The Harrisburg City Islanders, led by strong performances by goalkeeper Matt Nelson (Lynn Univ. / Tampa, FL) and Brian Devlin (Penn State Univ. / Philadelphia, PA), won the USL Second Division championship on Saturday. After finishing regulation 1-1, and without an overtime goal, the City Islanders defeated the defending league champion Richmond Kickers 8-7 in a nine-round penalty kick shootout, that was seen on Fox Soccer Channel.

Nelson made three saves, including one save in the shootout. Devlin started and played 72 minutes. It’s the first championship for the City Islanders, who are only in their fourth year of existance.

Nelson’s impressive performance this year hasn’t gone unnoticed. After the win, assuming he survived being at the bottom of the celebration pile, he will join the Vancouver Whitecaps on loan for the remainder of the season.

USL-1 STANDINGS		PTS	GAMES REMAINING
6	Puerto Rico	39	at ATL, at CHA
7	Vancouver	34	vs MIN, vs ATL, vs POR
8	Carolina	29	vs POR, at MIN, at CAL
8	Charleston	29	at MIA, vs PRI
10	Miami FC	28	vs CHA
11	Minnesota	20	at VAN, at SEA, vs CAR, vs SEA
Top 8 teams make the USL-1 playoffs

He will join Tony Donatelli (Temple Univ. / Glenside, PA) and the ’Caps at a good time, as the club snapped their 12-game winless streak with a 1-0 win over the Charleston Battery. Donatelli started the game and played 82 minutes.

The Whitecaps’ winless streak didn’t ruin their playoff hopes. They are currently in 7th place and all three of their remaining games are at home.

The rest of the USL-1 teams featuring former Barons will be battling for a playoff spot down the stretch.

In addition to their 1-0 loss to Vancouver, the Charleston Battery also lost 1-0 at Portland last Thursday. The loss leaves them in a tie for the 8th and final playoff spot with the Carolina RailHawks. Michael Todd (Hofstra / Cleveland, England), returning from representing Great Britain in the World University Games in Thailand, came in as a second half sub in the loss to the Whitecaps.

The Carolina RailHawks earned one of their biggest league wins of the season. They defeated the Montreal Impact 1-0 at home on Sunday, Matt Maher (Temple Univ. / Cape May, NJ) did not play in the win over the Impact, but will likely contribute in the final three games, hoping to break the tie with the Battery. Carolina also has their semifinal match in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at the New England Revolution (MLS) to look forward to on September 4.

Miami FC are only one point behind the 8th and final playoff spot despite their 2-1 loss at home to the Portland Timbers on Saturday. Pat Hannigan (Temple U / Philadelphia, PA) made a pair of saves, and Chris Williams (Phila Univ. / Philadelphia, PA) did not play. The Blues next game is their season finale, at home against Michael Todd (Hofstra / Cleveland, England) and the Charleston Battery. With only one game remaining, they are going to need a win and some help in order to make the postseason.

Jeremiah White (Wake Forest / Lansdowne, PA) and AGF Aarhus (1-4-2), fresh off their first win as a member of the Danish Superliga last week, played some "Monday Night Football" against Lyngby and finished in a scoreless draw. White made his first start of the season after performed well coming off the bench in the club’s first six games. His positive, and optimistic attitude about his role has been a subject in the Danish press.