photo courtesy of Puerto Rico Islanders
By FRANCO PANIZO
The first-place Puerto Rico Islanders just continue to roll in NASL, and their latest victim was a team that handed them their only loss of the season.
The Islanders exacted revenge against the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers on Saturday, beating them, 2-0, in front of a crowd of 1,060 at Bayamon Soccer Complex. David Foley scored just before halftime, and Hector Ramos doubled the hosts' lead six minutes after the intermission.
The win keeps Puerto Rico atop the standings at 4-1-1 while Daryl Shore's men dropped to fourth at 2-2-3.
Here is a look back at the rest of the Week 6 action in NASL:
STARS STAY UNDEFEATED WITH WIN OVER AGBOSSOUMONDE, RAILHAWKS
U.S. Under-23 men's national team defender Gale Agbossoumonde returned from injury to make his debut for the Carolina RailHawks, but even that was not enough to get them their first victory of the season. The undefeated Minnesota Stars FC rode a strike from Amani Walker and a a wonder goal from Kevin Venegas to a 2-1 win at NSC Stadium on Saturday as 2,168 fans watched on. Former New York Red Bulls midfielder Austin Da Luz pulled one back for the RailHawks in stoppage time, but it was not enough in the game that marked Agbossoumonde's first bit of action since recovering from the toe injury he suffered in January.
SCORPIONS SCORE LATE VS. ROWDIES TO PICK UP ROAD WIN
Pablo Campos crushed the spirits of Tampa Bay Rowdies fans everywhere, as he scored a late goal to give the San Antonio Scorpions a 2-1 victory at Al Lang Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. on Saturday. Campos scored early in the second half, but that was negated by a finish from Daniel Antoniuk just minutes later. Campos responded for the Scorpions, however, when he found the back of the net in stoppage time, silencing the 3,166 fans in attendance.
EDMONTON DEFEATS ATLANTA TO WIN SECOND STRAIGHT
Whether it is a case of playing the two worst teams in the league or something else, FC Edmonton won their second straight game on Saturday. Coming off a 3-0 win over the Carolina RailHawks, Edmonton defeated the Atlanta Silverbacks at Atlanta Silverbacks Park, 2-0, thanks in part to the contributions of Ilja van Leerdam. The midfielder assisted on Michael Cox's opener in the first half and then scored one himself late to send the crowd of 4,743 home unhappy.
NASL Standings
1. Puerto Rico Islanders (4-1-1, 13 points, +8 GD)
2. Minnesota Stars FC (3-0-3, 12 points, +4 GD)
3. San Antonio Scorpions (3-1-2, 11 points, 0 GD)
4. Ft. Lauderdale Strikers (2-2-3, 9 points, -2 GD)
5. Tampa Bay Rowdies (2-3-2, 8 points, -1 GD)
6. FC Edmonton (2-3-1, 7 points, +2 GD)
7. Atlanta Silverbacks (0-2-4, 4 points, -4 GD)
8. Carolina RailHawks (0-4-4, 4 points, -7 GD)
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Do you think Puerto Rico will continue to roll? Think Agbossoumonde will help turn things around in Carolina? Surprised the Rowdies gave up a late goal at home?
Share your thoughts below.