Apologies all around for missing out last week, folks, there were things that needed attending in my world so I had to miss a very interesting weekend of action. One of the things I've been noting, that maybe we take for granted sometimes, are the nearly constant moves, adjustments and little nudges the competition takes over the course of the season. For instance, stories like the new ownership in Portland and Colin Clarke taking over in Puerto Rico have been under-reported by yours truly. It illustrates, though, the ways in which things are almost constantly under the microscope and open to change in the pursuit of a USL1 championship.
Since the last time out, Charleston have put together a nice little 3 match unbeaten run highlighted by victories home to Atlanta and away to Minnesota going alongside an away draw at California. The Battery also has games in hand on the next 3 teams, Carolina, Rochester and Miami, above them in the standings. Things are looking up as well, since Byron Alvarez seems to be getting up a good head of steam going into their home game with Seattle tonight.
Miami have somewhat bounced back from a horrific last couple of weeks with their 2-1 win at Atlanta last weekend but the sting of back to back to back shutout losses to Montreal, Rochester and Rochester again, remains in their minds. The Thursday-Saturday doubleheader against Colin Clarke's Islanders becomes crucial for them as well as their opponents. The home side will want to regain some of the momentum that has seen them climb to 5th in the standings.
Meanwhile, the one thing keeping Puerto Rico in the race at the moment is the logjam from 4th to 10th place with only 3 points keeping the Islanders from theoretically jumping all the way into that 4th spot. The results haven't been too inspiring; however, this weekend's matches with Miami give them a golden opportunity to take a potential 12 point swing against one of the teams they need to get by to make the playoffs. It should also be noted that the Islanders are undefeated in Clarke's tenure so far. We'll see if Miami can break that.
At the top of the standings, Vancouver is losing some ground to Montreal and the chasing pack as they have failed to score since May 20th. That said, at least the power outage has only covered two matches, and things should be a little different since they are traveling to Kezar Stadium to play the Victory tonight. If struggling California hold the 'Caps to another draw, as in their previous meeting, things may begin to get very interesting in their camp. As much as I worried about their defense, it may be their offense that could raise some eyebrows.
Speaking of Montreal, they remain unbeaten in the league but have only been able to manage draws with Vancouver and Minnesota in their last two matches. Granted, I would imagine most Impact fans felt a little robbed by Tuesday's match that saw Jeremiah Bass score in the 90th minute for the Thunder to rescue a point of the home side. Yet, this weekend, they welcome a challenging Portland Timbers team that is kind of waiting in the weeds with a bunch of games in hand on the rest of the field. They've only lost 1 match this season and that was in the second week at Seattle in their biggest rivalry game. They may have something brewing once again at PGE Park. Too bad this one's going to be at Claude Robillard where the home fans have seen practically nothing but top of the table clashes all season long.
The Sounders are also lurking around with back to back wins against Carolina and California. They've had a week off and should be well rested when they take on the resurgent Battery at Blackbaud tonight. They'll need to be rested, though, considering they then will face Atlanta on Saturday night and then the following Friday night travel to Cary to play the Railhawks. It would probably behoove the Sounders to camp out in the Southeast somewhere between the Silverbacks and Carolina matches.
Up in Rochester, the Rhinos have rebounded nicely from their 3-1 drubbing at the hands of Vancouver by getting back to back shutout wins over Miami before getting a solid point away to the Islanders. This week, we have the enticing Schweitzer-Rhinos match up some have been looking forward to, I know I have. It will be interesting to see if there's anything the Railhawks can pull out of their sleeves to surprise Rochester in this one.
It would also be nice to be a fly on the wall this week in Carolina President, Chris Economides', office if only to find out what he and his old boss, Frank DuRoss, might have up for a friendly wager… ya know, if that kind of thing weren't frowned upon by the league or anything. Both teams are where we thought they'd be so far into this season but this match could provide Carolina with some major momentum to crack the top 3 and possibly push for the league lead. In a move that could pre-empt this match, earlier this week one could click a link of Carolina's section of the USL's site that said "Remove Team From Season", maybe there is a pro-Rochester agenda in this league after all!
Moving right along to the more disappointing side of things, Atlanta, poor Atlanta, one has to think the Silverbacks fans thought they had something going. Three straight losses, twice to Miami and once to Charleston, will have many of their supporters wondering if this isn't the point where another promising stretch goes for naught as they plummet out of the playoff race. It's still way too early to call with the kind of logjam we have currently but this weekend a lot games will get played that could start sending teams adrift. They'll need something against Seattle on Saturday before assuming they can get 3 points against California next week.
Interestingly enough, they also could be "Remove Team From Season"-ed this week on the USL site. For some reason, the appearance of said links on only the Railhawks and 'backs portion of the USL site makes me wonder if it's not a conspiracy but a Battery prank. Inquiring minds and all of that. Needless to say, after their recent run of results it might not be altogether unlikely that maybe they do want to be removed from the season.
Then there's Minnesota, who have gone from league titan to punching bag in recent times. They are a battling side but for all of their fight it seems to mainly be ending in close losses without much let up in sight. But wait! They go to California this weekend to face the Victory before flying up to Vancouver to take on the league leaders. If the results go their way and they pick up a minimum of 4 points they could re-establish themselves in the category of possible playoff contenders. If not, the pack of teams in front of them could fade further into the distance.
Now we come to California, well, thanks for playing. They are a scrappy side and will surprise everyone now and again by stealing points here and there but even with the extra games in hand it doesn't look likely that they'll get things together enough to make a run unless of course, as is rumored, CD Alaves' reserve side is coming as soon as their Spanish schedule is over. I'm not holding my breath but who knows?
That's just about it for this week's observations though I did want to say, who even uses the word "behoove" anymore? Apparently, I do. Don't mind me, I'm just getting my walker and I think Matlock's on soon. Until next time, remember to catch the Portland-Montreal match on FSC (looks like it should be another good one for the channel), usllive.com, and get out to whatever stadium is closest to you this weekend.
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