By Simon Fudge/whitecapsfc.com
Three USL Conference clubs lead the way following the latest weekend of action in the USSF D-2 Pro League.
Portland Timbers, Austin Aztex, and Rochester Rhinos have set the early pace in USSF D-2, with the newly-formed league now heading into its first full month of the season.
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Action began on Wednesday night, with the Rhinos claiming a second straight victory of 2010 after a
3-0 win
at NSC Minnesota Stars. Two goals in the space of three first-half minutes from Rich Costanzo and Tino Nunez gave Bob Lilley's side a two-goal halftime lead at Minnesota's National Sports Center (NSC) Stadium. Nunez scored again shortly after the break to secure all three points for visiting Rochester.
Thursday night saw the first of four regular season meetings between two Major League Soccer-bound clubs, with the Timbers earning a late strike from Ryan Pore to defeat Pacific Northwest rivals Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1 at Portland's PGE Park. Pore had given the City of Roses outfit an early lead before Nelson Akwari struck his first goal for the 'Caps to level matters. Portland finished the match with ten men after defender Mamadou Danso was sent off for two bookable offences.
There were five games on Saturday, with two NASL Conference clubs earning their first wins of the season. One of those clubs was Montreal Impact, who got a second-half strike from Portuguese midfielder Filipe Soares to earn a
1-0 win
at home to Puerto Rico Islanders. In Missouri, Athletic Club of St. Louis recorded their first win as a professional soccer club after a
1-0 victory
over winless Crystal Palace Baltimore. Manuel Kante scored the match winner just 52 seconds into the contest at St. Louis' Anheuser-Busch Soccer Park. Austin Aztex returned to winning ways after a
2-1 victory
at NSC Minnesota Stars. Late goals by Eddie Johnson and Jamie Watson cancelled out Brian Cvilikas' first-half strike for the Stars at NSC Stadium, with Minnesota playing the second half with ten men after Daniel Wasson was sent off for a professional foul just before halftime.
Saturday also saw the first South Florida derby of the season, with FC Tampa Bay Rowdies earning a
1-1 draw
at Coastal Cup rivals Miami FC. Julian Valentin equalized for the Rowdies after Christian Gomez had given the Blues the lead late in the first half at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It was a third-straight draw to start the 2010 season for Miami FC. Finally, in Upstate New York, the Rhinos had to settle for a
1-1 draw
with Carolina RailHawks in their home opener at Rochester's Marina Auto Stadium.