 minutes later Knoxville would hit the front. Angelo Kelly would play a 1-2 with Kempes Tekiela, the 2 being a headed ball onto the path of Rodolfo Castro. Castro would chip towards goal, an unlucky deflection off the heel of Modesto Mendez helping to guide it far post for the One Knoxville opener. Knoxville was building and were ultimately rewarded with the opener.
One Knoxville would put the game away with two minutes left of the ninety, a high press dispossession falling to the feet of Richard Ballard. Ballard had time to spot an unmarked Stuart Richie down the left, his 40 yard run to the left edge of the six yard box afforded him the angle to beat Amahl Knight on the far post, Christian Young way too late in getting back to defend. One Knoxville may have started slow, but they finished much stronger and were worthy 2-0 winners on the night.
Greenville Triumph SC 0 Forward Madison FC 0: Bernd Schipmann’s penalty stop from Leonardo Castro before halftime was enough to ensure Forward Madison’s trip to Greenville would result in a point as Greenville Triumph and Forward Madison played to a nil-nil draw.
Greenville Triumph would get the first quality chance of the night in the 21st minute, a Leonardo Castro header from Sebastian Velasquez’s free kick far post tipped over by Bernd Schipmann. Another Velasquez free kick thirteen minutes later just went over the cross bar. Forward Madison would finally have their best chance go begging nine minutes from halftime, Derek Gebhard forcing Christian Garner off his line before centering to Christian Chaney who was unable to put it on the near post.
Greenville Triumph would have their best chance of the night to take the lead right on halftime, Michael Chilaka making an extremely clumsy and downright poor challenge taking Velasquez down on the inside edge of the penalty area with the ball trailing on the other side of the line. It was a penalty that should have never been afforded to Greenville, and Bernd Schipmann would ensure it would stay 0-0 going into halftime. Leonardo Castro’s slow walk-up for the penalty telegraphed to perfection where he was going (to Castro’s left), Schipmann halfway there before the ball was kicked. The eyes in this instance did not lie.
A second half devoid of opportunities ensured this game ended 0-0, Forward Madison thankful for the handiwork of Bernd Schipmann, Forward Madison wondering what would have been from their set piece opportunities.
Spokane Velocity FC 1 Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC 0: Luis Gil’s penalty 10 minutes from halftime was enough for Spokane Velocity to get back-to-back league wins at home in a 1-0 victory over Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC.
Northern Colorado had a gift handed to them in the seventh minute they failed to capitalize on. Carlos Valdez’s pass out the back went directly to Jake Keegan. Keegan laid off to Irvin Parra, who in kind found Lucky Opara. Opara, being triple teamed, laid the ball back off to Parra, who put the final touch over the crossbar. Parra thought he had opened the scoring on the quarter hour, but was judged offside.
Spokane should have opened the scoring themselves in the 29th minute. A free kick put into the box found Longmire, his header across the six fell right into the path of Pierre Reedy in front of Patrick Langlois. The effort should have been buried on the post, instead it was put inches wide, a blown chance.
Spokane would win a penalty in the 33rd minute, Romain Metanire getting into the box before finding Luis Gil. Gil was promptly tackled by Jonny Fenwick without making an effort to play the ball, the referee immediately pointing to the spot and booking David Garcia for his protest to the decision. It was an easy decision for the referee to make as the foul occurred right in his line of sight. Luis Gil would take and get the ball on Gil’s left post out of the reach of Edward Delgado and in to make it 1-0 for the hosts.
Irwin Parra nearly redirected a header past the on rushing Valdez off the restart to immediately equalize but couldn’t put it near post. Jake Keegan right off the second half kick nearly snuck a ball in on the near post, but it was palmed out for a corner. Those would be the best chances for Northern Colorado to equalize as Spokane saw off the second half to pick up their third win across all competitions this week.
Weekend Observations and Random Musings
1: I firmly think it’s red alert time for El Paso Locomotive. Their performances have gotten progressively worse the last two games, and you could tell the moment they lost confidence after giving up the late equalizer to Monterey Bay. I’m afraid these are points they are going to wish they had come October.
1a: I’m also raising the red alert for Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Bob Lilley has his most difficult coaching job ahead of him as well as a dilemma. The 5-4-1 we are use to seeing from Bob will not work with this squad, and it was only when he went to a 4-4-2 in the last 60 minutes of their game Saturday did they start to show life for the first time this season. I think it’s time to make the formation change because that’s what this roster looks more custom to playing.
1b: Everyone knows my feeling about the Rowdies by now, so I won’t include them here. The third team I’m raising the red alert on is Richmond Kickers in League 1. In 2 games I have seen nothing in them that says they could make a low end playoff push by season’s end.
2: One thing I never want to hear a broadcaster say about my team ‘they obviously love the late goals, they might be that kind of team this season’. History has shown me if you are too over reliant on late goals to save your point tally in this country it doesn’t end well when it really matters (read playoff time). Furthermore, let’s not forget they gave up that goal very late to Loudoun United. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for a dramatic late winner or equalizer, but it shouldn’t be part of your regular DNA.
3: I like the culture I’m seeing in Hartford on the pitch. With as much turnover as the squad had it would have almost been understood if it took them half a season just to understand how best to play together. Credit has to go to Brendan Burke, he’s put together a squad that has that team first mentality to them.
4: One of the underlying stories of this early season has been how the number of tier 3 players have adapted so quickly to the USL Championship. Look at the story of the early season, Trevor Amann’s start with Sacramento Republic. Take Miami FC, bringing 5 players up this off season from the third tier. They look a hungrier unit than I’ve seen out of them in years. Take North Carolina FC, a little more time and they aren’t going to be fun to play against (and ask Charleston and Tampa Bay how much fun they are to play at Wake Med). When, not if, Oalex Anderson, finds the back of the net I think he might have the kinda goal scoring season we don’t see too often. I really rate what he can do on the pitch.
5: If Juan Azocar, Darius Formella, and Guillermo Diaz were able to break down what has been a difficult Oakland Roots compact 3-4-3 the door might be closed for teams thinking playing Phoenix Rising early in the season would be an easy 3 points. While there finishing still needs some refining, this was a performance that should bring the confidence and with that, goals.
6: I’m starting to see an upward trajectory in South Georgia’s performances. The side I’m most worried about in League One right now is Richmond Kickers, who have looked out of sorts in both performances.
7: I don’t know who did the color commentary on the Indy Eleven/Sacramento Republic match, but I thank you for putting the pass completion percentage stat into context. I think that is one of the most useless stats we have (only second behind the most useless stat in the world, xG). The number of completed passes and percentage mean squat if your passing back and forth between two players for the majority of the match.
Longform Coverage Next Week
March 28th
Charlotte Independence v Spokane Velocity FC (Full time report at Beyond the 90)
March 30th
Miami FC v Charleston Battery
San Antonio FC v Monterey Bay FC
Orange County SC v FC Tulsa
It’s worth remembering that Tampa Bay started this way last season also and eventually picked it up, but I’ve watched the full 90 of both of their matches and quite frankly I don’t like what I see. The standard is high there I will admit I’m judging them by the establish standard of the organization and club not based on a comparison to other USL championship teams, but I think there’s something definitely missing. They have a lot of guys out and I do think it’ll come together. It just doesn’t seem as dynamic as it has in the past.
Thanks, Jonathan! Pittsburgh, El Paso, and RIchmond have all been avid and foundational supporters of lower lev-l soccer with strong fan-bases. I hope they begin to show better form and don't lose their loyal fanbases......