A pair of MLS powerhouses saw their USL-owned franchises move into the top two spots of the lower division's Western Conference this past weekend, and each of them did so by posting impressive 4-0 wins.
The LA Galaxy II and Seattle Sounders 2 share the spoils, at least for one weekend, after routing their respective opponents. Los Dos ruined Preki's final game in charge of Sacramento Republic FC, and Sounders 2 grabbed their eighth win in nine games by mauling Arizona United SC. Thought both LA and Seattle sit on 32 points each, it was the former that claimed the No. 1 spot due to head-to-head record.
Out in the East, the Rochester Rhinos continued their dominance. The club remained undefeated through 17 matches in 2015, grabbing a 2-0 win over Toronto FC II. The victory extended Rochester's lead in the East to eight points.
Several MLS-operated teams were in action this weekend, and the biggest match-up may have come in Friday's clash between Cascadia clubs Portland Timbers 2 and Vancouver Whitecaps 2. Portland initially took the lead, but could not hold on as Vancouver flipped the script and claimed a 2-1 home victory.
Fatawu Safiu opened the scoring for Timbers 2, who led going into halftime but surrendered an equalizer to Tyler Rosenlund 80 seconds into the second half. Whitecaps 2 then found a winner from Victor Blasco, who cut back inside the penalty area and fired a shot across the goal in the 63rd minute.
Vancouver first-team member Andre Lewis played a key part in sparking the comeback, as he assisted on Rosenlund's finish. Other MLS players to see time in the match for Whitecaps II were Ben McKendry and Marco Bustos. (WHITECAPS RECAP | TIMBERS RECAP)
The Galaxy II were also triumphant, as they moved to the top spot in the Western Conference following a convincing 4-0 road win against Sacramento Republic FC. Four different players found the back of the net for LA, including first-teamer Jack McBean. Along with capping the scoring, McBean also assisted on a goal in the match at Bonney Field. (GALAXY RECAP)
Toronto FC II played two matches at home in a span of four days during the last round of action, but were unable to pick up a single point. Toronto first suffered a 2-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Wednesday before falling to the unbeaten Rhinos by the same scoreline on Saturday. TFC II got contributions from some of their MLS players, with rookie goalkeeper Alex Bono leading the way with a combined 180 minutes played and six saves. (TORONTO RECAP VS. PITTSBURGH | TORONTO RECAP VS. ROCHESTER)
The third MLS-operated Canadian club were also in action twice, but they were able to come out victorious in one of them. FC Montreal were first ousted on the road, 2-1, by the Rhinos on Wednesday before bouncing back with a 4-2 triumph over the Pittsburgh Riverhounds at Stade Saputo. (MONTREAL RECAP vs. ROCHESTER | MONTREAL RECAP vs. PITTSBURGH)
This week’s games:
Wed., July 15 – FC Montreal vs. Saint Louis FC, 6:30 pm ET
Wed., July 15 – Vancouver Whitecaps 2 vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, 10 pm ET
Thu., July 16 – LA Galaxy II vs. Orange County Blues FC, 10:30 pm ET
Fri., July 17 – Austin Aztex vs. Arizona United SC, 8:30 pm ET
Sat., July 18 – Harrisburg City Islanders vs. New York Red Bulls II, 7 pm ET
Sat., July 18 – Pittsburgh Riverhounds vs. Louisville City FC, 7 pm ET
Sat., July 18 – Rochester Rhinos vs. Charlotte Independence, 7:05 pm ET
Sat., July 18 – Charleston Battery vs. Wilmington Hammerheads FC, 7:30 pm ET
Sat., July 18 – OKC Energy FC vs. Tulsa Roughnecks FC, 8 pm ET
Sat., July 18 – Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC vs. Seattle Sounders 2, 9 pm ET
Sun., July 19 – Portland Timbers 2 vs. Vancouver Whitecaps 2, 10 pm ET
Every game of the 2015 USL season will be streamed live on team YouTube channels. For highlights, visit the USL's official YouTube channel.
