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Now that we’ve completed 4/30ths of the USL season (or 2/15ths for you math nerds), let’s take a look at this week’s action in the Western Conference.
SCOREBOARD
HOME | AWAY | |
Sounders 2 | 2-2 | RGVFC Toros |
LAG II | 1-1 | San Antonio |
Real Monarchs | 0-1 | Arizona United |
Saint Louis | 0-0 | Tulsa Roughnecks |
OC Blues | 1-0 | San Antonio |
Timbers 2 | 1-0 | Sacramento Republic |
Sounders 2 | 1-0 | Colorado Springs |
THREE STORIES OF THE WEEK
Everyone Remembers Their First
It was a week of firsts for a number of teams in the West. The Orange County Blues, Portland Timbers 2 and Seattle Sounders 2 all notched their first win of the season. Not only did those teams get their first win, but they also gave the teams they played their first loss of the season. And it gets better! All three games ended at 1-0, with the home team taking the win. Orange County defeated San Antonio FC in Irvine. T2 scored the first goal given up by Sacramento Republic FC all season. And S2 finally got off the schnide, beating a good Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC squad. The Baby Sounders also got their first point earlier in the week, drawing RGVFC 2-2.
Let’s Get Louligan
The supporters group of Saint Louis FC, the St. Louligans, provided a raucous atmosphere for all 5,531 fans in attendance at the "Fleur-de-lis’" long-awaited home opener. In the offseason, World Wide Technology Soccer Park sustained significant damage after a storm blew through St. Louis, but the USL community rallied around STLFC and funds were raised to help repair the damages in time for the season. A 0-0 draw with Tulsa wasn’t exactly the perfect result, but those players know they have an absolute fortress at home with the St. Louligans behind them.
A "Lack" of Energy
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 was scheduled to host OKC Energy FC on Sunday, but unfortunately, *puts on sunglasses* there was no Energy. YEEEEEAAAAAAAHHHHH. Lame and outdated CSI:Miami jokes aside, massive snowstorms in the Denver area prevented OKC from getting on their second leg to Vancouver on Saturday, so the match was rescheduled for a later date. Interestingly enough, while Colorado Springs was also in the "Snowmageddon," the Switchbacks were able to get to Seattle for a game on Sunday, and according to their social media, they flew in on Saturday. Sooo...¯\_(ツ)_/¯
STANDINGS
Club | GP | Pts |
LA Galaxy II | 5 | 9 |
Vancouver Whitecaps 2 | 3 | 7 |
Swope Park Rangers | 3 | 7 |
Real Monarchs | 4 | 7 |
Sacramento Republic | 4 | 7 |
Colorado Springs Switchbacks | 3 | 6 |
Arizona United | 5 | 6 |
San Antonio FC | 4 | 5 |
Saint Louis FC | 5 | 5 |
Rio Grande Valley | 3 | 4 |
Tulsa Roughnecks | 4 | 4 |
Orange County | 4 | 4 |
Seattle Sounders 2 | 5 | 4 |
Portland Timbers 2 | 4 | 3 |
OKC Energy | 2 | 1 |
The dust has settled, and here’s how the West is stacked after four weeks of play. Los Dos, WFC2, and the "Super Swopers" (if it catches on, you heard it here first!) are all still undefeated, although the latter two sat idle this week. The big thing to notice is that the Real Monarchs are having a splendid start to their season, the complete opposite of their absolutely dreadful start in their inaugural season last year. Freddy Juarez’s squad looks to be another force in an already uber-competitive Western Conference.
What’s your biggest takeaway from Week 4? Let us know in the comments.