USSF D-II: Baltimore, Puerto Rico look to move up standings

Posted Jul 24, 2010 by Nick Murray

Updated Jul 24, 2010 at 01:07 PM

Both Baltimore and Puerto Rico have the chance to move into a playoff position with a positive result in Saturday’s USSF Division II action.

ST. LOUIS (3-10-4) AT BALTIMORE (5-8-4): Crystal Palace Baltimore will try to maintain the momentum of last Sunday’s 2-1 victory at Montreal as it hosts the Saints at the Maryland Soccerplex.

Gary Brooks and Andrew Marshall found the net against the Impact to allow the Eagles to rally from an early deficit, and have now taken four points from their last two games to move just a point behind Tampa Bay for the final slot in the playoffs.

St. Louis also faced Montreal in its last outing, a 3-0 defeat that saw it manage only five shots on goal. Facing the final game of a four-game road-trip that has seen them pick up just one point, the Saints will be without Gauchinho this afternoon after he received a red card in the defeat to Montreal.

ROCHESTER (8-4-6) AT PUERTO RICO (5-7-5): The Rhinos will look to build on the positive momentum of their late game-winner against Tampa Bay when they face the Islanders at the Estadio Loubriel.

Isaac Kissi scored Rochester first goal in four games to give his side victory, allowing the side to snap a three-game winless streak and move within five points of Austin at the top of the USL Conference. Tonight’s game is the second of three in six days for the Rhinos, who complete their road-trip with a visit to Carolina on Tuesday.

The Islanders will be hoping to end a four-game winless streak and move into the playoff positions for the first time this season with victory. Currently sitting behind Tampa Bay on goal difference, Puerto Rico needed a second-half equalizer from Christopher Nurse to earn a point in Minnesota on Wednesday night, its third consecutive draw.