The NASL returned to action this past weekend with for the fall season with five MLSers making appearances for their respective teams.
And perhaps none was on a bigger stage than Richard Sanchez, who played a part in reigniting the rivalry of old between the Fort Lauderdale Strikers and New York Cosmos.
The FC Dallas Homegrown and Mexican youth international (above) led the Strikers in front of a sold-out Shuart Stadium at Hofstra University, where the strikers fell 2-1 to the rebooted Cosmos. Sanchez played well despite the loss, including an impressive diving save on former Villarreal midfielder Marcos Senna in the 21st minute.
Also making their debut for the NASL fall season were two members of the Montreal Impact, playing for Minnesota. Sinisa Ubiparipovic played the full 90 minutes and Calum Mallace went for 87 in a loss to Atlanta, while the Chicago Fire’s Kellen Gulley made a five-minute cameo for the Silverbacks.
Real Salt Lake starlet Enzo Martinez helped the Carolina RailHawks to a rain soaked 1-0 victory over FC Edmonton, logging a full 90 minutes in midfield.
In USL PRO, the streak has come to an end for the Richmond Kickers. A 5-2 loss at the hands of the Charleston Battery ended the 22 league-unbeaten streak for Richmond, with D.C. United goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra allowing all five goals.
Charleston employed the services of Whitecaps midfielder Bryce Alderson, who picked up an assist.
Second-place Orlando dropped points at home versus Pittsburgh in a match that saw Sporting Kansas City’s C.J. Sapong lead the offense for the final 38 minutes to a scoreless loss. Orlando’s second game saw better results as SKC loanees Sapong and Christian Duke combined for the first of three unanswered goals.
Sapong’s two appearances make him eligible for the Lions' postseason. Orlando remain in second place, three points behind Richmond with a game in hand.
For the full list of results from MLS loanees, see below.
USL PRO
Harrisburg City Islanders 3, Phoenix FC Wolves 1, Wednesday, July 31
M- Jimmy McLaughlin, Harrisburg (Philadelphia Union) - Substitute, played 18 minutes
F- Cristhian Hernandez, Harrisburg (Philadelphia Union) - Substitute, played 1 minute
D- Davy Armstrong, Phoenix FC (Colorado Rapids) - Started, played 65 minutes
Richmond Kickers 1, Charlotte Eagles 0, Friday, August 2
M- Conor Shanosky (D.C. United) - Started, played 65 minutes
GK- Andrew Dykstra (D.C. United) - Started, played 90 minutes
Rochester Rhinos 3, Dayton Dutch Lions 1, Friday, August 2
F- Matt Horth (New England Revolution) - Started, played 55 minutes
Charleston Battery 5, Richmond Kickers 2, Saturday, August 3
GK- Andrew Dykstra, Richmond (D.C. United) - Started, played 90 minutes
M- Bryce Alderson, Charleston (Vancouver Whitecaps) - Started, played 73 minutes, one assist
Orlando City SC 0, Pittsburgh Riverhounds 1, Saturday, August 3
M- Christian Duke (Sporting Kansas City) - Started, played 45 minutes
F- C.J. Sapong (Sporting Kansas City) - Substitute, played 38 minutes
Harrisburg City Islanders 2, LA Blues 2, Saturday, August 3
M- Jimmy McLaughlin (Philadelphia Union) - Started, played 72 minutes
F- Cristhian Hernandez (Philadelphia Union) - Started, played 84 minutes
Orlando City SC 3, VSI Tampa Bay 0, Sunday, August 4
M- Christian Duke (Sporting Kansas City) - Started, played 90 minutes, one goal
F- C.J. Sapong (Sporting Kansas City) - Started, played 90 minutes, one assist
NASL
Carolina RailHawks 1, FC Edmonton 0, Saturday, August 3
M- Enzo Martinez, Carolina (Real Salt Lake) - Started, played 90 minutes
Fort Lauderdale Strikers 1, New York Cosmos 2, Saturday, August 3
GK- Richard Sanchez (FC Dallas) - Started, played 90 minutes
Minnesota United 0, Atlanta Silverbacks 1, Saturday, August 3
M- Sinisa Ubiparipovic, Minnesota (Montreal Impact) - Started, played 90 minutes
M- Calum Mallace, Minnesota (Montreal Impact) - Started, played 87 minutes
F- Kellen Gulley, Atlanta (Chicago Fire) - Substitute, played 5 minutes
