For the six months, the NASL marveled at FC Edmonton's discipline, maturity and ability to grind out results.
Well so much for that.
The expansion side showed their youth and inexperience in a 5-0 loss to the Fort Lauderdale Strikers during the quarterfinals of the NASL playoffs. Brian Shriver scored a double and Abe Thompson registered a hat-trick in the rout.
Fort Lauderdale's opener came just before halftime when Shriver collected a deflected pass and slotted it past the near post. Thompson doubled the lead seconds after the second half started with a headed goal from Lance Laing.
From then on Fort Lauderdale was scoring at will. Shriver collected a long pass and finshed easily in the 54th minute and Thompson put an exclation point on the victory with goals in the 62nd and 77th minute.
Edmonton's frustration showed in the 83rd minute minute when Paul Hamilton was sent off.
Here is a look back at Minnesota vs. FC Tampa Bay and ahead to next week's semifinal schedule.
The NSC Minnesota Stars made the most of their scramble into the playoffs with a 1-0 victory over FC Tampa Bay.
The home side was made to pay for a lack of offensive initiative, registering only three shots in the opening 45 minutes. The normally inept Minnesota offense managed to snatch a goal midway through the first half when Luke Mulholland’s free kick deflected past Jeff Attinella.
FC Tampa Bay came with a great deal more offense in the second half but was unable to convert any of their six shots on goal. Minnesota has opened up a four-game unbeaten streak after earning their place in the playoffs on the final day.
Next Saturday Minnesota welcomes the top-seeded Carolina Railhawks while Fort Lauderdale heads south to take on the Puerto Rico Islanders. The teams then switch the following weekend with the winner on aggregate advancing to the two-legged final.
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What did you think of the weekend’s results? Surprised with Minnesota’s victory? Think Fort Lauderdale has a shot against Puerto Rico. Can Carolina turn its form around against Minnesota?
Share your thoughts below.
MINNESOTA!
Bring on the Carolina Frosted Goons!
The real question is, will Jonny Steele take the armband from the undeserving Kupono Low? You can see it in his eyes, he knows he is the true leader of the team. Do it, Jonny, take your rightful place as the true heir of Brad “the Frosted Goon” Rusin.
it seemed like it took the stars all season to finally get a ball past attinella. that kid has a bright future, wouldn’t be surprised to see him up in mls next year.
tampa was 1-2-7 when opponents scored first. their record was nearly the opposite when they scored first. knowing that, you’d think they would push a little harder for that first goal.
Disappointing end to what was otherwise a great season for the Tampa Rowdies. Last several games of the regular season the team played poor and I can’t say I didn’t see this coming.
Credit to the Stars: they defended well, their goalie made some very good saves, and with a bit of luck, their team is in the semi-finals…
Pity for the Rowdies. We’ll see what happens next season. Keep the coach, fire the coach’s son (Shane Hill is so bloody awful, it’s not even funny), try to keep Pascal, Yamada, Ambersley and the central defenders, and build the team from there.
The word “stale” is the word i’ve been using to describe the Rowdies play of late. Even though it was stale, the second half was dominated by FC Tampa Bay and I kept thinking to myself “We’re actually losing to this team…really”. Though we lost, i don’t think other teams should fear Minnesota.
Other than getting the ball to Pascel Millien, the FCTmpa ran out of ideas and with Minnesota putting 10 men behind the ball, chances were few. ANd the good chances the Rowdies had were not taken well.
For performance reasons and simply be/c it’s “minor league”, the team might be hard to recognize next year. Can’t say i’d miss King.
All in all, a fun year at Al Lang stadium in downtown St. Pete. Come on you Rowdies!!