By JOHN BOSCHINI

After the first three weeks of the season saw only two draws, three of the four games over the weekend finished with identical scorelines with the only exception being a thrashing in a Canadian derby.

For the first time this season, the Puerto Rico Islanders failed to grab a win with a 2-2 draw against the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers. The Strikers extend their season-opening unbeaten run to four games and sit three points clear of Carolina at the top of the table.

Carolina failed to make up ground on Puerto Rico with a 1-1 draw away to the NSC Minnesota Stars but were lucky to escape defeat as Minnesota maintained constant pressure at home.

The Atlanta Silverbacks earned their first point in two and a half years in their first road game with a 1-1 draw with FC Tampa Bay. Both teams are still struggling at the bottom of the table but avoided what could have been a catastrophic loss.

In Sunday's game, Montreal got back on track with a 5-0 thumping of expansion FC Edmonton. 

Here is a look back at all of the weekend's action.

Puerto Rico Islanders 2, Ft. Lauderdale Strikers 2

Down a goal and playing with 10 men from the 36th minute, the Puerto Rico Islanders still managed to salvage a draw and keep their unbeaten streak alive. After Le Pit went down in the area, Jay Needham slapped the attacker while he was getting back to his feet. Needham was sent off with a red card and Eduardo Coudet buried the penalty kick to give Ft. Lauderdale the lead.

The 1-0 scoreline held until the 75th minute when Puerto Rico broke through with an equalizer when Nicholas Addlery headed home a Richard Martinez cross. Ft. Lauderdale appeared to have secured the victory with a goal from Scot Gordon in the 89th minute but the lead lasted barely a minute when Islanders drew level with a goal from Gregory Richardson.

 NSC Minnesota Stars 2, Carolina Railhawks 2

Despite dominating possession and getting off the lion share of scoring chances, the Minnesota Stars could only manage a draw against the Carolina Railhawks, who keep pace with the Puerto Rico Islanders.

Minnesota started the game strongly, registering eight shots while Carolina managed none as the visitors struggled with the difficult weather. However, none of Minnesota’s shots made their way past Brad Knighton and Carolina managed to take the lead against the run of play 14 minutes after the break.

Kyle Altman was whistled for a foul on Nick Zimmerman inside the penalty area. Altman was booked for dissent after protesting the decision vehemently but Etienne Barbara rifled the penalty kick past Joe Warren. It was Barbara's fourth goal in as many games.

Down a goal, Minnesota continued to press its advantage and eventually broke through with an equalizing goal in the 69^thminute. Tino Nunez received the ball following a Carolina turnover and found Simone Bracalello and  the Italian made no mistake from close range.

The Railhawks were reduced to 10 men in the 81^st minute after Pablo Campos was sent off for a second bookable offense but Knighton’s fingertip save late in the game salvaged a point for Carolina.

FC Tampa Bay 1, Atlanta Silverbacks 1

The Atlanta Silverbacks finally got that elusive first point with a 1-1 draw with FC Tampa Bay but Atlanta still sits at the bottom of the NASL table.

Atlanta, which played its first road game, took the lead 45^thminute when Will Hunt headed home a Mario Perez cross. The goal came against the run of play as FC Tampa Bay had dominated much of the first half.

The young Atlanta defense eventually bowed to Tamp Bay’s pressure and conceded an equalizing goal in the 74^thminute as Mike Ambersley registered his first goal with the club. Jeff Antinella made his professional debut as FC Tampa Bay’s goalkeeper after Daryl Sattler went off with an injury after only 10 minutes.

Montreal Impact 5, FC Edmonton 0

FC Edmonton’s hot start seems to be a thing of the past after the Montreal Impact registered its first win of the season with a 5-0 thrashing of FC Edmonton.

Ali Gerba led Montreal with two goals while Ahtony Le, Nevio Pizzolitto and Indriss Ech Chergui contributed goals to the rout. Adding to Edmonton’s problems was the dismissal of goalkeeper Rein Baart in the 85^th minute.

Edmonton has lost two straight by a margin of 7-0 after winning its first two games. Montreal’s defense seems to be stabilizing after a rocky start as Bill Gaudette registered his second-consecutive shutout.

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What did you think of this weekend’s action? Impressed with Montreal’s win? Was Carolina lucky to escape with a draw? Which team gained the most momentum from a weekend tie?

Share your thoughts below.