Wilmington running out of games

The Wilmington Hammerheads play host to the Harrisburg City Islanders tonight in a 7:30 kickoff at Legion Stadium.

The two soccer clubs met to open the USL Second Division schedule on April 21. The match ended in a 1-1 draw in Harrisburg.

Wilmington comes in with only one loss in its past eight matches. But five draws over that span have limited the club to seventh place, with a 2-5-6 mark and 12 points.

Head coach David Irving is still counting points and, despite a lag in the number of victories, the math is still there to extend the season beyond its Aug. 12 regular-season finale against Bermuda.

"We can't afford to drop any more points in these next few games," Irving said. "We need to beat Harrisburg and we need Charlotte to beat Harrisburg (on Saturday in Charlotte).

"But the only thing we're in charge of is our own games and that's all we can worry about."

Harrisburg is currently fourth and holds the final playoff berth with 19 points. If the Hammerheads manage a victory at home tonight, the gap closes to four points.

However, the City Islanders have played two fewer matches than Wilmington and can extend the margin in those additional results.

The Hammerheads have a long break coming up to contemplate their fate; after Friday, their next match is July 21 in Charlotte. During that time, Irving and his staff will consider any possible player moves before July 23, when rosters are frozen.

Corrie wins honor

Midfielder George Corrie was named the Second Division Player of the Week, the first honor this season for a Wilmington Hammerheads player.

Corrie scored both Wilmington goals on Saturday in a 2-2 draw with Charlotte. He is now tied with Charles Nweke for the team lead in goals scored with three.

Corrie has made the most of his chances; he's taken only five shots in six matches.

US Open Cup update

The U.S. Open Cup tournament has advanced to the third round, with matches scheduled for Tuesday.

The two remaining Second Division clubs are the Richmond Kickers, who will face the Los Angeles Galaxy; and the Harrisburg City Islanders, who will square off against DC United.

The expansion Carolina RailHawks of the First Division will play the Chicago Fire for the right to move on to the quarterfinals.