The 24-team era of the United Soccer League kicked off last weekend with a reduced slate of three games, including game action for four MLS-operated clubs, and Saturday produced plenty of drama.
Charleston Battery 3, Toronto FC II 2 (USL recap | highlights | full game replay)
In the season opener on Saturday evening, new club Toronto FC II got off to the perfect start when TFC loanee Jordan Hamilton scored the first goal of the USL season just eight minutes in at the Charleston Battery's Blackbaud Stadium. Hamilton was able to finish after a long ball from goalkeeper Alex Bono, and TFC II poacher Mo Babouli soon capitalized on a goalkeeping error to put the Reds up 2-0 in the first 15 minutes.
Charleston rallied, however, in front of a crowd of 4,536, and ultimately got a game-winning goal from defender Taylor Mueller on a goalmouth scramble in second-half stoppage time, to come away with the win.
MLS players on loan
TFC: Alex Bono (90), Ashtone Morgan (90), Chris Mannella (87), Manny Aparicio (63), Jay Chapman (90), Jordan Hamilton (90).
HOU: Memo Rodriguez (12).
Toronto FC II recap | Battery recap
Seattle Sounders 2 4, Sacramento Republic 2 (USL recap | highlights | full game replay)
In their inaugural game Saturday night, the Seattle Sounders 2 waited until after halftime to find their scoring touch but made no mistake in a 4-2 win over defending the USL champion Sacramento Republic in front of a sold-out crowd of 2,951 at the Starfire Stadium.
Andy Craven scored the first goal in S2 history in the 49th minute, and after Justin Braun equalized for Sacramento, S2 substitute Sam Garza scored with his first touch to give Seattle a 2-1 lead in the 70th minute. A superb free kick from Pablo Rossi (pictured above) and an excellent feed from Victor Mansaray to Cristian Roldan (below) put Seattle up 4-1 before a late Octavio Guzman free kick provided the final margin.
MLS players on loan
SEA: Charlie Lyon (90), Oniel Fisher (45), Aaron Long (45), Damion Lowe (90), Jimmy Ockford (90), Dylan Remick (90), Victor Mansaray (90), Cristian Roldan (28), Aaron Kovar (69), Darwin Jones (4).
LA Galaxy II 0, Real Monarchs SLC 0 (USL recap | full game replay)
Western Conference rivals at the MLS level, the LA Galaxy and Real Salt Lake brought that same spirit to the affiliate level in a tightly-contested opener on Sunday night.
On-loan goalkeeper Lalo Fernandez made four saves for the Real Monarchs, including a stop on Adonis Amaya in the first half, while Clement Diop made three saves to earn the shutout for Los Dos, including a second-half save on loanee Sebastian Saucedo.
First-team regular A.J. DeLaGarza returned to the field for the Galaxy, playing 90 minutes at center back, as he recovers from an ankle injury.
MLS players on loan
LA: Oscar Sorto (90), A.J. DeLaGarza (90), Bradford Jamieson IV (79), Ignacio Maganto (90), Rafael Garcia (90), Raul Mendiola (90), Jack McBean (28).
RSL: Lalo Fernandez (90), Boyd Okwuonu (90), Aaron Maund (90), Phanuel Kavita (90), John Stertzer (90), Fito Ovalle (81), Sebastian Saucedo (8).
LA Galaxy II recap | Real Monarchs recap
This week's games
Friday, March 27 - Charlotte Independence vs. Charleston Battery, 7pm ET
Saturday, March 28 - FC Montreal vs. Toronto FC II, 12:30pm ET
Saturday, March 28 - New York Red Bulls II vs. Rochester Rhinos, 2pm ET
Saturday, March 28 - Louisville City vs. St. Louis FC, 3pm ET
Saturday, March 28 - Pittsburgh Riverhounds vs. Harrisburg City Islanders, 7pm ET
Saturday, March 28 - Wilmington Hammerheads vs. Richmond Kickers, 7pm ET
Saturday, March 28 - Tulsa Roughnecks vs. OKC Energy, 8pm ET
Saturday, March 28 - Austin Aztex vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks, 9pm ET
Saturday, March 28 - Orange County Blues vs. Arizona United, 10pm ET
Saturday, March 28 - LA Galaxy II vs. Sacramento Republic, 10:30pm ET
Sunday, March 29 - Seattle Sounders 2 vs. Vancouver Whitecaps 2, 7pm ET
Sunday, March 29 - Portland Timbers 2 vs. Real Monarchs, 9pm ET
Every game of the 2015 USL season will be streamed live on team Youtube channels. For highlights, visit the USL's official Youtube channel.
