USSF D-II: Carolina faces Rochester in meeting of 2nd-placed teams

Posted Jul 17, 2010 by Nick Murray

Updated Jul 17, 2010 at 11:37 AM

Rochester and Carolina, both sitting second in their respective conferences, meet after disappointing midweek results in Saturday’s USSF Division II action.

CAROLINA (5-3-6) AT ROCHESTER (7-3-6): The RailHawks will try to end a four-game road trip on a positive note after losing their first road game of the season against Montreal on Wednesday night. The defeat also ended an eight-game undefeated streak for Carolina, the last loss prior to that a 2-1 defeat to FC Tampa Bay on May 14.

Rochester didn’t lose in midweek, but put in a disappointing performance against Crystal Palace Baltimore for their second straight 0-0 draw. The Rhinos had only two shots, and didn’t force Eagles goalkeeper Evan Bush into a save, while Neal Kitson had to be sharp to earn his side a point.

PUERTO RICO (5-7-3) AT MIAMI (2-6-8): After earning a point against FC Tampa Bay on Thursday, the Islanders will look to complete their swing through Florida with victory against a Miami side that hasn’t won in over a month.

The Blues have taken just one point from their last 15, conceding 11 goals in their last five games. They also struggled in their first meeting with the Islanders this season, Puerto Rico winning 4-2 with all the goals coming in the second half.

The Islanders have been inconsistent this season, but can move into the playoff places with a win tonight. Since their win against Miami, they have scored only six goals in the subsequent nine games, but David Foley showed moments of danger against the Rowdies on Thursday and could hold the key tonight.

ST. LOUIS (3-8-4) AT AUSTIN (9-2-5): The Aztex are coming off back-to-back draws, but still hold a comfortable five-point lead at the top of the USL Conference as they welcome St. Louis to House Park.

The Saints have shown a resurgence of late to move within a point of Miami at the bottom of the NASL Conference, and should have earned a second straight victory on Wednesday night only to see Minnesota rally to earn a 2-2 tie.

Austin won the first meeting of the season between the two teams back in April, Eddie Johnson and Leonard Griffin scoring in a 2-1 victory. Opening a three-game home stand, the Aztex will want to put together a strong run against teams in the lower half of the standings to maintain their push for the No.1 seed in the playoffs.