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USL Recap, Week 6

This week, we've combined our league coverage into a single two-conference monster.

Steve Aibel/LittleOrcaSports.com

We're trying something a bit different this week, and we want to know what you think. There's a lot of USL out there to consume, but we're confident that you can get caught up with the most compelling action in a few minutes, right here each week.

So even though there is no inter-conference play on the field, there is still only one USL, and we're going to bring you a heaping dose of 2016's Week 5, right now.

Scoreboard East

HOME AWAY
Harrisburg City Islanders 2-1 Orlando City B
Louisville City 2-2 Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Rochester Rhinos 2-1 Harrisburg City Islanders
Richmond Kickers 1-0 Toronto FC II
FC Cincinnati 1-1 Wilmington Hammerheads FC
Charleston Battery 1-1 Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Bethlehem Steel FC 0-0 Louisville City
New York Red Bulls II 0-2 Charlotte Independence
Orlando City B 1-0 FC Montreal


Scoreboard West

HOME AWAY
Real Monarchs 0-0 Sounders 2
Swope Park Rangers 1-2 Whitecaps 2
San Antonio FC 3-1 Tulsa Roughnecks
RGVFC Toros 0-2 LA Galaxy II
Sacramento Republic FC 0-1 Orange County Blues
Arizona United 1-1 Timbers 2
Saint Louis FC PP Whitecaps 2
Sounders 2 1-1 OKC Energy FC


Five Stories

Another Unbeaten Falls

New York Red Bulls II were the last unbeaten club remaining in the East. Riding a four-game shutout streak, the Baby Bulls have looked unstoppable. However, Charlotte came into Red Bull Arena and pulled off the 2-0 upset, stretching their own winning streak to three matches, as well as claiming the second spot in the table.

It's Miller Time in OC

Brandon Miller, 2015 USL Goalkeeper of the Year, is proving that you don't have to play for the Rochester Rhinos to post clean sheets and a terrific season. After a difficult start to 2016 during which time the 26-year-old backstop conceded five goals in three matches, he has since posted three consecutive shutouts and helped the OC Blues to a full nine points in the process.

A Rainy Night in Ohio

More than 11,000 braved the elements at Nippert Stadium to see FC Cincinnati and the Wilmington Hammerheads play to a 1-1 draw. After Wilmington missed a penalty kick, Bruno Perone scored a goal off a corner to put the visitors up at half. Three minutes into the second, former Hammerheads player Paul Nicholson scored to level the match for Cincinnati. Both clubs have had decent starts to the season, sitting in the top half of the table.

Battery Remain Unbeaten at Home

Charleston's 1-1 draw with Pittsburgh has extended the Battery's home unbeaten streak to 28 matches. A second-half goal was enough to share the points at MUSC Health Stadium. Over 700 days - nearly two years - have passed since the Battery lost at home. Circle May 28th on your calendars. Current table leader Louisville City visits Charleston. Is this where the streak ends?

Northern California Drought

Sacramento Republic has a goals problem. The one-time USL champions and current apparent rebuilding project have gone four straight matches without scoring one. With only two to its credit for the entire season, it's been mostly-stellar defense that has kept the club within striking distance of the top of the table.

Standings East

Club GP PTS
Louisville City FC 7 14
Charlotte Independence 6 12
New York Red Bulls II 6 11
Richmond Kickers 6 10
Rochester Rhinos 5 10
FC Cincinnati 6 10
Charleston Battery 6 9
Wilmington Hammerheads FC 6 8
Bethlehem Steel FC 6 8
Orlando City B 7 7
Harrisburg City Islanders 6 6
Toronto FC II 5 5
Pittsburgh Riverhounds 5 3
FC Montreal 5 0

Louisville City remains in first after two consecutive draws. Charlotte's upset win has lifted them to second with NYRBII falling to third. Richmond, Rochester, and FC Cincinnati all sit even with ten points, with the Rhinos having a match in hand. Charleston and Wilmington round out the top eight. Bethlehem Steel FC are the first team out of the top eight, having drawn with Louisville last week. Orlando City B has climbed out of the cellar to tenth place after a win over the lowly FC Montreal. The Pittsburgh Riverhounds join FC Montreal at the bottom, despite two draws with top-half clubs.

Standings West

Club GP Pts
LA Galaxy II 7 13
Whitecaps 2 5 11
Orange County Blues FC 6 10
COS Switchbacks FC 4 9
San Antonio FC 6 8
Real Monarchs SLC 6 8
Saint Louis FC 6 8
Swope Park Rangers 5 7
Rio Grande Valley FC 5 7
Sacramento Republic FC 6 7
Arizona United SC 6 7
Timbers 2 7 7
Sounders 2 7 6
OKC Energy FC 4 5
Tulsa Roughnecks FC 6 4

LA and Vancouver have yet to lose, which is quite a feat in this anything-can-happen league, and the Galaxy's games-in-hand make most of the difference in its lead over the Caps. No club is truly out of the running yet, as this is a very long season, but with just 0.67 points per game, last-placed Tulsa needs to find some answers quickly if  they are to right the ship.

What are your thoughts on the previous week's matches? What stories did we miss? Which clubs are poised to make a run? Let us know in the comments below!