By MIKE GRAMAJO

The Tampa Bay Rowdies look to continue their positive momentum when they host Minnesota United FC on Saturday at Al Lang Field. Both team’s met last week at the Metrodome, as Rowdies forward Keith Savage scored a late-goal to give the Tampa side three points on the road.

The Atlanta Silverbacks welcome the San Antonio Scorpions into Atlanta Silverbacks Park with a chance to go top of the table if they win. The Silverbacks sit in third place in the standings on 10 points despite being 2-2-1 in their last five matches.

FC Edmonton are entering week eight of North American Soccer League action after having a bye-week last week, and hope to extend their three-game unbeaten run when they welcome the Fort Lauderdale Strikers on Sunday to Clark Stadium.

The Strikers, who advanced in the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday after defeating USL PDL side Laredo Heat in a penalty shootout, played to a 3-1 loss last week at Toyota Field, which gave the San Antonio Scorpions their first victory of the season.

Here’s more on what to look forward to in NASL this weekend:

ROWDIES AND UNITED SQUARE OFF ONCE MORE

Both the Rowdies and United really can’t get enough of each other. After meeting in the NASL championship last year, the two exchanged pleasantries last Saturday during league play, which saw the Rowdies take the last two meetings.

“We are very aware that we have two big matches in a span of just a couple days,” Rowdies head coach Ricky Hill told NASL.com. “We intend to continue that streak with this weekend’s game against Minnesota.  We are eager to get on the pitch and pick up our first home win of the season.”

United sit fourth in the NASL table with eight points and are entering this weekend after a shocking upset. Midfielder Brandon Fricke, who plays for USL Premier Development League side Des Moines Menace, scored a late winner which saw the PDL side take a 1-0 victory over United.

While the Rowdies sit tied for first place in the table with 11 points, the defending NASL champions defeated cross-town rival USL PRO side VSI Tampa Bay earlier this week during U.S. Open Cup play, which saw Georgi Hristov bag a brace in the 2-1 victory, giving the 28-year-old Bulgarian four goals in all competitions.

SILVERBACKS HOST SCORPIONS

After mauling the Carolina RailHawks, 2-0, last week, the Silverbacks welcome the Scorpions to Atlanta Silverback Park this Saturday.

Silverbacks forward Ruben Luna, who has scored three goals in his last two matches, bagged a brace earlier this week during Open Cup play which saw the Silverbacks take a 3-2 victory over the Georgia Revolution from the National Premier Soccer League.

“We need to make sure that we win our home games and we’ve done that two out of three times we’ve played here this year,” Silverbacks coach Brian Haynes told NASL.com on the upcoming clash against the Scorpions.“It’s time to do it again coming up this weekend against San Antonio.”

The Scorpions, who picked up their first victory of the season last week, failed to build off that victory after being knocked out of the second round of the U.S. Open Cup earlier this week to hands of USL PDL side FC Tucson in penalty kicks.

EDDIES LOOK TO KEEP ROLLING AGAINST STRIKERS 

Consistency will be key this Sunday when FC Edmonton come back to NASL action after having a bye-week in week seven. The Eddies host the Strikers, who sit last in the NASL table with four points.

“We’ve had a week off to get healthy and prepared for the Strikers on Sunday, which is exactly what we needed after a tough stretch of games over a two week period,” Eddies coach Colin Miller told NASL.com.  “We are in a good position now, just three points out of top spot.

“If we get results out of our four remaining home games, we have a chance at the Championship, that’s our goal,” he added.

The Strikers have allowed eleven goals in their last five NASL matches, failing to record a shutout this season.  However, Daryl Shore’s club are trying to build momentum after defeating PDL side Laredo Heat in a penalty shootout earlier this week in the second round of the U.S. Open Cup.

COSMOS REVEAL 2013 FALL KITS 

While the New York Cosmos are not part of the spring season, they sure are getting ready for their inaugural season in the NASL when they kickoff in the fall season this summer.

The Cosmos unveiled their home and away kits on Friday, with Nike being their kit sponsor. The tradition all white with a green collar will serve as their home kits. While an all green kit with a white collar will serve as their away kit.

“Nike is undoubtedly one of the top sports apparel companies in the world,” Cosmos COO Erik Stover told NASL.com. “We’re excited to enter into partnership with Nike and join their global soccer family. This is a significant step in our return to competitive soccer and we look forward to growing our long-term partnership.”

The Cosmos will kickoff their season on Aug. 3 at Shuart Stadium in Hofstra University.

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What do you make of this week’s action? Do you see the Rowdies defeating United three times in a row? Do you think the Scorpions can grab three points in Atlanta? Do you see the Eddies containing their unbeaten run?

Share your thoughts below.