NASL action heated up in the second week of the Fall Season, with some unexpected scorelines and a few memorable goals.
After Minnesota United beat the Carolina RailHawks, 5-1, last weekend, those two sides found themselves in a new position on Saturday. United lost 1-0 to Indy Eleven, while the RailHawks earned their own heavy win, 4-1, over the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
Elsewhere, Kwadwo Poku got on the scoresheet with his new team, Lucky Mkosana scored a brace, and Michel scored an olimpico for Rayo OKC.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Nazmi Albadawi lit it up this Saturday, playing an integral role in the RailHawks’ thrashing of the Rowdies with two goals and an assist. He assisted from a corner kick on his side’s first goal, and then scored a penalty before curling in the fourth goal from outside the 18-yard-box.
TEAM OF THE WEEK
The RailHawks finally snapped out of the funk that debilitated them for the second half of the Spring Season. This was a team that came into 2016 red-hot, but out of nowhere stopped being able to put together a 90-minute performance. That all changed with a 4-1 destruction of the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
GOAL OF THE WEEK
Dylan Mares’ long-range effort gave Indy Eleven the win against Minnesota United at home, continuing the Midwest team’s fantastic run in 2016.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2O81mNckw8s&w=560&h=315]
I saw parts of the Railhawks – Rowdies game, after Adu came on for Joe Cole. Yes, that Joe Cole.
Adu is being played out of position as an (left) outside midfielder. He’s not going to beat anyone with his pace; needs to play as a supporting forward or central attacking midfielder where his quickness and tricks off that first step can help create chances for a goal. Joe Cole runs the midfield so if Adu gets on the field, it has to be on the sides or subs in for Cole, since they
play with 1 target forward (Heinemann) up front.
Adu’s technical superiority on the ball is still evident and miles ahead of anyone in this league, but
this league has young hungry players, and Adu will find its not easy to beat them on the outside since they are faster or fast as him after a few steps.
The Railhawks host West Ham tonight. I hope they’re able to give the hammers a good game.