Phoenix Held By Phantoms

The GPS Portland Phoenix have already clinched one of the USL PDL Northeast Division’s two playoff spots, but their hopes of reclaiming first took a blow on Thursday night with a scoreless draw against the Seacoast United Phantoms at in front of a reported 100 fans at Portsmouth High School in New Hampshire on Thursday night.

While Portland (9-4-2, 29 points) is already assured of a playoff spot, a win would’ve put serious pressure on the first-place Ottawa Fury (9-3-2, 29 points) for the top seed and home field advantage in the first round. The Fury, with a game in hand and a +8 edge in goal differential, likely will now need to win just one of their final two games (or less if Portland doesn’t win their final match of the season) to secure first. The Phoenix had held first until falling 4-1 in Ottawa on Sunday.

Seacoast United (5-5-5, 20 points), who were eliminated from playoff contention in a 2-0 loss to the Fury on Saturday, remained winless in seven games since June 16th after starting the season unbeaten in their first eight games (5-0-3).

Thursday’s match saw just a total of five shots – three from the Phoenix and two from the Phantoms. Portland’s Terrance Dieterich and Seacoast’s Colin O’Donnell each made two saves to claim their respective shutouts.

The match also featured 30 fouls (14 from Portland and 16 from Seacoast).

Portland concludes their season on Saturday with a home match at Scarborough High School against the Boston Victory at 6 p.m. The Phantoms final game is against the Worcester Hydra at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Portsmouth High School.