By MIKE GRAMAJO

After taking a second consecutive victory last week, the Fort Lauderdale Strikers are riding high in confidence as they enter week five of the North American Soccer League.

While head coach Gunter Kronsteiner’s men are looking to continue their current form, they welcome the league-leading Carolina RailHawks to Lockhart Stadium on Friday. (7:30 pm WATCH HERE)

RailHawks forward Brian Shriver, who has scored three goals in his last two matches, will look to add to his league-leading 12 goals. However, the Strikers, who are lead by goalkeeper Richard Sanchez, will look to emulate their success on the road to the comforts of their own home, a place they haven’t won in since May.

Here’s a closer look at this weekend’s NASL matchups:

ATLANTA SILVERBACKS vs. TAMPA BAY ROWDIES (Saturday, 7:30 p.m. WATCH HERE) 

Both clubs are not having the best start to their fall campaign. The Atlanta Silverbacks and Tampa Bay Rowdies are currently each on a three-game winless streak as they enter Saturday’s match at Atlanta Silverbacks Park.

The Silverbacks suffered their first defeat of the fall last week, succumbing to a 1-0 defeat to the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, while the Rowdies drew for the third straight time last week when FC Edmonton visited Al Lang Stadium.

SAN ANTONIO SCORPIONS vs. MINNESOTA UNITED FC (Saturday, 8:30 p.m. WATCH HERE) 

At the end of the spring season, the San Antonio Scorpions were a team riding high with confidence and looked poised to be a threat once the fall season kicked off.

However, after starting their fall season with four consecutive losses, the Scorpions ownership sacked head coach Tim Hankinson on Tuesday, transferring the coaching duties to assistant coach Alen Marcina.

Both clubs met in April last time, during the spring opener, which resulted into a scoreless draw. While the Scorpions search for their first victory since July, Minnesota United look for their first win since going on a two-game winless skid.

FC EDMONTON vs. NEW YORK COSMOS (Sunday, 4:00 p.m. WATCH HERE) 

FC Edmonton has never had a problem playing games at home. After all, they haven’t lost at Clarke Stadium since May, and for the visiting New York Cosmos, who have had a nightmare road season, things don’t look to change for the Eddies.

“The lads are ready and excited to play New York,” Eddies manager Colin Miller told NASL.com. “They’re excited to play such a well known team and also excited to play them in front of the home crowd. We’re prepared for a result and FC Edmonton fans should be prepared for a great game.”

Despite sitting in second place with seven points in the NASL standings, the Cosmos look to do rebound from their road trip woes which has seen them concede three goals in two matches. Chris Nurse has guided the Eddies in their last two matches.

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What do you think of the Week 5 matchups? Do you believe the Strikers can upset the RailHawks? Do you see the Silverbacks snapping their skid? Can the Scorpions get into winning ways with newly appointed coach Marcina?

Share your thoughts below.