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NASL rewind: Montreal ties Tampa Bay, Atlanta loses at home again

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By JOHN BOSCHINI

The Atlanta Silverbacks just can't catch a break.

A 90th-minute penalty kick prevented Atlanta from earning its first point of the season and instead handed the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers their first win of 2011. It was the second time in their first three games that the Silverbacks conceded a winner in the 90th minute.

The Montreal Impact earned its first point of the season in rather undramatic fashion by battling to a scoreless draw with FC Tampa Bay. Both teams are struggling offensively, scoring one goal in three games.

The NSC Minnesota Stars were off from league competition with a couple of scrimmages against college opponents. The Stars lost 1-0 to Creighton University before turning around and beating the University of Wisconsin, 2-0.

Here is a look back at both of the weekend's results in the NASL.

Atlanta Silverbacks 1, Ft. Lauderdale Strikers 2

The Atlanta Silverbacks' troubles at home continued with their third loss in a row while the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers opened their four-game road trip with a 2-1 win.

The Strikers didn't wait long to get on the board as Martin Nunez scored in the 14th minute. Aaron Wheeler found Nunez inside the box with a well-timed pass and the Uruguayan chipped the ball over Felipe Quinterro.

Atlanta responded quickly when Mario Perez blasted a shot from just outside the box just two minutes later. Both teams had chances after halftime but it took a penalty kick in the dying moments to break the deadlock.

Yoximar Granado was brought down inside the box by Tyler Ruthven and Eduardo Coudet buried the ensuing spot-kick in the 90th minute.

Montreal Impact 0, FC Tampa Bay 0

The Montreal Impact and FC Tampa Bay may have earned a point courtesy of a scoreless draw but it did little to address both teams' growing scoring droughts. 

Tampa Bay almost opened the scoring in the fifth minute but M Tsuyoshi Yoshitake's shot came off the post. Neither team created much through the rest of the game with Tampa Bay keeper Daryl Sattler smothering Montreal's best chance in the 37th minute. 

This is the second scoreless game for both teams but with the draw, Montreal pulls itself off the bottom of the NASL table.

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What did you think of this weekend's games? Disappointed Atlanta lost again? Impressed with Ft. Luaderdale's performance? Can you take any positives from the Montreal vs. Tampa Bay draw?

Comments

  1. Cream of the league already starting to rise to the top in PRI and CR?

    In any case, hopefully, NASL (and USL also for that matter) can soon improve to the point that American soccer promotion/relegation is reasonably viable.

    Reply

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