NASL Week 9 Saturday Summary
Published on June 1, 2013 under North American Soccer League (NASL) News Release
(MIAMI, FL) - The San Antonio Scorpions and Fort Lauderdale Strikers forgot to read the script on Saturday evening. Both Minnesota United and the Carolina RailHawks had designs on top spot in the North American Soccer League, but both were denied an opportunity to overtake the league-leading Atlanta Silverbacks, who had a bye week.
First the Strikers threatened to upset the second placed RailHawks through a first half Scott Gordon goal, before an 81st minute equalizer by NASL leading scorer Brian Shriver - his sixth of the season - rescued at least the consolation of a point from a draw. The 1-1 final score ensured Fort Lauderdale, while propping up the standings, remains only two wins off top spot, while Carolina sits second a solitary point behind Atlanta.
"First half we were very disappointing and we didn't play well, the Strikers were a lot better than us and they wanted it more," said RailHawks coach Colin Clarke. "In the second half we came out so much better but it could have gone either way."
His counterpart Daryl Shore said: "It's disappointing as I believe we gave them too much respect however, positively we didn't lose, the negative we didn't win and a 1-1 tie seems to be a fair result."
Then in San Antonio, the Scorpions stormed into the lead in the opening minutes through Blake Wagner and Honduran midfielder Walter Ramirez added a second goal after the interval to end Minnesota's hopes of taking over at the top with a 2-0 win at Toyota Field.
"It was an inspired performance from start to finish," said Scorpions coach Tim Hankinson. "We took a lot pressure in the second half but it is great how players just stepped up made key plays, good tackles and block shots. It was great for our guys to rise to the occasion and get that 2-0 win as we needed it." Minnesota coach Manny Lagos admitted his side never recovered from the early blow dealt by the Scorpions, saying: "I felt we played well this game however we couldn't come back from that opening goal. We took a big hit early and we couldn't fire back and that is the game some days. We made some team mistakes early that hurt us and we had several chances to score but we didn't so it this point in the season has to be better in order for us to battle for first-place."
The Tampa Bay Rowdies, who boast a perfect 3-0 record away from home, visit FC Edmonton, themselves twice winners at home at Clarke Stadium, on Sunday, knowing a win for the Rowdies will put them top and three points for the Eddies could lift them as high as third.
North American Soccer League Stories from June 1, 2013
- NASL Week 9 Saturday Summary - NASL
- Minnesota United FC Fall 2-0 to San Antonio - Minnesota United FC
- Scorpions Top Minnesota, 2-0 - San Antonio Scorpions
- Strikers Earn Home Draw against Carolina to Remain in Title Hunt - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- RailHawks Draw in Tense Game with Strikers in Florida - North Carolina FC
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