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United Soccer League Championship

Playoff Places on Line in Penultimate Weekend

August 29, 2014 - United Soccer League Championship (USL) News Release


TAMPA, Fla. - The USL PRO season enters its penultimate weekend with four playoff berths still up for grabs. With six games on the schedule, the action across the league could either make next month's playoff participants clear, or set up a big final week of the season.

Charlotte Eagles vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Friday, 7 p.m. ET

The Eagles sit two points outside the playoff places, and the Riverhounds three, with three games remaining for both, making Friday night's game a potential make-or-break contest for their playoff hopes. The Eagles have been strong at home with back-to-back wins against Rochester and Orlando in their past two outings, but the Riverhounds took a 2-0 win earlier this season at Highmark Stadium and are one of the hottest teams in the league with seven wins in their past 10 contests.

Harrisburg City Islanders vs. Rochester Rhinos, Saturday, 7 p.m. ET

The City Islanders and Rhinos drew 2-2 last Saturday in the first game of a home-and-home series, and now meet again at Skyline Sports Complex where the City Islanders have been strong of late. Harrisburg will be without goalkeeper Nick Noble after his red card last Saturday, but has gone 4-0-0 at home against Rochester in the USL PRO regular season since 2011, and depending on other results could clinch a postseason berth with a victory. The Rhinos would jump past Harrisburg with a win, but are 0-3-2 this month and are desperate to hold onto the eighth and final place in the playoffs.

Wilmington Hammerheads FC vs. Sacramento Republic FC, Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET

The Hammerheads took a big step toward the playoffs with their 3-1 victory against Orlando City SC on Thursday night, and now welcome another regular-season title contender as Republic FC visits Legion Stadium. Sacramento took a 2-0 win against Wilmington in their first meeting of the season at Bonney Field, but Wilmington has taken seven points from its past three games to move into the playoff positions, and will look to continue its positive momentum behind Sunny Jane and Toronto FC loanee Mark-Anthony Kaye.

Charleston Battery vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET

The Battery had their eight-game undefeated streak broken in midweek by Sacramento, but return home in strong position to reach the playoffs as they host the Riverhounds at Blackbaud Stadium. Charleston could clinch a place in the postseason with victory against the Riverhounds should Rochester fail to take victory against Harrisburg, but the Riverhounds will provide a strong test in what should be a playoff-type atmosphere on Daniel Island.

Orange County Blues FC vs. Richmond Kickers, Saturday, 10 p.m. ET

The Orange County Blues may know their playoff fate before they kick off at Anteater Stadium on Saturday night, with the chance their slim playoff hopes could be eliminated earlier in the evening. The Kickers, however, will enter knowing a victory is vital to not only keep their regular-season title hopes alive, but also to their chances of regaining second place in the league standings from Sacramento. Former Blues George Davis IV, Shay Spitz and Matheau Hall all return to face their former club, with Davis and Spitz both having put together excellent first seasons for Richmond.

Orlando City SC vs. Dayton Dutch Lions FC, Sunday, 7:30 p.m. ET

Orlando City fell 3-1 to Wilmington on Thursday night, but the Lions could still get the chance to clinch the USL PRO regular season title on Sunday night should results go their way on Saturday. Should Richmond fail to take victory at Orange County and Sacramento lose to Wilmington, the door would open for the Lions as they host Dayton at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. While eliminated from playoff contention, however, the Dutch Lions might make things tricky, as they have been a far better side on the road this season, with a 6-5-2 record away from DOC Stadium, including a 1-0-2 mark in their past three away contests.

All of the weekend's action can be watched live on YouTube, with live updates also available via Twitter (@USLPRO). For news, match previews and reports from throughout the league, fans can also follow USL PRO on Facebook, Google+ and Instagram.

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