NASL Week 3 Recap: Strikers Win, Montreal and FC Tampa Bay Draw

There were only two matches scheduled this weekend in the NASL, both played on Saturday. On Saturday afternoon, the Montreal Impact opened their home season in less than the desired manner, ending up in a scoreless draw with FC Tampa Bay before the Saputo Stadium faithful.  In Atlanta on Saturday evening, the Silverbacks hosted the Fort Lauderdale Strikers and again fell a bit short of a positive result, losing on a late penalty kick 2-1 as the Strikers continue their ability to come back late.

Montreal Impact 0-0 FC Tampa Bay

Photo courtesy Montreal Impact/Pépé

Although only gaining a draw against FC Tampa Bay, the Impact at least got their first point of the season after two road losses. FC Tampa Bay upped their record to 1-1-1 with the road result, in which they generally outplayed the Impact.

Although more than 12,000 tickets were sold to the match, Montreal were unable to get a goal for their home fans in their 18th and final opener before they move up to MLS in 2012.  Montreal has undergone a lot of changeover since the end of last season, with four players retiring, and additionally they were without defenders Richard Pelletier and Hicham Aboubou, midfielder Hassoun Camara and forward Reda Agourram. David Testo and Leonardo di Lorenzo made their first starts of the season for Coach Marc Dos Santos, but Montreal still was unable to generate a cohesive attack. Tampa Bay goalkeeper Daryl Sattler denied first half chances by Idriss Ech Chergui and Luke Kreamalmeyer to earn the clean sheet.

“I felt the team was very nervous at the beginning of the game,” said Dos Santos. “We were so focused on the win that we forgot how to get there. Even though Tampa Bay is a team relying heavily on counter-attacks, we were able to hold them scoreless in that situation. But we didn’t have any rhythm throughout the game. Now, we need to work on how to attack and get to know each other more in order to find everybody on the field. A lot of new players were in the starting lineup today and we will have to give ourselves some time to build a strong team.”

FC Tampa Bay are also having difficulty finishing, only scoring once in three matches.  But Ricky Hill’s men have been able to fashion four points from that one goal, and a road point in chilly Montreal had to be a positive.  Forwards Mike Ambersley and Warren Ukah got their first starts of 2011, and created some chances, but couldn’t find the back of the net.  Possibly FC Tampa Bay’s best opportunity to score came early on when midfielder Tsuyoshi Yoshitake got past Montreal keeper Bill Gaudette but hit the left post with his attempt.

“Hopefully the players will take some real confidence from this,” said head coach Ricky Hill. “As far as momentum and belief for our team, for us to come here and really keep possession well and give them very few opportunities, was very heartening.”  Hill added that “the foundation of any good side is to have a solid defense. Defending is a team game and the entire team played a large part in keeping a clean sheet today. And offensively, we are still working to convert our opportunities more often and frequently.”

Defender J.P. Rodrigues made a big clearance near the goalline early on to help Sattler earn his clean sheet as FC Tampa Bay have already racked up two shutouts in their first three 2011 games.

Montreal Lineup:  Gaudette, Billy, Hatchi, Pizzolitto, Tsiskaridze, Kreamalmeyer, Testo, Gerba, Di Lorenzo, Ech Chergui, Lowery  Subs Used:  Le Gall 65′ (for di Lorenzo),  Mayard 75′ (for Ech Chergui), Ribeiro 75′ (for Lowery)

FC Tampa Bay Lineup:  Sattler, Arango, Jarun, Rodrigues, Sanfilippo, McManus, Yamada, Yoshitake, Ambersley, Ukah, Millien Subs Used:  King 78′ (for Ukah), Gyorio 89′ (for Millien)

Ft. Lauderdale Strikers 2-1 Atlanta Silverbacks

There is sometimes a thin line between victory and defeat, and the Strikers fell on the right side of that line Saturday night against a Silverbacks side that fell on the opposite side.  The Strikers are developing a tendency to save the best for last, gaining their first win of the season very late while gaining a draw last weekend in the same fashion.  Meanwhile, the winless Silverbacks keep coming “oh so close” to getting their first points of the season before surrendering the game in the final minutes.  The Strikers now sit at 1-1-1, tied on four points in the NASL standings with NSC Minnesota and FC Tampa Bay.

An Atlanta crowd of over 3,200 looked forward to the home team getting a result, but it was the Strikers that got on the board first, as Martin Nunez chipped over Atlanta goalkeeper Felipe Quintero in the 14th minute. But defender Mario Perez gave the Atlanta crowd something to cheer about two minutes later. The Mexican Primera Division veteran again showed his offensive ability, as he knocked in a 20-yard shot past Strikers’ goalkeeper Nic Platter. Both sides had other chances late in the half, but neither the Silverbacks’ Fernando Gonzalez or Nunez could find the back of the net.

José Manuel Abundis’ Silverbacks side had chances in the second half, as Shane Moroney blasted a shot and substitute Emsad Zahirovic had a headed goal denied by an offsides call. The game looked to end a draw, but, as last week, the Strikers drew a late foul in the box as Atlanta’s Tyler Ruthven felled the Strikers’ Yoximar Granado. Eduardo Coudet stepped up to take the penalty kick. Coudet, with his hesitation approach to penalties, was able to net past Quintero in the 87th minute, and the Strikers held on to gain all three points. Atlanta led in shots taken (17-8) and corner kicks (8-4), but the end result was another home loss.

Strikers’ Coach Daryl Shore has improved the team’s defending since taking over midway through last season.  The return of Zach Kirby, along with Aaron Hohlbein, Martyn Lancaster and the addition of Finnish player Toni Stahl have given the Strikers a solid defensive corps. The Strikers offense seems to be coming along without Christian Gomez and Paulo Araujo Jr. from last year’s Miami FC club.

“Tonight was a hard night against a good team. We are proud of the way we battled all night and are happy to leave with three points,” said Head Coach Daryl Shore. “We feel good about winning against a quality team away from home.”

For Atlanta, no points from three home games is tough, but fans shouldn’t be too disheartened. The Silverbacks do have quality, and many of the youngsters, especially Lucas Paulini and Shane Moroney, are doing well in their first seasons as professionals. With Atlanta supporters behind the team, better times are ahead for the club, who are currently suffering the common malady of young teams in staying focused for the entire 90 minutes.

Atlanta Lineup:  Quintero, Perez, Moroney, Ruthven, Hunt, Paulini, Davis, Matsushita, Gonzalez, Sandoval, Horth  Subs Used:  Cox 58′ (for Gonzalez), Zahirovic 69′ (for Matsushita), O’Brien 90′ (for Ruthven)

Ft.Lauderdale Lineup:  Platter, Lancaster, Kirby, Hohlbein, Stahl, LePetit, Arguez, Coudet, Shriver, Nunez, Wheeler  Subs Used: West 69′ (for Shriver), Granado 75′(for LePetit), Peguero 87′ (for Wheeler)

NASL News

On Tuesday of this week, the Puerto Rico Islanders open their home season at Juan Roman Loubriel Stadium when they host the NSC Minnesota Stars. On Friday evening, the Islanders play another home match, this time taking on the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. On Saturday, the Atlanta Silverbacks make their first road trip, as they travel to Al Lang Stadium to try to get their first result against FC Tampa Bay while the Stars open their home season against the Carolina RailHawks.

On Sunday evening FC Edmonton host the Montreal Impact in a Canadian showdown after both sides are involved in their Nutrilite Canadian Championship matches earlier in the week. On Wednesday April 27, FC Edmonton host FC Tampa Bay in the first leg of their series while Montreal hosts long-time rivals the Vancouver Whitecaps.

In other news, the Puerto Rico Islanders announced last week the appointment of Eduardo Carvacho as the team’s new general manager. Carvacho has spent six years in Major League Soccer involved in marketing, and was also an assistant coach for the Columbus Crew.

“We continue to take big steps forward. Carvacho’s character, passion, and unique qualifications will lead our organization into higher levels and will expand our persisted contribution to the development of soccer in Puerto Rico,” stated Islanders’ President Andrés Guillemard-Noble.

Carvacho commented, “it is a tremendous honor to be selected as General Manager of the Puerto Rico Islanders. I would like to thank the ownership group for their trust in my abilities to guide this fantastic organization into new heights. I am ready to take an active role in elevating and impacting the growth and development of soccer in Puerto Rico.”