NASL Final Weekend Recap: NSC Minnesota Gets it Done

Photo by Ron Kinnan - www.robkinnanphotography.com

The NSC Minnesota Stars waited until the last game of the season, but they made their way into the NASL playoffs next week with a 2-1 in Cary over the now struggling Carolina RailHawks.  The Montreal Impact, in their last season in D2, did everything they could Saturday night by beating the Atlanta Silverbacks on the road 4-0, but their early season woes left them one point behind NSC Minnesota, thus finishing outside the playoffs.  FC Tampa Bay put their stamp on this year’s Florida derby, defeating the Fort Lauderdale Strikers 2-0 at Al Lang Stadium to finish third in the NASL regular season standings behind Carolina and Puerto Rico.

Carolina RailHawks 1-2 NSC Minnesota Stars

The playoff hopes of Coach Manny Lagos and the NSC Minnesota Stars were in their own hands tonight, as a win would put them into the final playoff spot no matter what the Montreal Impact did in Atlanta.  Lagos and company took care of business, defeating the once invincible Carolina RailHawks, 2-1, and will play next Saturday in Florida against FC Tampa Bay.

Although the RailHawks were at home before over 6,200 fans, trying to up their record number of victories in one season, it was the Stars that got on the scoreboard first. After a scoreless first half, Kyle Altman put the Stars ahead early in the second half when he converted a penalty kick after Jeff Cosgriff was tripped in the box. But Carolina came right back, as D2 veteran Jonny Steele pushed a through ball to Pablo Campos, who beat Joe Warren to tie the score within two minutes of the Stars’ goal.  But Lucas Rodriguez intercepted a pass and laid it off to Brian Cvilikas, who knew exactly what to do with it, giving the Stars a 2-1 lead they’d hold for the rest of the match. For more on the Stars’ win, click here.

Atlanta Silverbacks 0-4 Montreal Impact

On the last evening of the regular season, Montreal needed to win to have a chance at the final playoff spot, and did so convincingly, strafing the Atlanta Silverbacks for three first half goals.  Unfortunately for Impact fans, the club’s final year in D2 didn’t quite become a Cinderella finish, as the Stars’ victory left the Impact out in the cold.

Portland Timber’s midfielder Ryan Pore got his groove back playing for Montreal, and was a major contributor to the team’s 6-1-2 record down the stretch that gave them the chance to even challenge for a playoff spot after such a slow start.  Pore scored three times for the Impact Saturday, opening the game with a 6th minute goal and following up Miguel Montano’s 18th minute goal by netting again at the half hour mark. Pore completed his hat trick early in the second half, converting a penalty kick to finalize the game at 4-0.

“We played the game we wanted to play tonight,” said Impact head coach and sporting director Nick De Santis. “The concentration was excellent and we were able to find the spaces right away to score. It was a high level team playing against a team that was struggling. We were probably the best team in the league for the last month and a half. The final result is disappointing. It’s unfortunate for the guys that have been through this, with all the pressure. I also feel bad for our fans because they won’t have the chance to see this team play in the playoffs.”

Although the Impact failed to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2001, they played quite well down the stretch.  Midseason pickups such as Pore, Montano, Sinisa Ubiparipovic and others gave Impact fans a chance to believe, and as always, they responded by filling Saputo Stadium, rooting for their Impact. The club will be sorely missed in D2. They move on to MLS after winning 265 games, losing 155 and drawing 71 in 491 D2 regular season matches. Defender Simon Gatti played his 100th game in Montreal kit while another backliner,  captain Nevio Pizzolitto, went over the 23,000 minute mark. Goalkeeper Evan Bush notched another clean sheet in a season where he was slated to backup Bill Gaudette, but played often due to Gaudette’s injury and demonstrated that he has what it takes to be a #1 goalkeeper.

For the Silverbacks, achieving only four wins and four draws in 28 matches was surely frustrating, as was their deficit of 38 goals between the amount they scored and the total they surrendered. It was a tough first year back after a two-year hiatus.  But on the positive side, the Silverbacks showed that they could draw decent crowds despite the club’s win/loss record, and developed a core of young players that few had heard of before the season started, but who showed they could play the game.

FC Tampa Bay 2-0 Fort Lauderdale Strikers

FC Tampa Bay ended the regular season on a high note, defeating Florida rivals the Fort Lauderdale Strikers with third place on the line before over 3,200 fans at Al Lang Stadium.

“It was important for us to get three points tonight heading into the playoffs,” said FC Tampa Bay head coach Ricky Hill. “I think it was a great accomplishment to finish third in the standings, considering how we started as a new team, and the players throughout the season have worked very hard.”

Both goals were scored in the second half, following the ejection of Fort Lauderdale’s Cristian Arrieta in the 51st minute. Midfielder Keith Savage scored his fourth goal of the season in the 68th minute from a Shane Hill pass, while Matt Clare, coming in as a 69th minute sub for forward Aaron King, added insurance in stoppage time from a Mike Ambersley flick. Rookie goalkeeper Jeff Attinella earned his fifth shutout of the season after coming in for injured goalkeeper Daryl Sattler early in the season. FC Tampa Bay outshot the Strikers 14-10, while earning six corner kicks to only two for their South Florida rivals.

Both teams host playoff games next Saturday.  The Strikers take on FC Edmonton, while FC Tampa Bay play host to the NSC Minnesota Stars as the first round of the 2011 NASL playoffs begin. For more on Saturday’s match, click here.