NASL Week 8 Preview

Published on May 23, 2013 under North American Soccer League (NASL) News Release


(MIAMI, Fla. May 23, 2013) - Only three points separate five teams from the top spot in the 2013 North American Soccer League standings going into Week 8 of the 2013 Spring Season. With the Carolina RailHawks having a bye this week, four clubs - Atlanta Silverbacks, FC Edmonton, Minnesota United FC, and Tampa Bay Rowdies - all have the chance to capture sole possession of first place.

For a second consecutive week the finalists from last year's Soccer Bowl will face-off as the Rowdies host United FC at Al Lang Stadium in downtown St. Petersburg on Saturday at 7:30pm ET. Last week, Tampa Bay posted a 3-2 victory in Minnesota to extend a perfect road undefeated streak this season. Perhaps surprisingly, the Rowdies will be searching for their first win on home soil.

"We are very aware that we have two big matches in a span of just a couple days," said Rowdies coach Ricky Hill. "We have been able to win our last two matches and we intend to continue that streak with this weekend's game against Minnesota. We are eager to get on the pitch and pick up our first home win of the season."

Minnesota coach many Lagos, whose side is unbeaten away from the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome this season, said of last week's home defeat to the Rowdies: "It was hard to accept that all our offensive work didn't lead to a victory or to more goals and now we have to figure out a way to come back."

Another Saturday evening encounter pits the San Antonio Scorpions visiting the Silverbacks at Atlanta Silverbacks Park at 7:30pm ET. The last meeting between the teams ended in a 2-2 stalemate earlier this month in San Antonio and both are now coming off much needed victories last week

Trailing first-place by just a single point, Atlanta handed the league-leading RailHawks their first loss of the season, while the Scorpions earned their first triumph of the campaign by defeating the Strikers.

"We need to make sure that we win our home games and we've done that two out of three times we've played here this year," said Silverbacks coach Brian Haynes. "It's time to do it again coming up this weekend against San Antonio. We need to keep them off the board, and we believe we have the ability to get our goals at home. Defensive effort is the most important thing here, and if we go in and play a good defensive game, then we'll get our goals and the result we want."

Scorpions Goalkeeper Jeremy Vuolo said: "I think all of the guys are looking forward to the weekend and getting back on track. It's important that we build off of a positive result against Fort Lauderdale as we look to climb the league table. We've got plenty of points available to us over the next six games and are looking to this weekend as an important step in achieving our goals."

Rounding out the NASL Week 8 action will be a Sunday afternoon clash as the Fort Lauderdale Strikers visit FC Edmonton at Clarke Stadium in Edmonton, AB, at 4:00pm ET. The previous meeting between the two sides ended in a 1-1 draw at Lockhart Stadium to open the 2013 campaign in April.

"We've had a week off to get healthy and prepared for the Strikers on Sunday, which is exactly what we needed after a tough stretch of games over a two week period," said Eddies coach Colin Miller. "We are in a good position now, just three points out of top spot. If we get results out of our four remaining home games, we have a chance at the Championship. That's our goal."

Week Eight Schedule - (All kickoff times US EST)

Saturday, May 25

Atlanta Silverbacks vs. San Antonio Scorpions

Atlanta Silverbacks Park, Atlanta, GA, 7.30pm

Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Minnesota United FC

Al Lang Stadium, St. Petersburg, FL, 7:30pm

Sunday, May 26

FC Edmonton vs. Fort Lauderdale Strikers

Clarke Stadium, Edmonton, AB, 4:00 pm

Bye week: Carolina RailHawks

All games will be streamed live and can be watched via the NASL official website www.NASL.com and at each respective team website.

This Week In The NASL

NASL Player of Week 7

San Antonio Scorpions midfielder Javier Saavedra notched a goal and dished out an assist in the 3-1 win over the Fort Lauderdale Strikers to earn North American Soccer League Player of the Week accolades. Saavedra delighted the Scorpions home fans at Toyota Field when he scored the games' opening goal after only 73 seconds. The 39-year-old stamped his influence on the game assisting on teammates Luka Vucko goal to pace the Scorpions to their first victory of the 2013 season.

"It really is an honor to be singled out among so many great players for this achievement, but it wouldn't be possible without the team," said Saavedra. "I owe this accomplishment to the way the team played on Saturday for the win."

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NASL Team of Week 7

Goalkeeper

Diego Restrepo, TBR

Made 5 saves in the win over Minnesota

Defenders

Martyn Lancaster, ATL

Scored the goal that earned Atlanta an unassailable 2-0 lead

Blake Wagner, SAS

Defended well at left back and his attacking play posted a constant threat

Luka Vucko, SAS

Scored San Antonio's second goal and had 4 shots

Midfielders

Javier Saarveda, SAS

Scored after only 73 seconds and also had an assist in the Scorpions' first win

Luke Mulholland, TBR

Scored to put the Rowdies 2-1 ahead and had 5 shots

Keith Savage, TBR

Scored the game's dramatic winner over Minnesota in the final minute

Shane Hill, TBR

Opened the scoring for the Rowdies and had 3 shots

Ty Shipalane, CAR

Lent his presence to the attack with 5 shots from midfield

Forwards

Ruben Luna, ATL

Opened the scoring from an acute angle and had 4 shots

Esteban Bayona, SAS

Worked tirelessly as a lone striker and had 3 shots while creating chances

NASL at the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup

All six U.S. based NASL sides were in action this past Tuesday during the Second Round of the 2013 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, with the Atlanta Silverbacks, Carolina RailHawks, Fort Lauderdale Strikers and Tampa Bay Rowdies emerging to move into the third round and were they will now target a series of giant-killing acts over their Major League Soccer foes in the quest to progress in the centennial edition of the historic competition.

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North American Soccer League Stories from May 23, 2013


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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