LD Update: One day left in USL Pro season; NASL Game Night

In USL Pro action Saturday, only two goals were scored in three matches with playoff implications. Charleston's scoreless draw cost them a shot at the second-place bye to the semifinals while Rochester's lone tally put the pressure on Richmond to win tomorrow in order to claim the second spot with their late-season surge (6-0-1). Charlotte's lone strike against state rival Wilmington put them in control of grabbing the final playoff berth in the second-half of the series Sunday as they now sit fifth with Wilmington and Harrisburg two points back.

The Eagles merely need a draw Sunday to clinch a berth while Wilmington needs to at the very least match what Harrisburg earns at eliminated LA, whom they tied 2-2 Friday.

Final Day (# online at USLnation)
Wilmington @ Charlotte
Richmond @ Antigua #
Harrisburg @ LA #

Current Playoff Contender Table

C- Orlando City - 57
x - Rochester - 41
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x - Charleston - 38
x - Richmond - 38
Charlotte - 36
Wilmington - 34
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Harrisburg - 34

Wilmington Hammerheads 0:1 Charlotte Eagles - Defender Devon Grousis scored only his second of the year two minutes into the second half, heading in a Chris Salvaggione free kick to provide the winner in the first of their two-game series. The previous night's game, postponed for a second time this season, was rescheduled for Sunday in Charlotte. - MORE

Rochester Rhinos 1:0 Pittsburgh - With their chances at second up in the air against the eliminated Riverhounds, the Rhinos left things for late for their fans in a dramatic contest. The game could have been secured early with a penalty in the 24th, but Thomas McManus saw his attempt saved by Hunter Gilstrap. With four minutes remaining Tyler Rosenlund received the ball in the area and put it past Gilstrap on an acute angle to put the pressure on Richmond, who has the goal differential tiebreaker between the two sides if the Kickers win to pull even once more. - MORE

Charleston Battery 0:0 Dayton Dutch Lions - Though eliminated, the Dutch Lions closed the season out well with a pair of draws against two top teams. The Battery, meanwhile, failed to take advantage of their chance to finish second. The most decisive moment was a Nicki Paterson penalty kick at the start of teh second that was denied by Matt Williams. - MORE

NORTH AMERICAN SOCCER LEAGUE

It was quite a disparity in the NASL on the night with five goals in one game and scoreless draws in the other two. Carolina won the shootout to prevent FC Edmonton from closing the gap to for a playoff spot.

Carolina RailHawks 3:2 FC Edmonton - The visitors took the lead twice, but just could not secure the victory. Paul Craig took advantage of a turnover in the ninth minute for the initial lead, but Nick Zimmerman put things back to level at the half-hour mark. Kyle Porter scored in the 72nd after a lengthy run only to see the lead vanish again eight minutes later when Zack Schilawski one-timed the ball from closs range off a cross from Mike Palacio. In stoppage time Palacio found Ty Shipalane darting past the Edmonton defense for the deciding tally. - MORE

Atlanta Silverbacks 0:0 Minnesota Stars - It was a positive start for Brian Haynes at the helm for Atlanta as the Silverbacks held on for a draw playing a man down for a half-hour after Ciaran O'Brien was sent off in the 61st. - MORE

Puerto Rico Islanders 0:0 Fort Lauderdale Strikers - The return to the newly-renovated Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium proved uneventful as the two sides battled through a deadlock for 90. - MORE

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