After Action-Packed Week 16, NASL Fall Season Set for Dramatic Finish
Published on October 26, 2014 under North American Soccer League (NASL) News Release
NEW YORK (October 26, 2014) - Having already claimed the North American Soccer League (NASL) Spring Season Championship, Minnesota United FC entered Saturday night with a solid shot at adding to their trophy case. The Loons needed just a draw against the visiting San Antonio Scorpions to clinch the Fall Season Championship, but the Scorpions had other ideas, leaving a packed NSC Stadium with a 1-0 win on Saturday night.
The Loons and Scorpions know that they will each be hosting a semifinal match in The Championship, the league's four-team postseason tournament that kicks off on November 8. The Fort Lauderdale Strikers and Carolina RailHawks are simply trying to get a seat at the postseason table. The Strikers pulled off a 1-0 win over FC Edmonton on Saturday, while the RailHawks topped the Atlanta Silverbacks, 2-0, on the road. The Strikers enter the final week of the season with a two point lead over the RailHawks, putting them on the verge of clinching the final berth into The Championship. Week 16 of the Fall Season was packed with action across the board - here is what happened in all five games:
Minnesota United FC 0, San Antonio Scorpions 1
The Scorpions weren't interested in seeing United celebrate the Fall Season Championship on Saturday night, so they did something about it, claiming a 1-0 win at NSC Stadium on Saturday night. A goal early in the second half from Costa Rican midfielder Cesar Elizondo was all the Scorpions needed to earn three points and put themselves just two points below the Loons in the Fall Season Standings going into the final week of the season. The Scorpions travel home to host the New York Cosmos next Saturday, while United pays a visit to the RailHawks.
" It's a tough loss," said United Head Coach Manny Lagos. "We certainly didn't want to lose. It was a very tough, tight game. It maybe didn't go our way in the second half. Maybe we didn't handle some of the counter attacks in the second half as well as we should have. We certainly should have created more chances than we did at home."
Fort Lauderdale Strikers 1, FC Edmonton 0
In the ESPN3 Match of the Week, the Strikers took another step closer to fulfilling their postseason hopes. A goal late in the second half from Brazilian midfielder Pecka was enough to vault the Strikers to 39 points in the Combined Standings - two ahead of the RailHawks with one game left to play. The result was a painful one for FC Edmonton, who was eliminated from contention with the loss. The Strikers welcome Ottawa Fury FC to Lockhart Stadium next Saturday in hopes of securing the fourth and final berth into The Championship.
"It was long awaited, to be honest with you, because we missed so many chances," said Strikers Head Coach Gunter Kronstener about the game-winning goal. "Usually you don't get many chances against a team like this one, but we finished it and I think the result was very well deserved."
Atlanta Silverbacks 0, Carolina RailHawks 2
The RailHawks are still alive in the hunt for that final postseason berth. The team's 2-0 win over the Atlanta Silverbacks puts them in a must-win position next weekend against visiting United. Goals from forwards Devon Sandoval and Nacho Novo kept Carolina's season alive, and gave them hope going into next weekend. RailHawks goalkeeper Scott Goodwin was also big in the game, stopping a first-half penalty kick from Silverbacks forward Jaime Chavez.
"I was disappointed last week because we didn't get the result we were looking for. We knew it was a make-or-break game. We had to stay in the race," said RailHawks head coach Colin Clarke. "We're a little disappointed that we didn't get more goals toward the end of the game in case goal differential comes into play next weekend. That was disappointing, but our goalkeeper and back four were superb tonight."
New York Cosmos 2, Tampa Bay Rowdies 2
With a spot in The Championship already locked up, the Cosmos were looking to end their 2014 home schedule on a high note. After the Rowdies went ahead through Evans Frimpong midway through the first half, the Cosmos climbed back with two goals - first from midfielder Hagop Chirishian and then Spanish legend Marcos Senna. The 2-1 score looked as if it was going to hold up, but Frimpong struck again in second-half stoppage time to earn a share of the points.
"We wanted to finish strong this season, and we always want to try to win every game," said Cosmos head coach Giovanni Savarese. "Every game is important to us and we wanted to get three more points, but I was very content with the performance of the team today. I think it was one of the best games we have played so far this year."
Ottawa Fury FC 1, Indy Eleven 2
Capping off an emotional week in Canada's capital city, Ottawa Fury FC hosted Indy Eleven at TD Place on Sunday afternoon. Fury FC couldn't get a result, however, losing 2-1 to Indy in its last home game of the year. Brazilian forward Jhulliam put the visitors ahead in the first half and midfielder Victor Pineda added to the lead late in the game.
Brazilian forward Oliver pulled one back with just a few minutes to go, making the score 2-1, but it wasn't enough in the end. The result extended Indy's winning streak to three games, and served as another example of the team's improved play near the tail end of the 2014 season.
"It's a really meaningful three points for us. There's a good rivalry between us, obviously they've taken points from us, and they've scored six goals against us," said Indy Eleven head coach Juergen Sommer. "They're well-coached and well-organized, but today we worked hard and I'm really proud of the group. That being said - great stadium, great fans - our two clubs are both top class in the NASL and have bright futures."
NASL Fall Season Week 16 Scores
Minnesota United FC 0, San Antonio Scorpions 1
Fort Lauderdale Strikers 1, FC Edmonton 0
Atlanta Silverbacks 0, Carolina RailHawks 2
New York Cosmos 2, Tampa Bay Rowdies 2
Ottawa Fury FC 1, Indy Eleven 2
North American Soccer League Stories from October 26, 2014
- Eleven Tops Ottawa 2-1 - Indy Eleven
- After Action-Packed Week 16, NASL Fall Season Set for Dramatic Finish - NASL
- Cosmos Held to 2-2 Draw by Rowdies - New York Cosmos
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