2011 USL Pro season

Last updated

USL Pro
Season2011
Champions Orlando City SC (1st Title)
Commissioner's CupOrlando City SC (1st Title)
Matches played108
Goals scored273 (2.53 per match)
Best Player Flag of Cuba.svg Yordany Álvarez Orlando City SC
Top goalscorer Flag of Colombia.svg Jhonny Arteaga F.C. New York (13 Goals)
Best goalkeeper Flag of Mexico.svg Miguel Gallardo Orlando City SC
Biggest home win HAR 4, CHE 0
(July 2)
HAR 5, NEW 1
(July 20)
ORL 4, HAR 0
(August 12)
Biggest away win ANT 7, PRU 0
(April 27)
Highest scoring ANT 7, PRU 0
(April 27)
CHB 4, CHE 3
(August 12)
Longest winning run6 games:
RIC (April 2 – 7 May)
ANT (April 23 – 8 May)
Longest unbeaten run11 games:
ORL (April 9 – June 4)
Longest winless run13 games:
DDL (June 8 – July 27)
Longest losing run7 games:
ANT (June 24 – July 16)
Highest attendance11,220
ORL vs HAR
(September 3) (Championship)
Lowest attendance105
LAB vs PRU (April 20)
Average attendance2,274
2012

The 2011 USL Pro season was the 25th season of third-division soccer in the United States, [1] and was the inaugural season of the United Soccer Leagues' (USL) new professional competition. The league is effectively a combination of the USL's former First and Second Divisions.

Contents

Following the conclusion of the regular season in August, a postseason tournament, known as the USL Pro Playoffs, took place between the top eight clubs during the season. The quarterfinals was played between August 19–20, [2] the semifinals between August 26–28, [2] and the championship took place on September 3. [2]

Teams

USL Pro was initially set to feature 15 clubs that would be aligned into three conferences of five clubs: the "American", "National" and "International" conferences. The league announced that each club would play an unbalanced schedule with a total of 24 matches. [3] Initially, the International Division clubs were intended to play each other four times, twice home and twice away, with four games apiece at home and away against competition from the American and National Divisions. [3] The American and National Division clubs were intended to play each other twice: home and away, regardless of division. [3]

Original Divisional Alignment
American Division Charleston Battery, Charlotte Eagles, Orlando City SC, Richmond Kickers, Wilmington Hammerheads
National Division Dayton Dutch Lions, F.C. New York, Harrisburg City Islanders, Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Rochester Rhinos
International Division Antigua Barracuda, Los Angeles Blues, Puerto Rico United, River Plate Puerto Rico, Sevilla FC Puerto Rico

However, on May 10, 2011, the USL formally removed the three Puerto Rico Soccer League teams and announced that all remaining teams would continue to play a 24-game schedule. [4]

Stadiums and Locations

TeamLocationStadiumCapacity
Antigua Barracuda St. John's, Antigua Stanford Cricket Ground 5,000
Charleston Battery Charleston, South Carolina Blackbaud Stadium 5,100
Charlotte Eagles Charlotte, North Carolina Restart Field 2,000
Dayton Dutch Lions Bellbrook, Ohio Miami Valley South Stadium 3,000
F.C. New York Jamaica, New York Belson Stadium 2,600
Harrisburg City Islanders Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Skyline Sports Complex 5,000
Los Angeles Blues Fullerton, California Titan Stadium 10,000
Orlando City SC Orlando, Florida Citrus Bowl 65,438
Pittsburgh Riverhounds Bridgeville, Pennsylvania Chartiers Valley High School 2,500
Richmond Kickers Richmond, Virginia City Stadium 22,000
Rochester Rhinos Rochester, New York Sahlen's Stadium 13,768
Wilmington Hammerheads Wilmington, North Carolina Legion Stadium 6,000

Personnel and Kits

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players and Managers may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

TeamHead CoachCaptainJersey manufacturerShirt sponsor
Antigua Barracuda Flag of Scotland.svg Billy McEwan Flag of Antigua and Barbuda.svg Dave Carr Joma
Charleston Battery Flag of the United States.svg Michael Anhaeuser Flag of South Africa.svg Stephen Armstrong Umbro avVenta
Charlotte Eagles Flag of the United States.svg Mark Steffens Flag of the United States.svg Josh Rife Puma Coca-Cola
Dayton Dutch Lions Flag of the Netherlands.svg Ivar van Dinteren Flag of the United States.svg Bret Jones Under Armour Scoutforall.com
F.C. New York Flag of England.svg Matt Weston Flag of England.svg Paul Shaw [5] Umbro Treiber
Harrisburg City Islanders Flag of the United States.svg Bill Becher Nike Capital Blue Cross/Snickers
Los Angeles Blues Flag of the United States.svg Charlie Naimo Flag of Iran.svg Shahryar Dastan Nike Marriott
Orlando City SC Flag of England.svg Adrian Heath Flag of the United States.svg Ian Fuller Umbro Orlando Health
Pittsburgh Riverhounds Flag of the United States.svg Justin Evans Umbro #1 Cochran
Richmond Kickers Flag of England.svg Leigh Cowlishaw Adidas HCA Virginia
Rochester Rhinos Flag of the United States.svg Bob Lilley Umbro Non-Smoking Coalition
Wilmington Hammerheads Flag of England.svg David Irving Umbro New Hanover Regional Medical Center

Standings

American Division

PosTeamPldWTLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1 Orlando City SC (C)2415633616+20512011 USL Pro Commissioner's Cup, 2011 USL Pro Playoffs
2 Wilmington Hammerheads (A)2414374230+1245 2011 USL Pro Playoffs [a]
3 Richmond Kickers (A)2412573521+1441
4 Charleston Battery (A)2410592425135
5 Charlotte Eagles 249693229+333
6 Antigua Barracuda 2492133232029
Source: USL Pro official standings
Rules for classification: Points, then tiebreak: 1) Head-to-head record based on total points in League games, 2) Total wins in League games, 3) Goal difference in League games, 4) Goals scored in League games, etc. [6]
(A) Advances to USL Pro Playoffs; (C) Commissioner's Cup (best regular season record)
Notes:
  1. The top four clubs in each division are guaranteed spots in the 2011 USL Pro Playoffs.

National Division

PosTeamPldWTLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1 Rochester Rhinos (A)2412483123+840 2011 USL Pro Playoffs [a]
2 Harrisburg City Islanders (A)2410773730+737
3 Los Angeles Blues (A)248973429+533
4 Pittsburgh Riverhounds (A)2476112332927
5 F.C. New York 24671127371025
6 Dayton Dutch Lions 24261621543312
Source: USL Pro official standings
Rules for classification: Points, then tiebreak: 1) Head-to-head record based on total points in League games, 2) Total wins in League games, 3) Goal difference in League games, 4) Goals scored in League games, etc. [7]
(A) Advances to USL Pro Playoffs
Notes:
  1. The top four clubs in each division are guaranteed spots in the 2011 USL PRO Playoffs.

Results table

Color Key: Home Away Win Loss Draw
ClubMatch
123456789101112131415161718192021222324
Antigua Barracuda FC
(ANT)
LABSPRSPRPRURPPLABRPPRPPROCCHEROCROCORLORLORLNEWPITWILWILRICLABLABLABLAB
1–20–13–27–01–01–02–01–00–20–21–22–22–11–31–20–20–20–12–30–12–11–21–13–0
Charleston Battery
(CHB)
CHEDAYRICCHEPITPITROCNEWWILRICHARNEWHARDAYWILPITLABORLWILDAYROCORLORLCHE
1–02–11–22–10–00–00–10–10–32–12–11–10–11–02–00–20–01–02–12–20–10–11–24–3
Charlotte Eagles
(CHE)
CHBORLNEWCHBLABLABANTDAYORLWILDAYPITHARNEWRICRICHARWILWILROCROCPITHARCHB
0–10–10–01–21–22–12–01–10–03–02–02–00–43–12–11–21–11–00–32–23–02–20–13–4
Dayton Dutch Lions
(DAY)
CHBROCRICORLLABCHEPITHARNEWCHBCHEROCRICORLHARLABLABPITCHBHARNEWRICNEWWIL
1–22–30–60–11–11–12–11–40–30–10–20–11–30–02–21–11–41–32–22–32–00–30–51–2
FC New York
(NEW)
ORLCHEORLHARCHBWILPITRICROCCHEDAYRICHARRICANTCHEROCPITPITWILDAYHARROCDAY
0–30–01–21–11–01–30–22–22–11–13–00–21–50–02–01–31–31–21–11–31–20–02–15–0
Harrisburg City Islanders
(HAR)
PITNEWROCRICORLCHBPITCHBDAYROCRICLABLABCHEDAYCHEWILNEWLABDAYWILNEWCHEORL
0–11–11–01–11–31–24–21–04–10–11–01–12–14–02–21–11–35–11–13–22–10–01–00–4
Los Angeles Blues
(LAB)
SPRANTPRURPPANTCHECHEDAYPITHARHARCHBWILDAYDAYRICHARANTANTANTWILANTRICRIC
3–02–14–21–10–12–11–21–13–01–11–20–02–41–14–12–11–11–22–11–11–20–30–00–0
Orlando City SC
(ORL)
RICNEWCHEPRUNEWDAYPITROCHARRICCHEWILANTWILANTANTPITROCDAYCHBROCCHBCHB HAR
0–23–01–02–22–11–01–00–03–12–00–04–21–21–13–12–10–01–00–00–12–11–02–14–0
Pittsburgh Riverhounds
(PIT)
RICHARWILCHBCHBORLNEWLABWILHARDAYWILROCCHECHBORLANT NEWNEWDAYROCRICCHEROC
1–21–01–30–00–00–12–00–30–02–41–21–30–30–22–00–02–02–11–13–10–32–02–20–1
Richmond Kickers
(RIC)
ORLPITROCCHBDAYWILHARCHBORLNEWNEWHARNEWROCDAY CHECHEANTLABPITDAYWILLABLAB
2–02–11–02–16–02–11–11–20–22–22–00–10–01–23–11–22–11–01–20–23–02–00–00–0
Rochester Rhinos
(ROC)
RICWILDAYHARCHBANTORLWILNEWANTANTHARPITDAYRICORLNEWORLPITCHECHBCHENEWPIT
0–10–13–20–11–02–00–01–11–22–12–21–03–01–02–10–13–11–23–02–21–00–31–20–1
Wilmington Hammerheads
(WIL)
ROCPITRICNEWCHBROCPITORLPITCHEORLCHBLABANTANTCHBHARCHECHENEWHARLABRICDAY
1–03–11–23–13–01–10–02–43–10–31–10–24–21–03–21–23–10–13–03–12–12–10–22–1
Puerto Rican Teams: Puerto Rico United – PRURiver Plate Puerto Rico – RPPSevilla FC Puerto Rico – SPR

† Puerto Rican teams were removed from USL Pro League on 10 May. All results against them that took place to that date were kept and future games were rescheduled amongst the remaining teams.

Average home attendances

Ranked from highest to lowest average attendance.

TeamGPTotalHighLowAverage
Orlando City SC 1263,1857,9331,3215,265
Rochester Rhinos 1261,6517,4593,0275,138
Wilmington Hammerheads 1247,1175,7831,9243,926
Charleston Battery 1242,8194,7712,4613,568
Richmond Kickers 1223,8274,7427431,986
Antigua Barracuda 1218,9116,0005001,576
Harrisburg City Islanders 1216,8452,0388381,404
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 1213,5552,0356241,130
Charlotte Eagles 1212,3391,3528541,028
FC New York 129,9632,011338972
Dayton Dutch Lions 127,9292,000262661
Los Angeles Blues 124,456704105371
Total144322,5977,9331052,240

Playoffs

The top four teams in each division at the end of the regular season qualified for a single-elimination playoff for the USL Pro Championship. The championship match was played at 7:00 pm on Saturday, September 3, and saw Orlando City SC defeat the Harrisburg City Islanders in a penalty shootout. Orlando City SC earned the right to host the championship match by virtue of their better regular-season record.

Divisional Semifinals Divisional Finals USL PRO Championship
         
A1 Orlando City SC (a.e.t.)3
A4 Charleston Battery 1
A1 Orlando City SC 3
American Division
A3 Richmond Kickers 0
A2 Wilmington Hammerheads 0 (4)
A3 Richmond Kickers (p)0 (5)
A1 Orlando City SC (p)2 (3)
N2 Harrisburg City Islanders 2 (2)
N1 Rochester Rhinos 4
N4 Pittsburgh Riverhounds 0
N1 Rochester Rhinos 1
National Division
N2 Harrisburg City Islanders 2
N2 Harrisburg City Islanders 3
N3 Los Angeles Blues 2
August 19, 2011 (2011-08-19)QF Harrisburg City Islanders 3–2 Los Angeles Blues Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
7:30 pm EDT Bloes Yellow card.svg 5'
Welker Soccerball shade.svg34', 39'
Ombiji Soccerball shade.svg52'
Pelletier Yellow card.svg 62' Yellow-red card.svg 66'
Report Tudela Soccerball shade.svg11'Yellow card.svg 61'
Dastan Yellow card.svg 33'
García Soccerball shade.svg45+'Yellow card.svg 72'
Rivera Yellow card.svg 58'
Sesay Yellow card.svg 61'
Stadium: Skyline Sports Complex
Attendance: 1,033
Referee: Michael Donovan
August 19, 2011 (2011-08-19)QF Rochester Rhinos 4–0 Pittsburgh Riverhounds Rochester, New York
7:30 pm EDT Rosenlund Soccerball shade.svg10'
Donatelli Soccerball shade.svg28'
Kissi Soccerball shade.svg47'
Cost Soccerball shade.svg85'
Report Stadium: Sahlen's Stadium
Attendance: 3,273
Referee: Robert Sigiba
August 19, 2011 (2011-08-19)QF Wilmington Hammerheads 0–0 (a.e.t.)
(4–5 p)
Richmond Kickers Wilmington, North Carolina
7:30 pm EDT Nicholson Yellow card.svg 49'
Parratt Yellow card.svg 99'
Report Heins Yellow card.svg 47'
Görres Yellow card.svg 100'
Stadium: Legion Field
Attendance: 3,849
Referee: Moo Hackett
Penalties
Budnyi Soccerball shad check.svg
Jata Soccerball shad check.svg
Barrera Soccerball shad check.svg
Cuero Soccerball shad check.svg
Bagley [8] Soccerball shade cross.svg
Soccerball shad check.svg Görres
Soccerball shad check.svg Bulow
Soccerball shad check.svg Hiroyama
Soccerball shad check.svg Delicâte
Soccerball shad check.svg Bangura
August 20, 2011 (2011-08-20)QF Orlando City SC 3–1 (a.e.t.) Charleston Battery Orlando, Florida
7:30 pm EDT Griffin Soccerball shade.svg44'
Chin Soccerball shade.svg100'
Neal Soccerball shade.svg118'
Report Wiltse Yellow card.svg 34'
Kelly Yellow card.svg 59' Yellow-red card.svg 102'
Paterson Soccerball shade.svg64'
Falvey Yellow card.svg 102'
Peverley Yellow card.svg 120'
Stadium: Citrus Bowl
Attendance: 7,609
Referee: Rob Mauws
August 26, 2011 (2011-08-26)SF Rochester Rhinos 1–2 Harrisburg City Islanders Rochester, New York
7:30 pm EDT Donatelli Red card.svg 27'
Kissi Soccerball shade.svg45'
Kirk Yellow card.svg 51'
Report Basso Soccerball shade.svg6'
Marshall Red card.svg 27'
Calvano Yellow card.svg 34'
Schofield Soccerball shade.svg38'Yellow card.svg 80'
Ombiji Red card.svg 42'
Stadium: Sahlen's Stadium
Attendance: 3,598
Referee: Jose Carlos Rivero
August 27, 2011 (2011-08-27)SF Orlando City SC 3–0 Richmond Kickers Orlando, Florida
7:30 pm EDT Boden Soccerball shade.svg19'
Jérôme Soccerball shade.svg45+2'
Chin Soccerball shade.svg70'
Report Wallace Yellow card.svg 3'
Kalungi Red card.svg 89'
Stadium: Citrus Bowl
Attendance: 8,304
Referee: Andres Pfefferkorn
September 3, 2011 (2011-09-03)F Orlando City SC 2–2 (a.e.t.)
(3–2 p)
Harrisburg City Islanders Orlando, Florida
7:00 pm EDT Gallardo Red card.svg 48'
Molino Yellow card.svg 64'
Olum Soccerball shade.svg89'
Boden Yellow card.svg 110'
Neal Soccerball shade.svg116' (pen.)
Report Basso Yellow card.svg 5'
Pelletier Yellow card.svg 45+'
Welker Yellow card.svg 77'
Harrison Yellow card.svg 90+'
Noone Soccerball shade.svg90+5'
Touray Soccerball shade.svg95'
Langley Yellow card.svg 111'
Bloes Red card.svg 113'
Stadium: Citrus Bowl
Attendance: 11,220
Referee: Matt Foerster
Penalties
Neal Soccerball shad check.svg
Álvarez Soccerball shad check.svg
Campbell Soccerball shade cross.svg
Boden Soccerball shade cross.svg
Jorsling Soccerball shad check.svg [9]
Soccerball shade cross.svg Becerra
Soccerball shade cross.svg Angulo
Soccerball shad check.svg Noone
Soccerball shad check.svg Basso
Soccerball shade cross.svg Touray

Championship Game MVP: Sean Kelley (ORL)

Statistical leaders

Top Goalkeepers

(Minimum of 1080 Minutes Played)

RankGoalkeeperClubGPMINSSVSGAGAAW-L-TSHO
1 Flag of Mexico.svg Miguel Gallardo Orlando City SC 22198068150.68112-3-611
2 Flag of the United States.svg Andrew Dykstra Charleston Battery 13117030110.8467-4-25
3 Flag of the United States.svg Ronnie Pascale Richmond Kickers 23207064210.91312-7-49
4 Flag of the United States.svg Neal Kitson Rochester Rhinos 23207076220.95612-7-49
5 Flag of the United States.svg Brock Duckworth Wilmington Hammerheads 18162071461.16611-5-24
6 Flag of Mexico.svg Óscar Dautt Los Angeles Blues 20180077531.2006-6-85
7 Flag of the United States.svg Eric Reed Charlotte Eagles 24216081291.2089-9-68
8 Flag of Antigua and Barbuda.svg Keita de Castro Antigua Barracuda 19171058231.2108-8-15
9 Flag of the United States.svg Chase Harrison Harrisburg City Islanders 20180059261.3008-6-65
10 Flag of the United States.svg Hunter Gilstrap Pittsburgh Riverhounds 23207098301.3047-11-59

Source: [10]

League awards

[11]

All-League Teams

[12]

First Team

F: Jhonny Arteaga (NEW), Matthew Delicâte (CHB), Maxwell Griffin (ORL)
M: Yordany Álvarez (ORL), Jorge Herrera (CHE), Luke Mulholland (WIL)
D: Nelson Akwari (LAB), Gareth Evans (WIL), Rob Valentino (ORL), William Yomby (RIC)
G: Miguel Gallardo (ORL)

Second Team

F: José Angulo (HAR), George Davis IV (DAY), Jason Yeisley (PIT)
M: Lewis Neal (ORL), Lawson Robinson (ANT), Jamie Watson (ORL)
D: George Dublin (ANT), Colin Falvey (CHB), Kyle Hoffer (NEW), Troy Roberts (ROC)
G: Neal Kitson (ROC)

References

  1. Litterer, Dave (October 23, 2003). "The Year in American Soccer – 1986". The American Soccer Archives. Archived from the original on July 8, 2015. Retrieved April 9, 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 Opening Round Of USL PRO Playoffs Set, archived from the original on May 24, 2012, retrieved August 15, 2011
  3. 1 2 3 "USL PRO Postseason Format Unveiled". USL PRO. Demosphere. January 24, 2011. Archived from the original on January 29, 2011. Retrieved January 25, 2011.
  4. "USL reforms Agreement with PRSL". United Soccer Leagues. May 10, 2011. Archived from the original on May 14, 2011. Retrieved May 10, 2011.
  5. "Shaw to Captain F.C. New York". F.C. New York . April 8, 2011. Retrieved April 25, 2011.
  6. See Rule 2.11 League Regulations Archived October 13, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  7. See Rule 2.11 League Regulations
  8. "Kickers Beat Hammerheads In Shootout". Archived from the original on May 24, 2012. Retrieved August 20, 2011.
  9. "Orlando Takes Victory In Shootout". Archived from the original on May 24, 2012. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
  10. 1 2 3 "USL PRO – Top 10 Stats Leaders". Archived from the original on July 16, 2013. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
  11. "USL PRO Awards Winners Announced". United Soccer Leagues. September 2, 2011. Archived from the original on May 27, 2012. Retrieved September 9, 2013.
  12. "USL PRO All-League Teams Announced". United Soccer Leagues. August 30, 2011. Archived from the original on May 25, 2013. Retrieved September 2, 2015.