Seattle Sounders 2 remained atop the USL's Western Conference with another win last weekend, while several MLS-owned teams, notably LA Galaxy II and New York Red Bulls II, moved up the standings with dramatic wins.
Seattle edged the Orange County Blues 2-1 on Friday night on a late Pablo Rossi penalty kick to improve to 4-2-1 and take a one point lead over the Blues and defending champion Sacramento Republic in the West. That lead is thanks in part to the Real Salt Lake-owned Real Monarchs SLC, who beat Sacramento last Wednesday for their first-ever USL win.
LA Galaxy II and Portland Timbers 2 are tied with the Austin Aztex for fourth-place in the West after very different results on Sunday. LA edged the Vancouver Whitecaps 2 on a late goal, while T2 fell at home to Orange County in front of almost 5,000 fans, with Will Johnson playing 90 minutes for the second straight week as he works toward a first-team return.
In the East, New York Red Bulls II moved into a tie for fifth-place after a dramatic 3-2 win (HIGHLIGHTS) over the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Sunday at Red Bull Arena. On-loan defender Anthony Wallace struck with a stunning 20-yard half-volley in the fourth minute of stoppage time to give the Red Bulls the win. Manolo Sanchez also scored for New York, who got a game-saving play on the goal line from Andrew Jean-Baptiste in the waning seconds after Wallace's winner.
Here’s a look at one of the key games from last week:
Sunday: LA Galaxy II 2, Whitecaps FC 2 1 (USL recap | Highlights | Full game replay)
A late goal from Ariel Lassiter gave LA Galaxy II a 2-1 win over Whitecaps FC 2 on Sunday night at StubHub Center's track stadium, the third consecutive win for Los Dos.
The Galaxy took the lead in the 32nd minute when on-loan forward Jack McBean curved a left-footed cross through the six-yard box to the back post, where Travis Bowen one-timed it into the top corner.
Vancouver tied the game just three minutes later, when on-loan forward Caleb Clarke made a diagonal run into the penalty area, cut the ball back and played a square pass across the box for former San Jose Earthquakes and North Carolina forward Billy Schuler to finish.
LA got the winner on an 87th minute counterattack, as on-loan teenager Raul Mendiola broke into the box before slotting a pass to a charging Lassiter, who used a one-time finish to lift LA into a tie for fourth-place. The assist was Mendiola's sixth of the season, the most in USL.
MLS players on loan
LA: Brian Rowe (90 mins), Oscar Sorto (85 mins), Tommy Meyer (45 minutes), Raul Mendiola (90 mins, 1 assist), Jack McBean (82 mins, 1 assist)
VAN: Ben McKendry (90 mins), Caleb Clarke (72 minutes, 1 assist)
Galaxy II recap | Whitecaps 2 recap
This week's games:
Fri., May 8 - Charlotte Independence vs. Richmond Kickers, 7:30 pm ET
Sat., May 9 - New York Red Bulls II vs. Harrisburg City Islanders, 2 pm ET
Sat., May 9 - Rochester Rhinos vs. Toronto FC II, 7:05 pm ET
Sat., May 9 - Charleston Battery vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds, 7:30 pm ET
Sat., May 9 - Oklahoma City Energy vs. LA Galaxy II, 8 pm ET
Sat., May 9 - Saint Louis FC vs. Wilmington Hammerheads, 8:30 pm ET
Sat., May 9 - Austin Aztex vs. Real Monarchs, 9 pm ET
Sat., May 9 - Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC vs. Portland Timbers 2, 9 pm ET
Sat., May 9 - Sacramento Republic vs. Seattle Sounders 2, 10:30 pm ET
Sat., May 9 - Arizona United vs. Tulsa Roughnecks FC, 10:30 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.
