Leaders Pulling Away Down the Stretch

August 12, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1) News Release


With just over a month remaining in the regular season, it appears the race for the Commissioner's Cup will come down to the three clubs that have played musical chairs with the league lead over the past month. The Charleston Battery, Carolina RailHawks and Portland Timbers have pulled away from the pack with Puerto Rico, who enters CONCACAF Champions League group play next week, not far behind but unlikely to mount a serious challenge having already played more games and needing to balance both competitions.

Carolina has been red hot at 5-1-0 over their past six matches and the only loss coming in Charleston. The Battery have also done well at 4-1-2 with the only defeat occuring in Portland. The Timbers, they are a completely different story. Portland has not suffered a loss since the opening match of the season, breaking the all-time regular season unbeaten streak (previously 16) and are at 20 and counting. The only thing that has kept Portland in check has been the numerous draws at 11-1-9 for the year.

Over the past month, Puerto Rico has continued its run of defensive dominance, posting six consecutive shutouts with its starters, including goalkeeper Bill Gaudette in goal. The only blemish was a 4-2 defeat in Vancouver in which several defensive starters and Gaudette were resting in preparation for their Champions League series against Toronto which they went on to post two more shutouts in to advance 1-0 on aggregate.



USL First Division Stories from August 12, 2009


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