Arizona Heads out on First Road Trip
May 9, 2014 - United Soccer League Championship (USL) News Release
TAMPA, Fla. - Arizona United SC makes its first road trip of the season this weekend with the expansion side set to meet the Richmond Kickers and Harrisburg City Islanders in a pair of games that will test its playoff aspirations after closing a four-game homestand to open the season with a three-game undefeated streak.
United took an impressive 2-1 victory against 2013 USL PRO runner-up the Charlotte Eagles in its last outing, but now ventures to the east coast for the first time to meet a Kickers side that last lost at City Stadium in USL PRO regular-season play in 2012.
A subplot to the contest arrived on Friday, when Jalen Robinson was loaned by D.C. United to Arizona, having previously been assigned to Richmond at the start of the season. The 19-year-old Homegrown Player is eligible to face the Kickers tonight, having made his pro debut for Richmond last month.
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds host Orlando City in Friday night's other contest with the Riverhounds aiming to claim their first win of the season and end the Lions' undefeated start. Pittsburgh earned a 1-1 draw with Orlando when the teams met in Florida earlier this season and will be eager to build on back-to-back draws in its last two outings.
Saturday night sees Dayton Dutch Lions F.C. move into its new home at DOC Stadium as the LA Galaxy II make the trip to Ohio. Two-time World Player of the Year Ruud Gullit will be on hand to participate in the opening ceremonies, and the Dutch Lions are hopeful of an improved performance after consecutive defeats in their past two outings.
Also on Saturday night is the first game of a home-and-home series between the Charleston Battery and Wilmington Hammerheads, who meet at Blackbaud Stadium at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Carolina rivals each won on home turf last season as Charleston won 4-2 and Wilmington 2-1 in two entertaining contests. On Saturday, the Battery will try to claim their third consecutive win after victories against Harrisburg and Dayton last weekend.
OKC Energy FC returns home to Pribil Stadium to host Orange County Blues FC at 8 p.m. ET with Jimmy Nielsen's side aiming to get back on track after a pair of defeats against Orlando City during the past two weekends. The Energy claimed victory in Orange County earlier this season and the Blues will look to return the favor and keep OKC waiting for its first home win of the season.
Every game of the 2014 USL PRO season can be seen live on YouTube, with live updates also available via Twitter (@USLPRO), Facebook and Google+. Stay up to date with news, previews and match reports from throughout the league via USLPROSoccer.com.
SCHEDULE
Friday, May 9
Richmond vs. Arizona, 7 p.m. ET
Pittsburgh vs. Orlando, 7 p.m. ET
Saturday, May 10
Dayton vs. LA Galaxy II, 7 p.m. ET
Harrisburg vs. Arizona, 7 p.m. ET
Rochester vs. Orlando, 7:05 p.m. ET
Charleston vs. Wilmington, 7:30 p.m. ET
Oklahoma City vs. Orange County, 8 p.m. ET
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United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 9, 2014
- Riverhounds Fall to Orlando 1-0 - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Kickers Defeat Arizona United 4-0 - Richmond Kickers
- Orlando City SC Extends Its Winning Streak to Six Games - Orlando City SC
- Arizona Heads out on First Road Trip - USL
- OKC Energy FC Announces Second Straight Sell Out - OKC Energy FC
- Arizona United Adds Robinson on Loan - Phoenix Rising FC
- LA Galaxy II Head East to Take on Dayton Dutch Lions - LA Galaxy II
- Sacramento Republic FC to Host Ventura County Fusion on May 14 - Sacramento Republic FC
- Battery Teams up with Berkeley County YMCA - Charleston Battery
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