Four Quarterfinals Kick-Off Postseason on Saturday Night
The field for the 2014 USL PRO Playoffs was set on Sunday evening, with the top eight teams in the league standings set to face off for the league championship during the next three weeks. The playoffs kick off on Saturday, September 13th with all four quarterfinals as top-seeded Orlando City SC begins its quest for a third championship before joining Major League Soccer.
No. 1 Orlando City SC vs. No. 8 Harrisburg City Islanders
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET
The Lions went undefeated at home to claim their third regular season title, but will host a Harrisburg side that was able to claim victory for the first time against Orlando this season. Robbie Derschang scored twice as Harrisburg defeated the Lions 3-2 at Skyline Sports Complex, but the Lions got revenge at home in the return contest with a 3-1 win led by Darwin Ceren.
No. 2 Sacramento Republic FC vs. No. 7 Wilmington Hammerheads
Bonney Field, Saturday, 10:30 p.m. ET
Republic FC concluded an outstanding inaugural season in second place in the league standings, and made Bonney Field a tough place to visit for opponents as it took eight wins in 10 games at its permanent home. Wilmington fell 2-0 against Sacramento when it visited California, but the two teams played to a draw at Legion Stadium in the return fixture, and the Hammerheads looked bright to close the season going 3-1-3 in their final seven contests.
No. 3 LA Galaxy II vs. No. 6 Rochester Rhinos
StubHub Center, Saturday, 10:30 p.m. ET
The Galaxy II claimed the No. 3 seed as they handed Sacramento its first loss at Bonney Field in its final game of the season. Los Dos return home to face a Rochester side that also boosted its position on the final weekend of the season, as a win against Wilmington jumped the Rhinos up two spots into sixth. The lone meeting between the two teams this season was also at StubHub Center, where the Rhinos took a 2-1 victory behind a goal and an assist by Alex Dixon.
No. 4 Richmond Kickers vs. No. 5 Charleston Battery
City Stadium, Saturday, 7 p.m. ET
The two longtime rivals meet in the postseason for the first time in the USL PRO era, with another tight game in prospect. The two teams played to draws in both of their meetings this season and have been almost inseparable during their histories, with both teams having taken 22 wins with six draws in 50 meetings all-time.
