RailHawks Score Late Winner in Tampa, Cosmos Grind out Draw
Published on August 23, 2014 under North American Soccer League (NASL) News Release
NEW YORK - Minnesota United FC may have extended its unbeaten streak to 11 games with a 1-1 draw on the road against the New York Cosmos, but the result wasn't enough to keep them atop the NASL Fall Standings. With a 2-1 win over the Atlanta Silverbacks, the San Antonio Scorpions moved two points clear of United and into the top spot.
The Carolina RailHawks scored in second-half stoppage time to defeat the Tampa Bay Rowdies at Al Lang Stadium, and the result pushed them into the fourth and final spot in The Championship, the league's four-team postseason tournament. Rounding out the results from Saturday night, Ottawa Fury FC scored late to top Indy Eleven at Carroll Stadium in Indianapolis.
New York Cosmos vs. Minnesota United FC
Minnesota United FC extended its unbeaten streak to 11 games, playing to a 1-1 draw against the New York Cosmos at Shuart Stadium in Hempstead, N.Y. The visitors got off to a dream start when midfielder Daniel Mendes was taken down in the penalty area by Cosmos goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer in the 6th minute. Maurer was promptly sent off, and NASL's leading scorer, United forward Christian Ramirez, converted a penalty kick to put his team up 1-0 in the 8th minute. Despite playing down a man for most of the game, the Cosmos were able to clinch a share of the points, with substitute forward Mads Stokkelien poking home the equalizer midway through the second half.
"Tonight was a big game for both teams, and I'm proud of the way our guys battled with a man down," said Cosmos Head Coach Giovanni Savarese. "If we play like that the rest of the season, we'll be very hard to beat."
Carolina RailHawks vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies
In a game that looked destined to finish as a scoreless draw, the Carolina RailHawks pulled a rabbit out of a hat in second-half stoppage time to beat the Tampa Bay Rowdies, 1-0, at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg, Fla. RailHawks midfielder Ty Shipalane struck in the 91st minute to earn his team all three points and shoot them into the fourth and final spot in The Championship. One of the teams they pass in the NASL Combined Standings is the Rowdies, who failed to extend their winning streak to three games.
"We're obviously delighted because it has been a tough couple of weeks for us. We couldn't win on the road forever and now that's two in a row," said RailHawks Head Coach Colin Clarke. "We needed that one tonight, and I think we deserved it."
San Antonio Scorpions vs. Atlanta Silverbacks
Entering Saturday's matchup against the Silverbacks, the Scorpions had never lost to Atlanta at Toyota Field. They continued that streak, topping the Silverbacks, 2-1, thanks to goals from midfielders Cesar Elizondo and Walter Restrepo. Both of the Scorpions' goals came in the second half, with Restrepo's coming from the penalty spot. Silverbacks midfielder Junior Sandoval pulled one back in the 80th minute, setting up a nervy finish in San Antonio. The Scorpions held on, though, ascending to the top of the NASL Fall Standings ahead of United, who tied the Cosmos in New York.
"The guys have bought into the philosophy and culture we've created and they've been fantastic in executing," said Scorpions Head Coach Alen Marcina. "They've been willing to fight for each other for 95 minutes and tonight that led to a win."
Indy Eleven vs. Ottawa Fury FC
In a game that was delayed over two hours due to inclement weather, Ottawa Fury FC struck late to beat Indy Eleven, 2-1, at Carroll Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. After Fury forward Tom Heinemann scored from the penalty spot midway through the second half, substitute midfielder Don Smart found an equalizer for Indy in the 84th minute. The visitors responded with the go-ahead goal less than a minute after Smart's tally, with Fury midfielder Sinisa Ubiparipovic finishing from close range to clinch all three points.
"It's an important win, and I think we showed a lot of character," said Fury Head Coach Marc Dos Santos. "We missed a penalty kick, but we reacted, we scored and we reacted right away after they scored. This is a win of character, perseverance and personality."
Sunday, August 17
FC Edmonton vs. Fort Lauderdale Strikers
Kickoff: 4 pm ET @ Clarke Stadium
Watch Live
NASL Fall Season Week 7 Scores
New York Cosmos 1, Minnesota United FC 1
Carolina RailHawks 1, Tampa Bay Rowdies 0
San Antonio Scorpions 2, Atlanta Silverbacks 1
Ottawa Fury FC 2, Indy Eleven 1
FC Edmonton vs. Fort Lauderdale Strikers - Sunday at 4 p.m. ET
North American Soccer League Stories from August 23, 2014
- Ottawa wins 2-1 over Indy - Indy Eleven
- RailHawks Score Late Winner in Tampa, Cosmos Grind out Draw - NASL
- 10-Man Cosmos Come Back to Tie Minnesota - New York Cosmos
- Scorpions Retake Sole Possession of First Place with 2-1 Win - San Antonio Scorpions
- RailHawks Win Crucial Match on the Road - North Carolina FC
- Tampa Bay Rowdies Fall 1-0 against Carolina RailHawks - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Minnesota United Extends Unbeaten Streak to Eleven Games with Hard Fought Draw on the Road - Minnesota United FC
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