Our season-long series covering MLS products loaned out to lower-tier teams in the US and Canada:
Orlando City SC’s partnership with Sporting Kansas City continued to pay dividends this weekend, as forward Dom Dwyer netted a brace in Orlando City’s 4-0 win over the Dayton Dutch Lions. It was Dwyer’s pace that allowed him to do so much damage to Dayton’s defense, weaving in and out of players before one timing his first goal home, only to best that effort with an upper-90 blast in the second half.
That followed up on a midweek performance in which Dwyer got an early goal in Orlando City's 1-1 draw at Charlotte.
Dwyer is now atop the USL PRO’s golden boot race with five goals scored in six games played, and OCSC sit atop the table with 13 points.
READ: Hernandez leading the way for City Islanders
Elsewhere in USL PRO, two MLS affiliate clubs did battle as Philadelphia Union partner Harrisburg City Islanders laid waste to the Rochester Rhinos in a 5-1 win. Both clubs made use of their four loanees with multiple goals coming from their inclusions.
New England Revolution defender Bilal Duckett notched Rochester’s only goal with a header in the 62nd. Not long after, the City Islanders came back swinging with three unanswered. Homegrown midfielder Jimmy McLaughlin picked up a goal, while it was forward Christhian Hernandez's corner that led to the go-ahead tally
. Don Anding added an assist of his own in Harrisburg's 100th franchise victory.
The City Islanders remained perfect with nine points from three matches. Of the USL PRO teams affiliated with Major League Soccer clubs, only Rochester remain winless.
In NASL action, the Houston Dynamo’s Alex Dixon made a 63rd-minute appearance for the Tampa Bay Rowdies, tapping in the game-winner against rivals Ft. Lauderdale Strikers. For FC Edmonton, Vancouver Whitecaps defender Carlyle Mitchell went the distance, helping them to a 1-0 win vs. the San Antonio Scoprions.
Join the Reddit discussion on USL PRO and NASL
Edmonton's next match will be against the Whitecaps in the second leg of the Amway Canadian Championship semifinals on Wednesday at BC Plate (10 pm ET, Sportsnet).
USL PRO:
Orlando City SC: 1-1 draw at Charlotte Eagles
GK
Jon Kempin
(Sporting Kansas City) - Did not play
M
Christian Duke
(Sporting Kansas City) - Did not play
D
Yann Songo’o
(Sporting Kansas City) - Started, played 90 minutes
F
Dom Dwyer
(Sporting Kansas City) - Started, played 90 minutes, one goal
LA Blues: 4-0 win vs. Wilmington Hammerheads
GK
Patrick McLain
(Chivas USA) - Did not play
Rochester Rhinos: 5-1 loss at Harrisburg City Islanders
D
Bilal Duckett
(New England Revolution) - Started, played 90 minutes, one goal
F
Matt Horth
(New England Revolution) - Substitute, played 18 minutes
M
Gabe Latigue
(New England Revolution) - Started, played 45 minutes
D
Tyler Polak
(New England Revolution) - Substitute, played 45 minutes
Harrisburg City Islanders: 5-1 win vs Rochester Rhinos
M
Jimmy McLaughlin
(Philadelphia Union) - Started, played 68 minutes, one goal
M
Greg Jordan
(Philadelphia Union) - Started, played 90 minutes
F
Cristhian Hernandez
(Philadelphia Union) - Started, played 78 minutes
M
Don Anding
(Philadelphia Union) - Started, played 90 minutes, one assist
Orlando City SC: 4-0 win vs Dayton Dutch Lions
GK
Jon Kempin
(Sporting Kansas City) - Did not play
M
Christian Duke
(Sporting Kansas City) - Did not play
D
Yann Songo’o
(Sporting Kansas City) - Started, played 90 minutes
F
Dom Dwyer
(Sporting Kansas City) - Started, played 81 minutes, two goals
NASL:
Atlanta Silverbacks: 3-2 loss vs Minnesota United FC
F
Kellen Gulley
(Chicago Fire) - Did not play
FC Edmonton: 1-0 win vs San Antonio Scorpions
D
Carlyle Mitchell
(Vancouver Whitecaps) - Started, played 90 minutes
Tampa Bay Rowdies: 2-1 win vs Fort Lauderdale Strikers
M
Alex Dixon
(Houston Dynamo) - Substitute, played 27 minutes, one goal
