NASL Week 10 Recap: Things Tightening up in Standings with Wins from Strikers, Islanders and Rowdies

NASL Week 10 kicked off on Friday in Edmonton as the Carolina RailHawks downed the Eddies 1-0. On Saturday, the Fort Lauderdale Strikers jumped out in the second half to take down the visiting NSC Minnesota Stars 3-0.

On Sunday, 8 goals were scored in 2 games. The Puerto Rico Islanders defeated the Montreal Impact 2-1 and the Atlanta Silverbacks scored 2 goals but it wasn’t enough to defeated the hosting Tampa Bay Rowdies who  put 3 into the net. Atlanta has now scored more goals in the past two matches than they did in the first nine games of the season. Tampa and Fort Lauderdale also seem to have solved their scoring drought.

With victories by Fort Lauderdale, Puerto Rico and Tampa Bay and no points gained for Edmonton and Minnesota because of losses, the standings in the NASL are starting to tighten up with only 4 points separating 2nd through 6th place teams.

FC Edmonton 0-1  Carolina RailHawks

The invincible Carolina RailHawks continued their winning ways with a 1-0 win at Foote Field Friday night in Edmonton. The RailHawks are undefeated since their opener on April 9, and are not only strong at home but anywhere they travel. Coach Martin Rennie’s club has opened a dominant 11-point lead atop the NASL over 2nd place NSC Minnesota. With their form, I think they could rocket to the moon, find an opponent, build a field, defy gravity and still come up with three points. Actually, the RailHawks’ NASL rivals probably wish that the club would head into outer space for a few weeks, giving them a chance to catch up in the standings.

Following a scoreless first half, Carolina got the only goal they needed seven minutes into the second half when Matt Watson took advantage of some poor play in the Edmonton back and netted past Eddies’ goalkeeper Lance Parker. It was the first tally of the season for Englishman Watson, who hass played in over 75 matches for Carolina since 2008. An insurance goal for Carolina appeared shortly afterwards, as NASL Superman Etienne Barbara netted four minutes later, but the goal was mysteriously waved off and the score remained 1-0 in Carolina’s favor. According to later reports, a whistle blown by a fan caused the Edmonton players to think the play was whistled dead by the referee, who nullified the goal after a lengthy delay.

Misfortune visited Edmonton in the 80th minute. Parker, deputizing for suspended starting keeper Rein Baart, leapt for a ball and fell awkwardly on the turf. The Oklahoman suffered a compound fracture of his right arm. With Baart suspended and third-string keeper Jaswinder Gill out with back injury, amateur goalkeeper Justin Ammar was called upon to play the last 10 minutes of the match and handled the call-up well.  The Eddies pressured, with Michael Cox missing a decent opportunity near the end but despite  the lengthy stoppage time, were unable to equalize.

The result lifts Carolina’s record to a quite impressive 9-1-1 on the season, while the Eddies suffered their second consecutive shutout defeat, and now sit in 3rd place in the NASL standings with a 5-1-4 mark. Harry Sinkgraven’s team was outshot 15-8 by Carolina, who also dominated in corner kicks earned 8-1. Despite some fine play by Kyle Porter and some excellent free kicks by Alex Surprenant, Carolina’s team concept was just too much for the young Edmonton side to overcome in front of over 1,800 fans.  Credit RailHawks keeper Brad Knighton and the starting backline with another strong effort despite the absence of captain Brad Rusin. And we’ll all be rooting for Lance Parker for a healthy recovery from his injury.

Fort Lauderdale Strikers 3-0 NSC Minnesota Stars

Confidence is a factor often overlooked by fans when judging the performance of their favorite team. Injuries, professional inexperience, roster turnover and just plain bad luck can often eat at the performance of a team as belief in themselves and what they can accomplish diminishes when results don’t equal expectations. For the re-branded Fort Lauderdale Strikers, the 2011 season began with some bad fortune and injuries and a seeming lack of ability to finish from anywhere on the field but the penalty spot.  The expectations of a re-vitalized and expanded band of Striker supporters wasn’t being matched by the club’s performance on the field.

But things are changing rapidly in Fort Lauderdale, and the Lockhart Stadium faithful are being rewarded for their patience. Following  the Strikers’ Week 9 dramatic 3-2 win over the defending D2 champion Puerto Rico Islanders, Daryl Shore’s club built on that momentous victory with a 3-0 shutdown of the NSC Minnesota Stars in Saturday’s only NASL action. The win raised the Strikers’ record to 3-5-2, only three points behind the Stars with two games in hand.

Neither side was able to dent the scoreboard in the first half of Saturday’s match, despite the Stars’ Simone Bracalello forcing Strikers’ keeper Matt Glaeser into a diving stop with another of his exciting bicycle kicks. Minnesota keeper Joe Warren was up to the challenge of stopping a first half header by the Strikers’ Cristian Arrieta from an Eduardo Coudet free kick.

The Strikers, however, took command of the game in the 2nd half, and were led in scoring by two youngsters. Nineteen-year-old winger Yoximar Granado broke the ice with his first professional goal. The pacy Colombian hustled down the right flank and was able to make an accurate, high shot to beat Warren. The Strikers continued to push, as veterans Jean-Phillippe Peguero and Abe Thompson worked together well to provide a good shot on goal by Thompson, which Warren was able to counter.

Young third year pro Brian Shriver put the emphasis on the Strikers’ quality in this match after entering in the 64th minute. The former Tar Heel immediately upped the Strikers’ advantage, volleying home an Arrieta ball while showing great touch while chesting Arrieta’s pass. A red card ejection by Strikers’ defender Lance Laing following a foul on Bracalello may have opened the door to the Stars with a man advantage for the game’s final thirteen minutes, but Shriver sealed the deal for the home club in the 87th minute with his second goal following a pass from Thompson that Shriver easily tapped in past Warren to finalize the 3-0 result.

Shriver commented on the role Coach Shore envisioned for him on entering the match.  “Coach told me what my role was going to be and to go make runs. He told me to get in there and attack, and I did quickly. It was nice seeing we weren’t settling for the first goal. We got the first and we fought and got more. We have to thank the fans, as well, for sticking with us. We were struggling, but they were still there for us.”

The return of Abe Thompson surely has helped revitalize the Strikers fortunes, too.  They are victorious in both games he’s started since return from injury, and undoubtedly that is not merely coincidence. Thompson brings a veteran’s poise and bona fide finishing skills to the Strikers’ offense. Now it’s up to the surging Strikers to translate their recent home form into some road results.  Great credit goes to 6’5″ goalkeeper Matt Glaeser on earning the clean sheet and holding off the Stars’ dynamic attack.

NSC Minnesota is in a mini-slump following a strong May home stand. Manny Lagos’ side will look to regroup upon returning home and re-establishing themselves as one of the league’s top clubs.

FC Tampa Bay 3-2  Atlanta Silverbacks

On Sunday evening at Al Lang Field, FC Tampa Bay grabbed all three points in a 3-2 win over the visiting Silverbacks.  The win gives Ricky Hill’s Tampa Bay side a 3-4-4 record while Atlanta, after notching their first 2011 win last week, fall to 1-2-8.

FC Tampa Bay took the lead in the 31st minute as forward Mike Ambersley notched his fourth goal of the season from a pass from midfielder Tsuyoshi Yoshitake. Yoshitake seems to be part of every goal scored by Hill’s side. Atlanta defender Willie Hunt found the equalizer shortly thereafter, as his header beat Jeff Attinella to tie the game 1-1.

The story of the second half was goals and missed opportunities for both clubs. José Manuel Abundis’ Silverbacks earned a penalty kick when Ciaran O’ Brien, who’d assisted on Atlanta’s first goal, drew a penalty kick. O’Brien’s attempt from the spot was blocked, however, by Attinella. In the 54th minute, Ambersley again netted for FC Tampa Bay allowing the home team to regain the lead. Jordan Davis equalized for Atlanta on a long blast that beat Atlanta’s Jimmy Maurer, with O’Brien making amends for his PK miss by providing the pass to Davis.

With the game deadlocked, FC Tampa Bay’s Yoshitake drew a foul from Shane Moroney in the 70th minute and Ambersley stepped up to the spot, looking for the hat trick.  This time, though, it was Maurer’s turn to play the hero, as he denied Ambersley’s attempt and kept the Silverbacks level. The match wound down and it appeared that Atlanta would get another result, but Aaron King was the savior for FC Tampa Bay. With three minutes remaining in regulation, King, who led the club with 12 goals in 2010, chose the perfect moment to open his 2011 account.  King’s volleyed shot from a Frankie Sanfilippo pass finalized the score and sent the Tampa fans home happy.

What an entertaining evening for the 2,300 fans on hand and viewers watching the online stream. Not only were there five goals scored and big penalty saves from each goalkeeper, but a total of 42 shots, 19 of which were on frame, were an element of the wide open contest.  Naturally, Coach Hill was reasonably happy with the result.  “The victory is very important for the confidence of the players and it was great to get the three points tonight,” said Hill. “But I do hope we can defend better outside our box. I think we can work a little bit harder as a team to deny our opponents the time and space to put balls in our box.”

For Atlanta and Coach Abundis, it was another close loss.  But there is some consolation in the fact that the team was able to score twice without attacking left back Mario Pérez and newcomer Conor Chinn. Following a lengthy goal drought, the Silverbacks have shined their scoring boots, scoring four goals in their last two contests.

Puerto Rico Islanders 2-1  Montreal Impact

The MLS-bound Montreal Impact once again stubbed their toe, losing to the Islanders in Bayamon 2-1 Sunday. The result leaves Puerto Rico’s season mark at 4-2-3 and returns them to the even mark in goal differential while Montreal falls to 2-2-6, five points out of the sixth and final playoff spot.

The Islanders got on the board first as former Rochester Rhino Aaron Pitchkolan netted from a corner kick in the 24th minute, with the assist going to fellow defender Logan Emory.  The Impact found the equalizer eleven minutes later, though, as Amir Lowery scored from a close range goal on a play started by forward  Mignane Diouf, with midfielder Idriss Ech Chergui assisting to Lowery.

The Islanders showed their form three minutes later, as Kevon Villaroel sent a long pass to the ever-dangerous Nicholas Addlery, who headed past Impact keeper Bill Gaudette.  The former Islander keeper was injured shortly afterwards, and replaced by Evan Bush.

There were no more goals forthcoming as Addlery’s goal became the game winner, although Addlery, Josh Hansen and Ech Chergui all had good opportunities. Adding insult to injury, Montreal’s Antonio Ribeiro absented himself from Montreal’s next match by drawing a second yellow card very late in the contest and was ejected. The win was a good recovery for Colin Clarke’s Islanders after losing late to Fort Lauderdale last week.

Meanwhile, Montreal coach Marc Dos Santos saw some positives despite the loss.  “We tried to get the win throughout the whole game,” said Dos Santos. “We played one of our best games of the year in terms of ball circulation and the players fought for each other. We saw tonight the team we want to be. We were stronger, faster and better than against Atlanta. However, we allowed two goals due to a lack of concentration on two set plays.”  Montreal’s only two 2011 wins thus far have came against FC Edmonton.

NASL News

FC Edmonton will look to get back on the good foot at Foote Field Wednesday when they host the Puerto Rico Islanders.  Next weekend features all eight NASL teams in action.  On Saturday, the Montreal Impact return to Saputo Stadium to face the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, while Carolina host FC Tampa Bay, and NSC Minnesota returns home to take on FC Edmonton. Sunday NASL action will feature the Puerto Rico Islanders giving a Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium welcome to the Atlanta Silverbacks.

The Silverbacks have been involved in some recent personnel changes. Stalwart left back Mario Pérez,  an April nominee for NASL Player of the Month recognition, was registered with the Mexican Federation last week.  The Mexico City native and Primera Division veteran looks to return to Primera play with Estudiantes Tecos. Tecos are based in the Guadalajara region, and are local rivals of popular sides Chivas and Atlas.  Although his loss will be a blow to the young Silverbacks side, it’s a sign of the level of play in the NASL that the high-quality Primera Division would look to the work done by Pérez with Atlanta as a sign that he has re-vitalized his career.  Pérez previously earned a paycheck with Mexican teams Club America, Nexaca, San Luis and Atlas and has ten international caps for El Tri in a standout career.  Best wishes to Mario.

As Dr. Gerry recently suggested on IMSoccer News, the Silverbacks added some attacking depth by signing former NY Red Bulls’ forward Conor Chinn.  The California native, 23, was chosen in the third round of the 2010 MLS draft and made nine appearances for the Red Bulls in 2010.  The 6-footer scored three goals in last season’s US Open Cup competition for New York, and was briefly with Real Salt Lake this season before heading to Atlanta.

“Adding someone with Conor’s talent— especially his speed and his ability in the air — is tremendous for our team,” said Silverbacks Director of Soccer Rodrigo Rios. “We hope he’ll be able to make an immediate impact in our front line.”  Chinn finished his college career with the University of San Francisco Dons.