USL LEAGUE TWO–EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFFS PREVIEW
- Dan Stickradt
- 5 minutes ago
- 7 min read
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USL LEAGUE TWO–EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFFS PREVIEW
BURLINGTON, VERMONT POD
(Virtue Stadium)
FC MOTOWN STA VS. WESTERN MASS PIONEERS – JULY 18, 4 P.M.
Team: Western Mass Pioneers
Division: Northeastern Division runner-up
Record: 10-1-3, .715 win pct., 33 points, 2.36 PPM
Stats: Seven shutouts, 3.29 goals-per-game, 0.65 GAA, 46-9 scoring edge (+37)
Note: Western Mass Pioneers defeated Long Island Rough Riders 2-0 on July 15 in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals/Play-In Round.
Players to Watch: Reese Sheppard, G; Oskar Kaufmann, F (five goals); Robert Lyons, F (three goals); Israel Neto, M (three goals, two assists); Augustine Boadi, M (two goals, four assists); Matt Cence, M (three goals, one goal); Aidan Kelly, CB; Juan Hermoso, CB; Gustavo Barbosa, OB; Jaiden Williems, OB
Notables: The Pioneers took second to the Vermont Green FC after posting a 2-2 draw with the Green in a game where they surrendered two goals in stoppage time at the end, which resulted in a 2-2 draw and a second-place finish. If Western Mass would have won, they would have claimed the division title. This side has tasted defeat only once and with a 46-9 scored edge and seven shutouts, is a wild card team that could still do some serious damage in the postseason.
Team: FC Motown STA
Division: Metropolitan Division champions
Record: 11-0-1, .917 win pct., 34 points, 2.83 PPM; 36-9 scoring edge (+27); six shutouts; one shutout against; 5-0-0 in last five games (17-2, three clean sheets); 11 straight wins after 0-0 tie to open season; 3.00 goals-per-game; 0.75 goals-against-average.
Players to Watch: Micah Garnette, F (seven goals, two assists); Gabriel Ruitenberg, F (five goals, two assists); Daniel Ittycheria, M (five goals, four assists); Kenan Hot, M (four goals, three assists); Timo Jansen, M three goals, one assist); Alan Rutkowski, G; Maurice Willimas, CB (two goals); Jude Essuman, M/F (two goals, two assists);
Notables: One of a small handful of teams that are unbeaten on the season, FC Motown STA opened with a 0-0 draw before going on an 11-game win streak – the longest in the country – and boast a .910 win percentage. The side has only surrendered nine goals defensively with six clean sheets and have several players that have garnered goals and assists, including the trio of Garnette, Ruitenburg and Ittycheria that have formed a dangerous trio on the offensive end.
HUDSON VALLEY HAMMERS VS. VERMONT GREEN – JULY 18, 7 P.M.
Team: Hudson Valley Hammers
Division: Metropolitan Division third-place finisher (10 teams in division)
Record: 7-2-3, .584 win pct., 24 points, 2.00 PPM
Stats: Four shutouts, two shutouts against, 1.75 goals-per-game; 1.17 GAA, 21-14 scoring edge (+7)
Note: Hudson Valley Hammers defeated Long Island Rough Riders 3-1 on July 15 in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals/Play-In Round.
Players to Watch: Nicholas Zihonka, F (four goals, three assists); Kyle Evans, M/F (two goals); Joseph Dippeta, OB (two goals); Francis Bonsu, M (two goals); Francesco Diponzio, M (one goal, two assists); Ciaran Daltan, G; Tomas Hut, G; Liam Evans, CB; Robertus Verheul, CB; Alejo Caceres, OB
Notables: With just a 21-14 scoring edge, the Hammers have found ways to win close matches or post ties (three) in one of the League’s deepest divisions. As one of three teams in a 10-team division to have at least 24 points, Hudson Valley is the only team to not finish first or second in its respective division to earn a wild-card spot in the USL League Two.
Team: Vermont Green FC
Division: Northeast Division champions
Record: 11-0-3, .786 win pct., 36 points, 2.57 PPM
Stats: Eight shutouts, one shutouts against, 2.72 goals-per-game; 0.58 GAA, 38-8 scoring edge (+30)
Players to Watch: Niklas Nerceg, G; Judewellin Michel, G; Zachary Zengue, F (eight goals, two assists); Stephane Njike, M (three goals, two assists); Julien LeBourdoulovs, M (three goals, three assists); Moussa Ndiaye, CB (one goal); Brandon Marshall, CB; Tyler Trimnal, M (two goals, one assist); Jacob Labovitz, M/F (two goals, two assists); Amaud Tatevin, M (two goals, two assists);
Notables: Another team that has not tasted defeat, Vermont Green’s comeback in their regular season finale where they scored goals in the 91st and 99th minutes of stoppage time to garner a 2-2 tie with Western Mass Pioneers was one for the ages. The draw helped the side out-duel WMP 36-34 in points in the final standings of the Northeast Division. The Vermont Green FC have a great finisher up top in Zachary Zengue and plenty of depth in terms of capable players in the attack. There are 17 players that have scored at least one goal and eight players that have scored two or more goals on this team. The Green also have two capable goalkeepers and Moussa Ndiaye has been one of the staples along a stingy back line that has helped post eight shutouts and a 0.58 goals-against-average.
NEWPORT NEWS, VIRGINIA POD
(Townebank Stadium)
NORTHERN VIRGINIA FC VS. WEST CHESTER UNITED SC – JULY 18, 4 P.M.
Team: Northern Virginia FC
Division: Chesapeake Division champions
Record: 10-1-3, .715 win pct., 33 points, 2.36 PPM
Stats: Four shutouts, two shutouts against, 2.79 goals-per-game; 1.29 GAA, 39-18 scoring edge (+21)
Players to Watch: Chris Niblock, F (nine goals, two assists); Gage Lyons, F (eight goals); Alexander Garrison, M (four goals, three assists); CB; Henok Tilahun, D; Kieran Radke, M/D (one goal); Luis Fuentes, M (one goal, one assist); Matthew Dean, M (two goals, one assist); Andrew Hartman, G (41 saves); Damen Burney,CB; Ryan Conti, D (one assist); Jeffrey Wohlfeiler, D/M; Diego Avelar, CB; James Quill, M/F (two goals); George Khalaf, OB/M; Jackson Hall, M/D; Ahmed Shetea, OB; Andrew Hilton, M/D
Notables: The Chesapeake Division champion has only one loss on the season and some quality numbers offensively that includes a 39-18 scoring edge. Defensively, the side does have four shutouts but has been inconsistent at times. That might be attributed to a wide variety of players in the back and midfield that have rotated in and played 500-1,200 minutes. This team is still used to winning and will be a difficult out for any team. Niblock, Lyons and Garrison are a quality trio that all can finish in a wide variety of ways.
Team: West Chester United SC
Division: Northeast Division champions
Record: 7-1-4, .584 win pct., 25 points, 2.08 PPM
Stats: Two shutouts, 2.50 goals-per-game; 1.42 GAA, 30-17 scoring edge (+13); 3-0-2 in last five games (15-8 scoring)
Players to Watch: Ayoub Mouhou, F (five goals); Dylan Lacy, M (one goal, one assist); Andrew Johnson, M; Patrick Short, M; Guiliano Whitchurch, D: Joe McDaid, CB; John McDaid, M; Will Beckwith, M/D; Daniel Krueger, M/D (one goal, one assist); Augustus Guinie, D/M; Eric Axtman, G; Valentin Kneis, G
Notables: West Chester United won its division by a point and has only one loss to boot, but four draws. The side can score in bunches but only has one player with more than goals in Mouhou. Who else will step up in the postseason?
SALEM CITY FC VS. LIONSBRIDGE SC – JULY 18, 7:30 P.M.
Team: Salem City SC
Division: South Atlantic Division champions
Record: 8-1-3, .667 win pct., 27 points, 2.25 PPM
Stats: Two shutouts, one shutouts against, 2.00 goals-per-game; 1.17 GAA, 24-14 scoring edge (+10)
Players to Watch: Sean Bohan, G; Seth Wilson, G; Pablo Gonzales-Cailo, D; Luis Rodrigues, M/D; Steve Hernandez, D; Edan Sears, M; Guilherme, M (one goal, four assists); Henri Poll, M (one goal, one assist); Daniel Martinez, F (three goals); Alfredo Diaz Santilian, M; Tate Lorenz, F (two goals); Nathan Goulet, F/M (two goals); Zakaria Dadou, M (one goal, one assist); Edan Sears, D Shane Anderson, M (two goals)
Notables: The South Atlantic Division champion Salem City SC is the sole team from its division to make the cut. This team has engaged in many close battles as their 24-14 scoring edge and 8-1-3 overall record indicates. The minutes have been spread around on a deep roster and Daniel Martinez leads the side with three goals as the side does not have an apparent go-to player on offense as only four players have scored 2-3 goals. Salem City does have a 1-2 platoon of goalkeepers and have used a long list of players along its back line. The defense will need to step up as Lionsbridge FC scored 55 goals in the regular season to lead the entire USL League Two.
Team: Lionsbridge FC
Division: Chesapeake Division runner-up
Record: 9-2-3, .643 win pct., 30 points, 2.14 PPM
Stats: Six shutouts, 3.93 goals-per-game, 1.29 GAA, 55-18 scoring edge (+37)
Note: Lionsbridge FC defeated Charlotte Independence II 4-1 on July 15 in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals/Play-In Round.
Players to Watch: Denis Krioutchenkov, F (eight goals, two assists); Felix Ewald, F (seven goals; Evan Howard, M/F (seven goals, one assist); Gabriel Rodriguez, M (four goals, one assist); Richard Covis, M (three goals, two assists); Samuel Hall, CB (five goals); Lincoln Ulrich, OB (two goals); Davide Materazzi, CB; Toby Mauer, G; Henry Hampshaw, G
Notables: With 55 goals scored, Lionsbridge boasts the USL League Two’s top offense and averages close to four goals a match. The team has occasionally been inconsistent defensively. The side has never been shutout this season, so sides will have to simply outscore Lionsbridge (9-2-3) which could be a tall order. There is a ton of offensive talent on this team so it will take a really good defense and goalkeeper to keep this side off the scoreboard.
wo professional teams are owned by Soccer Holdings, LLC, which also oversees the LouCity & Racing Academy, with more than 1,500 school-aged children across three counties, and the charitable LouCity & Racing Foundation.
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