Photo courtesy Nashville SC
1. Things got even more crowded at the top of the USL Golden Boot Race with four more players moving up to the top on nine goals in Ataulla Guerra (Charleston Battery), Daniel Rios (North Carolina FC), Jorge Herrera (Charlotte Independence), and Cameron Lancaster (Louisville City FC) all hitting the mark.
2. With just five points separating third and 12th in the USL Eastern Conference coming into today's matches a win for Indy Eleven proved vital, getting it four points clear of dropping out of the USL Cup Playoffs places. Louisville was the big winner in the Eastern Conference with FC Cincinnati dropping points, the defending champions were able to close the gap to six points.
3. LA Galaxy II managed its first road win of the season pulling off an upset, defeating Orange County SC despite being reduced to ten men. It was Los Dos' second win in a row, just the second time this season the team had won two straight.
SACRAMENTO REPUBLIC FC (0) VS. REAL MONARCHS SLC (0)
Sacramento Republic FC’s bad run of form from the penalty spot continued as Cameron Iwasa had the fourth miss of the season for the team, forcing them to settle for a scoreless draw with Real Monarchs SLC at Papa Murphy’s Park.
USLSoccer.com Man of the Match:
Jake Leeker, Real Monarchs SLC –Busy all night, including facing a penalty, Leeker managed a six-save shutout to earn his team a point.
77' | He's baaaaack! And what a roar from the crowd for the defender
— Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) July 8, 2018
Emrah Klimenta
Elliott Hord
SAC 0 | 0 SLC#SACvSLC | #5YearsOfGlory pic.twitter.com/3z3XcgB4xk
FT - A point will have to do in Sacramento. Next up, @SoundersFC2 on July 14 in @HerrimanCity! pic.twitter.com/KI7yJAyqtj
— Real Monarchs (@RealMonarchs) July 8, 2018
A well placed shot from Raul Mendiola early in the second half proved enough for Las Vegas Lights FC to secure a 1-0 win against Saint Louis FC in front of 6,651 fans at Cashman Field.
USLSoccer.com Man of the Match:
Raul Mendiola, Las Vegas Lights FC – Mendiola scored the lone goal of the match as part of a strong performance, the forward won six duels while also getting back to make two tackles.
Placement perfection by Raul Mendiola .#LVvSTL pic.twitter.com/2N8L0Db4su
— USL (@USL) July 8, 2018
Our new friend today is called Mr. Crossbar.
— Saint Louis FC (@SaintLouisFC) July 8, 2018
0-0 | #LVvSTL pic.twitter.com/4QClTzQCa8
A ten-man LA Galaxy II managed a stunning result, winning the 405 derby, defeating Orange County SC 3-0 at Champions Soccer Stadium at OC Great Park.
USLSoccer.com Man of the Match:
Adrián Vera, LA Galaxy II – Provider of the first two assists Vera was dangerous throughout the match, both his chances created resulting in goals.
Frank Lopez extends the lead for @lagalaxyii!#OCvLA pic.twitter.com/PovPBHN4cz
— USL (@USL) July 8, 2018
Another HUGE save from Sylvestre. #OCvLA: https://t.co/7GeYEvuzMc pic.twitter.com/GEwD1sbK8n
— LA Galaxy II (@LAGalaxyII) July 8, 2018
Rio Grande Valley FC ended a 328-minute scoreless streak but could only hold the lead for two minutes as the Toros had to settle for a point in a 1-1 draw with Tulsa Roughnecks FC at H-E-B Park.
USLSoccer.com Man of the Match:
Matias Zaldivar, Rio Grande Valley FC –In a tough match with a handful of chances Zaldivar was able to create two chances while also contributing at the back with two tackles.
75' - GOOOOOOOAAALLLLLLLL
— RGVFC (@RGVFC) July 8, 2018
Chuy finds the back of the net!
1-0 #RGVvTUL #WeAreToros #SomosToros pic.twitter.com/gG3xc1Ag84
No breathing room for @RGVFC!
— USL (@USL) July 8, 2018
Paris Gee makes it even for @roughnecksfc! #RGVvTUL pic.twitter.com/wyo0XlW9M8
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC fought hard and managed to come from behind to take a 1-1 draw against OKC Energy FC at Taft Stadium thanks to Shane Malcolm’s goal.
USLSoccer.com Man of the Match:
Sam Hamilton, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC – Providing the assist for the equalizer, Hamilton impressed throughout the game managing a 90.5 percent passing accuracy in the Energy FC half, creating four chances.
.@alexdixon19, you make it look too easy!#OKCvCOS pic.twitter.com/OWhCBBYSgb
— USL (@USL) July 8, 2018
We're going to hang onto this @bbyars01 for a little while...#OKCvCOS pic.twitter.com/gdDDWD8Z2y
— USL (@USL) July 8, 2018
Nashville SC and FC Cincinnati both showed why they are USL Cup Playoffs contenders in an entertaining 0-0 draw in front of 18,228 fans at Nissan Stadium.
USLSoccer.com Man of the Match:
Lebo Moloto, Nashville SC – While he didn’t find a goal, Moloto looked dangerous all night, managing all three Nashville shots on target and creating four chances.
.@newtonevan13 says NO ENTRY!!#NSHvCIN pic.twitter.com/QnidCHGxux
— USL (@USL) July 8, 2018
Showing off his Matt-like reflexes pic.twitter.com/HhilcNfGbI
— Nashville SC (@NashvilleSC) July 8, 2018
A Cameron Lancaster goal gave Louisville City FC an impressive 2-1 road win against the Tampa Bay Rowdies at Al Lang Stadium in front of 5,232 fans.
USLSoccer.com Man of the Match:
Niall McCabe, Louisville City FC –McCabe provided the assist for the opening goal and went on to have a strong game, creating two chances and finishing the match with a passing accuracy of 93.8 percent.
HE'SSSS BAACCKKKKK!!@Flemmo_77 levels play in Tampa!#TBRvLOU pic.twitter.com/aMVbwv6uiN
— USL (@USL) July 8, 2018
Served up with a whole lotta mustard.@CameronPL regains the lead for @loucityfc #TBRvLOU pic.twitter.com/dtHHkOOlJL
— USL (@USL) July 8, 2018
North Carolina FC managed a late charge, scoring an 81st minute equalizer to secure a 1-1 draw with Charleston Battery at Sahlen's Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park.
USLSoccer.com Man of the Match:
Ataulla Guerra, Charleston Battery - Guerra scored the opening goal for Charleston Battery and was dangerous throughout the match with a 93.1 percent passing accuracy.
It's just not an Ataulla Guerra goal without the celly.#NCvCHS pic.twitter.com/3y8dCLi4lz
— USL (@USL) July 8, 2018
LEVEL.#NCvCHS pic.twitter.com/VHcjFhKJqG
— USL (@USL) July 8, 2018
Indy Eleven was forced to come from behind but managed two quick goals, in the 62nd and 70th minutes, to overcome the Charlotte Independence 2-1 in front of 9,858 fans.
USLSoccer.com Man of the Match:
Ayoze, Indy Eleven - Providing the assist for the winning goal, Ayoze was active in attack all night, creating five chances.
Make room up top, the Golden Boot leaders have some company.
— USL (@USL) July 8, 2018
We see you, Jorge Herrera.#INDvCLT pic.twitter.com/G3R8jGBPOV
A sweet, sweet strike, @BenSpeas17 .#INDvCLT pic.twitter.com/d93t2ODB5r
— USL (@USL) July 8, 2018
Tag(s): News Game Reports Nashville SC CO Spring Switchbacks LA Galaxy II OKC Energy FC Orange County SC Real Monarchs SLC Rio Grande Valley FC Sacramento Republic FC FC Tulsa Charleston Battery Charlotte Independence FC Cincinnati Louisville City FC Saint Louis FC Tampa Bay Rowdies Shane Malcolm Ataulla Guerra Matt Pickens Evan Newton Cameron Lancaster Kyle Smith Niall McCabe Lebo Moloto Stefano Bonomo Alex Dixon José Barril Junior Flemmings Josh Cohen Jorge Herrera Adrián Vera Ethan Zubak Tah Anunga Paris Gee Raul Mendiola Sam Hamilton Jonathan Hernandez Las Vegas Lights FC Sam Vines Julian Buescher Jesus Ferreira North Carolina FC Indy Eleven Eugene Starikov Jake Leeker Jesús Enríquez Ayoze García Nelson Blanco Ben Speas Frank Lopez Daniel Ríos Carlyle Mitchell Ricardo Ferriño Bryce Marion