Wilmington Hammerheads News Release -- www.wilmingtonhammerheads.com
Thursday, August 30, 2012
WILMINGTON, N.C. – Following their quarterfinal victory against the Richmond Kickers on Saturday, the Wilmington Hammerheads will go on the road south to compete with Orlando City for a spot in the USL PRO Championship Game. The USL PRO Playoffs semifinal between the Wilmington and Orlando is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Friday night at the Florida Citrus Bowl.
Orlando City finished at the top of the USL PRO standings for the 2012 regular season, claiming the No. 1 seed and earning a bye in the quarterfinals of the playoffs. The six top-ranked teams in the league made it to playoffs. After the regular season was all said and done, the Hammerheads clinched the No.5 slot and were paired to play No. 4 seed Richmond in the quarterfinals at City Stadium. The Hammerheads advanced to the semifinals after defender Tom Parratt’s late goal in stoppage time from 40 yards out earned a 3-2 victory.
The Hammerheads were the only team to trump the USL PRO defending champions Orlando during the regular season. The Hammerheads hold a 1-1-1 record against the Lions this season, and are looking to upset them for the second time for the opportunity to advance to the final.
“Orlando is a tough place to go and play a semifinal match,” said Hammerheads coach David Irving. “They’ve proved themselves to be the best team in the league during the season over a period of 24 games, but this is one game and anything can happen at this point in time.”
The No.3-seed Charleston Battery will face the No.2-seed Rochester Rhinos in the other semifinal at Sahlen’s Stadium, also on Friday night. The winners will face off in the final next weekend, with the highest seed having home-field advantage.
The semifinal between the Wilmington Hammerheads and Orlando City will be streamed live via USL Live on UNATION at www.uslnation.com from the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla.
For further information on the USL PRO Playoffs and the Wilmington Hammerheads, please contact the Wilmington Hammerheads office at (910) 777-2111. Information can also be found at www.wilmingtonhammerheads.com and www.uslsoccer.com regarding all playoff matches, times, and dates.
