USL PRO Playoff Preview - Hammerheads vs. Kickers

The Wilmington Hammerheads closed out the 2010 regular season with a 2-1 victory over the Dayton Dutch Lions Saturday night.  With it they clinched home-field advantage for the first round of the playoffs which begins Friday night. Jack Avesyon and Chris Banks scored for Wilmington with Andryi Budnyy getting the assist on both of the goals.

The Hammerheads finished the season 14-7-3 which was good enough to lock up 2nd place in the American Division. The team scored a league-leading 42 goals, but let in 30, which was the second most allowed in their division. They went 9-3-0 at home, scoring 25 and allowing 15.  They went 5-4-3 away from home, scoring 15 and allowing 15.

This is how the seeding and match-ups will look for the First Round of the playoffs:

USL PRO DIVISIONAL SEMIFINALS SCHEDULE

Friday, August 19, 2011

AMERICAN DIVISION

#3 Richmond Kickers at #2 Wilmington Hammerheads, 7:30 p.m., Legion Stadium

NATIONAL DIVISION

#4 Pittsburgh Riverhounds at #1 Rochester Rhinos, 7:30 p.m., Sahlen’s Stadium

#3 Los Angeles Blues at #2 Harrisburg City Islanders, 7:30 p.m., Skyline Sports Complex

Saturday, August 20, 2011

AMERICAN DIVISION

#4 Charleston Battery at #1 Orlando City, 7:30 p.m., Florida Citrus Bowl
  

The Richmond Kickers have been victorious in both of their previous matches against the Hammerheads with their most recent victory coming at Legion Stadium on August 10th. They have a solid finisher up top in Matthew "Deli" Delicâte, who's been in the league since 2004. He leads Richmond with 23 points on 10 goals and 3 assists. At 6'3" and 190 lbs. "Deli" is a threat both in the air and with the ball at his feet. Wilmington will have to set the tone early and really keep an eye on him in order to limit his chances.

The Kickers finished the 2010 season with 41 points and a record of 12-7-5.  They scored 35 goals, which was the third most in their division and let in just 21 goals, which was the second least in their division. They went 8-3-1 at home, scoring just 20 times, but allowing only 11.  Surprisingly, the team actually allowed less goals away from home(10), but scored less as well, notching 15 goals and finishing the season with a record of 4-4-4.

Keys to Success for the Wilmington Hammerheads

The concern for this Friday's upcoming match is the health of Wilmington midfielder, and the teams' leading goal scorer, Luke Mulholland, who left Saturday's game in the 31st minute with a nagging hamstring injury. Mulholland could be in better shape as we inch closer to game time, but I highly doubt he'll be at 100%. Midfielder Manny Guzman also left the match early, but should be okay to play.

Tanner Wolfe got the start against Dayton so it's quite possible he'll be in a similar role on Friday.  Richard Jata was subbed in for Guzman at halftime so you could see him get some increased playing time if Luke and Manny are late scratches. Both players have come a long way this season and I'm sure they'll be ready for the challenge that lies ahead. Either way you look at it, the Hammerheads will have to do something different than what they've done in the past if they expect to make it past the first round.

If Wilmington makes it past the first round they will face the winner of the Charleston Battery vs. Orlando City matchup. If the Charleston Battery win, the Hammerheads will get to play their second round match at home, but if Orlando City wins the team will have to travel to Florida for the weekend of the 27th.