2009 USL Quarterfinal Playoffs

The final three matches of the quarterfinals begins today. These games are do or die situations, with the fate of the whole season on the line. Most importantly we will know who Portland will face in the semifinals. All the games will be on USLlive.com and the Charleston game will be on Fox Soccer Channel at five.

#7 Vancouver Whitecaps at #2 Carolina RailHawks

Sept 27 2:00 PM

Its a sunny day in Raleigh, 80 degrees, partly cloudy, no rain, great afternoon for a soccer match. Let's go Caps.

Man, this was supposed to be a 2pm kickoff, what happened? They're really taking their sweet time getting things started.

Vancouver goes into the "2nd half" of this series with a one goal lead at 1-0. Should be a real battle. Vancouver will have their hands full trying to stop the Railhawks offensive attack. Carolina is a much better team at home with 32 GF, 8 GA.

Ok, kick off, match underway.

Over a half-hour later than they said on usl.com, very annoying.

90+ minutes to play, Vancouver up 1-0

Carolina attacking from the start, really pressing.

Back and forth action, both teams getting good looks.
Carolina's Daniel Paladini gets tripped up in the box, drawing a pk kick
Paladini's PK kick denied by Caps keeper Jay Nolly! Wow, nice save!
0-0 at halftime.
Vancouver still up 1-0 overall on the series.

2nd half - go.

Vancouver controlling possession in the 2nd half. Looking very solid.

Railhawks almost score on counter, loft a shot over Nolly's head, but offsides!

66 mins done, still nil-nil

Note: Attendance at WakeMed Soccer Park, very poor, but the small amount fans there are a spirited bunch.

About 15 minutes to go, its getting heated.

Carolina taking back control, a few nice runs. They're really trying to force the action now, they know they're season is on the line.

The Caps doing a good job fending off the Railhawks attacks and getting some of their own shots own goal as well.

5 minutes away from a Portland vs Vancouver semi-final.

Stoppage Time - 5 minutes, wow, Railhawks needed that.

Ref added 1 more mintute! Carolina loading the box, getting some close opportunites.

It's over! Final score 0-0. Vancouver wins the series overall 1-0.

#5 Montreal at #4 Charleston
Sept 27 5:00 pm
Live on Fox Soccer Channel

Match underway. I missed most of the first half.

It's 1-1 now, about 2 minutes left until halftime.

Halftime score: 1-1 Montreal leads aggregate score overall 3-1

Montreal scores another goal, they lead 2-1.

About 10+ minutes left in this one.

Stick a fork in this one. The Battery need at least 3 goals to get back into this one.

It's Final - Montreal wins 2-1 and win the series overall 4-1.

They'll now meet Puerto Rico in the Semi Finals.

#6 Rochester at #3 Puerto Rico
Sept 27 3:00 pm

81 degrees, a hot and humid afternoon,

30% chance of percipitation in Bayamon, PR

They've kicked off and started things at Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium

The Rhinos won the last game 2-1 at Rochester.

Puerto Rico has scored twice already.

Forwards Nicholas Adderly and Fabrice Noel each putting in a goal.

Puerto Rico leads 2-0 and overall now are up 3-2.

They've reached halftime. Still, 2-0 PR

The Rhinos look tired, need to step up their intensity level.

Would need a big turnaround to comeback and score 2 more goals against PR.

2nd half started.

Puerto Rico dominating the 2nd half. Rhinos look unenthusiastic and are almost playing like the series is over already.

80th minute - the inevitable, Fabrice Noel scores again, making a nice run into the box.

That should do it. Puerto Rico is going to advance. Rochester looks like a defeated team, they're tired perhaps, but effort seems to be lacking.

Rhinos sneak a goal in.

The Islanders pouring it on now.

Nick Adderly also scores his 2nd goal of the game.

Stoppage time - 4 minutes.

Final: Puerto Rico 4 Rochester 1

Overall Puerto Rico wins the series 5-3

Puerto Rico will meet Montreal in the Semi-finals.