By Simon Fudge/whitecapsfc.com
Austin Aztex returned to the summit of the USSF D-2 Pro League after winning their latest league contest over the weekend.
The Texas club are in a battle with USL Conference rivals Rochester Rhinos for the top playoff seed in the league, as the regular season in USSF D-2 nears its conclusion. Carolina RailHawks are within touching distance of NASL Conference leaders Vancouver Whitecaps FC, while Athletic Club of St. Louis boosted their hopes of reaching the postseason with a important weekend victory.
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Action started on Thursday night in Oregon, as a PGE Park crowd of 15,418 saw Portland Timbers extend their unbeaten streak to six matches with a late
1-0 victory
over USL Conference rivals Puerto Rico Islanders. Ryan Pore struck his league-leading 15th goal of the season to give Gavin Wilkinson's side victory.
The lone game on Friday saw Carolina close the gap on NASL conference leaders Vancouver with a
3-0 home win
over struggling Crystal Palace Baltimore. Daniel Paladini, an Allan Russell penalty, and Tom Heinemann had the goals for the RailHawks at WakeMed Soccer Park.
On Saturday, Austin returned to the top of the USL Conference standings following a
2-0 home win
over NSC Minnesota Stars. English striker Eddie Johnson took his goal tally for the season to 13 with a pair of strikes at House Park.
There were two matches on Sunday, with AC St. Louis moving to within two points of the playoff spots after a vital
3-1 win
at home to struggling Miami FC. Brad Stisser, Mike Ambersley, and a Martyn Lancaster own-goal gave the Missouri outfit all three points at the Anheuser-Busch Center. Abe Thompson scored a consolation goal for the Blues. On the west coast, Whitecaps FC were left frustrated in a goalless home draw versus Puerto Rico, despite outshooting the Islanders 12 to four at Swangard Stadium.