Usl-1

All this soccer, it's almost overwhelming...

We are now our way tonight to figuring out our US Open Cup quarterfinalists. Is it me or does it feel like the age-old tournament is receiving a little more press this year than in the past? Regardless, all eyes are on...

DC United (MLS) vs. Ocean City Barons (PDL)
Maryland Soccerplex, Boyds, MD



The Barons will not...

A couple quick notes from the past two weeks of the USL-1 season...

On USL Live right now, for those interested, is Cleveland (USL-1) vs. Rochester (USL-1) and Wilmington (USL-2) vs. Carolina (USL-1). My local Ocean City Barons (PDL) are in play tonight as well vs. Real Maryland (USL-2). I was able to sit down with Barons head coach Neil Holloway before the game to get his take over at Sonsofben.net, take a look here...

Notes...


What? The...

MLS, Observe the Montreal "Impact"


The Montreal Impact continue with the high-profile friendlies, this time setting one up on July 28th against new French Ligue One champions Les Girondins de Bordeaux. That makes it five - I repeat, FIVE - big international games in Montreal this summer. The Saputo family can rub people the wrong way some times, especially The Don, but get them in Major League Soccer as soon as possible....

Two Week Recap

Well how about that. Toronto FC is on the verge once again of not making the CONCACAF Champions League after falling 2-0 to the Vancouver Whitecaps. The Whitecaps - though still near the top of the table - needed this win in an effort to revive their form in USL-1 play. The Caps are on a 2 game losing streak, one at home, one away, and a win over an MLS side is bound to increase the squad's morale. Meanwhile, within league play, their Canadian rivals Montreal have gone 2-0-1 in their last three games, slowly pulling them out of the table's basement.

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Under our noses another solid week of USL-1 action. Vancouver now sits on top of the table with Cleveland sitting at the bottom.

Big standouts included...

DAN ANTONIUK (Charleston) - the Charleston veteran had his hand in both goals, scoring the first and assisting on the gamewinner. The result? A 2-1 win over Carolina.


CHARLES GBEKE (Vancouver) - in a rematch of last season's USL-1 championship Gbeke supplied the only goal. He was threatening all game and finally...

After a bunch of rounds, though with the scheduling it's a bit tough to keep up, there are three unbeaten teams left. The Puerto Rico Islanders, which given their CONCACAF Champions League form is not too surprising, the Charleston Battery (lots of ties), and the sleeper - the expansion Austin Aztex. Both the Aztex and Islanders have only played three but they have looked convincing so far. For the Aztex, things came together much to the chagrin of fellow "newbies" Cleveland. The City Stars were...

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...

We're almost a day away from the USL-1 openers and something weird has happened...


...I couldn't be more excited. I've really never given it any thought before but with all of the USL/MLS talent gap talk, Puerto Rico's success in the CCL, Seattle's rise from USL to MLS, and the reserve division now defunct, it's almost hard not to be. You wonder who the next Sebastian Le Toux or Zach Scott is going to be (alright, it might be a little early to justify their contributions). With Vancouver and...

Let's update the list as some notable former MLS players and 2009 draft picks have finally found homes in the USL...

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This is about the time of year where we start to see the waived, released, rejected pack their MLS bags to join the USL ranks. For many, it's good move. For some, it's a necessity. Let's just check up on who has ended up where...


DC United castoff and failed Sounders trialist Quavas Kirk just signed on for USL-1's Minnesota Thunder. Kirk is only 20 and, at one time, was one of the better young prospects of the league. His speed and...