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NASL Week 16: A Look Back

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By FRANCO PANIZO

The Atlanta Silverbacks have undergone a resurgence under interim head coach Eric Wynalda, but they suffered a big setback at home this weekend thanks to FC Edmonton.

The Eddies jumped out of the basement and threw the Silverbacks back in with a 2-1 victory at Atlanta Silverbacks Park on Saturday. FC Edmonton scored twice in a span of three minutes and while Atlanta pulled one back shortly thereafter, the Silverbacks never found an equalizer in a game that marked the Edmonton's first win since early June.

Serisay Barthelemy scored the opener in the 64th minute for FC Edmonton before Yashir Pinto doubled the lead two minutes later. Ciaran O'Brien then trimmed the deficit for Atlanta in the 74th, but the more than 4,000 fans in attendance left disappointed after watching their team suffer a loss that put them back in last place.

Here is a look back at the rest of the Week 16 action in NASL:

RAILHAWKS TOPPLE STARS TO MOVE CLOSER TO THE TOP OF THE TABLE

Zack Schilawski scored an early goal for the Carolina RailHawks and that was all they needed to topple Minnesota Stars FC in a game that endured a four-hour delay because of lightning. Schilawski netted 10 minutes into the Saturday match at WakeMed Soccer Park, and Gale Agbossoumonde helped the RailHawks record a cleansheet in a match played in front of a crowd of 3,158. The delay due to lightning came early in the second, but that still did not prevent Carolina from picking up three points. 

SECOND HALF GOALS SEE ROWDIES DEFEAT ISLANDERS

The Tampa Bay Rowdies are red hot at home right now. The Rowdies moved into second place in the league standings after defeating the Puerto Rico Islanders, 2-0, at Al Lang Stadium on Saturday. The win improved Tampa Bay to 4-0 in its last four home games. Both goals came in the second half courtesy of Frankie Sanfilippo and Mike Ambersley, and 3,207 supporters turned out for the match.

CAMPOS SCORES AGAIN AS SCORPIONS DOWN STRIKERS

The first-place San Antonio Scorpions picked up yet another win, and once again it was forward Pablo Campos who played a key part in helping make that happen. Campos scored the lone goal in the Scorpions' 1-0 win over the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers in a match played in front of 10,584 fans at Heroes Stadium on Saturday. Campos scored in the second half of the game, upping his season total to a league-best 11 goals.

NASL STANDINGS

1. San Antonio Scorpions (9-3-5, 32 points, +10 GD)

2. Tampa Bay Rowdies (9-6-3, 30 points, +4 GD)

3. Puerto Rico Islanders (8-6-4, 28 points, +5 GD)

4. Minnesota Stars FC (7-6-5, 26 points,+1 GD)

5. Carolina RailHawks (6-5-6, 24 points, +3 GD)

6. Ft. Lauderdale Strikers (6-7-6, 24 points, -4 GD)

7. FC Edmonton (4-9-4, 16 points, -4 GD)

8. Atlanta Silverbacks (3-10-5, 14 points, -15 GD)

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What do you think of this weekend's NASL action? Surprised that FC Edmonton defeated the Silverbacks? Impressed by Carolina's latest win?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. He has 2 wins in his first 4 games. Our previous coach had 0 wins in his first 4 games. Wynalda is DEFINITELY improving the team. How is much is yet to be seen, but it’s better than what we had before.

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  2. My gosh is Matty Horth impressive. I know the Silverbacks didn’t win, but that speaks more about the overall team quality than his pure class. Hopefully Wynalda sees it and helps him break into MLS. He deserves it. Too good a player not to.

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  3. Rowdies dominated PR Islanders. But for the Islanders goalie, this should have been a 4-5 goal blowout.

    They have looked impressive, without the suspended Yoshitake, they didn’t skip a beat.

    Coach Hill finally got the starting 11 right. Claire should get more playing time. The guy’s good.

    Rowdies are the team to beat in NASL going into the playoffs…

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  4. Was at the Rowdies game on Saturday and it sure didn’t seem like there were 3,000+ in attendance. (And, yes, I understand that the 1+ hour lightning delay had an impact.)
    Don’t get me wrong, season ticket holder here, but kinda wonder where they are getting some of these figures.

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  5. I couldn’t believe there were people actually suggesting Eric Wynalda should take over as coach of the Portland Timbers. I guess it makes sense from a fanbases that is relatively new to the sport, and didn’t seem to think Spencer should be fired despite it being evident that he had no idea what he was doing. I guess when you don’t understand soccer, you appreciate loudmouthed big personalities and don’t really notice that their grasp of the game is about the same as yours. Atlanta is back in the basement, despite bringing in Wynalda. Perhaps he would be the perfect man to take over for Spencer and Wilkinson after all…

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  6. I have been to nearly all the SA Scorpions home games and I must say MLS is missing out here. To date I don’t think there have been any less than 8K in attendance..not bad for a semi-pro anything. Soccer/Futbol is ALIVE in San Antonio, and its not just “Mexicans” that showing are up to the games. I see everything from “Soccer Moms/Families” to young educated adults to hipsters and I think there as many as three Supporters groups. The amount of mens and adult leagues in the area is absolutly mind blowing. I hope soccer/footy fans all over the good ol’ USA stop and recognize whats happening here in SA. Thank You Gordon Hartman (Owner)! The soccer communiy in SA has only you and your commitment to Morgans Wonderland to Thank. To those of you footy fans out there who havent heard of the Mr. Hartman, The Scorpions and Morgans Wonderland Project…do a little research. It will make you SMILE. Godbless Texas Texas and VIVA SAN ANTONIO.

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