2008 United Soccer Leagues
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
The 2008 Season is the 22nd edition of the United Soccer Leagues season.
The season kicked off on Friday, April 12 with two First Division games, as the Charleston Battery visited Miami FC and the Montreal Impact visited the Vancouver Whitecaps.
General
- Changes in the First Division: the California Victory take the 2008 season off, leaving 11 teams playing a 30-game schedule.
- Changes in the Second Division: the Pittsburgh Riverhounds return from hiatus, and Real Maryland FC join as an expansion team. However, the Cincinnati Kings and New Hampshire Phantoms drop to the PDL. 10 teams play a 20-game schedule this season.
- In the PDL, 5 teams withdrew for the 2008 season, while 7 expansion teams and the two voluntary relegations increase the league to 67 teams in 10 divisions across 4 conferences. Teams play a 16-game league schedule.
Honors
class="wikitable" |
Competition
!Champion !Runner-Up !Regular Season Champion/Best USL team |
---|
USL First Division
|Puerto Rico Islanders |
USL Second Division
|Charlotte Eagles |
USL PDL |
U.S. Open Cup
|D.C. United (MLS) |Charleston Battery (USL-1) |Charleston Battery |
Canadian Championship
|Toronto FC (MLS) | n/a |
Standings
=First Division=
{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WDL
|res_col_header=Q
|ptsfirst=y
|loss_before_tie=y
|team1=PRI|name_PRI=Puerto Rico Islanders
|team2=VAN|name_VAN=Vancouver Whitecaps
|team3=MTL|name_MTL=Montreal Impact
|team4=ROC|name_ROC=Rochester Rhinos
|team5=CHA|name_CHA=Charleston Battery
|team6=SEA|name_SEA=Seattle Sounders
|team7=MIN|name_MIN=Minnesota Thunder
|team8=CAR|name_CAR=Carolina RailHawks
|team9=MIA|name_MIA=Miami FC
|team10=ATL|name_ATL=Atlanta Silverbacks
|team11=POR|name_POR=Portland Timbers
|win_PRI=15|draw_PRI=9|loss_PRI=6|gf_PRI=43|ga_PRI=23
|win_VAN=15|draw_VAN=8|loss_VAN=7|gf_VAN=34|ga_VAN=28|status_VAN=C
|win_MTL=12|draw_MTL=6|loss_MTL=12|gf_MTL=33|ga_MTL=28
|win_ROC=11|draw_ROC=9|loss_ROC=10|gf_ROC=35|ga_ROC=32
|win_CHA=11|draw_CHA=7|loss_CHA=12|gf_CHA=34|ga_CHA=36
|win_SEA=10|draw_SEA=10|loss_SEA=10|gf_SEA=37|ga_SEA=36
|win_MIN=10|draw_MIN=9|loss_MIN=11|gf_MIN=40|ga_MIN=38
|win_CAR=9|draw_CAR=10|loss_CAR=11|gf_CAR=34|ga_CAR=43
|win_MIA=8|draw_MIA=10|loss_MIA=12|gf_MIA=28|ga_MIA=34
|win_ATL=8|draw_ATL=10|loss_ATL=12|gf_ATL=37|ga_ATL=50
|win_POR=7|draw_POR=10|loss_POR=13|gf_POR=26|ga_POR=33
|adjust_points_ROC=-1|hth_ROC=Rochester deducted 1 point for use of an ineligible player on August 10, 2008{{cite web|title=Rhinos penalized for infraction|url=http://usl1.uslsoccer.com/recentnews/269957.html|publisher=United Soccer Leagues|access-date=June 28, 2011|date=August 15, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326100740/http://usl1.uslsoccer.com/recentnews/269957.html|archive-date=March 26, 2012|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}
|hth_CHA=CHA: 4 pts; SEA: 4 pts|hth_SEA=CHA
|hth_MIA=MIA: 7 pts; ATL: 1 pt|hth_ATL=MIA
|col_C=green1|text_C=Commissioner's Cup, bye to semifinal round of playoffs
|result1=C
|col_Q=#BBEBFF|text_Q=First round of playoffs
|result2=Q|result3=Q|result4=Q|result5=Q|result6=Q|result7=Q
|status_text_C=Playoff Champion
|class_rules=Tie-breaker order: 1. Head-to-head points; 2. Total wins; 3. Goal difference; 4. Goals for; 5. Lottery
}}
==Playoffs==
Teams were re-seeded for semifinal matchups
Vancouver was selected by the league to host the final despite being the lower seeded team
{{8TeamBracket|legs=2/2/1|aggregate=score|nowrap=y|RD1-RD2-path=0|RD1-omit= 7/8
| RD1=First round
September 26/28
| RD2=Semi-finals
October 3/5
| RD3=Final
October 12
| team-width=160px
| RD1-seed1= 6
| RD1-team1= Seattle Sounders
| RD1-score1-1= 2
| RD1-score1-2= 1
| RD1-score1-3= 3
| RD1-seed2= 3
| RD1-team2= Montreal Impact
| RD1-score2-1= 1
| RD1-score2-2= 3
| RD1-score2-3= 4
| RD1-seed4= 2
| RD1-team4= Vancouver Whitecaps
| RD1-score4-1= 2
| RD1-score4-2= 3
| RD1-score4-3= 5
| RD1-seed3= 7
| RD1-team3= Minnesota Thunder
| RD1-score3-1= 0
| RD1-score3-2= 4
| RD1-score3-3= 4
| RD1-seed6= 4
| RD1-team6= Rochester Rhinos
| RD1-score6-1= 2
| RD1-score6-2= 0
| RD1-score6-3= 2
| RD1-seed5= 5
| RD1-team5= Charleston Battery
| RD1-score5-1= 0
| RD1-score5-2= 1
| RD1-score5-3= 1
| RD1-seed7= n
| RD1-team7= BYE
| RD1-score7-1=
| RD1-score7-2=
| RD1-score7-3=
| RD1-seed8= 1
| RD1-team8= Puerto Rico Islanders
| RD1-score8-1=
| RD1-score8-2=
| RD1-score8-3=
| RD2-seed1= 3
| RD2-team1= Montreal Impact
| RD2-score1-1= 1
| RD2-score1-2= 0
| RD2-score1-3= 1
| RD2-seed2= 2
| RD2-team2= Vancouver Whitecaps
| RD2-score2-1= 0
| RD2-score2-2= 2
| RD2-score2-3= 2
| RD2-seed3= 4
| RD2-team3= Rochester Rhinos
| RD2-score3-1= 2
| RD2-score3-2= 0
| RD2-score3-3= 2
| RD2-seed4= 1
| RD2-team4= Puerto Rico Islanders (a.e.t)
| RD2-score4-1= 0
| RD2-score4-2= 3
| RD2-score4-3= 3
| RD3-seed1= 2
| RD3-team1= Vancouver Whitecaps
| RD3-score1-1= 2
| RD3-seed2= 1
| RD3-team2= Puerto Rico Islanders
| RD3-score2-1= 1
}}
==First Round==
{{football box
|round= First Leg
|date = September 26, 2008
|time = 7:35 PM EDT
|team1 = Rochester Rhinos
|score = 2–0
|report= https://web.archive.org/web/20090109011716/http://www.uslsoccer.com/stats/2008/946271.html
|team2 = Charleston Battery
|goals1 =
|goals2 =
|aet =
|stadium = PAETEC Park
Rochester, New York
|attendance = 6,923
|referee = Chris Penso
}}
{{football box
|round= Second Leg
|date = September 28, 2008
|time = 7:00 PM EDT
|team1 = Charleston Battery
|score = 1–0
|report= https://web.archive.org/web/20081202061048/http://www.uslsoccer.com/stats/2008/946274.html
|team2 = Rochester Rhinos
|goals1 =
|goals2 =
|aet =
|stadium = Blackbaud Stadium
Charleston, South Carolina
|attendance = 2,131
|referee = Doug Wolff
}}
Rochester Rhinos won 2–1 on Aggregate.
----
{{football box
|round= First Leg
|date = September 26, 2008
|time = 10:00 PM EDT
|team1 = Seattle Sounders
|score = 2–1
|report= https://web.archive.org/web/20090123211806/http://uslsoccer.com/stats/2008/946273.html
|team2 = Montreal Impact
|goals1 =
- Alcaraz-Cuellar {{goal|15}} {{yel|75}}
- O'Brien {{goal|42|pen.}}
- Besagno {{yel|51}}
- Gardner {{yel|61}}
- Sakuda {{yel|78}}
|goals2 =
|aet =
|stadium = Starfire Sports Complex
Tukwila, Washington
|attendance = 2,865
|referee = Edvin Jurisevic
}}
{{football box
|round= Second Leg
|date = September 28, 2008
|time = 5:00 PM EDT
|team1 = Montreal Impact
|score = 3–1
|report= https://web.archive.org/web/20081202061102/http://www.uslsoccer.com/stats/2008/946275.html
|team2 = Seattle Sounders
|goals1 =
- Lorenzo {{yel|31}}
- Testo {{yel|45}} {{goal|56}}
- Braz {{sent off|2|68||77}}
- Placentino {{goal|75}}
- Ribeiro {{goal|90}}
|goals2 =
- Levesque {{goal|59}} {{sent off|0|74}}
- Alcaraz-Cuellar {{yel|62}}
- Jackson {{sent off|0|90}}
- O'Brien {{sent off|0|90}}
|aet =
|stadium = Saputo Stadium
Montreal, Quebec
|attendance = 11,134
|referee = Mauricio Navarro
}}
Montreal Impact won 4–3 on Aggregate.
----
{{football box
|round= First Leg
|date = September 26, 2008
|time = 10:00 PM EDT
|team1 = Vancouver Whitecaps
|score = 2–0
|report= https://web.archive.org/web/20140307123520/http://www.uslsoccer.com/stats/2008/946272.html
|team2 = Minnesota Thunder
|goals1 =
- Greenfield {{goal|27|o.g.}}
- Sebrango {{yel|58}}
- Hirano {{yel|73}}
- Moose {{goal|89}}
|goals2 =
|aet =
|stadium = Swangard Stadium
Burnaby, British Columbia
|attendance = 4,943
|referee = Carol Anne Chenard
}}
{{football box
|round= Second Leg
|date = September 28, 2008
|time = 6:05 PM EDT
|team1 = Minnesota Thunder
|score = 4–3
|report= https://web.archive.org/web/20081202061107/http://www.uslsoccer.com/stats/2008/946276.html
|team2 = Vancouver Whitecaps
|goals1 =
- Gonzalez {{goal|23}}
- Tarley {{goal|64}} {{yel|73}}
- Sánchez {{sent off|0|77}}
- deRoux {{goal|78}}
- Moojen {{goal|90|pen.}}
- Schulte {{yel|90}}
|goals2 =
|aet =
|stadium = National Sports Center
Blaine, Minnesota
|attendance = 3,811
|referee = NA
}}
Vancouver Whitecaps won 5–4 on Aggregate.
==Semifinals==
{{football box
|round= First Leg
|date = October 3, 2008
|time = 7:35 PM EDT
|team1 = Rochester Rhinos
|score = 2–0
|report= https://web.archive.org/web/20081004191101/http://www.uslsoccer.com/stats/2008/950519.html
|team2 = Puerto Rico Islanders
|goals1 =
- Smith {{yel|18}}
- Gregor {{goal|63}}
- Menyongar {{goal|78}}
- Fitzpatrick {{yel|90}}
|goals2 =
|aet =
|stadium = PAETEC Park
Rochester, New York
|attendance = 7,001
|referee = Niko Bratsis
}}
{{football box
|round= Second Leg
|date = October 5, 2008
|time = 6:00 PM EDT
|team1 = Puerto Rico Islanders
|score = 3–0
|report= https://web.archive.org/web/20081014124416/http://www.uslsoccer.com/stats/2008/950521.html
|team2 = Rochester Rhinos
|goals1 =
|goals2 =
- Earls {{yel|32}}
|aet = y
|stadium = Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium
Bayamón, Puerto Rico
|attendance = 9,112
|referee = Tony Russo
}}
Puerto Rico Islanders won 3–2 on Aggregate in Extra Time.
----
{{football box
|round= First Leg
|date = October 3, 2008
|time = 8:00 PM EDT
|team1 = Montreal Impact
|score = 1–0
|report= https://web.archive.org/web/20081004191053/http://www.uslsoccer.com/stats/2008/950518.html
|team2 = Vancouver Whitecaps
|goals1 =
|goals2 =
|aet =
|stadium = Saputo Stadium
Montreal, Quebec
|attendance = 12,002
|referee = Steve DePiero
}}
{{football box
|round= Second Leg
|date = October 5, 2008
|time = 6:30 PM EDT
|team1 = Vancouver Whitecaps
|score = 2–0
|report= https://web.archive.org/web/20090109021850/http://www.uslsoccer.com/stats/2008/950520.html
|team2 = Montreal Impact
|goals1 =
|goals2 =
- Testo {{yel|40}}
- Pizzolitto {{yel|48}}
- Gatti {{yel|64}}
- Braz {{yel|80}}
|aet =
|stadium = Swangard Stadium
Burnaby, British Columbia
|attendance = 4,992
|referee = Dave Gantar
}}
Vancouver Whitecaps won 2–1 on Aggregate.
==Final==
{{football box
|round= Second Leg
|date = October 12, 2008
|time = 7:00 PM EDT
|team1 = Vancouver Whitecaps
|score = 2–1
|report= https://web.archive.org/web/20081017164635/http://www.uslsoccer.com/stats/2008/957734.html
|team2 = Puerto Rico Islanders
|goals1 =
|goals2 =
- Gbandi {{goal|68}}
|aet =
|stadium = Swangard Stadium
Burnaby, British Columbia
|attendance = 5,822
|referee = Mark Kadlecik
}}
{{winners-other|USL First Division
2008 Champions|CAN|Vancouver Whitecaps FC|Second}}
== Awards and All-League Teams==
First Team
F: Alex Afonso (Miami FC) (Leading Goalscorer); Macoumba Kandji (Atlanta Silverbacks)
M: Osvaldo Alonso (Charleston Battery); Stephen deRoux (Minnesota Thunder); Martin Nash (Vancouver Whitecaps); Jonathan Steele (Puerto Rico Islanders) (MVP)
D: Cristian Arrieta (Puerto Rico Islanders) (Defender of the Year); Taylor Graham (Seattle Sounders); David Hayes (Atlanta Silverbacks); Nevio Pizzolitto (Montreal Impact)
G: Bill Gaudette (Puerto Rico Islanders) (Goalkeeper of the Year)
Coach: Colin Clarke (Puerto Rico Islanders) (Coach of the Year)
Second Team
F: Sebastien Le Toux (Seattle Sounders); Eduardo Sebrango (Vancouver Whitecaps)
M: Leonardo Di Lorenzo (Montreal Impact); Johnny Menyongar (Rochester Rhinos); Ricardo Sanchez (Minnesota Thunder); Matt Watson (Carolina RailHawks)
D: Wesley Charles and Takashi Hirano (Vancouver Whitecaps); Cameron Knowles (Portland Timbers); Scott Palguta (Rochester Rhinos)
=Second Division=
{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WDL
|res_col_header=Q
|loss_before_tie=y
|team1=CHE|name_CHE=Charlotte Eagles
|team2=RIC|name_RIC=Richmond Kickers
|team3=CLE|name_CLE=Cleveland City Stars
|team4=CRY|name_CRY=Crystal Palace Baltimore
|team5=HAR|name_HAR=Harrisburg City Islanders
|team6=WMP|name_WMP=Western Mass Pioneers
|team7=WIL|name_WIL=Wilmington Hammerheads
|team8=PIT|name_PIT=Pittsburgh Riverhounds
|team9=BER|name_BER=Bermuda Hogges
|team10=RMM|name_RMM=Real Maryland Monarchs
|win_CHE=13|draw_CHE=5|loss_CHE=2|gf_CHE=45|ga_CHE=15
|win_RIC=14|draw_RIC=2|loss_RIC=4|gf_RIC=48|ga_RIC=20
|win_CLE=10|draw_CLE=7|loss_CLE=3|gf_CLE=33|ga_CLE=16 |status_CLE=C
|win_CRY=11|draw_CRY=1|loss_CRY=8|gf_CRY=30|ga_CRY=30
|win_HAR=7|draw_HAR=10|loss_HAR=3|gf_HAR=33|ga_HAR=20
|win_WMP=5|draw_WMP=6|loss_WMP=9|gf_WMP=19|ga_WMP=29
|win_WIL=4|draw_WIL=7|loss_WIL=9|gf_WIL=32|ga_WIL=33
|win_PIT=4|draw_PIT=6|loss_PIT=10|gf_PIT=25|ga_PIT=37
|win_BER=5|draw_BER=2|loss_BER=13|gf_BER=21|ga_BER=50
|win_RMM=3|draw_RMM=2|loss_RMM=15|gf_RMM=15|ga_RMM=51
|adjust_points_WMP=-1|hth_WMP=Western Mass and Real Maryland deducted 1 point
|adjust_points_RMM=-1|hth_RMM=WMP
|col_C=#ccccff|text_C=Regular season champion
|result1=C
|col_Q=#ccffcc|text_Q=Qualified for playoffs
|result2=Q|result3=Q|result4=Q|result5=Q|result6=Q
|status_text_C=Playoff Champion
}}
==Playoffs==
{{6TeamBracket
| RD1=First Round
August 13
| RD2=Semifinals
August 16
| RD3=Final
August 23
| RD1-seed1=4
| RD1-team1=Crystal Palace Baltimore (AET/PK)
| RD1-score1=2 (7)
| RD1-seed2=5
| RD1-team2=Harrisburg City Islanders
| RD1-score2= 2 (6)
| RD1-seed3=3
| RD1-team3=Cleveland City Stars
| RD1-score3=4
| RD1-seed4=6
| RD1-team4=Western Mass Pioneers
| RD1-score4=2
| RD2-seed1=1
| RD2-team1=Charlotte Eagles
| RD2-score1=2
| RD2-seed2=4
| RD2-team2=Crystal Palace Baltimore
| RD2-score2=1
| RD2-seed3=2
| RD2-team3=Richmond Kickers
| RD2-score3=0
| RD2-seed4=3
| RD2-team4=Cleveland City Stars(AET)
| RD2-score4=1
| RD3-seed1=1
| RD3-team1=Charlotte Eagles
| RD3-score1=1
| RD3-seed2=3
| RD3-team2=Cleveland City Stars
| RD3-score2=2
}}
==First round==
{{football box
|date = August 13, 2008
|time = 7:00 PM EDT
|team1 = Cleveland City Stars
|score = 4–2
|report= [https://web.archive.org/web/20081123104611/http://www.uslsoccer.com/stats/2008/875224.html Report]
|team2 = Western Mass Pioneers
|goals1 =
- Schulte {{goal|14}}
- Bundu {{goal|23||89}}
- Hlavaty {{yel|32}}
- Otieno {{goal|69}}
- Sarkodie {{yel|81}}
- Ruud {{yel|88}}
|goals2 =
- Augustine {{yel|13}}
- Deren {{goal|16}}
- Molinari {{sent off|2|34|68}}
- Krause {{yel|43}} {{goal|64}}
- Wrona {{sent off|0|44}}
- Klinger {{yel|66}}
|aet =
|stadium = Krenzler Field
Cleveland, Ohio
|attendance = 1,683
|referee = Chris Penso (United States)
}}
----
{{football box
|date = August 13, 2008
|time = 7:30 PM EDT
|team1 = Crystal Palace Baltimore
|score = 2–2
|report= https://web.archive.org/web/20081123121831/http://www.uslsoccer.com/stats/2008/875225.html
|team2 = Harrisburg City Islanders
|goals1 =
|goals2 =
|aet = y
|penalties1=
- Harada {{pengoal}}
- Harkin {{penmiss}}
- Teixeira {{pengoal}}
- Healey {{pengoal}}
- Lookingland {{pengoal}}
- Brooks {{pengoal}}
- Marshall {{pengoal}}
- Flores {{pengoal}}
|penaltyscore=7–6
|penalties2=
- {{pengoal}} Heins
- {{penmiss}} Pelletier
- {{pengoal}} Marples
- {{pengoal}} Schofield
- {{pengoal}} Bixler
- {{pengoal}} Fisher
- {{pengoal}} Bloes
- {{penmiss}} Calvano
|stadium = UMBC Stadium
Catonsville, Maryland
|attendance = 1,352
|referee = Bryan Roslund (United States)
}}
==Semifinals==
{{football box
|date = August 16, 2008
|time = 7:00 PM EDT
|team1 = Charlotte Eagles
|score = 2–1
|report= https://web.archive.org/web/20081123122305/http://www.uslsoccer.com/stats/2008/875226.html
|team2 = Crystal Palace Baltimore
|goals1 =
- Herrera {{goal|48|pen.}}
- Swinehart {{goal|51}}
- Woods {{yel|65}}
- Long {{yel|70}}
- Boss {{sentoff|0|90}}
|goals2 =
|aet =
|stadium = Restart Field
Charlotte, North Carolina
|attendance = 1,188
|referee = Jeff Muschik
}}
----
{{football box
|date = August 16, 2008
|time = 7:00 PM EDT
|team1 = Richmond Kickers
|score = 0–1
|report= https://web.archive.org/web/20081123034203/http://www.uslsoccer.com/stats/2008/875227.html
|team2 = Cleveland City Stars
|goals1 =
|goals2 =
|aet = y
|stadium = University of Richmond Stadium
Richmond, Virginia
|attendance = 2,693
|referee = Daniel Stead
}}
==Final==
{{football box
|date = August 23, 2008
|time = 8:00 PM EDT
|team1 = Cleveland City Stars
|score = 2–1
|report= https://web.archive.org/web/20081123124335/http://www.uslsoccer.com/stats/2008/886781.html
|team2 = Charlotte Eagles
|goals1 =
- Otieno {{goal|15}}
- Bundu {{goal|39}}
- Schulte {{yel|66}}
- Leibbrandt {{yel|89}}
|goals2 =
|aet =
|stadium = Krenzler Field
Cleveland, Ohio
|attendance = 2,016
|referee = Jason Krnac
}}
== Awards and All-League team==
First Team
F: Jorge Herrera (Charlotte Eagles); Boyzzz Khumalo (Pittsburgh Riverhounds); Dustin Swinehart (Charlotte Eagles) (league MVP)
M: Mike Burke (Richmond Kickers); Floyd Franks (Cleveland City Stars); Shintaro Harada (Crystal Palace Baltimore)
D: Brady Bryant and Steve Shak (Charlotte Eagles); Sascha Gorres (Richmond Kickers); Mark Schulte (Cleveland City Stars) (Defender of the Year)
G: Terry Boss (Charlotte Eagles)
Coach: Mark Steffens (Charlotte Eagles) (Coach of the Year)
Rookie of the Year: Stanley Nyazamba (Richmond Kickers)
Second Team
F: Gary Brooks (Crystal Palace Baltimore); Sallieu Bundu (Cleveland City Stars); Jeff Deren (Western Mass Pioneers)
M: Trey Alexander (Wilmington Hammerheads); Justin Evans (Pittsburgh Riverhounds); Matthew Mbuta (Crystal Palace Baltimore)
D: Dustin Bixler (Harrisburg City Islanders); Trevor McEachron (Richmond Kickers); Federico Molinari (Western Mass Pioneers); Dame Walters (Wilmington Hammerheads)
=Premier Development League=
- See 2008 PDL Season
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.uslsoccer.com Official USL Site]
{{USL seasons|defunct}}
{{2008 in American soccer}}
{{2008 in Canadian soccer}}
{{USSF D2 soccer seasons}}
{{Canada D2 soccer seasons}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:United Soccer Leagues 2008}}