By Simon Fudge/whitecapsfc.com
Rochester Rhinos became the new leaders of the USL Conference following the latest round of action in the USSF D-2 Pro League.
Bob Lilley's side made it two wins from two, as the Upstate New York club took advantage of Austin Aztex's weekend slip-up to become the top overall club in the league.
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The action started with four matches on Wednesday night. In the Caribbean, a late goal by former Whitecaps midfielder Ricardo Sanchez gave FC Tampa Bay Rowdies a
1-1 away draw
with Puerto Rico Islanders. Former 'Caps striker Josh Hansen scored for 'La Tropa Naranja'. In Carolina, Rochester got goals from Vancouver native Tyler Rosenlund and substitute Ryan Heins in a
2-0 away win
over the RailHawks.
In Quebec, Montreal Impact's woes continued, as they were left frustrated by a
goalless draw
with NASL Conference rivals Crystal Palace Baltimore. Despite out-shooting the Maryland club 24 to seven, Palace goalkeeper Evan Bush made 13 saves to help ten-man Baltimore claim an important away point at Stade Saputo. In Oregon, NSC Minnesota Stars
drew 2-2
with hosts Portland Timbers. Ely Allen and substitute Simone Bracalello scored for Minnesota, while Bright Dike and Ryan Pore found the scoresheet for the Timbers.
Saturday saw all 12 USSF D-2 clubs in action, with Puerto Rico earning the result of the night after a
2-0 home win
over high-flying Austin. Goals by David Foley and Keon Daniel resulted in the Aztex's first defeat away from home this season, and their first loss in the league since June 12. In South Florida, the Rowdies claimed the Coastal Cup after an entertaining
3-3 draw
with Miami FC. Chukwudi Chijindu, Danilo Martins, and Martin Nunez scored the Blues, while FC Tampa Bay struck back with goals from on-loan Maykel Galindo, Aaron King, and a Miami FC own-goal at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
In Maryland, Baltimore boosted their chances of earning a playoff spot with a
2-1 victory
at home to Carolina RailHawks. Gary Brooks and Tsuyoshi Yoshitake scored for Palace, who dented Carolina's hopes of catching NASL Conference leaders Vancouver Whitecaps FC with their win. Substitute Matt Watson scored a consolation goal for the RailHawks. Carolina's defeat allowed the Whitecaps to extend their NASL Conference lead to 10 points with an important 1-0 victory over the Stars in Minnesota. Captain Martin Nash's first-half strike extended Vancouver's unbeaten run in the league to five matches and away streak to nine games.
In Rochester, the Rhinos leapfrogged Austin in the USL Conference standings after a
2-1 home win
over strugglers Montreal. Frankie Sanfilippo gave the Rhinos the lead at Marina Auto Stadium before former Whitecaps striker Eduardo Sebrango equalized for the Impact. Rochester claimed victory through Isaac Kissi in the dying stages to extend their unbeaten run to four matches. Montreal are now winless in five games. Finally, in Missouri, Portland got a goal from Dike to earn a
1-0 win
at Athletic Club of St. Louis.