By Simon Fudge/whitecapsfc.com
Austin Aztex and Vancouver Whitecaps FC continue to lead the way in their respective conferences following the latest weekend of action in the USSF D-2 Pro League.
Both the Aztex and Whitecaps claimed wins in their latest matches, while Crystal Palace Baltimore had a productive week at home and on the road.
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The action started with four matches on Wednesday. In Maryland, Baltimore held Rochester Rhinos to a
goalless home draw
, despite having striker Randi Patterson sent off late in the match at the Maryland SportsPlex. In Quebec, Montreal Impact snapped a three-match losing streak with a
1-0 home win
over Carolina RailHawks. Peter Byers' second-half goal brought Carolina's eight-match unbeaten run to an end at Stade Saputo.
Meanwhile, NSC Minnesota Stars came from two goals down to earn a
2-2 draw
at home to Athletic Club of St. Louis. Jeff Cosgriff and Chris Salvaggione had put St. Louis in front, but late goals by Minnesota's Brian Cvilikas and Gelson Moura meant the points were shared in an entertaining contest at the National Sports Center Stadium. In Vancouver, the Whitecaps extended their lead at the top of the NASL Conference standings after a 3-1 victory over struggling Miami FC. A hat-trick by Blake Wagner led the 'Caps to a convincing win, with Brian Shriver scoring a consolation goal for the Blues at Swangard Stadium.
The lone match on Thursday saw FC Tampa Bay Rowdies
draw 0-0
at home to Puerto Rico Islanders. Tampa Bay are now winless in seven league matches.
There were three games on Saturday, with Carolina bouncing back from defeat in Montreal to
win 1-0
at Rochester. Sallieu Bundu scored the RailHawks' winner at Marina Auto Stadium in Upstate New York. In South Florida, Miami FC came from a goal down to
draw 1-1
with Puerto Rico at Lockhart Stadium. Paulo Araujo Jr.'s late equalizer cancelled out Nicholas Addlery's strike for the Islanders in Fort Lauderdale. Meanwhile, in Texas, Austin got goals from Jamie Watson and Maxwell Griffin to defeat AC St. Louis
2-0
. The Missouri outfit also had Cosgriff sent off in the first half at House Park.
The lone match on Sunday saw Baltimore come from a goal down to beat the Impact
2-1
in Montreal. Though Leonardo Di Lorenzo scored in his 100th regular season start for the Quebec-based club, Palace claimed victory at Stade Saputo with goals by Gary Brooks and Andrew Marshall. The Impact have now recorded just one win in their last seven league matches.