By JOHN BOSCHINI
The Carolina Railhawks are in danger of running away with the NASL regular-season title following a emphatic victory over the Puerto Rico Islanders.
Striker Etienne Barbara scored twice to extend his goal-scoring streak to eight games and the Railhawks are off to their best start in franchise history. Puerto Rico has hit a rough patch after its blazing start, losing two in a row.
Atlanta is still looking for their first win but a scoreless draw against Ft. Lauderdale gave the Silverbacks their first home point of the season. It was also the first shutout of the season for Atlanta as the league's two worst defenses turned in positive performances.
The Montreal Impact's difficult start to the season continued with a 3-0 loss to FC Tampa Bay. FC Tampa Bay scored multiple goals for the first time this season and is now up to fifth in the standings. The Montreal Impact sit second from bottom after six games.
Here is a look back at all the weekend action in the NASL.
Carolina Railhaws 3, Puerto Rico Islanders 0
Carolina's lead at the top of the NASL table is now up to seven points as the Railhawks avenged their week one loss to Puerto Rico and extended their unbeaten run to seven games.
Etienne Barabara gave Carolina the lead in the 26th minute before doubling it just after the break. The double takes the Maltese striker's scoring total to 11 on the season. Pablo Campos provided an extra insurance goal with 23 minutes to go.
Puerto Rico managed eight shots on the evening but never put Railhawks' keeper Brad Knighton under much pressure. Carolina is up to 19 points from a possible 24 from its first eight games.
Atlanta Silverbacks 0, Ft. Lauderdale Strikers 0
It wasn't the win Atlanta so desperately needs, but a point will do as the Silverbacks recorded their first shutout of the season.
Both teams failed to convert a handful of chances as Silverback's goalkeeper Quintero and Strikers' keeper Matt Glaeser came up big for their respective teams. Both clubs still lead the league with 11 goals conceded and Ft. Lauderdale now sits in sixth place.
FC Tampa Bay 3, Montreal Impact 0
The NASL's second-worst offense had a coming-out party against a lackluster Montreal Impact defense.
Warren Ukah opened the scoring in the 40th minute with a neat finish off a David Hayes pass. The lead was extended when Mike Ambersley converted a penatly kicks after Leonardo Di Lorenzo was sent off for a handball inside the box.
The result was put beyond all doubt just 10 minutes later with a goal from Tsuyoshi Yoshitake. Goalkeeper Jeff Atinella posted his first career shutout.
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What did you think of the weekend's results? Impressed with Carolina's run of form? Can Atlanta turn a corner after a string of losses? Worried about Montreal's defeat?
Share your thoughts below.
I suppose you never say “awfully good.”
Why are they “in danger?” How would it be “dangerous” if they were to run away with the title? Even though – hel-LO – they’re a third of the way through the season.
Admit it, that’s the crutch of a not-very-skilled writer. If they were 0-7-1, they would be “in danger” of having a bad season. But you’ve mis-used the phrase completely.
Yeah, it sucks that we won’t get to see the Railhawks against any MLS teams in a serious game. What sucks almost as much is that the Railhawks will likely get picked clean before next year, with MLS teams coming in looking for some talent. Then again, Carolina lost Paladini, Heinemann, and Gardner to MLS this year, and seem to be doing OK.
That’s half the point: most of these guys know they won’tmake the MLS roster next year, so it’s probably hard to motivate them in their last div.2 year.
They still outdraw several MLS teams regularly.
the Blues will fold with just 500 fans. I sure hope NASL gets the solid teams from USL (Orlando, Tampa, Wilmington?), and drops low attending teams like Atlanta (w/just 1500k per games). It’s totally obvious that there are non-MLS teams in US capable of getting 4k and above fans, that should be the minimum. No expansion. Just consolidate those strong teams and sell the league, even if its just 10-12 teams. If not, then both leagues deserve to fold.
I went to the Railhawks game this weekend. The score actually could have been 5-0…Campos tried to get a little too cute with two assists from Steele and Barbara that should have been buried in the back of the net. Carolina dominated possession, and never really looked to be under any signififcant threat from Puerto Rico.
@MadKingGeorge…PR had better hurry up and get on their “comeback trail.” Carolina has more than a decent chance to go 10 points up this coming weekend, as they’re playing Atlanta at home.
“They’ll come back” … uh, at 9pts. back, they’d better start soon. That said, good luck in the CCT.
I seriously mean that because it must be nice to have a chance at the CCL. The USSF, in its infinite wisdom, said in Feb., that “there wasn’t enough time to modify the US Open Cup schedule to allow for the addition of the US-based NASL teams.” Just a bit suspicious considering that the last 2 USOC schedules were not released until late April of 1 year and early May in the other.
Hoping that NASL or USL start to have a presence in the West in 2012. Just the Blues with the USL right now.
The PR Islanders were resting the starters since they have the Club Carribean Tourney to play this week in Guyana. The top three spots go to the CCL later this year.
The Islanders will come back on the Railhawks- just give them time.
Is this the same Montreal team that will be in the mls next year?
Can we rethink taht one…
Update on US Roster?? Why delayed? (See Ussoccer.com)
How is the last minute change?
Did anyone get hurt this weekend?