The USL games were a bit of tease last weekend with only 4 of the 10 kicking things off.



In Cary, Carolina outlasted Minnesota with several former MLS prospects debuting on both sides. Rod Dyachenko had the biggest impact of the newcomers, assisting on Minnesota's only goal while Quavas Kirk (Minnesota) and Daniel Paladini, Amir Lowery, Jack Stewart and John Gilkerson (Carolina) all suited up. Former Fire midfielder Brian Plotkin made a brief cameo for the Railhawks.

A little over 5,000 turned out to see the Vancouver Whitecaps start a title defense campaign vs. the Charleston Battery. The Whitecaps opted to shake things up roster-wise over the offseason and there were a lot of new signings making their debuts. Their biggest, Marlon James, had to sit out with injury which made way for Canadian youngster Marcus Haber who arrived recently from FC Groningen's youth system. How did Caps fans feel the opener went? Thoughts on Haber? For Charleston, nobody stood out too much except maybe 10-year Battery vet Dusty Hudock. Former MLS player Tyler Hemming started for Charleston while Jamie Watson worked the last 12 minutes. Overall, a gritty draw for a team far away from home.


Mark Schulte - former Crew player and first player signed in Cleveland City Stars history - took USL's Player of the Week award for scoring in Carolina's 2-1 victory over the Thunder. The defender also had his hand in Gavin Glinton's gamewinner. Did you know that Mark Schulte was actually the first American to sign for team a in Uruguay back in 2005? He played sparingly for the Montivideo Wanderers hindered by a chipped bone in his ankle. Eventually, after a stop in Iceland, he wound up with USL-2 expansion side Cleveland, winning the defender of the year award twice for the City Stars. Now he's looking to do the same in USL-1.

Weekly Reading Material

The Sun-Sentinel takes a look at Miami FC's decision to play their games at two separate stadiums in two separate counties, former Fusion home Lockhart Stadium (Broward) and Florida International's football stadium (Miami-Dade). It looks like Miami FC is hoping to find a little more support than the 2,000 max showing up last season in Miami-Dade.

The Portland Timbers announced a May 31st clash with Club America's reserve squad.

Rochester recently signed former T&T international Brent Sancho as a player/assistant coach. Darren Kenton also signed on, English League One veteran and someone who can step right into Rochester's backline.


USL-2 news but it's worth passing on. Read about Wilmington Hammerheads' player Graham Tatters. The 23-year old recently overcame a bout with a 9-pound cancerous tumor discovered in 2004. He was back to playing even before he was even in remission. Through open tryouts he got the chance with Wilmington and made the roster for the upcoming 2009 season. Inspiring stuff.

Be back with more USL-1 next week.