Herrera’s goal was brilliant in its execution, but also could prove a big one this season for his side as they earned a point against a good Toros side that was poised to jump past STLFC on Jose Escalante’s goal seven minutes earlier. A trump card like Herrera, should he stay healthy, is going to keep Saint Louis in contention for not only the playoffs, but maybe more at the end of this season.

2. LOUISVILLE BREAKS BATTERY’S STREAK: The conditions at MUSC Health Stadium on Saturday night might not have been for everyone, but the torrential rain that caused a slick surface at the Charleston Battery’s home suited visitors Louisville City FC to a tee as they broke the Battery’s 29-game USL home undefeated streak that had stretched for more than two years. Goals from George Davis IV and Kyle Smith – his first as a professional – cemented Louisville’s position at the top of the Eastern Conference, and gave them another very nice feather in their cap in the club’s second season.

3. BATTERY LIKELY TO REBOUND: As a club that broke a historic streak itself when it ended the Richmond Kickers’ 22-game undefeated streak to start the 2013 USL season, the Charleston Battery knew their home USL undefeated streak would come to an end at some point, with Louisville one of the likely culprits. Saturday’s performance in tough conditions wasn’t the Battery at their best, but they now have a clean slate to get back on track this week and start a whole new streak.

4. CINCINNATI CRUISES ON: One team that certainly looks like it will be in the conversation at the end of the regular season is FC Cincinnati, which took a 2-0 victory against the Harrisburg City Islanders in front of another outstanding crowd of 16,097 at Nippert Stadium. Andrew Wiedeman scored a superb goal, and had a big all-around game, but it was the tactical adjustments the side made to gain a stranglehold on the game in the second half that were more impressive, as Harrisburg – while reduced to 10 men – had only one shot on goal after the break.

5. FUJII FIRES GALAXY II: Last season, the LA Galaxy II saw the emergence of players like Alejandro Covarrubias, who played a key role in the side winning the USL Western Conference. On Saturday night, with Covarrubias, it opened up a chance for Ryo Fujii in the starting lineup, and the 19-year-old took full advantage. After playing only 349 minutes a season ago, Fujii went past that mark in 2016 as he also scored a pair of excellent goals in Los Dos’ 4-1 win against Arizona United SC on Saturday, illustrating the strong depth the Galaxy II have as they maintained their position near the top of the Western Conference.

6. VANCOUVER LETS LEADS SLIP: Twice in the past week, Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 started strongly and took the lead against their opponents. On both occasions, WFC2 saw their leads slip as they left the week undefeated, but with only two points more than they entered. The lack of a loss is obviously an impressive achievement one-third through the season, but as Alan Koch made a point of tweeting on Sunday afternoon, the quality came in fits and starts in the side’s 2-2 draw with Real Monarchs SLC, with better 90-minute performances clearly at the forefront of his mind.

7. MONTREAL MAKES IT HAPPEN: It had been an even longer path to the opening win of the season for FC Montreal than in their inaugural season, but on Saturday night the young side was able to find a way past the Richmond Kickers to notch its first points of the season. Was there some good fortune involved? Sure, but goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau was also exceptional in his 10-save performance, and Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla’s goal was a fine one off David Choiniere’s assist, and worthy of giving the visitors a victory at City Stadium.

8. DA SILVA BREAKS OUT: Orlando City B entered the season with the goal of replicating the success the club had in its previous spell in the USL, which seemed lofty at the time. With back-to-back victories against the Rochester Rhinos and Charlotte Independence, though, OCB is starting to show signs of serious ability, with Pierre Da Silva stealing the show this Saturday against Charlotte. The former U.S. U17 international – where he was a teammate of Christian Pulisic – scored his first professional goal and then supplied a perfect assist to lead Orlando back from a halftime deficit, and into the playoff positions in the Eastern Conference.

9. FLEMMINGS STRIKES AGAIN: Junior Flemmings won’t be representing Jamaica at the Copa America Centenario like Saint Louis FC’s Ryan Thompson, but the Reggae Boyz U20 international continued to serve notice that he could be one for the future with another game-winner on Saturday night for the New York Red Bulls II. The excellent finish gave Flemmings three goals to go with three assists this season as the Red Bulls II retained second place in the Eastern Conference standings, and kept them in touch with Louisville at the top with a game in hand.

10. IN THE HUNT AGAIN: With a revamped roster, Wilmington Hammerheads FC have been a much different proposition than a year ago for opponents in the Eastern Conference, but things still hadn’t quite clicked for the side as it headed to Toronto on Sunday. Even after their 3-1 win against Toronto FC II on Sunday, there are definitely still questions as to how good this side could be, but the three points couldn’t have come at a better time for Coach Mark Briggs’ side as results elsewhere allowed the Hammerheads to move back within two points of a playoff berth. The club’s fans will certainly be hoping it provides the spark the attack has seemed to need in recent weeks as the Hammerheads return home for a key game with Harrisburg on Friday.

11. SUPPORT SPARKS SACRAMENTO: For Sacramento Republic FC, the support the club has consistently received since its inception has been a key to its overall success, with Saturday night’s draw with the Swope Park Rangers another example of how the club’s fans can provide a timely boost to its players. Trailing 1-0 thanks to an excellent goal by Kevin Oliveira, Sacramento was able to get a valuable point as its players pushed on at the urging of their fans, as Harry Williams and Tommy Stewart set up Cameron Iwasa for the equalizer just three minutes after Oliveira’s strike. Republic FC hosts a massive game against the LA Galaxy II next Saturday at Bonney Field, and it will be fascinating to see what role the home fans have in that contest between the two California rivals.