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USL-2 at the midway point of qualifying
USOpenCup.com takes a look at where each club stands
| USL-2 Qualifying Standings |
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| Cleveland City |
2-0-0
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100%
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| Harrisburg |
3-0-1
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83%
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| Charlotte |
2-1-0
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67%
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| Western Mass |
1-1-1
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44%
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| Cincinnati |
1-2-1
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25%
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| New Hampshire |
0-1-1
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17%
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| Wilmington |
0-2-1
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11%
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| Crystal Palace |
0-3-0
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0%
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FULL USL-2 QUALIFYING STANDINGS
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With half of the USL Second Division qualifying schedule complete, USOpenCup.com takes a look at which clubs are all but in, which ones need a little help, and which ones are glad the USL-2 got an extra Open Cup spot!
Looking Good, Real Good: Cleveland City Stars
With the rest of the league playing six or seven matches before the qualifying deadline, the Stars had only five to work with. This meant a mistake free start to the season was crucial, and that’s just what Cleveland City got. With wins over Cincinnati and Crystal Palace Baltimore, the Stars have assured themselves of finishing with at least 40% points. Another advantage is the fact that Cleveland will avoid most of the traditional USL-2 powers like Charlotte and Richmond in their remaining qualifying matches. In fact, those matches are against struggling clubs at the bottom of the table, and two of those are at home.
Remaining matches
May 12 at Cincinnati
May 19 vs. New Hampshire
May 26 vs. Wilmington
The Dream Is Alive & Well: Harrisburg City Islanders
Skeptics could have argued that the City Islanders good start was solely at the expense of rookie club Bermuda Hogges. Indeed, Harrisburg left the island paradise with two victories, but the statement that they may be for real came at home, when they sent the Charlotte Eagles packing with a last-minute, 4-3 victory. The City Islanders have an even better minimum points percentage than Cleveland (47%), so unless they suffer a major collapse, combined with a sudden surge from one of the bottom clubs, the team should be one step closer to the dream of luring David Beckham to the Skyline Sports Complex.
Remaining Matches
May 11 at New Hampshire
May 12 at Western Mass
May 19 vs. Western Mass
Aiming for fourth straight cup appearance: Charlotte Eagles
If you could pencil in any other USL-2 club for the U.S. Open Cup before the season (besides automatic qualifiers Richmond), it would have been the Charlotte Eagles. If not for a last minute winner from Harrisburg, the Eagles would only be two points from maximum. While playing three of their final four qualifiers on the road, two of those matches include bottom of the table strugglers Wilmington and New Hampshire.
Remaining Schedule
May 11 vs. Wilmington
May 19 at Richmond
May 25 at Western Mass
May 26 at New Hampshire
Should Be Safe, IF: Western Mass Pioneers
The Pioneers have gotten off to a decent start, taking four out of nine points possible. However, the club from Ludlow, Mass. won’t have an easy time of it for the remainder of qualifying. Of their final three matches, two are a home-and-home with the red-hot Harrisburg City Islanders, and in the other they will host the always tough Charlotte Eagles. A win and a draw out of the three matches should see the Pioneers through to the cup, leaving them at 44%. Two draws and a loss, however, would put them close to the edge with 33%. Anything less, and they may be following the cup with the rest of us on the website.
Remaining Schedule
May 12 vs. Harrisburg
May 19 at Harrisburg
May 25 vs. Charlotte
Favorable schedule for new-look team: Cincinnati Kings
Entering their third season in the USL Second Division, the Kings had some holes to fill. They needed to replace six starters, including goalkeeper Jordan James (Houston Dynamo), their top defender Derek Smith (Minnesota), last year's USL-2 Rookie of the Year Nowaf Jaman (Richmond Kickers), Josh Barton (California Victory), Trey Alexander (Richmond Kickers) and John Krause. After dropping the first two games of the season, it looked as though they would fail to qualify for the first time in their three-year history. However, they received a favorable schedule in the home stretch of qualifying. Back-to-back games against both expansion clubs (1-0 win over Crystal Palace Baltimore, 1-1 draw vs. Bermuda), and the remaining three games all at home. Those last three games won't be easy, but playing at home helps a little.
Remaining Schedule
May 12 vs. Cleveland
May 18 vs. New Hampshire
May 24 vs. Wilmington
Thankful the league got an extra spot: New Hampshire Phantoms
The Phantoms rebounded from a 4-0 loss to Richmond with a 1-1 draw at Western Mass. One point out of six is not a desirable start, and their remaining schedule is not too easy. The best chance for New Hampshire to qualify might be for Wilmington to continue to struggle, and finish above the Hammerheads for the final spot.
Remaining Schedule
May 11 vs. Harrisburg
May 18 at Cincinnati
May 19 at Cleveland
May 26 vs. Charlotte
Needing a strong finish...AGAIN: Wilmington Hammerheads
After sneaking into the 2006 Open Cup just under the wire, Wilmington seems poised to repeat those dramatics again this year. The struggling Hammerheads have managed only one point out of nine. With arch rival Charlotte next on the docket, the road does not get any easier. After a home contest against winless Crystal Palace Baltimore, the Hammers embark on an Ohio road trip to Cincinnati and Cleveland that should make or break their Open Cup chances.
Remaining Schedule
May 11 at Charlotte
May 19 vs. Crystal Palace Baltimore
May 24 at Cincinnati
May 26 at Cleveland
Growing pains: Crystal Palace Baltimore
The expansion club from Baltimore could not have gotten off to a worse start. Zero points and a goal difference of minus-8 see Palace anchored to the bottom of the qualifying table. Add to the fact that two of their final three games are against the mighty Richmond Kickers, and it doesn’t look good for CPB to make their Open Cup debut this season.
Remaining Schedule
May 12 vs. Richmond
May 19 at Wilmington
May 26 at Richmond
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