The NASL returned to action over the weekend, and no one impressed more than Christian Ramirez and Minnesota United.
A 5-1 victory over the Carolina RailHawks ensured the Loons domination over this week’s NASL awards, while the Jacksonville Armada saw a new goalkeeper step up to earn recognition.
Here is a look at the week’s best in NASL for Week 1 of the Fall Season, as chosen by SBI staff:
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Minnesota United star Christian Ramirez is the obvious choice for Player of the Week honors after bagging a hat-trick and adding an assist in a 5-1 thrashing of the Carolina RailHawks. The trio of finishes proved to be Ramirez’s sixth, seventh and eighth goals of the campaign, good for tops in the NASL.
TEAM OF THE WEEK
While Ramirez’s efforts earned Player of the Week recognition, his team also did more than enough to win the week’s premier group honor. Minnesota United served as an easy Team of the Week selection for their destruction of a normally-stingy RailHawks team.
ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Jacksonville Armada head coach Tony Meola knows a thing or two about goalkeeper, and his young starter justified his coach’s faith with a spectacular performance over the weekend. Sean Lewis made a total of 10 saves for the Armada, helping his side earn a 1-1 draw with the rival Tampa Bay Rowdies
GOAL OF THE WEEK
Ramirez’s goal-scoring explosion was kickstarted by a world-class finish, one which earned Goal of the Week honors:
Tampa Rowdies should have pummeled The Armada by a 3-4 goal margin. So many missed opportunities, including a one-on-one with the Jax goalkeeper by Georgi Hristov…good to see a full house at Al Lang though, and a decent game to watch live on BeIN Sport.
Losing Minnesota to MLS in a year or 2 would be a loss for NASL. Decent side, decent attendance, and a fairly well run organization, it seems. I wonder what’s the latest on their soccer specific stadium plans…
Ft. Lauderdale Strikers need to do something their attendance…they post pathetic numbers at every home game…