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NASL Match of the Week to Feature Tampa Bay vs. Atlanta

April 24, 2014 - North American Soccer League (NASL) News Release


NEW YORK (April 24, 2014) - Atlanta Silverbacks will travel to take on Tampa Bay Rowdies in this week's North American Soccer League 'Match of the Week' that will be broadcast live on ESPN3 on Saturday, April 26 at 7:30 pm ET.

ESPN's live, multi-screen sports network is accessible online at WatchESPN.com, on smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN app and streamed on televisions through ESPN on Xbox LIVE to Gold members, Apple TV, Roku and Amazon Fire TV.

Soccer fans around the world will also be able to 'Watch Every Match Live' throughout the 2014 North American Soccer League season including Week 3 venues of April 26 in Fort Lauderdale, Minnesota, New York, Ottawa and Tampa Bay at www.NASLLive.com.

Currently just four points from first-place, the Rowdies are coming off consecutive 1-1 draws and are searching for their first victory of the Spring Season, while visiting Silverbacks are aiming to end a five-game losing streak.

"It's a beautiful opportunity for us," said Rowdies coach Ricky Hill on playing the Silverbacks on ESPN3 this Saturday. "Regardless of whether the cameras are here, the players go out there committed to try to win the game. We're going to try and create opportunities by playing with passion, with inspiration and with desire."

NASL Spring Week 3 encounters kickoff on Saturday afternoon as Canada's newest club, Ottawa Fury FC hosts their third home game in eight days as Carolina RailHawks, who are currently two points from first-place, visit Carleton University's Keith Harris Stadium at 3 pm ET. The first-ever meeting between the two sides will be live locally on Rogers TV and TSN 1200 Radio.

"We expect another tough week in the NASL," said RailHawks coach Colin Clarke, who's team posted a 4-1 win last week against Ft. Lauderdale Strikers to extend their home unbeaten streak to 17 games. "This will be our first ever trip to Ottawa and we will look to get a good result. I think we will have a great match on Saturday afternoon."

Elsewhere on Saturday, the defending champions New York Cosmos look to extend their unbeaten streak, which currently stands at 13 (tied for NASL's all-time best since 2011), when they greet San Antonio Scorpions at Hofstra University's James M. Shuart Stadium at 7 pm ET live on ONE World Sports.

"The Edmonton game is behind us, now we are focusing on playing San Antonio," said Cosmos coach Giovanni Savarese, who's side posted a 1-0 road win over FC Edmonton last week. "Every game for us is a final, especially when we play at home. We expect San Antonio to come full strength but our guys are growing every weekend."

The Scorpions are also coming off a road victory (2-1) against Atlanta Silverbacks last Saturday, however they have not beaten the current league leaders Cosmos in their previous two meetings.

Another of theleague's expansion club taking the field on Saturday will be Indy Eleven as it travels for the first time and it takes on Fort Lauderdale Strikers at Lockhart Stadium at 7:30 pm ET. The first-ever meeting between the two clubs will be live locally on radio at Sofloradio.com.

"We have to win this game against Indy," Strikers coach G-nter Kronsteiner, who's club lost last week, 4-1, at the RailHawks, said. "We had a tough loss in Carolina. We didn't play that bad, we just made a few bad decisions that cost us the goals.

"Now we have to look past it and put in a good performance at home. Indy has a good team; Kleberson is a great player, so they'll be tough. But we know it's important to get a good result in this short season."

Rounding out Saturday's Week 3 encounters, Minnesota United FC, who's currently tied for first in the standings but in second-place due to goal difference, welcomes FC Edmonton at Blaine's NSC Stadium at 8 pm ET, live locally on KSTC-45 TV.

United, who has a four-game winning streak, have never lost to the Eddies in six previous meetings in Minnesota. FC Edmonton, who had the best defense last year, held United to a 1-1 draw in their last visit to NSC Stadium last September.

"I'm well aware it will be a difficult task for us against Minnesota on Saturday," said FC Edmonton coach Colin Miller. "We know it'll be a difficult game for us, but it'll be difficult for Minnesota as well.

"They're a very experienced team, well coached, and prepared. They're a good club, but now it's more about getting our house in order."

NASL fans can watch every game by subscribing to either a 30-day pass or a season access pass at www.NASLLive.com, soccer fans can access all 135 matches during the 2014 NASL Spring and Fall Seasons.

Throughout the month of April, the NASL is offering a 10-day free trial to enjoy the weekly broadcasts as the league's 10 teams battle to reach the postseason and compete in The Championship for the coveted Soccer Bowl trophy. This is the last weekend to participate in this free trial.

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North American Soccer League Stories from April 24, 2014


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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