
Around the Leagues âÃâ¬Ã" USL and the MLS Is Back Final
August 11, 2020 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release
The United Soccer League regular season is heating up with rivals battling for top spots in each of the eight groups and Tuesday night marks the final match of the 2020 MLS is Back Tournament
Republic FC earned its first road win this season following a 1-0 victory in Portland over Timbers 2 on Saturday night. A first half T2 own goal was the difference in the match as the boys in Old Glory Red recorded their third shutout in four matches and head into Wednesday night's match against Group A leaders 1868 FC in Reno with a sturdy defensive streak of 199 minutes since the SRFC defense last conceded a goal.
Not far behind SRFC and Reno in third in the group is Tacoma Defiance with seven points from six matches - two behind Republic FC. Defiance was downed 2-1 by Reno in Nevada on Saturday night, allowing 1868 FC to maintain the top spot in Group A.
Phoenix Rising FC has returned to winning ways and recently claimed the summit in Group B after a resounding 5-2 win over New Mexico United. The 2019 record shattering club took the top spot after San Diego Loyal SC's weekend contest against Las Vegas Lights FC was postponed. New Mexico still holds the top spot in Group C despite the unfavorable result and second place El Paso Locomotive FC's 4-2 win over Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on Saturday. San Antonio FC still has a hold on first place in Group D after a 3-0 win over OKC Energy FC, maintaining its unbeaten streak of five straight fixtures.
In the east, Indy Eleven is still the top dog in Group E with 16 points from eight games while Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC and Hartford Athletic are level on points with 12, but the Steel City club controls a superior goal differential of +13 in Group F. Birmingham Legion FC won a second straight match to hold onto first in Group G while unbeaten Tampa Bay Rowdies continue to rumble through Group H with force after another win for the Floridian club and a six point lead over second place Charleston Battery.
MLS is Back Tournament
The Major League Soccer competition that began in early July is now gearing up for the Final on Tuesday night at 5 p.m. PT when hosts Orlando City SC take on Portland Timbers for the MLS Is Back Tournament crown.
Orlando stunned the tournament's odds-on favorite LAFC in quarterfinals of the knockout round and advanced by way of penalty kicks, 5-4, after a 1-1 draw. OCSC continued its courageous run in the competition with a 3-1 win over Minnesota United FC as Nani netted a first half brace to solidify his sides' spot in the Final.
First year manager Oscar Pareja has his side playing attractive and attacking soccer with Joao Moutinho, Chris Mueller, and Ruan are all helping to create chances for the Portuguese superstar and his teammate Mauricio Pereyra.
This will be the third cup final for Timbers in six years as the Pacific Northwest club was victorious in the 2015 MLS Cup Final. Portland has been one of the tournament's most exciting teams, partly because of the positive performances from Sebastian Blanco and Jeremy Ebobisse. Both players found the back of the net in Timbers' 2-1 semifinal win over Philadelphia Union and Blanco bagged his sides' opening goal in the 3-1 victory in the quarters over NYCFC.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 11, 2020
- Ismaila Jome Named to USL Championship Team of the Week - Austin Bold FC
- Charlotte Independence Looks for Payback in USL Championship Group G Rematch against Birmingham Legion FC at the Sportsplex at Matthews - Charlotte Independence
- USL Statement: COVID-19 Test Results - August 11, 2020 - USL
- Tacoma Defiance Match on August 12 at Las Vegas Lights Postponed - Tacoma Defiance
- Reno Hosting Rival Sacramento Republic FC - Reno 1868 FC
- Preview: FC Tulsa Brings Live Pro Sports Back to Tulsa on Wednesday Night at Oneok Field - FC Tulsa
- Match Preview: Legion FC at Charlotte Independence - Wednesday, August 12 - Birmingham Legion FC
- Indy Eleven Transfers Defender Macaulay King to El Paso Locomotive FC - Indy Eleven
- Las Vegas Lights FC Match Tomorrow Night against Tacoma Defiance Postponed - Las Vegas Lights FC
- Around the Leagues âÃâ¬Ãâ USL and the MLS Is Back Final - Sacramento Republic FC
- Week 7 Performance Earns Sargis Team of the Week Recognition - Sacramento Republic FC
- Neco Brett, Jonny Dean Named to USL Championship's Team of the Week - Birmingham Legion FC
- Eric De La Cerda Named to USL Team of the Week - Reno 1868 FC
- Uvaldo Luna Named to USL Championship Team of the Week - Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
- Akeem Ward Earns Spot on USL Team of the Week After Scoring First Professional Goal - North Carolina FC
- Phoenix's Junior Flemmings earns Player of the Week honors after hat trick vs. New Mexico - USL
- LouCity's Wednesday Game vs. Sporting KC II Postponed - Louisville City FC
- Match Preview: ATL UTD 2 vs Tampa Bay Rowdies - Atlanta United 2
- New Zealand National Team Player Joins Lights FC on Loan from Major League Soccer - Las Vegas Lights FC
- Preview: What to Watch for with LouCity vs. SKC II - Louisville City FC
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
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