By JOHN BOSCHINI
If there were any doubts that Etienne Barbara deserved to be the NASL Player of the Month in April they were erased over the weekend.
Barbara netted a double in a dominating 3-1 win for the over FC Tampa Bay to send make the Carolina Railhawks, at least for now, even with Puerto Rico at the top of the NASL table. The win extended the Railhawks' unbeaten streak to four games while FC Tampa Bay has not gotten a win since April 9th.
Some late-game heroics from Simone Bracalello salvaged a point for the NSC Minnesota Stars in a 1-1 tie with the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers. It was an identical result to when the teams met a few weeks ago as both squads remain firmly in the middle of the standings.
The Atlanta Silverbacks' return to the field is continuing to prove difficult as Atlanta suffered its fourth straight defeat at home against FC Edmonton, which rebounded after a two-game losing streak of its own.
Here is a look back at all the action in the NASL.
NSC Minnesota Stars 1, Ft. Lauderdale Strikers 1
Neither team managed secure their second win of the season but an 89th-minute goal from Bracalello gave the home fans something to cheer about as Minnesota remains unbeaten at home.
Ft. Lauderdale took the lead in the 36th minute with a penalty kick from Eduardo Coudet. Minnesota had several shots on goal but none could find their way past Matt Glaeser. Finally, Bracalello's laser from 30-yards found the top-left hand corner for his second of the season.
Carolina Railhawks 3, FC Tampa Bay 1
Goalkeepr Jeff Attinella was treated to a difficult debut as Carolina put three past the highly-touted rookie. Barbara slotted a ball past Attinella in the 20th minute to give Carolina the lead. FC Tampa Bay responded well and was back on even terms just three minutes later when Pascal Millien's shot sailed past Brad Knighton.
The Railhawks had to wait until the second half but Brian Farbar put the visitors ahead for good with a simple tap-in from a Barbara cross. The Maltese striker gave Carolina an insurance goal when his deflected shot sent Attinella the wrong way. Barbara is now the Railhawks all-time leading scorer and is averaging over a goal a game for the season.
FC Edmonton 2, Atlanta Silverbacks 0
The Atlanta Silverbacks horrendous home form continues with a fourth-consecutive defeat at Atlanta Silverbacks Park while FC Edmonton rebounded after a couple of blowout losses.
Neither team could find the back of the net despite a couple of wasted chances at both ends in the first half. Edmonton had to wait until the second half when Paul Craig scored 20 minutes before time to halt Atlanta's momentum. An insurance goal was added five minutes later with a tap-in from Luke Porter
The loss leaves Atlanta three points adrift of the Montreal Impact, which has a game in hand, at the bottom of the NASL table. Edmonton is back up the third following the win.
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What did you think of this weekend's results? Impressed with Carolina's recent run of form? Is Atlanta in crisis mode?
Share your thoughts below.
Try http://www.carolinarailhawks.com/live
That’s my son.
I call’m like a see’m.
Jeff, does Carolina broadcast matches in its website?
Fans of D2 soccer would & you too can watch all the NASL games on the internet. Look it up: http://www.nasl.com
I believe the Railhawks are going to have another solid year. Great chance of a championship re-match vs. PRI … though 6 of the 8 teams make the playoffs, anyway. Doubt that Atlanta’s in any sort of “crisis mode” … not just 4 pts. out of the playoffs with 23 games to go.
Btw, Matt C., did you use to write for any Mexican newspapers … I believe I’ve seen some of your work after the last few home WC qualifiers the USA’s had vs. Mexico.
I would bet this is just a rehash of wire reports. Who would watch all of these anyway? And how?
Well Ives, maybe FC Edmonton’s poor displays vs. Montreal and Toronto were the “flukes” b/c they looked the better side again against Atlanta. If only we could play the Silverbacks every week.
John: Perhaps it’s just sour grapes, but the Railhawks win over FC Tampa was not done in dominating fashion. Yes, the scoreline of 3-1 might suggest that. But from a run-of-play standard, FCTampa dominated Carolina. Two of the RH goals were simple and stupid defensive errors that, to their credit, RHs capitalized on.
The game could have easily been 3-1 FC Tampa…. Oh well. Kudos to RHs …but it was not dominating.
ps. about 3300 in attendance. not bad.