North American Soccer League Week 7 Preview

Published on May 16, 2013 under North American Soccer League (NASL) News Release


(MIAMI, Fla. May 16, 2013) - The last time the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Minnesota United did battle it was for the 2012 North American Soccer League title and the Florida club prevailed on penalty kicks after a home and away series could not separate the rivals.

This Saturday at 3.30pm ET, the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minnesota hosts a Soccer Bowl rematch with the two teams again locked in a tight battle near the top of the table. Both have won twice, drawn twice and lost once in five games so far this season and have an identical goal difference and number of goals scored. That means the fourth standings tiebreaker of superior goal difference away from home is needed to determine Tampa Bay narrowly sits in second place with United third.

Only a week later, the schedule pits the Rowdies and United against each other again in Tampa Bay on May 25 as the teams contest an intriguing back-to-back series.

"These two matches versus Minnesota are key in the final stretch for the Spring Season title and our players know that," said Rowdies coach Ricky Hill. "Minnesota will be out for revenge from last year's loss in the finals, but we are prepared to go into these two games and hopefully come away with the six points.

"This new Minnesota team has seen the arrival of some great players and they have a great coach like Manny (Lagos). With that being said, our squad has numerous talented players and we are looking forward to what will be a great rematch of last year's Soccer Bowl Final."

On October 27, 2012, the Rowdies were crowned champions of the NASL after a thrilling shootout victory in front of a sellout crowd of 6,208 at Al Lang Stadium. A 3-1 home win erased Minnesota's two-goal lead from the first leg at home, then Tampa Bay prevailed as goalkeeper Jeff Attinella made three saves during the penalty shootout after the Rowdies held on through the entire extra time period despite playing a man down.

The Carolina RailHawks have edged three points out in front in pole position in the NASL standings and face a test of their credentials with a visit to the highly charged atmosphere at Atlanta Silverbacks Park at 7.30pm ET on Saturday. The hosts will be eager to make up the one point that separates them from a tie with the three clubs clocked in second place. While Carolina was winning at home last week, Atlanta was stung by a road loss at FC Edmonton, who will sit this week out with the bye.

Sixth placed Fort Lauderdale Strikers meet the San Antonio Scorpions, who are one spot and two points behind them, at Toyota Field at 8.30pm on Saturday knowing a win will catapult either team back into the race to win the Spring Season title and the right to host Soccer Bowl 2013. The Strikers claimed their first win of the campaign last weekend, a three-point haul that has so far eluded the Scorpions as Tim Hankinson's side have two draws to their credit.

Week Seven Schedule - (All kickoff times US EST)

Saturday, May 18

Minnesota United FC vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies

Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minnesota MN, 3.30pm ET

Atlanta Silverbacks vs. Carolina RailHawks

Atlanta Silverbacks Park, Atlanta, GA, 7.30pm

San Antonio Scorpions vs. Fort Lauderdale Strikers

Toyota Field, San Antonio, TX, 8.30pm ET

Bye week: FC Edmonton

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 6

FC Edmonton forward Michael Cox scored two goals, including a spectacular overhead kick, in his side's 3-0 win over the Atlanta Silverbacks and is recognized with North American Soccer League Player of the Week honors. Cox chased down a loose ball late in the first half and pressured visiting keeper Joe Nasco to handle the ball outside the penalty area and the resulting free kick led to the opening goal. On the stroke of halftime, Cox pounced on a defensive error to slot home FC Edmonton's second goal of the game and earn a 2-0 halftime lead.

Twenty-year-old Cox saved the spectacular for the second half, looping in an overhead kick for his second and Edmonton's third goal just five minutes into the second half.

"The ball came, I chested it up and it was in a good position," Cox said of his second goal. "The first thing that came to my mind was bicycle and I just did it and it went in. To get Player of the Week from the league is an honor of course, but the important thing is we got all three points and are keeping pace with the league leaders."

NASL Team of Week 6

Goalkeeper

Jeff Attinella, FTL

Made six saves in Fort Lauderdale win

Defenders Shavar Thomas, FTL

Anchored makeshift backline for Strikers in 2-1 victory over Minnesota

Julius James, CAR

Composed performance helped Carolina to 5-2 victory

Lance Laing, FCE

Contributed an assists and charging left sided runs in 3-0 Edmonton victory

Midfielders

Manny Gonzalez, FTL

Played a spectacular through-ball to David Foley for game winning goal

Chris Nurse, FCE

Bossed the midfield for FC Edmonton

Austin Da Luz, CAR

Recorded two assists in 5-2 RailHawks win

Jemal Johnson, FTL

Contributed an assist and several important wide runs in Fort Lauderdale win

Forwards

Zach Schilawski, CAR

Scored twice and recorded an assists in Carolina's 5-2 win over San Antonio

Brian Shriver, CAR

Recorded two goals and three shots on target in RailHawks win

Michael Cox, FCE

Scored twice in FC Edmonton victory and was named Player of the Week

NASL Fans of Week 6

Not even a violent thunderstorm and an hour game delay could stop the Strikers fans from witnessing their team pick up a crucial first win of the season. 4,323 fans showed up to Lockhart despite the weather, and the majority of them stuck around huddled together wherever they could find shelter when the referee brought the game to a halt.

"Our primary goal is to give fans a great experience every time they visit Lockhart Stadium and on Saturday, they gave us a great experience," said Strikers Team President Tom Mulroy. "We're very thankful to all the fans who came to the game, as well as those who stuck with us through the lightning delay for a great home win."

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North American Soccer League Stories from May 16, 2013


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