USL League 2: East & South Playoff Preview

Seacoast United Phantoms vs Hudson Valley Hammers

4:00 PM EST at Mitchel Athletic Complex Livestream

One of the better first-round matchups on paper kicks off the postseason this year as Northeast Division champions Seacoast United Phantoms venture southward from New Hampshire for this meeting with Metropolitan Division runner-up Hudson Valley Hammers. Both teams favor swarming attacking play (37, 34 goals scored), often at cost of vulnerability to counters (18 goals scored against both). The scoring could get pretty high in this one, while the scoreline itself remains tight. I like the Hammers in an “upset” in this one, 4-3 over the Phantoms.

Long Island Rough Riders vs Ocean City Nor’Easters

7:00 PM EST at Heart Health Park Livestream

A gift horse of sorts rewarded to Mid-Atlantic Division Champion, where, rather than commencing their postseason campaign against runner-up from another division, they’ll open their playoff account with a visit to defending national finalist Long Island Rough Riders. Facing the Rough Riders’ high flying attack (3.14 goals scored averaged per match), Ocean City will need to rely almost exclusively on its side’ disciplined defense (1.07 goals allowed per match) to keep the game close. The Nor’Easters are an attractive upset pick, and they certainly won’t find a round of 32 league match too large a moment for themselves, but look for Long Island to slip past the visitors, 2-1, in a cagey match.

NC Fusion vs Western Mass Pioneers

5:00 PM EST at Townebank Stadium Livestream

The Chimera of North Carolina Fusion found themselves in a much more competitive South Atlantic division this season. Along with usual rivals West Virginia United and Charlotte Eagles, Fusion had to fend with newcomers FC Carolinas and suddenly tricky Wake FC and Tobacco Road. The schedule created more slog than in years’ past for the Greensboro side, and they only cleared Charlotte for the division crown in the final week
Western Mass Pioneers nearly found that clearance in the Northeast division, but fell a single point short on the final day of the regular season. As runner-ups, they’ve made the longest trip in the East to Newport News, Virginia for this tilt. Both sides are hardened from strong competition and close games and should find in one another a very equal opponent. The Chimera hold advantage in the shorter travel, but the Pioneers’ defense (allowed just 9 goals over 14 matches) should keep the game close as the team gets their feet under them. A late winner here probably goes the Northeast’s way and sees the Pioneers through, 2-1.

Lionsbridge FC vs Charlotte Eagles

7:30 PM EST at Townbanke Stadium Livestream

Lionsbridge was a regular season power last season, securing the shield for top team prior to postseason. The Bridge then crumbled in the first round in a huge upset to Vermont Green. This season, the Newport News side will be slipping into the postseason a bit more under the radar, and hoping this will pair with a deeper playoffs run. They should have ample opportunity against South Atlantic division runners-up Charlotte Eagles, who are capable of scoring with the hosts (37 goals scored to 31) but are susceptible on defense (21 goals allowed). The Eagles will be plucky and make a match of it, but Lionsbridge gets the 3-2 win.

Matchday photo from Lionsbridge Twitter Account

The Villages SC vs South Carolina United FC

4:00 PM EST at Greenwood Stadium Livestream

It’s difficult to gauge the strength of the Florida sides coming into the postseason if you haven’t watched a majority of the matches in the Southeast & South Florida Divisions. A talent bed of a state, but shared across twelve clubs, the division winners have the lowest points per match after slogging and surviving what were probably the most competitive divisions, top to bottom, in the nation.

Against that backdrop, perennial postseason attendant The Villages SC are probably far better prepared for a playoffs run than their record would indicate. The Bison will match one of the better defenses in the country against one of their equal in South Carolina Bantams this evening. While the Villages secured the Southeast Division by a single table point over Nona FC, the Bantams actually tied Asheville City on points in the South Central, and split the two-game series with the Blues. However, Asheville took the division crown on goal differential, and the Bantams are rewarded a chip on their shoulder as well as title of most intimidating runner-up in the nation.

SC United will likely absorb more of the pressure early on, then flip the script early in the second half once they familiarize themselves with the Bison’s pace and method of attacking play. This feels every bit a match that will see extra time, perhaps PKs, in a fulltime 2-2 scoreline.

Texas United vs Nona FC

4:00 PM CST at War Memorial Stadium Livestream

You can only play the schedule ahead of you, and that’s what Texas United did, and did very well, this season. Against a much-maligned Mid-South Division slate, Texas United sliced through every match with ease, with the only exceptions being a tight 4 points in two meetings with the Little Rock Rangers, and a draw with Louisiana Krewe as the season wound down. If draws are blemishes, TexU wrapped the regular season with a pair of beauty marks on an undefeated season and a top five finish in the league when accounting points per match accrued.

Their reward for such a record-breaking season feels more like a punishment, as they’ll face a None FC side from Orlando the found themselves in a runner-up position in the Southeast Division by a single point less than The Villages SC. Having drawn the Bison in both meetings this season, the Longhorns are really runner-up in name only, and this match feels more deserving of being a conference final rather than a round of 32 match.

Both teams score in bunches, but will be going against stout defenses. Whichever side breaks deadlock first with hold inside lane in what may turn into a track meet by full time. Something says this will be the team from Plano, pulling out a 3-2 victory.

Asheville City SC vs Weston FC

7:30 PM EST at Greenwood Stadium Livestream

The host Blues, and their raucous fans led by the South Slope Blues supporters, take on South Florida Division winner Weston FC in the evening’s eastern time zone night cap. A single 1-2 blemish at South Carolina United hardly slowed Asheville en route to a club record winning season and the division title over the Bantams courtesy of the Blues’ +27 goal differential. With fans expectant of more goals, Greenwood Stadium will be one of the most electric atmospheres in league 2 by kickoff this evening.

Weston FC is quite a bit more of an enigma. With many matches this season seemingly unstreamed, its hard to get a read on the South Florida division as a whole. However, any team that rises to the top against talent heavy, predominantly South Florida-based opposition is sure to be a difficult side to break down, and this game could be close.

Weston surprises with an early goal, but Asheville finds an equalizer just after half, and the winner in extra time, 2-1.

Little Rock Rangers SC vs AHFC Royals

7:30 PM at War Memorial Stadium Livestream

The Royals of Albion Hurricanes FC finally figured out the route around the usual Corpus Christi - Twin City Toucans (formerly Brazos Valley Cavalry) deadlock on their way to the Lone Star division title. The Royals accomplished it with steady balance, their offensive output totaling 33 goals and their defense giving up just a third that number. AHFC hasn’t lost a match in two months, and they’ll look to extend that streak in one of League 2’s most unfriendly confines this season at Little Rock.

The Rangers have accomplished a renaissance regular season, setting club records for division play at every turn. They’re one penalty kick away from an undefeated home stand this year, and in the humid, loud confines of War Memorial Stadium, which former american football coach Mike Leach (RIP) called “the loudest place I’ve ever played”, the Stags will relish both the underdog label and their chances to advance to a second home game on Sunday.

by Ryan Stallings