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NASL Week 7: A Look Back

PauloMendesNYCosmos1-MinnesotaUnited (NYCosmos)

By RYAN TOLMICH

Minnesota United may have extended their unbeaten streak to 11 games, but NASL leading scorer Christian Ramirez and co. left Shuart Stadium disapointed with Saturday’s outcome.

Although the New York Cosmos were reduced to ten men from an early red card, the Cosmos earned a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Minnesota United on Saturday, thanks to a Mads Stokkelien second half equalizer.

The Cosmos couldn’t have gotten off to a much worse start, as goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer was sent off just six minutes in for a foul on midfielder Daniel Mendes that resulted in a penalty kick. Ramirez buried the ensuing penalty kick for his 13th goal of the season to give the visitors the 1-0 advantage.

Stokkelien provided the equalizer in the 74th minute by tapping home a cross from close range to tie the score. Despite their best efforts, the Cosmos failed to find the go-ahead goal, earning a point that sees the side jump to sixth in the Fall Standings while Minnesota United drops to second due to a San Antonio Scorpions victory.

Here’s a closer look at the rest of the weekend’s action in NASL:

SCORPIONS CLAIM FIRST PLACE WITH VICTORY OVER SILVERBACKS

The San Antonio Scorpions entered the weekend within sniffing distance of first place in the Fall Standings.

That is exactly where the Scorpions sit as the weekend comes to a close due to a 2-1 victory over the Atlanta Silverbacks at Toyota Field.

Midfielders Cesar Elizondo and Walter Restrepo led the way with second half goals for the Scorpions, with Restrepo’s finish coming via a penalty kick. Silverbacks midfielder Junior Sandoval pulled his side within one with an 80th minute finish, but the Scorpions held on to pick up all three points.

With the victory, the Scorpions ascend to the top of the Fall Standings, two points ahead of Minnesota United, who have a game in hand.

STOPPAGE TIME WINNER GIVES RAILHAWKS VICTORY OVER ROWDIES

For 90 minutes, it appeared that the Carolina RailHawks and Tampa Bay Rowdies were destined to settle for a lackluster scoreless draw.

Despite seeing the Rowdies dominate possession for the duration of the match, Ty Shipalane ensured his side would emerge from Al Lang Stadium the happier, as the RailHawks midfielder netted a 91st minute game-winner to lead his side to a 1-0 victory over the Rowdies.

Shipalane’s finish came as a result of a stoppage-time corner kick, as RailHawks forward Daniel Jackson corralled the set piece in the box. Jackson slid the ball to an open Shipalane, who netted the game-winner to give his side all three points.

With the victory, the Rowdies move to third in the table, five points behind Minnesota United for second place.

LAING LEADS WAY FOR FC EDMONTON IN VICTORY OVER STRIKERS

FC Edmonton’s Lance Laing may ply his trade as a defender, but the 26-year-old has looked more like a pure striker in recent weeks.

Laing scored another goal, his third in as many games, as FC Edmonton picked up a 2-1 victory over the Fort Lauderdale Strikers Sunday at Clarke Stadium.

Midfielder Ritchie Jones opened the scoring in the 33rd minute for the Eddies by finishing a cross from Laing, who scored for himself in the 72nd minute after being previously stopped Strikers goalkeeper David Meves ten minutes prior. Strikers forward Aly Hassan pulled one back in the 86th minute via a penalty kick, but the Eddies held on for the home victory.

FURY FC TOPS INDY ELEVEN WITH LATE WINNER

Just two minutes after Indy Eleven midfielder Don Smart scored the equalizing goal, Ottawa Fury FC midfielder Sinisa Upbiparipovic put forth the perfect response.

Upbiparipovic erased Smart’s equalizer with an 86th minute game-winner, as Fury FC picked up a 2-1 victory over Indy Eleven Saturday at Michael A. Carroll Stadium.

After 70 minutes of scoreless play, Fury FC forward Tom Heinemann gave his side the lead from the penalty spot. Smart’s equalizing finish came 14 minutes later, paving the way for Upbiparipovic’s finish of a Tony Donatelli just two minutes later.

What did you think of NASL Week 6? Which results stood out to you?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Zero posts. All of those whiners, thumping the drum about how NASL is a real league, MLS is Mickey Mouse and not one post. It almost like they just like to troll and don’t care about the soccer.

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