Expansion news for the United Soccer League simmered down a bit this past week. As luck would have it that was just in time for the USL playoffs to start producing on-field drama instead.
Last weekend’s first round saw much-favored and regular season points champs, Real Monarchs of Salt Lake City, eliminated by a suddenly resurgent side from Sacramento. Eastern Conference number 1, Louisville City FC, on the other hand, exercised their own home-field advantage to the maximum. They will play host to Rochester Rhinos this weekend. (see the final slide below)
In the other first round matches, Tampa Bay Rowdies excused pretenders FC Cincinnati, while NY Red Bulls II overachieved to easily oust Eastern Conference runners-up, Charleston Battery.