LD Update: NASL preview; USL Pro honors; Amateur signings

NASL Preview: In a rematch of the 2011 semifinals, the Fort Lauderdale Strikers play host to the Puerto Rico Islanders Wednesday in the league's lone midweek contest. The Strikers upset the Islanders, 5-2 on aggregate , in the playoffs a year ago after splitting the season series 1-1-2 with each getting a win at home. The meeting will put two the league's top defensive sides against one another as Puerto Rico has allowed just one in four games and Fort Lauderdale two in three.

USL Pro News: The LA Blues fell, 3-2,  in a closed-door scrimmage with the LA Galaxy Tuesday with Matt Fondy setting up Carlos Borja for both goals after trailing by three…  Charleston Battery midfielder Ryan Richter was selected as the Player of the Week , and was the lone player from the club selected for the Team of the Week... The Rhinos inked a partnership that included jersey sponsorship with Rochester-based Excellus BlueCross BlueShield... 

PDL Signings: Five players from universities in Florida were announced as members of Orlando City U23, including second-year PDL player Ryan Griffin previously of GPS Portland Phoenix... The Ocean City Nor'easters are bringing in a trio of players from Lafayette College... Fredericksburg Hotspur will feature three players from 2011 Sweet 16 program James Madison University... Former Whitecaps Residency PDL player Caleb Clarke was added to the club’s MLS roster…

WPSL Signing: The New England Mutiny announced the addition of five newcomers along with two veterans returning for the 2012 campaign in WPSL Elite.

THIS WEEK

Wednesday, April 25
NASL - Puerto Rico @ Fort Lauderdale

Thursday, April 26
USL Pro - Charlotte @ Antigua

Friday, April 27
USL Pro - Pittsburgh @ Charleston
USASA-RIII* - Galveston Pirates (TXS) v ASC New Stars (TXS)
USASA-RIII* - Royal Eagles (FL) v Barracudas (TX)
USASA-RIII* - FC Rahr (NTX) v Greenville Eagles (SC)
USASA-RIII* - Boston Avenue AC (OK) v NTX Rayados

Saturday, April 28
NASL - San Antonio @ Carolina
NASL - Minnesota @ Atlanta
NASL - Fort Lauderdale @ Tampa Bay
USL Pro - Charlotte @ Antigua
USL Pro - Rochester @ Dayton
USL Pro - Richmond @ Orlando City
USL Pro - Pittsburgh @ Wilmington
USL PDL - Fresno @ Los Angeles
NPSL - San Diego Boca @ Phoenix
NPSL - Santa Clarita @ Hasental
NPSL - North Coast @ San Francisco
NPSL - Bay Area @ San Jose
USASA-RIII* - Greenville Eagles v Galveston Pirates
USASA-RIII* - Royal Eagles v NTX Rayados
USASA-RIII* - ASC New Stars v FC Rahr
USASA-RIII* - Barracudas v Boston Avenue AC
USASA-RIII* - FC Rahr v Galveston Pirates
USASA-RIII* - Boston Avenue AC v Royal Eagles
USASA-RIII* - Greenville Lions v ASC New Stars
USASA-RIII* - NTX Rayados v Barracudas
USOC-Playoff* - Stanislaus (USCS) at Bay Area (NPSL)

Sunday, April 29
NPSL - San Diego Flash @ Fullerton
NPSL - Sonoma County @ Sacramento
USASA-RIII* - Championship (Two Group Winners)
USASA-RI* - 3rd Place, Maryland vs Jersey Shore

* US Open Cup Qualifying: USASA Regions I & III (in Houston) tournaments & Playoff between NPSL and US Club Soccer clubs