USSF D-II: Aztex look to continue undefeated streak vs. Portland

Posted Jun 9, 2010 by Nick Murray

Updated Jun 9, 2010 at 08:55 AM

Austin tries to extend its undefeated streak, while Vancouver hosts an in-form Carolina in Wednesday’s action in the USSF Division II.

PORTLAND (3-3-3) AT AUSTIN (7-1-2): The Aztex extended their undefeated streak to eight games with a 2-1 victory against Puerto Rico on Saturday and now hold a five-point lead over the FC Tampa Bay Rowdies at the top of the USL Conference. They will also be boosted by the return of USSF Player of the Month for May Eddie Johnson, who was rested for Saturday’s game.

There could be a lot of goals in this contest with the top three scorers in the league all on the same field. In addition to Johnson and strike-partner Jamie Watson, Portland’s Ryan Pore will also be looking to hit the mark and add to his eight goals. Pore has had a hand in all 10 of the Timbers goals this season, adding two assists, and should be a handful for Yohance Marshall and the Aztex defense to deal with.

CAROLINA (3-2-3) AT VANCOUVER (4-2-3): The RailHawks enter Vancouver on a three-game undefeated streak, a late goal by Daniel Paladini stealing a point from their last contest against Portland on Sunday. Finding goals at Swangard Stadium has, of course, been difficult for visitors this season, the Whitecaps have yet to concede a goal at home, but the RailHawks might be a little more confident in their ability to accomplish that feat after seeing some of the chances Tampa Bay was able to produce in the Whitecaps last outing on Sunday.

Vancouver will be without defender/midfielder Luca Bellisomo after his ejection against the Rowdies, and will want to make the most of their final home game of the month. The Whitecaps face four road contests to close out the month, including a trip to Austin on Saturday. A win tonight to open up a cushion on the rest of the NASL Conference will be important for Vancouver before they hit the road.

BALTIMORE (3-5-1) AT MIAMI (1-2-6): Baltimore should be well-rested after over a week off since its last contest, a 2-0 loss to Austin at the end of May. Before that defeat, the Eagles had put together a positive run of three wins in their previous four games, moving the team into playoff contention.

Miami, though, could jump over Baltimore with a win at home tonight. After a pair of defeats, the Blues earned a point against Montreal on Sunday thanks to Christian Gomez’s third goal of the season. Gomez has played better of late, also having three assists, but Miami needs to put together some victories if it is going to get back in the playoff picture, currently sitting 11th overall in the league.

MONTREAL (3-2-3) AT MINNESOTA (3-7-2): The Impact will try to end a two game winless streak when they travel to face the Stars. In order to do that, they will need to find their scoring touch; Montreal has only scored six goals in eight games this season, scoring two goals in a game only once.

Facing Minnesota could be just what the Impact offense needs, though, as the Stars have conceded a league-high 19 goals in 12 games this season. The Stars, though, have been tougher at home than on the road, going 2-2-1 at the National Sports Center Stadium including a 3-2 victory against St. Louis in their last home outing.