NASL Podcast Episode #47; Ready for the Playoffs
2012 September 25
Welcome to episode #47 of the IMSoccer News North American Soccer League Podcast. This week Gerry Wittmann, Jay (Yankiboy) Long, and yours truly, Brian Quarstad, have a lively discussion about the most recent activities in the NASL. You can find all past episodes of the North American Soccer League Podcast here and the RSS Feed here.
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I am not sure if this is going to be a topic of further discussion at a later date, however, I wanted to once again throw my two-cents in for the 2012 NASL MVP. My vote would go to Jeff Atinella.
As everyone recalls and you guys have pointed out, Jeff joined the Tampa Bay Rowdies last season after goalkepper Daryl Sattler suffered a knee injury and did not return for the remainder of the year. Rookie sensation Jeff Atinella stepped in and minded the net with some good success in 2011, and picked up where he left off in 2012.
Great point that in 2012, Atinella had 11 shut-outs. During this past season, he was named the NASL Defensive Player of the Week on five occasions–more than any other player in the league. In 2,520 minutes (the most of any GK in the league-yeah, he played every minute of every match) he outpaced every keeper with 118 saves, or an average of 4.214 saves per match. While he let in 30 goals, this averages out to 0.20 goals allowed per attempt. By comparison, the league “Golden Glove” winner, Daryl Sattler, allowed 0.22 goals per attempt. Sattler gave up 19 goals and had 66 saves–he played in roughly 23 matches (based on minutes played–2,151 minutes.
To top it off Atinella is a great guy. Jeff made a great save in the late June match against the Stars while defending the North Net. What is the big deal about the North Net at the NSC? Yeah, we are not going to go there on the family friendly IMS, but trust me, it is a rough crowd. Atinella even took a few minutes to chat with a slug like me after the last match in MN, and even took his parents out for dinner! (Atinella’s parents are pretty cool too–I’ve met them!)
In sum, this year’s MVP should go to Jeff Atinella!
@Soccer Boy – It’s not a popularity contest my friend. His statistics warrant his consideration as a finalist for the award though.
@BQ, Gerry, Yanki – Good show this week gang. Good idea to have Jesse on following up on his first article about the NASL’s stupid new schedule format. LOL I am very much looking forward to what his numbers will bear out once we have a season under the format in the books. I very strongly think some of the people who are currently thinking, eh, it’s not so bad, are going to change their tune once it plays out. Everyone just remember to mark down all the points I’ve made about it, and see if they don’t bear out.
As you guys talked about, myself, and many of my fellow Striker Likers are very concerned about this matchup. A number of my fellow fans were rooting strongly for us to be playing Puerto Rico instead, no offense Yanki! Like us, they seem to be more inconsistent in recent weeks. The Railhawks on the other hand have been on fire. Normally you’d have good confidence going into a playoff matchup against a team you were unbeaten against in the regular season with 2 wins and 2 ties. But this past Sunday’s game, very much like one of our trips into Cary this year where the exact same debacle of giving up two late match goals resulted in a tie from what should have been a win, was yet another reminder of just how much we lack mental toughness, and are unable to get results on the road. I’m not optimistic, but I’m always hopeful. Go Strikers!!!
By the by, I’m picking the Stars to pull the upset in Bayamon. You heard it here first!