LD Update: USL Pro Game Night; Zinho appointment; PDL/W-League signings

Three games... Three goals... Three road wins…

Charlotte Eagles 0:1 Rochester Rhinos – For the second consecutive week the Rochester Rhinos squeezed out a victory against the Eagles, this time in Charlotte. This time the Rhinos got the goal on their own with former Real Salt Lake and New York Red Bulls striker Conor Chinn, who tallied his first professional goal in the 18th minute. Kristian Nicht picked up his fourth consecutive shutout with two saves. It was not all bad news for Charlotte though as the Lady Eagles picked up a season-opening victory.  – MORE

Antigua Barracuda 0:1 Orlando City – Last week it was the Rhinos with an own-goal victory, this week it was Orlando doing the same. With an adjusted lineup due to Caribbean Football Union tournament action this week, the Barracudas were still a danger to the visiting defending champions, sending two shots off the post in the first half. Jamie Watson’s initial shot was stopped, but the rebound effort by Max Griffin as inadvertently turned into the goal by defender Troy Dublin in the 89th minute, spoiling the anticipated draw. – MORE 

LD Update: USL Pro honors; PDL/W-League signings

USL Pro Honors: United Soccer Leagues announced midfielder Drew Cost as the USL Pro Player of the Week for leading the Rochester Rhinos to a 1-0 win over the Charlotte Eagles, tallying an assist on the lone goal.

PDL Signings: The GPS Portland Phoenix announced that three players are returning and seven newcomers have been added to the 2012 roster, led by Phoenix PDL All-Conference defender Brian Fekete and former Ocean City Nor'easter Jack Bailey... The Fredericksburg Hotspur announced that three players are returning from last year's squad... The North Sound SeaWolves announced the addition of five players, three from locals schools and a pair from Spring Arbor University in Michigan... The Southern West Virginia King's Warriors announced the addition of three players from Messiah College.

LD Update: NASL, USL Pro & ACC Game Night; Expansion news

The only lower division winners on the night were the Wilmington Hammerheads. Another game in the NASL, another draw. The league has had more than half its contests (19) finish tied (10) with another six decided by one goal. FC Edmonton's odds of reaching the Canadian Championship final were made long with a loss at home.

LD Update: MLS friendly & Player Movement

NASL: The Atlanta Silverbacks signed local product Borfor Carr, who played briefly with the club’s reserve team a year ago after returning from a stint with Romanian club CS Concordia Chiajna.

USL Pro: The Harrisburg City Islanders have had a split of a news day. First, the club announced its annual friendly with MLS affiliate Philadelphia Union. The game is set for June 12.  The club then announced the retirement of two-year City Islander Jason Hotchkin. The North Carolina native made a name for himself closer to home, leading the Charlotte Eagles to the league final in 2004 before spending some time in Germany (TuS Koblenz) and Sweden (IK Brage). He came back and played for the Wilmington Hammerheads and Philadelphia Kixx, who he guided to an MISL title. He also played for the New Jersey Ironmen (MISL) and Cleveland City Stars (USL-1) before moving to Harrisburg… In South Carolina, the Charleston Battery got goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra back. The netminder, caught behind a duel for the DC job, was loaned back to the Battery, whom he played for last year after two seasons and 17 appearances with the Chicago Fire.

USL PDL: The North Sound SeaWolves continue to develop the 2012 roster, bringing back three local players from last year’s team… In Florida, the Ocala Stampede added FIU and former New Zealand youth international center back Joe Dawkins to the roster.

USL W-League: The DC United Women brought back four of its top players from a year ago, including W-League All-Conference selection Marisa Abegg… On the other coast, the Vancouver Whitecaps Women signed two players: W-League/WPSL veteran defender Jenny Jeffers and England youth international midfielder/striker Demi Stokes.