LD Update: Amateur & elite youth league playoffs - MLS affiliate results & WPSL forfeit issues

Today was all about the amateur playoffs. In addition to the five elite semi-pro & amateur leagues, the USL Super-20 League and US Soccer Development Academy league crowned champions in a busy day that featured numerous MLS-affiliated sides.

PDL News: The Conference Championships were decided Sunday with only one of the three tournament hosts winning. The Carolina Dynamo advanced to the league semifinals next weekend with a stoppage time game-winner for a 1-0 decision against the Ottawa Fury. They will face Orlando City U23, who won in their home state, 4-2 in Ocala, against the Austin Aztex. The other semifinal will see the Seattle Sounders U23 side, 2-0 winners against host Ventura County Fusion, face Forest City London, who knocked off both division champions in the Central Conference, downing the host Michigan Bucks, 2-1, to avenge a series sweep during the season (1-0, 2-1). - PLAYOFF BRACKET

LD Update: NASL & USL Pro Game Nights; Amateur league playoffs

San Antonio kept hold of first with a narrow victory while the Tampa Bay Rowdies used a showdown for second to leap over the Puerto Rico Islanders. The Carolina RailHawks used a storm-delayed victory against Minnesota to move within two points of the fourth-place side.

An off night for Charleston allowed the Rochester Rhinos to move into second with a victory while the Richmond Kickers, mired mid-table, celebrated Matthew Delicate becoming the team's all-time leading goal scorer with a late goal in a win.

LD Update: USL Pro Game Night; NASL signings; PDL/WPSL playoffs

With the Charlotte Eagles charging up the table, Harrisburg and Wilmington added a little space with a pair of two-goal wins Friday evening.

USL PRO

Wilmington Hammerheads 2:0 Dayton Dutch Lions - Two goals in the opening nine minutes were too much for the visitors to rally back from. Corey Hertzog's long throw proved fatal again, connecting with Dylan Riley, who headed in after just three minutes. Cody Arnoux doubled the lead six minutes later with a 40-yard rocket. - MORE

LD Update: NASL & USL Pro Game Nights; WPSL Elite expansion; MLS player moves

In midweek action there were a couple surprising results as the defending NASL champion Minnesota Stars fell at home to the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, who moved squarely into the mix to make a run for the regular season title down the stretch.

Meanwhile in USL, the Dayton Dutch Lions continue to improve and impress, upending the Harrisburg City Islanders after a scoreless draw between the two last week to move third from bottom in the table. League leader Orlando City nabbed a late win against second-place Charleston to increase the gap in the race to repeat as the regular season champions.

LD Update: Special - Amateur League Playoffs

THE ONLY PLACE TO FIND BRACKETS FOR ALL FOUR LEAGUES!

Initial rounds of the postseason for the WPSL, NPSL and USL's PDL and W-League kicked off this past weekend and have continued with midweek contests. They get into high gear this coming weekend as they set the stage for their respective championship events.

Of note, there are seven teams combined in the postseason across the four leagues that are directly affiliated with Major League Soccer clubs. The PDL playoffs boast four with the Reading United AC (Philadelphia Union), Seattle Sounders U23s and Portland Timbers U23s. The W-League features the DC United Women and Seattle Sounders Women while FC Dallas plays in the WPSL. The New York Red Bulls Academy is the lone team in the NPSL playoffs.

LD Update: Loans & Call-ups; Statistical award winners

NASL News: The Fort Lauderdale Strikers are getting former player Paulo Araujo Jr back, returning on loan from Real Salt Lake . Meanwhile the team also announced a contract extention with Walter Restrepo... The young Puerto Rico Islanders duo of defender Cesar Garcia (Dominican Republic) and Joseph Marrero (Puerto Rico) have been called up for their U-20 national teams for the FIFA U-20 World Cup Qualifying tournament.

USL Pro News: The league announced the Team of the Week, honoring Los Angeles Blues midfielder Bryan Burke as the Player of the Week.

LD Update: Honors & amateur league playoff news

NASL News: The league announced Pablo Campos of the San Antonio Scorpions as the Offensive Player of the Week while recognizing Tampa Bay Rowdies goalkeeper Jeff Attinella as the Defensive Player of the Week.

W-League: The Virginia Beach Piranhas advanced to the playoffs Sunday with a 2-0 victory in Fredericksburg... Colorado Rush W-League player Lindsey Horan has reportedly signed a six-figure deal with French club PSG.

PDL News: The Michigan Bucks claimed the league's regular season championship for a third time (2000, 2008) with a 4-0 win Sunday... Ocean City Nor'easters finished as the best team in the Eastern Conference with a 1-0 win Sunday against Brooklyn.

WPSL News: The Spokane Shine have withdrawn from the playoffs and will be replaced by Issaquah SC, who finished second in the Northwest Division.

NPSL News: The league announced New York Red Bulls Academy U23 striker John Gurel as the Player of the Week.