LD Update: NASL & USL Pro Game Night; PDL signing

The expansion San Antonio Scorpions proved they are not going to be pushovers in the NASL with a second consecutive win Saturday evening and the Rochester Rhinos sent a message that Orlando City will likely have to keep looking over their shoulders if they plan to repeat as regular season champions.

NORTH AMERICAN SOCCER LEAGUE

Minnesota Stars 2:0 Atlanta Silverbacks - The reigning Player of the Month, Reinaldo Navia, was shut out as the Silverbacks experienced something other than a draw. Two minutes after entering for an injured teammate, defender Ernest Tchoupe scored on a Neil Hlavaty corner in the 24th minute. Goalkeeper Matt Van Oekel kept the charging visitors off the board through the middle stages before a give-and-go between midfielders Miguel Ibarra and Kentaro Takada resulted in Ibarra's tally, keeping the Stars unbeaten at 2-0-3. - More 

San Antonio Scorpions 2:0 Tampa Bay Rowdies - Visiting netminder Jeff Attinella made a couple of great saves early on for a scoreless first half, but the second stanza proved different as the expansion side earned their first-ever home victory. Hans Denissen scored from the spot in the 53rd after Pablo Campos as fouled and set up Aaron Pitchkolan's header in the 66th on a corner kick. - More 


USL PRO

Rochester Rhinos 1:0 Charlotte Eagles - Coming off their surprise win in Harrisburg the night before, the Eagles were unable to find for Rochester's 17th home opener. In fact, all the Rhinos needed for the victory was a fourth consecutive clean sheet from Kristian Nicht (two saves) and an own goal nine minutes in by Mark Bloom, who redirected a JC Banks cross into the goal. The result moved the Rhinos, with a game in hand, within one point of defending champion Orlando City. - More 

Orlando City 3:2 Pittsburgh Riverhounds - The champions just could not pull away from the pesky visitors, finishing the first half in a scoreless stalemate. Dennis Chin made a fantastic individual effort for the opener in the 68th, but a Wes Allen own goal on a Pittsburgh cross evened things up in the 79th. A minute later, though, Ian Fuller found Charlie Campbell for another go-ahead goal. That would not last either with Matt Kassal tying matters up again in the 85th. With two minutes remaining Kevin Molino set up Ian Fuller for the game-winning strike, keeping Orlando atop the table at 4-0-1. - More 

Dayton Dutch Lions 1:1 Richmond Kickers - The match was a stalemate for 88 minutes-plus. It was jubilation two minutes in for the home side when Gibson Bardsley headed a Joel DeLass cross in for the opening tally. And just when it looked like the club was going to earn its first win, the whistle blew for a penalty and all the Dutch Lions could do was watch David Bulow put the shot past Matt Williams for the draw. - More 

PDL Signing: Reading United AC announced that defender Brian Forgue is returning for a second season along with four of his Penn State teammates.

THIS WEEK

Sunday, May 6
NASL: Carolina @ Edmonton
USL Pro: Wilmington @ Los Angeles
USL PDL: Ocala @ Tampa
USL PDL: Orange County @ Los Angeles
NPSL: Pocono @ Binghamton
NPSL: Pensacola @ Georgia
NPSL: San Francisco @ Sonoma County
NPSL: San Jose @ Sacramento
USASA-RIV* - Championship (Two Group Winners)

* US Open Cup Qualifying: USASA Region IV Tournament (Ontario, CA)