USL United Soccer League Championship

Battle for Playoff Position Highlights Weekend Slate

Published on August 1, 2014 under United Soccer League Championship (USL) News Release


TAMPA, Fla. - With four teams sitting tied for the eighth and final playoff position in the USL PRO standings, this weekend's action could prove crucial in the battle for the postseason. Orange County Blues FC, the Charlotte Eagles, the Harrisburg City Islanders and the Charleston Battery will all aim for victory to boost their playoff hopes as the regular season enters its final full month.

The biggest game of the weekend arguably comes from Pribil Stadium, which is again set to be sold out as OKC Energy FC hosts an Orange County side looking to snap a four-game slide that has seen it overtaken by Jimmy Nielsen's squad in the standings. Energy FC will be hopeful of victory at home, where it is 4-1-2 in its past seven games. The Blues, however, stole a late 1-0 victory in their last visit to OKC, and need a victory to try and turn their season around.

Charlotte, meanwhile, faces the biggest challenge of the four as the Eagles visit an Orlando City side that can clinch a place in the playoffs with victory at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday night at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The Lions are coming off back-to-back shutouts for the first time in league competition since July 2011, and will be eager to bounce back from their first defeat of the season.

Orlando's conquerors, the Rochester Rhinos, play host to the Battery on Friday night at 7:35 p.m. ET at Sahlen's Stadium with the chance to not only dent Charleston's playoff hopes, but also put themselves in a more secure playoff position. The Rhinos sit fifth in the league standings, but a loss to the Battery would pull Charleston within three points and potentially pull the Rhinos into the battle for the final playoff positions.

Lastly, Harrisburg visits Dayton Dutch Lions FC looking to build on an impressive 3-1 victory against the LA Galaxy II on Wednesday night. The City Islanders got second-half goals from Jimmy McLaughlin, his fifth of the season, and Robbie Derschang to take victory, and will hope for more of the same against a Dayton side that has yet to take victory at home this season.

The weekend's action kicks off on Friday night as a longtime rivalry is renewed when Wilmington Hammerheads FC hosts the Richmond Kickers on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. ET at Legion Stadium. Saturday's action includes the LA Galaxy II's visit to face the Pittsburgh Riverhounds at Highmark Stadium at 7 p.m. ET, and Arizona United SC hosting Sacramento Republic FC at the Peoria Sports Complex in a fascinating west-coast clash at 10:30 p.m. ET.

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 across the league, fans can also follow USL PRO on Facebook, Google+ and Instagram.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 1, 2014


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