Orlando City’s run is no more. With another win and a draw over the past week – thanks to heavy contributions from MLS loanees – the Richmond Kickers have overtaken first place in the USL PRO and extended their unbeaten run to 21 straight games.
D.C. United midfielder Conor Shanosky (above) proved the difference last Tuesday when the Kickers defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps Reserves 2-1 in British Columbia. Shanosky scored the winning goal in the 63rd minute when he nodded home a cross. Andrew Dykstra’s standout season on loan also continued as the United goalkeeper made seven saves.
Meanwhile, the third-place Harrisburg City Islanders put three Philadelphia Union attackers to use when they defeated the Dayton Dutch Lions 5-1 last Wednesday. Jimmy McLaughlin scored a goal in his 21-minute substitute appearance and Aaron Wheeler picked up an assist off the bench.
Whitecaps midfielder Bryce Alderson helped the fourth-place Charleston Battery to a 5-1 win over Phoenix FC on Wednesday, but failed to feature when the team downed the LA Blues three days later.
On Sunday, the Rochester Rhinos made use of a trio of New England Revolution players in their 1-0 win over Antigua. Matt Horth went the distance while Bilal Duckett and Tyler Polak both started, but were substituted out prior to full time.
The North American Soccer League returns to action next weekend with eight MLSers currently on loan to clubs in the second division.
USL PRO
Richmond Kickers 2, Vancouver Whitecaps Reserves 1; Tuesday, July 23
F Michael Seaton (D.C. United) - Started, played 62 minutes
M Conor Shanosky (D.C. United) - Started, played 90 minutes, scored one goal
GK Andrew Dykstra (D.C. United) - Started, played 90 minutes
M Collin Martin (D.C. United) - Started, played 85 minutes
F Brian Ownby (Houston Dynamo) - Started, played 28 minutes
Harrisburg City Islanders 5, Dayton Dutch Lions 1; Wednesday, July 24
M Jimmy McLaughlin (Philadelphia Union) - Substitute, played 21 minutes, scored one goal
F Christhian Hernandez (Philadelphia Union)- Substitute, played 11 minutes
F Aaron Wheeler (Philadelphia Union) - Substitute, played 27 minutes, one assist
Charleston Battery 5, Phoenix FC Wolves 1; Wednesday, July 24
M Bryce Alderson (Vancouver Whitecaps) - Started, played 78 minutes
Rochester Rhinos 1, Antigua Barracuda FC 0; Sunday, July 28
D Bilal Duckett (New England Revolution) - Started, played 45 minutes
F Matt Horth (New England Revolution) - Started, played 90 minutes
D Tyler Polak (New England Revolution) - Started, played 70 minutes
Richmond Kickers 0, VSI Tampa Bay 0; Sunday, July 28
M Conor Shanosky (D.C. United) - Started, played 90 minutes
GK Andrew Dykstra (D.C. United) - Started, played 90 minutes
F Brian Ownby (Houston Dynamo) - Started, played 45 minutes
