Image credit: Dothan United
Friday's USL League Two playoff action saw Dothan United win the Southern Conference championship, advancing to Sunday's national semifinal. Ft Lauderdale United charged forward from the opening whistle, looking to take a quick lead. Dothan weathered the storm, and made a hard press of their own. A hand ball in the box drew a PK for Dothan in the 16th minute. Santiago Hoyos converted to take the lead. Four minutes later, Hoyos got his brace. Dothan held that 2-0 lead until Ft Lauderdale pulled one back in the 65th minute. There were some tense moments from that point forward, but Dothan held on to secure the 2-1 victory. In fifteen league games this season (including the playoffs) the Dragons have never allowed more than one goal in a game, conceding just 7 for the entire season. And they've put up 8 clean sheets. They'll be leaning on that defense when they face Vermont Green on Sunday, July 27 at 6:30 Eastern time (5:30 Central).
Image credit: Vermont Green
Vermont Green needed overtime to beat Lionsbridge on Friday night. Regular time ended tied up at 1-1, but Vermont surged and got two more in overtime to put it to bed 3-1 to win the Eastern Conference championship. There was a huge crowd on hand, and they'll be back in force on Sunday.
The winner of Sunday's match will move on to play for the national championship.