LD Update: NASL Playoff Results; Phoenix announces first signing

The first round of the NASL Playoffs proved to be a break from form as the defending champion Minnesota Stars posted their first-ever win in Puerto Rico to advance and the Carolina RailHawks, 0-2-2 against the Strikers this season, scored three at home for a third time this season against Fort Lauderdale, this time keeping the visitors from doing the same. The Stars move on to face the regular season champion San Antonio Scorpions while the RailHawks take on the Tampa Bay Rowdies in a pair of two-leg, aggregate score series.

NASL PLAYOFFS

Puerto Rico Islanders 1 :: 2 Minnesota Stars - Simone Bracalello propelled the visitors to a two-goal lead in the first half, finding Amani Walker's head with a cross nine minutes in and with the Islanders pushing forward led a counter, delivering a cross to Miguel Ibarra, who beat a defender before sending an 18-yard effort past Richard Martin in the 41st minute. Jamie Watson nearly made it three with a shot off the post in the second half, but the hosts finally answered when David Foley was able to knock in a deflected shot in the 79th minute. - MORE 

Carolina RailHawks 3 :: 1 Fort Lauderdale Strikers - Amir Lowery gave the RailHawks the advantage with the lone strike of the first half, but it was Ty Shipalane who guided Carolina onto the semifinals with a pair of goals in the second half. A turnover in the defensive end allowed Jason Garey to dive into the box, where he turned on his defender to connect with Lowery for the go-ahead goal 11 minutes before the break. Seven minutes after the intermission Brian Shriver drove down the left flank before sending a cross in to Nick Zimmerman, who then found a sprinting Shipalane to double the lead. The Strikers would find their only tally in response in the 61st minute when Abe Thompson chested down a cross from Lance Laing and sent the ball over the keeper. Six minutes later Shipalane added his second courtesy of Shriver again. - MORE


NASL SEMIFINALS

#3 Carolina RailHawks vs # 2 Tampa Bay Rowdies
G1: @ Carolina 10/6 -- G2: @ Tampa Bay 10/13

#6 Minnesota Stars vs #1 San Antonio Scorpions
G1: @ Minnesota 10/6 -- G2: @ San Antonio 10/14
 
USL News: Expansion USL Pro side Phoenix FC announced former Aberdeen striker Darren Mackie, a veteran of the Scottish Premier League, to a one-year deal as their first signing... The Missouri Comets of the MISL announced they are retiring the jersey of former standout goalkeeper Alan Mayer (1985-92) at their February 22 match.



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