Paid Their Dues: USL PRO Guys Making an Impact

Chris Seitz got 90 minutes in goal on Saturday as Dallas defeated Toronto 2-1. Andrew Jacobson came off the bench in second half stoppage time. He is likely to continue doing so, as Hendry Thomas and Michel seem to be the preferred defensive midfield pairing.

Jordan Harvey was on the field for the duration of Vancouver's 2-2 draw with LA. Jeff Parke also went a full 90 as DC United drew Columbus on the road.

Shea Salinas could not inspire a completely listless San Jose over the weekend, as they played a scoreless draw with the Rapids. The 'Quakes are one of four winless teams in MLS, and are arguably the worst of the four.

The Montreal Impact has also failed to win this season (They play the Union this weekend). Justin Mapp was subbed out at halftime of the Impact's 4-0 loss to Sporting KC this weekend. Poor Justin Mapp. Jack McInerney came on for Marco Di Vaio in the 56th minute. I bet Di Vaio was pleased with that substitution.

Bakary Soumare also plays for a bad team. He played the whole match as the Fire tied New England 1-1. Chicago has a bye this weekend, meaning that the club will go into May without a win.

Chandler Hoffman cannot stop scoring. Through four games, Hoffman has three goals, enough to give him the league lead. He is also second in points. I do not know why USL PRO keeps track of points, but Chandler is in second. Stephen Okai is tied for third in points! I love points!

Captain Matt Kassel was named to the USL PRO Team of the Week this week, largely because of his role in both of Arizona's goals on Saturday. United is now off the mark, as that win marks their first in club history.

It really is special to see Hoffman, Okai, and Kassel, guys who have not found much success in MLS, come down to USL PRO and show why they deserve another shot. Former Union players have done pretty well in the lower American leagues before, but these three look like they might be able to play their way back into MLS at some point in the future.

In other USL PRO action, both Morgan Langley and Yann Ekra started in Harrisburg's 1-0 loss to Dayton on Saturday. Though he is not a member of Paid Their Dues--and hopefully never will be--I would like to point out that Pedro Riberio played on the backline for the City Islanders. They should be sanctioned for this. That is all.

Kleberson played ninety minutes in Indy's 1-1 tie with Tampa Bay. After a set of home draws to open up the season, the Eleven will head to Fort Lauderdale.

Oka Nikolov let up four goals to Carolina on Saturday, as the Strikers received their first loss of the season. "I tell you, Oka, they are not very good at soccer in America. You will be a very good goalkeeper and make a lot of money." Poor Oka. Toni Stahl came on for Carolina in the 75th minute of this one. Stahl played with the Strikers from 2011 until 2013.

Michael Farfan's Cruz Azul just won the CONCACAF Champions' League after defeating Toluca on away goals. Farfan was not on the roster on Wednesday, but he was on Friday, as Cruz Azul lost 5-1 to Morelia.