NASL Week 14 Summary

November 2, 2013 - North American Soccer League (NASL) News Release


(MIAMI, FL) - Henry Lopez scored his second goal of the season as the New York Cosmos defeated the Atlanta Silverbacks in a preview of next weekend's NASL Soccer Bowl 2013. Neither side played their hand ahead of the championship game, which will air live from Atlanta Silverbacks Park on ESPN3 and ESPN Deportes on November 9 at 7.30pm ET.

Lopez received a cross from Satoru Kashiwase and let the ball bounce before firing it past Atlanta goalkeeper Cody Mizell from 14 yards out in the 34th minute to give the Cosmos, which extended its unbeaten streak to 12 straight matches, a 1-0 lead.

"The good thing was that we kept the lead," said Cosmos assistant coach Carlos Llamosa. "For us, we count one game at a time and it is a good way to finish the fall season this way, winning away against the Spring champions. Every game is important and now the game is over we have to start on Monday to prepare for the next game."

Silverbacks coach Brian Haynes said: "We had our chances, three clear cut chances, to score and we didn't put them away," said. "They had one shot on goal and it was a cross that made its way to where it was meant to. But I can't fault the effort tonight and there is nothing that is going to concern me for next week."

Carolina RailHawks striker Brian Shriver converted a penalty kick and then scored the winning goal to defeat the San Antonio Scorpions 2-1 at WakeMed Soccer Park. Shriver's goals ensured he kept the lead in the NASL scoring race to win the coveted Golden Boot awarded to the league's top scorer.

His 14th and 15th goals of the year also ensured the RailHawks proudly remained unbeaten at home in all competitive games in 2013 and earned a second place finish in the Fall Season standings, matching their placing in the Spring competition. Carolina accumulated the most points during the course of both seasons, with a total of 43, but fell short of topping either table to secure a place at NASL Soccer Bowl 2013, which goes to the Spring and Fall title winners.

"We made hard work of a game that we should have been in control of," said RailHawks coach Colin Clarke. "It is pretty fitting that Brian Shriver's goals will make him a deserved Golden Boot winner. It's been a good season, but not great because we're not playing next weekend."

Minnesota United FC finished in style, blasting six goals away from home to beat the Tampa Bay Rowdies 6-4 at Al Lang Stadium. United midfielder Omar Daley scored a hat-trick in his side's win that drew them level on points with the Rowdies and fourth in the table on goal difference.

"I'm very proud of the guys as it certainly was a wild game," said United coach, Manny Lagos. "It would have been better if we played better defense but boy did we attack well in both halves. We really wanted to finish the season the right way and get ready for next year."

FC Edmonton recorded their eleventh 1-1 draw of the 2013 campaign, holding the Fort Lauderdale Strikers at Lockhart Stadium.

Edmonton substitute Massimo Mirabelli scored a second-half equalizer to cancel out Carlos Salazar's first-half opener from the penalty spot to give the visitors a point.



North American Soccer League Stories from November 2, 2013


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