The 2011 USL Pro season was the 25th season of third-division soccer in the United States,[1] and was the inaugural season of the United Soccer Leagues' (USL) new professional competition. The league is effectively a combination of the USL's former First and Second Divisions.

USL Pro
Season2011
ChampionsOrlando City SC
Commissioner's CupOrlando City SC
Matches played108
Goals scored273 (2.53 per match)
Top goalscorerJhonny Arteaga (13)
Biggest home winHAR 4, CHE 0
(July 2)
HAR 5, NEW 1
(July 20)
ORL 4, HAR 0
(August 12)
Biggest away winANT 7, PRU 0
(April 27)
Highest scoringANT 7, PRU 0
(April 27)
CHB 4, CHE 3
(August 12)
Longest winning run6 games:
RIC (April 2 – 7 May)
ANT (April 23 – 8 May)
Longest unbeaten run11 games:
ORL (April 9 – June 4)
Longest winless run13 games:
DDL (June 8 – July 27)
Longest losing run7 games:
ANT (June 24 – July 16)
Highest attendance11,220
ORL vs HAR
(September 3) (Championship)
Lowest attendance105
LAB vs PRU (April 20)
Average attendance2,274
2012

Following the conclusion of the regular season in August, a postseason tournament, known as the USL Pro Playoffs, took place between the top eight clubs during the season. The quarterfinals was played between August 19–20,[2] the semifinals between August 26–28,[2] and the championship took place on September 3.[2]

Teams

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USL Pro was initially set to feature 15 clubs that would be aligned into three conferences of five clubs: the "American", "National" and "International" conferences. The league announced that each club would play an unbalanced schedule with a total of 24 matches.[3] Initially, the International Division clubs were intended to play each other four times, twice home and twice away, with four games apiece at home and away against competition from the American and National Divisions.[3] The American and National Division clubs were intended to play each other twice: home and away, regardless of division.[3]

Original Divisional Alignment
American Division Charleston Battery, Charlotte Eagles, Orlando City SC, Richmond Kickers, Wilmington Hammerheads
National Division Dayton Dutch Lions, F.C. New York, Harrisburg City Islanders, Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Rochester Rhinos
International Division Antigua Barracuda, Los Angeles Blues, Puerto Rico United, River Plate Puerto Rico, Sevilla FC Puerto Rico

However, on May 10, 2011, the USL formally removed the three Puerto Rico Soccer League teams and announced that all remaining teams would continue to play a 24-game schedule.[4]

Stadiums and Locations

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Team Location Stadium Capacity
Antigua Barracuda St. John's, Antigua Stanford Cricket Ground 5,000
Charleston Battery Charleston, South Carolina Blackbaud Stadium 5,100
Charlotte Eagles Charlotte, North Carolina Restart Field 2,000
Dayton Dutch Lions Bellbrook, Ohio Miami Valley South Stadium 3,000
F.C. New York Jamaica, New York Belson Stadium 2,600
Harrisburg City Islanders Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Skyline Sports Complex 5,000
Los Angeles Blues Fullerton, California Titan Stadium 10,000
Orlando City SC Orlando, Florida Citrus Bowl 65,438
Pittsburgh Riverhounds Bridgeville, Pennsylvania Chartiers Valley High School 2,500
Richmond Kickers Richmond, Virginia City Stadium 22,000
Rochester Rhinos Rochester, New York Sahlen's Stadium 13,768
Wilmington Hammerheads Wilmington, North Carolina Legion Stadium 6,000

Personnel and Kits

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Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players and Managers may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Team Head Coach Captain Jersey manufacturer Shirt sponsor
Antigua Barracuda   Billy McEwan   Dave Carr Joma
Charleston Battery   Michael Anhaeuser   Stephen Armstrong Umbro avVenta
Charlotte Eagles   Mark Steffens   Josh Rife Puma Coca-Cola
Dayton Dutch Lions   Ivar van Dinteren   Bret Jones Under Armour Scoutforall.com
F.C. New York   Matt Weston   Paul Shaw[5] Umbro Treiber
Harrisburg City Islanders   Bill Becher Nike Capital Blue Cross/Snickers
Los Angeles Blues   Charlie Naimo   Shahryar Dastan Nike Marriott
Orlando City SC   Adrian Heath   Ian Fuller Umbro Orlando Health
Pittsburgh Riverhounds   Justin Evans Umbro #1 Cochran
Richmond Kickers   Leigh Cowlishaw Adidas HCA Virginia
Rochester Rhinos   Bob Lilley Umbro Non-Smoking Coalition
Wilmington Hammerheads   David Irving Umbro New Hanover Regional Medical Center

Standings

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American Division

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Pos Team Pld W T L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Orlando City SC (C) 24 15 6 3 36 16 +20 51 2011 USL Pro Commissioner's Cup, 2011 USL Pro Playoffs
2 Wilmington Hammerheads (A) 24 14 3 7 42 30 +12 45 2011 USL Pro Playoffs[a]
3 Richmond Kickers (A) 24 12 5 7 35 21 +14 41
4 Charleston Battery (A) 24 10 5 9 24 25 −1 35
5 Charlotte Eagles 24 9 6 9 32 29 +3 33
6 Antigua Barracuda 24 9 2 13 32 32 0 29
Source: USL Pro official standings
Rules for classification: Points, then tiebreak: 1) Head-to-head record based on total points in League games, 2) Total wins in League games, 3) Goal difference in League games, 4) Goals scored in League games, etc.[6]
(A) Advances to USL Pro Playoffs; (C) Commissioner's Cup (best regular season record)
Notes:
  1. ^ The top four clubs in each division are guaranteed spots in the 2011 USL Pro Playoffs.

National Division

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Pos Team Pld W T L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Rochester Rhinos (A) 24 12 4 8 31 23 +8 40 2011 USL PRO Playoffs[a]
2 Harrisburg City Islanders (A) 24 10 7 7 37 30 +7 37
3 Los Angeles Blues (A) 24 8 9 7 34 29 +5 33
4 Pittsburgh Riverhounds (A) 24 7 6 11 23 32 −9 27
5 F.C. New York 24 6 7 11 27 37 −10 25
6 Dayton Dutch Lions 24 2 6 16 21 54 −33 12
Source: USL Pro official standings
Rules for classification: Points, then tiebreak: 1) Head-to-head record based on total points in League games, 2) Total wins in League games, 3) Goal difference in League games, 4) Goals scored in League games, etc.[7]
(A) Advances to USL Pro Playoffs
Notes:
  1. ^ The top four clubs in each division are guaranteed spots in the 2011 USL PRO Playoffs.

Results table

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Abbreviation and Color Key:
Antigua Barracuda FC – ANT • Charleston Battery – CHB • Charlotte Eagles – CHE • Dayton Dutch Lions – DDL
FC New York – NEW • Los Angeles Blues – LAB • Harrisburg City Islanders – HAR • Orlando City SC – ORL
Pittsburgh Riverhounds – PIT • Richmond Kickers – RIC • Rochester Rhinos – ROC • Wilmington Hammerheads – WIL
Puerto Rico United – PRURiver Plate Puerto Rico – RPPSevilla FC Puerto Rico – SPR

Home  • Away  • Win  • Loss  • Draw

Club Match
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Antigua Barracuda FC LAB SPR SPR PRU RPP LAB RPP RPP ROC CHE ROC ROC ORL ORL ORL NEW PIT WIL WIL RIC LAB LAB LAB LAB
1–2 0–1 3–2 7–0 1–0 1–0 2–0 1–0 0–2 0–2 1–2 2–2 2–1 1–3 1–2 0–2 0–2 0–1 2–3 0–1 2–1 1–2 1–1 3–0
Charleston Battery CHE DAY RIC CHE PIT PIT ROC NEW WIL RIC HAR NEW HAR DAY WIL PIT LAB ORL WIL DAY ROC ORL ORL CHE
1–0 2–1 1–2 2–1 0–0 0–0 0–1 0–1 0–3 2–1 2–1 1–1 0–1 1–0 2–0 0–2 0–0 1–0 2–1 2–2 0–1 0–1 1–2 4–3
Charlotte Eagles CHB ORL NEW CHB LAB LAB ANT DAY ORL WIL DAY PIT HAR NEW RIC RIC HAR WIL WIL ROC ROC PIT HAR CHB
0–1 0–1 0–0 1–2 1–2 2–1 2–0 1–1 0–0 3–0 2–0 2–0 0–4 3–1 2–1 1–2 1–1 1–0 0–3 2–2 3–0 2–2 0–1 3–4
Dayton Dutch Lions CHB ROC RIC ORL LAB CHE PIT HAR NEW CHB CHE ROC RIC ORL HAR LAB LAB PIT CHB HAR NEW RIC NEW WIL
1–2 2–3 0–6 0–1 1–1 1–1 2–1 1–4 0–3 0–1 0–2 0–1 1–3 0–0 2–2 1–1 1–4 1–3 2–2 2–3 2–0 0–3 0–5 1–2
FC New York ORL CHE ORL HAR CHB WIL PIT RIC ROC CHE DAY RIC HAR RIC ANT CHE ROC PIT PIT WIL DAY HAR ROC DAY
0–3 0–0 1–2 1–1 1–0 1–3 0–2 2–2 2–1 1–1 3–0 0–2 1–5 0–0 2–0 1–3 1–3 1–2 1–1 1–3 1–2 0–0 2–1 5–0
Harrisburg City Islanders PIT NEW ROC RIC ORL CHB PIT CHB DAY ROC RIC LAB LAB CHE DAY CHE WIL NEW LAB DAY WIL NEW CHE ORL
0–1 1–1 1–0 1–1 1–3 1–2 4–2 1–0 4–1 0–1 1–0 1–1 2–1 4–0 2–2 1–1 1–3 5–1 1–1 3–2 2–1 0–0 1–0 0–4
Los Angeles Blues SPR ANT PRU RPP ANT CHE CHE DAY PIT HAR HAR CHB WIL DAY DAY RIC HAR ANT ANT ANT WIL ANT RIC RIC
3–0 2–1 4–2 1–1 0–1 2–1 1–2 1–1 3–0 1–1 1–2 0–0 2–4 1–1 4–1 2–1 1–1 1–2 2–1 1–1 1–2 0–3 0–0 0–0
Orlando City SC RIC NEW CHE PRU NEW DAY PIT ROC HAR RIC CHE WIL ANT WIL ANT ANT PIT ROC DAY CHB ROC CHB CHB HAR
0–2 3–0 1–0 2–2 2–1 1–0 1–0 0–0 3–1 2–0 0–0 4–2 1–2 1–1 3–1 2–1 0–0 1–0 0–0 0–1 2–1 1–0 2–1 4–0
Pittsburgh Riverhounds RIC HAR WIL CHB CHB ORL NEW LAB WIL HAR DAY WIL ROC CHE CHB ORL ANT NEW NEW DAY ROC RIC CHE ROC
1–2 1–0 1–3 0–0 0–0 0–1 2–0 0–3 0–0 2–4 1–2 1–3 0–3 0–2 2–0 0–0 2–0 2–1 1–1 3–1 0–3 2–0 2–2 0–1
Richmond Kickers ORL PIT ROC CHB DAY WIL HAR CHB ORL NEW NEW HAR NEW ROC DAY CHE CHE ANT LAB PIT DAY WIL LAB LAB
2–0 2–1 1–0 2–1 6–0 2–1 1–1 1–2 0–2 2–2 2–0 0–1 0–0 1–2 3–1 1–2 2–1 1–0 1–2 0–2 3–0 2–0 0–0 0–0
Rochester Rhinos RIC WIL DAY HAR CHB ANT ORL WIL NEW ANT ANT HAR PIT DAY RIC ORL NEW ORL PIT CHE CHB CHE NEW PIT
0–1 0–1 3–2 0–1 1–0 2–0 0–0 1–1 1–2 2–1 2–2 1–0 3–0 1–0 2–1 0–1 3–1 1–2 3–0 2–2 1–0 0–3 1–2 0–1
Wilmington Hammerheads ROC PIT RIC NEW CHB ROC PIT ORL PIT CHE ORL CHB LAB ANT ANT CHB HAR CHE CHE NEW HAR LAB RIC DAY
1–0 3–1 1–2 3–1 3–0 1–1 0–0 2–4 3–1 0–3 1–1 0–2 4–2 1–0 3–2 1–2 3–1 0–1 3–0 3–1 2–1 2–1 0–2 2–1

Puerto Rican teams were removed from USL Pro League on 10 May. All results against them that took place to that date were kept and future games were rescheduled amongst the remaining teams.

Playoffs

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The top four teams in each division at the end of the regular season qualified for a single-elimination playoff for the USL Pro Championship. The championship match was played at 7:00 pm on Saturday, September 3, and saw Orlando City SC defeat the Harrisburg City Islanders in a penalty shootout. Orlando City SC earned the right to host the championship match by virtue of their better regular-season record.

Divisional Semifinals Divisional Finals USL PRO Championship
         
A1 Orlando City SC (a.e.t.) 3
A4 Charleston Battery 1
A1 Orlando City SC 3
American Division
A3 Richmond Kickers 0
A2 Wilmington Hammerheads 0 (4)
A3 Richmond Kickers (p) 0 (5)
A1 Orlando City SC (p) 2 (3)
N2 Harrisburg City Islanders 2 (2)
N1 Rochester Rhinos 4
N4 Pittsburgh Riverhounds 0
N1 Rochester Rhinos 1
National Division
N2 Harrisburg City Islanders 2
N2 Harrisburg City Islanders 3
N3 Los Angeles Blues 2
August 19, 2011 (2011-08-19) QF Harrisburg City Islanders 3–2 Los Angeles Blues Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
7:30 pm EDT Bloes   5'
Welker   34', 39'
Ombiji   52'
Pelletier   62'   66'
Report Tudela   11'   61'
Dastan   33'
García   45+'   72'
Rivera   58'
Sesay   61'
Stadium: Skyline Sports Complex
Attendance: 1,033
Referee: Michael Donovan
August 19, 2011 (2011-08-19) QF Rochester Rhinos 4–0 Pittsburgh Riverhounds Rochester, New York
7:30 pm EDT Rosenlund   10'
Donatelli   28'
Kissi   47'
Cost   85'
Report Stadium: Sahlen's Stadium
Attendance: 3,273
Referee: Robert Sigiba
August 19, 2011 (2011-08-19) QF Wilmington Hammerheads 0–0 (a.e.t.)
(4–5 p)
Richmond Kickers Wilmington, North Carolina
7:30 pm EDT Nicholson   49'
Parratt   99'
Report Heins   47'
Görres   100'
Stadium: Legion Field
Attendance: 3,849
Referee: Moo Hackett
Penalties
Budnyi  
Jata  
Barrera  
Cuero  
Bagley[8]  
Görres  
Bulow  
Hiroyama  
Delicâte  
Bangura  
August 20, 2011 (2011-08-20) QF Orlando City SC 3–1 (a.e.t.) Charleston Battery Orlando, Florida
7:30 pm EDT Griffin   44'
Chin   100'
Neal   118'
Report Wiltse   34'
Kelly   59'   102'
Paterson   64'
Falvey   102'
Peverley   120'
Stadium: Citrus Bowl
Attendance: 7,609
Referee: Rob Mauws
August 26, 2011 (2011-08-26) SF Rochester Rhinos 1–2 Harrisburg City Islanders Rochester, New York
7:30 pm EDT Donatelli   27'
Kissi   45'
Kirk   51'
Report Basso   6'
Marshall   27'
Calvano   34'
Schofield   38'   80'
Ombiji   42'
Stadium: Sahlen's Stadium
Attendance: 3,598
Referee: Jose Carlos Rivero
August 27, 2011 (2011-08-27) SF Orlando City SC 3–0 Richmond Kickers Orlando, Florida
7:30 pm EDT Boden   19'
Jérôme   45+2'
Chin   70'
Report Wallace   3'
Kalungi   89'
Stadium: Citrus Bowl
Attendance: 8,304
Referee: Andres Pfefferkorn
September 3, 2011 (2011-09-03) F Orlando City SC 2–2 (a.e.t.)
(3–2 p)
Harrisburg City Islanders Orlando, Florida
7:00 pm EDT Gallardo   48'
Molino   64'
Olum   89'
Boden   110'
Neal   116' (pen.)
Report Basso   5'
Pelletier   45+'
Welker   77'
Harrison   90+'
Noone   90+5'
Touray   95'
Langley   111'
Bloes   113'
Stadium: Citrus Bowl
Attendance: 11,220
Referee: Matt Foerster
Penalties
Neal  
Álvarez  
Campbell  
Boden  
Jorsling  [9]
Becerra  
Angulo  
Noone  
Basso  
Touray  

Championship Game MVP: Sean Kelley (ORL)

Statistical leaders

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Top Goalkeepers

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(Minimum of 1080 Minutes Played)

Rank Goalkeeper Club GP MINS SVS GA GAA W-L-T SHO
1   Miguel Gallardo Orlando City SC 22 1980 68 15 0.681 12-3-6 11
2   Andrew Dykstra Charleston Battery 13 1170 30 11 0.846 7-4-2 5
3   Ronnie Pascale Richmond Kickers 23 2070 64 21 0.913 12-7-4 9
4   Neal Kitson Rochester Rhinos 23 2070 76 22 0.956 12-7-4 9
5   Brock Duckworth Wilmington Hammerheads 18 1620 71 46 1.166 11-5-2 4
6   Óscar Dautt Los Angeles Blues 20 1800 77 53 1.200 6-6-8 5
7   Eric Reed Charlotte Eagles 24 2160 81 29 1.208 9-9-6 8
8   Keita de Castro Antigua Barracuda 19 1710 58 23 1.210 8-8-1 5
9   Chase Harrison Harrisburg City Islanders 20 1800 59 26 1.300 8-6-6 5
10   Hunter Gilstrap Pittsburgh Riverhounds 23 2070 98 30 1.304 7-11-5 9

Source:[10]

League awards

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[11]

  • Most Valuable Player: Yordany Álvarez (ORL)
  • Rookie of the Year: Luke Mulholland (WIL)
  • Defender of the Year: Rob Valentino (ORL)
  • Goalkeeper of the Year: Miguel Gallardo (ORL)
  • Coach of the Year: Adrian Heath (ORL)

All-League Teams

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[12]

First Team

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F: Jhonny Arteaga (NEW), Matthew Delicâte (CHB), Maxwell Griffin (ORL)
M: Yordany Álvarez (ORL), Jorge Herrera (CHE), Luke Mulholland (WIL)
D: Nelson Akwari (LAB), Gareth Evans (WIL), Rob Valentino (ORL), William Yomby (RIC)
G: Miguel Gallardo (ORL)

Second Team

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F: José Angulo (HAR), George Davis IV (DAY), Jason Yeisley (PIT)
M: Lewis Neal (ORL), Lawson Robinson (ANT), Jamie Watson (ORL)
D: George Dublin (ANT), Colin Falvey (CHB), Kyle Hoffer (NEW), Troy Roberts (ROC)
G: Neal Kitson (ROC)

References

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  1. ^ Litterer, Dave (October 23, 2003). "The Year in American Soccer – 1986". The American Soccer Archives. Archived from the original on July 8, 2015. Retrieved April 9, 2011.
  2. ^ a b c Opening Round Of USL PRO Playoffs Set, archived from the original on May 24, 2012, retrieved August 15, 2011
  3. ^ a b c "USL PRO Postseason Format Unveiled". USL PRO. Demosphere. January 24, 2011. Archived from the original on January 29, 2011. Retrieved January 25, 2011.
  4. ^ "USL reforms Agreement with PRSL". United Soccer Leagues. May 10, 2011. Archived from the original on May 14, 2011. Retrieved May 10, 2011.
  5. ^ "Shaw to Captain F.C. New York". F.C. New York. April 8, 2011. Retrieved April 25, 2011.
  6. ^ See Rule 2.11 League Regulations Archived October 13, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ See Rule 2.11 League Regulations
  8. ^ "Kickers Beat Hammerheads In Shootout". Archived from the original on May 24, 2012. Retrieved August 20, 2011.
  9. ^ "Orlando Takes Victory In Shootout". Archived from the original on May 24, 2012. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
  10. ^ a b c "USL PRO – Top 10 Stats Leaders". Archived from the original on July 16, 2013. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
  11. ^ "USL PRO Awards Winners Announced". United Soccer Leagues. September 2, 2011. Archived from the original on May 27, 2012. Retrieved September 9, 2013.
  12. ^ "USL PRO All-League Teams Announced". United Soccer Leagues. August 30, 2011. Archived from the original on May 25, 2013. Retrieved September 2, 2015.