The Seattle Sounders 2 maintained their unbeaten record last weekend, joining the Charleston Battery and Arizona United as the three USL teams with perfect 3-0-0 records so far this year.
It was a rough weekend for other MLS-operated teams, as the Sounders' dramatic win over rivals Portland Timbers 2 marked the only win on a combined 1-6-2 record. FC Montreal, Real Monarchs, LA Galaxy II, New York Red Bulls II and Vancouver Whitecaps 2 all lost on the weekend.
Highlights of on-loan players included D.C. United goalkeeper Travis Worra saving a penalty kick in Richmond's 3-0 win over Wilmington on Friday and LA Galaxy midfielder Raul Mendiola setting up Ariel Lassiter for the Galaxy's only goal in Sacramento.
With affiliate Wilmington Hammerheads playing in New Jersey against the New York Red Bulls II, expansion club New York City FC loaned six players to Wilmington en route to a 3-0 win. Ecuadorean center back Andrés Mendoza became the first NYCFC player to score against the Red Bulls, converting a late penalty kick.
The weekend of USL action included sellout crowds of 10,096 in Sacramento and 5,280 for the home opener of Saint Louis FC, which included the club's first goal, scored by former MLS defender Brandon Barklage.
Here’s a look at two of the key games from last week:
Saturday: Seattle Sounders 2 2, Portland Timbers 2 1 (USL recap | highlights | full game replay)
It wouldn't be a rivalry if it didn't extend to all levels, and the latest USL chapter in the Seattle Sounders-Portland Timbers clash certainly lived up to the billing.
Giuliano Frano scored in the 88th minute (see video above) to give Sounders 2 a come-from-behind win over Timbers 2 on Saturday night in their first meeting in the United Soccer League since both clubs fielded solely minor-league teams in 2008.
Portland scored first in front of more than 2,300 at Starfire Stadium, with Harrison Delbridge heading in a Blair Gavin free kick in the first half. But Seattle tied the game shortly after halftime when first-round SuperDraft pick Andy Craven was taken down in the penalty area, and Pablo Rossi converted the penalty kick.
The winner arrived late, when Aaron Long fed Frano, who played a one-two with Craven and one-touched the return pass over charging Portland goalkeeper Jake Gleeson. The win improved Seattle to 3-0-0 and kept them even with surprising Arizona United in first place in USL's Western Conference.
MLS players on loan
SEA: Charlie Lyon (90 mins), Aaron Long (90 mins), Jimmy Ockford (90 mins), Andres Correa (86 mins), Darwin Jones (60 mins), Oniel Fisher (30 mins).
POR: Jake Gleeson (90 mins), Taylor Peay (90 mins), Andy Thoma (90 mins), Nick Besler (64 mins).
Sounders recap | Timbers recap
Wednesday: Portland Timbers 2 1, Real Monarchs 1 (USL recap | highlights | full game replay)
Real Salt Lake Homegrown Player Justen Glad scored his first professional goal to give the Real Monarchs a 1-1 tie in their home opener against the Portland Timbers 2 last Wednesday.
Fatawu Safiu struck early for Portland in the seventh minute, but Glad, a center back in his second pro season, headed in a free kick delivered by Lucas Baldin in the 27th minute to tie the score.
Despite inclement weather on a weeknight, the Monarchs' opener drew 2,551 to Rio Tinto Stadium. The Monarchs' second home game, on Saturday, saw them lose 1-0 to Colorado Springs.
MLS players on loan
RSL: Lalo Fernandez (90 mins), Boyd Okwuonu (90 mins), Justen Glad (90 mins, goal), Phanuel Kavita (90 mins), Fito Ovalle (90 mins), Pecka (45 mins), Sebastian Saucedo (87 mins)
POR: Jake Gleeson (90 mins), Taylor Peay (90 mins), Andy Thoma (90 mins), Nick Besler (90 mins), Schillo Tshuma (24 mins).
Monarchs recap | Timbers 2 recap
This week's games
Wed., April 15 - Sacramento Republic vs. Vancouver Whitecaps 2, 10:30pm ET
Thur., April 16 - Louisville City vs. Rochester Rhinos, 7:30pm ET
Thur., April 16 - Tulsa Roughnecks vs. Seattle Sounders 2, 8pm ET
Fri., April 17 - Colorado Springs Switchbacks vs. Real Monarchs, 9pm ET
Sat., April 18 - Richmond Kickers vs. Charlotte Independence, 7pm ET
Sat., April 18 - Harrisburg City Islanders vs. FC Montreal, 7pm ET
Sat., April 18 - Charleston Battery vs. New York Red Bulls II, 7:30pm ET
Sat., April 18 - Oklahoma City Energy vs. Seattle Sounders 2, 8pm ET
Sat., April 18 - Saint Louis FC vs. Rochester Rhinos, 8:30pm ET
Sat., April 18 - Orange County Blues vs. Arizona United, 10pm ET
Sat., April 18 - Sacramento Republic vs. Portland Timbers 2, 10:30pm ET
Sun., April 19 - Pittsburgh Riverhounds vs. Louisville City, 3pm ET
Sun., April 19 - Vancouver Whitecaps 2 vs. Toronto FC II, 6pm ET
Sun., April 19 - LA Galaxy II vs. Austin Aztex, 8pm ET
Every game of the 2015 USL season will be streamed live on team Youtube channels. For highlights, visit the USL's official Youtube channel.
