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USL United Soccer League Championship

Top of the Table Clash Pits Kickers, Lions

August 22, 2014 - United Soccer League Championship (USL) News Release


TAMPA, Fla. - A top-of-the-table clash between the Richmond Kickers and Orlando City SC highlights Week 23's weekend slate in USL PRO, as the top two teams in the league standings meet in a crucial game in the race for the regular-season championship on Saturday night at City Stadium.

The rest of the weekend's action appears set to provide both drama and entertainment too, as nine teams separated by seven points fight for the remaining four positions in the postseason.

Arizona United SC vs. OKC Energy FC, Friday, 10:30 p.m. ET

The Charlotte Eagles' victory in midweek against Orlando made what was a crucial game for both Arizona and OKC even bigger, with the winner set to get a major boost to its playoff hopes. Arizona took a 2-1 victory against OKC in the last meeting just more than a week ago, and then defeated Pittsburgh for its first back-to-back wins of the season. Energy FC is looking to end a three-game losing streak, and regain a place in the top eight.

Richmond Kickers vs. Orlando City SC, Saturday, 7 p.m. ET

A year ago the Kickers defeated Orlando at City Stadium to claim the USL PRO regular season championship. This year, Richmond can move level with the Lions as Orlando enters with a three-point lead at the top of the standings. The Kickers are closing in on going undefeated at home for a second consecutive regular season, while the Lions have struggled on the road recently with their last victory coming on June 22 against Dayton. A win for Orlando, however, would put the Lions in a strong position to clinch a third regular-season championship, and Adrian Heath's side will be additionally motivated after a midweek defeat against Charlotte put it in position to lose back-to-back regular season games for the first time.

Dayton Dutch Lions FC vs. Colorado Rapids Reserves, Saturday, 7 p.m. ET

The Dutch Lions have seen a mini-resurgence under new coach Matt Weston, and have picked up a win and two draws on the road in his first three games in charge. Now they host the Colorado Rapids Reserves looking to pick up their first home win of the season. While the playoffs are almost mathematically out of reach - Dayton sits eight points out of eighth place with three games remaining - the Dutch Lions can provide a good pick-me-up for their fans with victory on Saturday.

Rochester Rhinos vs. Harrisburg City Islanders, Saturday, 7:05 p.m. ET

The Rhinos and City Islanders both sit in the top eight as the weekend begins, but three points will be crucial for both as the teams below them try to gain ground. Harrisburg had won four consecutive games until last Saturday's loss in Orlando, and has had the upper hand on the Rhinos since the start of USL PRO in 2011 with six wins to Rochester's one. The Rhinos are winless since defeating Orlando on July 27, but victory on Saturday would move them back ahead of the City Islanders and keep them at arm's length from the teams in the chasing pack.

Orange County Blues FC vs. Wilmington Hammerheads FC, Saturday, 10 p.m. ET

Two teams that have been moving in the wrong direction in the standings meet at Anteater Stadium on Saturday in what would seem to be a must-win game to keep their playoff hopes alive. Both teams are coming off defeats against Sacramento Republic FC, with Wilmington suffering a 2-0 defeat on Wednesday night ahead of news of the departure of Coach David Irving. The Blues fell 6-1 last Sunday against Sacramento, and have lost four of their past five, while the Hammerheads are looking for their first win since July 19, since when they have gone 0-5-1.

Pittsburgh Riverhounds vs. FC Dallas Reserves, Sunday, 3 p.m. ET

The Riverhounds had built momentum to their playoff push with back-to-back wins to start August, but a 3-1 defeat against Arizona United SC last weekend made Sunday's game with the FC Dallas Reserves another must-win at Highmark Stadium. Should the Riverhounds take victory, it sets up big games with Charlotte, Charleston and Arizona in the final two weeks, but Niko Katic's side will need to be wary of a Dallas side that defeated OKC Energy FC on its way to the top of the MLS Reserve League standings.

LA Galaxy II vs. Wilmington Hammerheads FC, Sunday, 3 p.m. ET

The Galaxy II can clinch a home quarterfinal in the USL PRO Playoffs with victory against the Hammerheads at the StubHub Center, and will be looking to build on a solid victory on the road against OKC Energy FC last weekend. Los Dos have three of their final four games at home, where they have only lost twice this season, and will want to remain in touch with third-placed Sacramento as they look to improve their seeding for the postseason.

OKC Energy FC vs. Charleston Battery, Sunday, 8 p.m. ET

The first meeting between Energy FC and the Battery would be hard-pressed to have higher stakes, with OKC entering the weekend three points back of the sixth-placed Battery at the start of the weekend's action. Should Energy FC take points from their visit to Arizona, it would have the chance to jump past Charleston in the standings, but the Battery have regained their form in the past month and will enter on a seven-game undefeated streak during which they have gone 4-0-3.

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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