This weekend, three Second Division clubs put themselves in position to qualify for the U.S. Open Cup. The Pittsburgh Riverhounds walked away from their home opening weekend doubleheader with four points. Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Kings defeated the Pioneers of Western Mass 1-0 for their third straight win. In their first game in USL-2, Richmond took advantage of an early red card, and a limited Rough Rider bench in a 5-0 thrashing of Long Island. 
Charlotte, who has already qualified as the defending league champions, played spoiler once again, this time against Wilmington. The Hammerheads shot themselves in the foot with a first half own goal that would remain as the game’s equalizer.
The Cincinnati Kings continued their early season form with a 1-0 win over Western Mass in their home opener. Jeff Hughes scored just after halftime, his third goal in the last two games. The Kings dominated the run of play, outshooting the Pioneers 21-8. Jordan James, who has only given up one goal all season, registered his third straight clean sheet as the Kings found themselves on top of the Second Division table by weekend’s end.
The Riverhounds kicked off their 2006 schedule with two home games. Friday’s game was the first under new head coach Gene Klein and the ’Hounds earned an important point with a 2-2 draw against in-state rival Harrisburg. The City Islanders rebounded from a 2-0 halftime deficit with goals from Jamacian international Teafore Bennett and former Rochester Rhino Jamel Mitchell.
Klein managed to get himself thrown out of his second match with the ’Hounds. He was ejected in the 28th minute after disputing an offside call against his club. The send-off apparently inspired his team because Leone Browne scored his first goal for the club, putting the home side up 1-0. After halftime, team captain Nathan Salsi scored what proved to be the game-winner in the 54th minute. Pittsburgh held on for a 2-1 win even after Jeff Daren pulled one back in the 82nd for the visitors. One of Pittsburgh’s original players, David Flavius, was awarded the USL Second Division Player Of The Week for his one goal, one assist performance against Harrisburg.
The Wilmington Hammerheads looked like they were on their way to their first win of the season after Christopher Bagley scored the opening goal in the 25th minute. Six minutes later, Hammerheads’ defender Montae Seabrook headed a ball into his own goal to level the score at one. The game finished that way leaving Wilmington winless in their first two games. Hope is not lost for the Hammerheads as they still have four qualifying games remaining.
A lot may have changed for the Richmond Kickers off the field from a year ago, but success has certainly carried over into this season. The Kickers, who lost to Seattle in the First Division championship last year, decided to move to the Second Division for the 2006 campaign. They took advantage of a shorthanded Rough Riders squad in their first game in their new league, winning 5-0. Long Island goalkeeper Eric Masters was sent off in the 11th minute of the match for handling the ball outside the penalty area. Masters was the only goalkeeper who made the trip to Richmond, so the Riders were forced to move striker Moussa Sy in to defend the goal.
Matt Watson connected for the opening goal in the 20th minute, but the Rough Rider defense held the Kickers until the flood gates opened in the 67th minute. Robert Ssejjemba and Chris Carrieri scored a goal each, and Christian Neagu added two straight to close out the game.
