The offense has been difficult to achieve so far in the inaugural United States Soccer League season, but that changed on Saturday when the pittsburgh maulers Y philadelphia stars they faced each other.
In a thrilling back-and-forth affair, the Stars (1-1) beat the Maulers (0-2) in a battle of Pennsylvania rivals, earning their first win of the season, 30-23.
Here are the best moments.
Philadelphia Stars 30, Pittsburgh Maulers 23
Denied!
The Stars were looking for a good start when Darnell Holland returned the opening kickoff to the Pittsburgh 36-yard line.
But the Maulers stood their ground when Jaylon McClain-Sapp intercepted a handball on fourth down.
Manhandling the Maulers
Philadelphia came up with a huge defensive stop of their own, in part because of this big hit.
Pittsburgh would end up settling for a field goal, taking a 3-0 lead.
So do you want to be a runner?
Get a first-hand look at what it looks like to get hit by a 300-pound defensive lineman.
Stars at the top!
Bryan Scott found Diondre Overton for the first touchdown of the game as the Stars led 7-3 early in the second quarter.
A short time later, Ahmad Dixon hooked this interception right in the chest. That set up a QB breakout from Scott, which gave the Stars a 14-3 lead.
defense to offense
Pittsburgh secured its first TD of the day courtesy of its defense, as a sack quickly turned into points after McClain-Sapp picked up the fumble and turned on the afterburners en route to the end zone.
throw it away love
McClain-Sapp’s big play fired up the Maulers, who began to pick up their pace on the offensive end. Josh Love uncorked a couple of big pitches in a row, the second a seed to tight end Hunter Thedford to help Pittsburgh take the lead.
throwing it
Scott is still warming up. The Maulers’ lead didn’t last long, as Scott led his company onto the field in response and dropped a dime to Maurice Alexander Jr. to put Philly back up, 21-16. The stars took that lead at halftime.
Back and forth we go
Love clearly didn’t want Scott to be the center of attention. Check out this beautiful 37-yard TD pass to Bailey Gaither that gave the Maulers a 23-21 lead.
Said Gaither: “It’s just what I do.”
From 3 point range
The Stars came back to regain the lead with another TD pass from Scott. And to make things even more entertaining, Philadelphia pulled off the first 3-point conversion of the inaugural USFL season, extending their lead to 30-23.
That score would stand, as the Stars earned their first win of the season.
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USFL – Maulers vs. Stars – 04/23/2022