tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59415213821558441832024-03-18T23:51:36.115-04:00The Soccer BarnGerald Barnharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00379710897199972139noreply@blogger.comBlogger273125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5941521382155844183.post-70570678509936441672012-10-07T05:04:00.002-04:002012-10-07T05:04:47.204-04:00LD Update: NASL Semifinals Game Night; Molinari re-signs for Pioneers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Just as expected, the opening legs of the two semifinal series proved to be tight affairs, with only one goal total being the difference on the night. The defending league champion Minnesota Stars and reigning regular season champion San Antonio Scorpions played to a stalemate while the second-seeded Tampa Bay Rowdies return home with a one-goal lead over the Carolina RailHawks. The two semifinal series conclude next weekend with a game each on Saturday and Sunday. <br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><b>#6 Minnesota Stars 0 :: 0 #1 San Antonio Spurs</b> - For the fourth time in five meetings this season, there was no winner after 90 minutes. It was the second time the two teams finished scoreless. It was not one the most entertaining games for a Minnesota crowd that could have been watching the Stars' final game should they not advance and not find new ownership for the league-funded club. A pair of organized defensive units, coupled with physical play and poor shots and performance in the final third created very limited quality opportunities at both ends of the field. Both keepers finished with four saves, but hard little trouble in making the tally. - <b><a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3400">MORE</a> </b>| Leg 2: Sunday, Oct 14<br /><br /><b>#3 Carolina RailHawks 1 :: 2 #2 Tampa Bay Rowdies</b> - For over an hour it looked like both semifinals were going to go scoreless, which would not have been a surprise given the two sides had finished even in all four meetings this season. Mike Ambersley, however, broke the scoreless stalemate courtesy of Shane Hill when he knocked the ball inside the far post in the 64th minute of the contest to give the visitors the lead. Brian Shriver nearly tied it back up three minutes later only to see defender Frankie Sanfilippo block the shot and goalkeeper Jeff Attinella make a good stop to keep it from rolling over the line. Shriver would get an easier chance from the spot, though, in the 77th after Flody Franks committed a foul in the area, converting the penalty to make things even. With five minutes left the Rowdies found the winner to take a lead back home when Evans Frimpong delievered a ball in to the far post where Dan Antoniuk nodded it in. - <b><a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3399">MORE</a> </b>| Leg 2: Saturday, Oct 13<br /><br /><b>USL News:</b> Longtime USL Pro and PDL player Federico Molinari of the Western Mass Pioneers <a href="http://pdl.uslsoccer.com/home/669081.html">re-signed as the head coach</a> for 2013. <br /><br />
-Gerald Barnharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00379710897199972139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5941521382155844183.post-16067245161377140542012-10-05T00:50:00.001-04:002012-10-05T00:50:36.683-04:00LD Update: NASL Semis Preview; NASL Commish retires; MISL signings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Be prepared for the next two weekends of semifinal play of the North American Soccer League postseason to be close contests as they play out their two-leg series. In the eight previous matches this season in the two pairings, only one game saw a team leave victorious - and that was via a late penalty kick in a 1-0 decision. Low scoring is also likely as six of the other seven results between the teams finished in 1-1 or scoreless draws with one lone 3-3 exception. The regular season champion San Antonio Scorpions take on the defending league champion Minnesota Stars, who are looking to repeat as winners from the lowest seeded position. Meanwhile, the second-seeded Tampa Bay Rowdies are facing last season's regular season champion Carolina RailHawks, who are looking to get past the semifinals after falling to Minnesota a year ago. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>NASL SEMIFINAL PREVIEW</b></span><br />
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<b>#3 Carolina RailHawks vs # 2 Tampa Bay Rowdies</b><br />G1: @ Carolina 10/6 -- G2: @ Tampa Bay 10/13<br /><br />Something will have to give between two sides that know each other very well going into the semifinals. The two clubs played to draws in all four meetings this season, going the whole range of outcomes. The most recent meetings came in a home-and-home series in the final week of the regular season in which they capped the season with a scoreless stalemate in North Carolina after playing to a 1-1 draw in Florida midweek. Andres Arango headed in a Luke Mulholland corner for the lead 14 minutes in for the Rowdies with Brian Shriver finding Ty Shipalane for the equalizer in the 62nd. <br /><br />The two also played to a 1-1 draw in the season opener with Shriver scoring the opener for visiting Carolina via Mike Palacio in the 66th. Tampa Bay's Dan Antoniuk found since-departed Tsuyoshi Yoshitake four minutes later for the draw. The second meeting, however, was a wild 3-3 affair. The Rowdies took the initial lead on the road when Mulholland set up Shane Hill for the opener off the post in the 17th minute only to see Carolina run off three straight. They took the game to intermission level with Nick Zimmerman finishing a cross from Kupono Low in the 43rd. He scored again to claim the lead four minutes into the second half on a feed from Jason Garey in a counter. Three minutes later a Palacio throw sent Garey in on goal to double the advantage. Mulholland, though, was not through, scoring on a half-volley in teh 86th and delivering a corner that Takuya Yamada volleyed past the keeper in stoppage time. <br /><br />Prior to the bye week for the opening round, the Rowdies were in the midst of a six-game unbeaten streak (2-0-4) in which they posted four shutouts, three against playoff qualifiers. Tampa Bay, however, has struggled to find offense at home of late, scoring just three times in the last five games while posting three three-goal performances on the road in the same span. <br /><br />Last week Carolina finally posted a win against Fort Lauderdale after having played to a pair of draws at home and two road losses against the Strikers. Garey set up Amir Lowery for the lone goal of the first half in the 34th minute and Zimmerman found Ty Shipalane on a counter in the 52nd. Fort Lauderdale answered on the hour mark with Shipalane restoring the two-goal lead six minutes later off a ball from Shriver. <br /><br />The playoff victory was Carolina's first win at home in a month after going scoreless in the previous two in September, a 1-0 loss to San Antonio and the season finale draw with the Rowdies. The two results were the only times in September the RailHawks were unable to find a goal as they were 2-0-2 on the road with eight goals scored. <br /><br /><b>#6 Minnesota Stars vs #1 San Antonio Scorpions</b><br />G1: @ Minnesota 10/6 -- G2: @ San Antonio 10/14<br /><br />One goal. That is the theme for the defending league champions and the reigning regular season winners. Neither team scored more than a goal in any of the four meetings, three of them finishing in draws with San Antonio taking the season series based on a 1-0 victory at Minnesota in August. <br /><br />The first time they met in June, the two sides played to a scoreless stalemate. Then in the second meeting Hans Denissen provided that deciding goal for the season from the penalty spot in the 70th minute after Pablo Campos had been taken down in the box. In September, the two sides finished in a pair of 1-1 draws in which, oddly, the visiting team scored the equalizer in the 69th minute. On the First, Amani Walker scored off a Miguel Ibarra cross to give Minnesota the lead in the 33rd minute only to see Campos set up Denisson to earn the draw. On the 23rd, it was Campos scoring the opener nine minutes in. Kevin Friedland knotted things up when he blocked a clearance into the goal. <br /><br />The top-seeded Scorpions come into the semifinals not only with a week off courtesy of the bye, but on a run of unspectacular results, perhaps from taking their foot off the gas due to the large lead they had in the table. San Antonio was winless in their last three games, falling to Carolina 2-1 and in Atlanta 3-1 before finishing the season with draw in Minnesota. In fact, the Scorpions, who finished with the leagues best offense and the Golden Boot winner in Campos, have not scored more than once in their last six games (1-3-2) and only once (a 4-0 home win versus second-seeded Tampa Bay) in the past 10 games (3-4-3) since dropping eight on Carolina in a stunning blowout. <br /><br />Last week in the opening round of the playoffs, the Stars put up a two-goal lead against Puerto Rico through Simone Bracalello, who found Walker in the ninth minute and Ibarra in the 41st. It proved to be enough as the hosts were only able to rally for one goal in the second half. <br /><br />Prior to the surprising first round upset of Puerto Rico, where they posted their first-ever victory, the Stars have not exactly lit it up lately either. They came into the postseason with only one win in their last 12 games (1-5-6). Minnesota, however, has shown a propensity for success in cup competitions, winning the league title last year from the same sixth-seed position and doing well in the US Open Cup, picking up on the former Thunder team's sucess by posting a stunning 3-1 Third Round road win against Major League Soccer's Real Salt Lake. <br />
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<b>NASL News:</b> League commissioner David Downs, who renewed his deal in March, <a href="http://nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3390">is stepping down to retire</a> back in New York... The league announced Ricky Hill of the Tampa Bay Rowdies as the <a href="http://nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3386">Coach of the Year</a>... A deal was announced in Loudoun County (Northern Virginia) to <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/soccer-insider/wp/2012/10/01/northern-virginia-moves-closer-to-nasl-franchise/">build a baseball-soccer stadium</a> that could be home to an expansion team in 2014... Fort Lauderdale Strikers all-time leading scorer Abe Thompson<a href="http://nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3389"> announced his retirement</a> to take a youth development position at United Soccer Leagues... Steven Sandor reports that FC Edmonton <a href="http://the11.ca/2012/09/28/fath-fc-edmonton-to-slash-budget-by-30-35-per-cent/">is slashing the team's budget</a> 30-35 percent, an story that was coupled with the team's dismissal of the coaching staff. Whether it is to keep team losses down or save funding for stadium construction, the news is probably not good for the Minnesota Stars, who will likely need the league's ownership of the team to continue if new ownership is not found... FC Edmonton also <a href="http://the11.ca/2012/10/02/u-23-keeper-misiewicz-one-of-three-cut-loose-by-fc-edmonton/">released three more players</a> Tuesday, which included Canadian U23 standout goalkeeper Michal Misiewicz. <br />
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<b>USL News: </b>The Richmond Kickers <a href="http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/667913.html">announced the return of</a> Shane Johnson, who signed a multi-year deal... The Wilmington Hammerheads <a href="http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/668494.html">announced the promotion of sales manager</a> Matt Sadler to the open general manager post. <br />
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<b>MISL News: </b>The Wichita Wings <a href="http://misl.uslsoccer.com/home/668262.html">announced the signing of 2012 league MVP</a> Geison Moura, who spent the past two seasons with the Missouri Comets... The Comets, meanwhile, <a href="http://misl.uslsoccer.com/home/668258.html">resigned Leo Gibson and Danny Waltman</a>... <br />
<br />-Gerald Barnharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00379710897199972139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5941521382155844183.post-19771966565615242762012-10-01T04:28:00.000-04:002012-10-01T04:28:04.117-04:00LD Update: NASL Playoff Results; Phoenix announces first signing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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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. <br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><u><b>NASL PLAYOFFS</b></u><br /><br /><b>Puerto Rico Islanders 1 :: 2 Minnesota Stars</b> - 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. - <a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3368"><b>MORE </b></a><br /><br /><b>Carolina RailHawks 3 :: 1 Fort Lauderdale Strikers</b> - 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. - <b><a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3366">MORE </a></b><br />
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<u><b>NASL SEMIFINALS</b></u><br /><br /><b>#3 Carolina RailHawks vs # 2 Tampa Bay Rowdies</b><br />G1: @ Carolina 10/6 -- G2: @ Tampa Bay 10/13<br /><br /><b>#6 Minnesota Stars vs #1 San Antonio Scorpions</b><br />G1: @ Minnesota 10/6 -- G2: @ San Antonio 10/14<br /><b> </b><br />
<b>USL News:</b> Expansion USL Pro side Phoenix FC announced former Aberdeen striker Darren Mackie, a veteran of the Scottish Premier League, <a href="http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/667415.html">to a one-year deal as their first signing</a>... The Missouri Comets of the MISL announced they are <a href="http://misl.uslsoccer.com/home/667291.html">retiring the jersey of former standout goalkeeper</a> Alan Mayer (1985-92) at their February 22 match. <br />
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<br />-<br />Gerald Barnharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00379710897199972139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5941521382155844183.post-31991235160219761362012-09-29T03:08:00.001-04:002012-09-29T03:08:47.122-04:00LD Update: NASL Playoff Preview; Edmonton dumps coaches; ACC set for 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Amway Canadian Championship: </b>The Canadian Soccer Association announced Friday that the <a href="http://www.concacaf.com/page/CL/NewsDetail/0,,12813~2930050,00.html#.UGXqCpjLghc.facebook">sixth edition of the event</a> will kick off on April 24 with the semifinals next season, utilizing the same format as this year with the three MLS clubs and FC Edmonton of the NASL. <br /><br /><b>NASL News: </b>Matt Horth of the Atlanta Silverbacks was recognized as the <a href="http://nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3355">Player of the Month</a>... Last place FC Edmonton <a href="http://nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3357">announced it has cut ties</a> with coaches Harry Sinkgraven and Hans Schrijver, due to budgetary reasons according to the release. <br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">NASL PLAYOFF PREVIEW - FIRST ROUND</span></b><br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><b>#5 Fort Lauderdale Strikers @ #4 Carolina RailHawks </b></span><br />
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Only two goals separated the two sides in the four-game series this season. Despite a pair of three-goal, games, the RailHawks, however, just could not find a victory, settling for a pair of 3-3 draws at home along with 1-0 and 2-1 losses in Florida. <br /><br />The two sides have not seen one another since their early August showdown in Fort Lauderdale in which Andy Herron provided the only goal. In July, Mike Palacio gave Carolina the lead only to see the visiting Strikers take a 3-1 lead through two assists from Abe Thompson, a pair of goals from Walter Restrepo and a goal and assist from Darnell King. Palacio, however, fought back, scoring in the 87th and setting up Ty Shipalane in stoppage time for the equalizer. In the earlier meetings, Mark Anderson provided both goals in the Strikers' victory at home. Nick Zimmerman, who scored in the loss, was the star of the first contest for Carolina, netting two goals in the draw while Restrepo provided a goal and an assist. <br /><br />The RailHawks come into the match unbeaten in the last four outings (2-0-2) and their only loss in the last eight (5-1-2) coming, 1-0, at the hands of the regular season champion San Antonio Scorpions, who they also beat, 2-1, during the span. <br /><br />Meanwhile, Fort Lauderdale is winless in the last four matches (0-2-2) and are coming into the postseason with some unfortunate results against the two bottom clubs in the table, dropping a 1-0 decision in Atlanta and playing to a 2-2 draw in Edmonton.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><b>#6 Minnesota Stars @ #3 Puerto Rico Islanders </b> </span><br />
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The good news for Puerto Rico is that the home team has won all four meetings this season between the two clubs with shutout performances. The bad news is that both victories for the stars were to the tune of 4-0 while the Islanders only managed 2-0 and 1-0 wins. <br /><br />The two clubs squared off twice just a few weeks ago with the Stars taking the first meeting with standout performances from Jamie Watson (goal and assist), Miguel Ibarra (goal, two assists) and Amani Walker (goal and assist). The return meeting in the Caribbean was led by the goal and assist from David Foley. The first two meetings were three weeks apart in July with Minnesota winning at home on the Fourth behind, in part, two goals from Martin Nunez. At the end of the month Noah Delgado gave Puerto Rico the lone goal for the win. <br /><br />Minnesota is coming into the match with its only loss in the last seven outings coming in Puerto Rico. Unfortunately, the results aside from that match are not exactly confidence-building as they have only the win against the Islanders as the only victory in the other six matches for a record of 1-1-5 in that span. On top of that, the four-goal performance against Puerto Rico is the only instance in last 12 games in which Minnesota has found the back of the net more than once in a game. The good news is that Puerto Rico is the only team in the last 11 games to score more than one goal against the Stars defense. <br /><br />The Islanders, meanwhile, are all over the map of late, figuratively and literally. Perhaps due in part to their play and travel in the CONCACAF Champions League, the Islanders have been inconsistent over the past two months. The victory against Minnesota is the lone win in the past eight games (1-3-4), excluding the CCL, which they concluded earlier this week with a surprising 3-0 victory against Isidro Metapan despite using its reserve players in preparation for the playoff match.<br />
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-Gerald Barnharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00379710897199972139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5941521382155844183.post-52408056932079908262012-09-28T00:25:00.002-04:002012-09-28T00:25:13.563-04:00LD Update: NASL weekly, season honors; MISL signing, combine news<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>CCL News: </b>The Puerto Rico Islanders finished off their Champions League schedule with a 3-0 victory over Isidro Metapan, <a href="http://www.concacaf.com/page/CL/NewsDetail/0,,12813~2932266,00.html">avoiding a winless campaign</a>. The victory put them in second and clinched the quarterfinal berth for the group-leading LA Galaxy. Hector Ramos scored twice with Gregory Richardson adding the third. LA and Metapan play in the final match with Metapan having a chance to move back ahead of the Islanders for a second-place finish in the group, though only the winners advance to the quarterfinals. <br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><b>NASL News: </b>The league began officially recognizing the statistical award winners, announcing San Antonio's Pablo Campos as the <a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3334">Golden Boot winner</a> as well as his teammate Daryl Sattler as the winner of the <a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3339">Golden Glove award</a>. The Tampa Bay Rowdies were the <a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3344">Fair Play award winners</a>... Picking up the final weekly honors were <a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3326">Offensive Player of the Week</a> Danny Barrera of Atlanta and <a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3328">Defensive Player of the Week</a> Jeff Attinella of the Rowdies... The New York Cosmos announced<a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3333"> they will be playing at Hofstra</a>... FC Edmonton announced the <a href="http://www.fcedmonton.com/news/2012-09-26/Off-season%20Moves%20Underway%20at%20FC%20Edmonton">release of four players</a> that will not be returning for the 2013 campaign. <br /><br /><b>MISL News: </b>The MISL Combine got underway Thursday with the <a href="http://misl.uslsoccer.com/home/667195.html">goalkeeper session</a>. The event, being held in Kansas City, <a href="http://misl.uslsoccer.com/home/667085.html">runs through Sunday</a>... The Chicago Soul announced Narciso Cuevas, a former Chicago Sting and Chilean international, <a href="http://misl.uslsoccer.com/home/666315.html">as the team's head coach</a>... The Wichita Wings <a href="http://misl.uslsoccer.com/home/666398.html">signed long-time USL Pro player</a> Brady Bryant, who most recently played in the MISL with the defunct Norfolk Sharx... The Syracuse Silver Knights <a href="http://misl.uslsoccer.com/home/666143.html">added Matt Clare from the Sharx</a>.<br /><br /><b>USL News:</b> Former player Drew Courtney <a href="http://pdl.uslsoccer.com/home/666793.html">took over as head coach</a> of the PDL Mississippi Brilla for Dave Dixon, who left the club for a position with its affiliate USL Pro side Charlotte Eagles. <br /><br />
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-<br />Gerald Barnharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00379710897199972139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5941521382155844183.post-29965199139878313842012-09-24T01:55:00.004-04:002012-09-24T01:55:53.102-04:00LD Update: NASL Game Night; NASL playoff pairings set<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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All knotted up. That was the final weekend of the NASL season as Sunday duplicated Saturday's results with two more draws, leaving everyone right where they were<a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=13"> in the league table</a> going into the weekend. <br /><br />
The opening round of the <a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3322">NASL postseason is next weekend</a> with the Carolina RailHawks playing host to the Fort Lauderdale Strikers Saturday and the defending champion Minnesota Stars, who won the title as the lowest seed last year, looking to repeat history as they travel to Puerto Rico Sunday. The two winners move on to face San Antonio and Tampa Bay in the Semifinals. <br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><b>FC Edmonton 2 :: 2 Fort Lauderdale Strikers </b>- The visitors took the early lead 11 minutes in through an Abe Thompson penalty conversion and looked to have the game locked up when Thompson set up Aly Hassan for the Strikers' second. But Edmonton's last breath of the season was a miraculous one. Elvir Gigolaj tallied on an blast to the upper corner in the 90th minute and Paul Craig found the equalizer in the third minute of stoppage time for a defiant finish to the Canadian club's season. - <a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3319"><b>MORE </b></a><br /><br /><b>San Antonio Scorpions 1 :: 1 Minnesota Stars</b> - The Scorpions celebrated the clinching of the regular season the night before based on other results with an early ninth minute strike from Pablo Campos, but the defending league champs would come away with the draw when Kevin Friedland blocked a clearance off the line into the side netting for the equalizer in the 69th. - <a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3320"><b>MORE</b></a><br /><br /><b>USL News: </b>Expansion USL Pro club Phoenix FC <a href="http://arizona.sbnation.com/2012/9/22/3371860/phoenix-fc-moves-toward-inaugural-season-with-first-tryout">held its first player trials</a> Friday.<br />
-<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Gerald Barnharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00379710897199972139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5941521382155844183.post-85157536861362319422012-09-23T03:04:00.002-04:002012-09-23T03:04:59.855-04:00LD Update: NASL Game Night; Super-20 First 11; Sesay to Wave<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A pair of draws in the first half of the final weekend of play kept everything as is in the top half of the NASL table heading into the final week with Tampa Bay's stalemate in Carolina locking the Rowdies into second and giving San Antonio, playing Sunday, the regular season title while also locking Carolina into fourth as they were unable to pass Puerto Rico, who played to a draw versus visiting Atlanta. <br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><b>Carolina RailHawks 0 :: 0 Tampa Bay Rowdies</b> - Both keepers made several nice stops to keep the match scoreless with Ray Burse making five stops for Carolina and Jeff Attinella three at the other end. Rowdies defender Daniel Scott also made a game-saving stop, heading a ball off the line in the 90th minute to preserve the draw. - <a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3314"><b>MORE</b></a><br /><br /><b>Puerto Rico Islanders 1 :: 1 Atlanta Silverbacks</b> - Danny Barrera added another goal for his end-of-season blitz for the Silverbacks, scoring in the 29th minute from 25 yards to give the visitors the advantage. Hector Ramos nearly tied it up in the early moments only to see his effort go off the crossbar, but Justin Fojo evened terms nine minutes into the second half and the two stayed deadlocked from there. - <a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3315"><b>MORE </b></a><br /><br />The playoff pairings for the first round will be determined when Fort Lauderdale and Minnesota play their season finales against the last and first place sides, respectively. <br /><br />SUNDAY - Fort Lauderdale @ FC Edmonton... Minnesota Stars @ San Antonio Scorpions. <br /><br /><br />
<b>USL News: </b>The <a href="http://supery.uslsoccer.com/home/665392.html">First 11 Rankings for the Super-20 League</a> were unveiled. Numerous PDL and W-League affiliated teams were in the overall table along with the City Islanders Academy (Harrisburg City Islanders, USL Pro). Crew Juniors (Columbus Crew, MLS) were the lone MLS affiliated team represented on the men's list, coming in at No. 1, while DC United Women (6) and Colorado Rapids U20 (8) were in the women's list. <br />
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<b>MISL News: </b>The Milwaukee Wave added former LA Galaxy and LA Blues player Israel Sesay <a href="http://misl.uslsoccer.com/home/665173.html">to the squad's midfield</a>.<br />
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<b>CSL News: </b>The league unveiled Centennial Stadium (Toronto) <a href="http://canadiansoccerleague.com/newsnet/templates/?z=5&a=654">as the venue for the Canadian Soccer League Championship Final </a>and announced that it will play host to a championship doubleheader also featuring the CSL Second Division Final. The two games are set for October 27. Quarterfinals begin October 12.<br />
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<br />Gerald Barnharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00379710897199972139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5941521382155844183.post-18122983730979164562012-09-20T03:09:00.002-04:002012-09-20T03:09:30.363-04:00LD Update: Puerto Rico out of CCL; Tampa Bay clinches playoff bye<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>CCL News: </b>The Puerto Rico Islanders were eliminated from Quarterfinal contention despite playing the visiting Los Angeles Galaxy, comprising mostly reserves, to a scoreless draw Wednesday evening. They have one game remaining versus Metapan at home next Thursday, just days before their opening round playoff game Sunday. - <b><a href="http://www.concacafchampions.com/page/CL/NewsDetail/0,,12856~2923777,00.html">MORE</a></b><br />
<br /><b>Atlanta Silverbacks 3 :: 1 San Antonio Scorpions </b>- Perhaps a bit on cruise control having locked up a first round bye, the Scorpions dropped their second consecutive game and have now gone five games without scoring more than at least one goal. Atlanta's Danny Barrera was the star of the night, setting up all three goals. He delivered a corner for a Willie Hunt header three minutes in and sent a free kick off Blake Wagner's head for an own goal in the 41st. Leading 2-1, he connected with Pedro Mendes in the 75th to secure the win. - <a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3290"><b>MORE</b></a><br /><br /><b>Tampa Bay Rowdies 1 :: 1 Carolina RailHawks -</b> A Luke Mulholland corner kick 13 minutes in found the head of defender Andres Arango for the lead and Arango's back line allowed just one RailHawks goal, a strike from Ty Shipalane in the 61st minute, as the Rowdies held on for the sole point needed to clinch the remaining first round bye. - <b><a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3291">MORE</a></b><br />-Gerald Barnharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00379710897199972139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5941521382155844183.post-53945575067521732722012-09-19T01:00:00.003-04:002012-09-19T01:02:25.227-04:00LD Update: CCL for PR; NASL honors & final week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>CCL News: </b>The Puerto Rico Islanders resume Champions League play Wednesday with a second consecutive game against the LA Galaxy, who were victorious 4-0 three weeks ago. The Islanders have zero points at the midway point while the Galaxy are perfect. <br />
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<b>NASL News: </b>The league announced midfielder Ty Shipalane of the Carolina RailHawks as the <a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3270">Offensive Player of the Week</a> and Puerto Rico Islanders defender Anthony Vasquez as the <a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3272">Defensive Player of the Week</a>. <br />
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<b>NASL Final Week:</b> Though all <a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=13">six playoff teams have been set</a>, competition for the seeding, including the second bye to the semifinals, continues as five of the final six games currently have a potential impact on the postseason pairings. The lone match with no meaning is Wednesday's match between league-leading San Antonio and the eliminated Atlanta Silverbacks. <br />
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Here is a <a href="http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/2012/09/17/as-teams-enter-final-week-of-regular-season-whos-hot-and-whos-not-in-the-nasl/">quick look at team form</a> going into the final week. <br />
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<b>The Final Six</b><br />
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<u>Wednesday, Setpember 19</u><br />
San Antonio @ Atlanta <br />
Carolina @ Tampa Bay<br />
<u>Saturday, September 22</u><br />
Tampa Bay @ Carolina<br />
Atlanta @ Puerto Rico<br />
<u>Sunday, September 23</u><br />
Fort Lauderdale @ FC Edmonton<br />
Minnesota Stars @ San Antonio<br />
-Gerald Barnharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00379710897199972139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5941521382155844183.post-58719478774958278942012-09-17T02:13:00.005-04:002012-09-17T02:13:55.281-04:00LD Update: NASL Game Night<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It was a good night for the road teams Sunday, even if it was at the cost of the league-leading San Antonio Scorpions, who had already clinched a bye to the semifinals. Tampa Bay took advantage of a match against the last-placed side, using a big win in Edmonton to take command in the race for the second first round bye. Meanwhile, the Carolina RailHawks kept themselves within range of that second spot - five points back - with a victory against the Scorpions. <br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><b>FC Edmonton 0 :: 3 Tampa Bay Rowdies </b>- Luke Mulholland and Dan Antoniuk, setting one another up for a goal each in off the head. Antoniuk tallied the opener off of a free kick in the 21st minute with Keith Savage finding Mike Ambersley in the 43rd to double the lead before the break. Six minutes into the second half the visitors put the game away when Antoniuk returned the favor on Mulholland's tally. - <a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3265"><b>MORE</b></a><br /><br /><b>San Antonio Scorpions 1 :: 2 Carolina RailHawks </b>- Floyd Franks was the road warrior, setting up both goals. He connected with Gale Agbossoumonde for a header three minutes before the intermission. Jeff Cunningham set up the equalizer for the hosts, finding Pablo Campos in the 63rd minute. It did not stay level for long as Ty Shipalane answered back with the winner just over five minutes later. - <a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3267"><b>MORE</b></a><br /><br />
-Gerald Barnharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00379710897199972139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5941521382155844183.post-91637190985226421582012-09-16T01:25:00.002-04:002012-09-16T01:25:25.018-04:00LD Update: NASL Game Night; NASL loans to & from<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfJZz3Xg-7Fibg0fvLbwYkPMDW5RdK0gEexve4DctDEdvNJfWsSQm6n3yZyX3YT6sHxQpu7FlAZJB08ppYp_EFQSb1Sp_4jb9y0pZv4aWWecqOqLSC4VctSL0eGinfhzV6BxGVYNkE3w/s1600/LD-Update-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfJZz3Xg-7Fibg0fvLbwYkPMDW5RdK0gEexve4DctDEdvNJfWsSQm6n3yZyX3YT6sHxQpu7FlAZJB08ppYp_EFQSb1Sp_4jb9y0pZv4aWWecqOqLSC4VctSL0eGinfhzV6BxGVYNkE3w/s200/LD-Update-web.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
With just a few games remaining for each team in the NASL season and the playoff field set, all that is left is to determine is who will join San Antonio in the semifinals with the other first round playoff bye. The table went largely unchanged Saturday evening with the eliminated Silverbacks getting a win as well as the Puerto Rico Islanders. <br /><br /><b>Atlanta Silverbacks 1 :: 0 Fort Lauderdale Strikers -</b> Though eliminated midweek from postseason contention, the hosts took the lead in the 11th minute of the contest and held on against the Strikers. A streaking Matt Horth received the ball 30 yars from goal via Lucas Paulini, diving toward the box and firing inside the post. Fort Lauderdale's attempt for a rally was handicapped with 15 minutes remaining when Alfonso Motagalvan saw back-to-back yellow and red for dissent and abuslive language toward the referee. - <a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3262"><b>MORE</b></a><br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><b>Puerto Rico Islanders 2 :: 0 Minnesota Stars </b>- A goal in each half put the Islanders into a tie for second with Tampa Bay, who has two games in hand, and the other the first round playoff bye. Anthony Vasquez headed in a David Foley free kick in the 21st minute and Foley would score himself beating the keeper to a ball behind the defense and tucking it past him into the open net with five minutes left. - <a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3260"><b>MORE</b></a><br /><br /><b>NASL News: </b>The Carolina RailHawks <a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3254">brought in three new players</a> for the close of the season, including two on loan from USL Pro teams. The trio signed Henry Kalungi (Richmond Kickers) and Matt Luzunaris (Orlando City) as well as free agent Jordan Graye, who played last season for the Houston Dynamo... Atlanta Silverbacks defender Chris Klute <a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3256">has been loaned</a> to the Colorado Rapids. <br />-<br />Gerald Barnharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00379710897199972139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5941521382155844183.post-84009442534610695542012-09-14T01:32:00.003-04:002012-09-14T01:32:44.226-04:00LD Update: Rowdies extend lease; CSL match-fixing report statement<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfJZz3Xg-7Fibg0fvLbwYkPMDW5RdK0gEexve4DctDEdvNJfWsSQm6n3yZyX3YT6sHxQpu7FlAZJB08ppYp_EFQSb1Sp_4jb9y0pZv4aWWecqOqLSC4VctSL0eGinfhzV6BxGVYNkE3w/s1600/LD-Update-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfJZz3Xg-7Fibg0fvLbwYkPMDW5RdK0gEexve4DctDEdvNJfWsSQm6n3yZyX3YT6sHxQpu7FlAZJB08ppYp_EFQSb1Sp_4jb9y0pZv4aWWecqOqLSC4VctSL0eGinfhzV6BxGVYNkE3w/s200/LD-Update-web.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<b>Wednesday - FC Edmonton 2 :: 2 Carolina RailHawks </b>- Despite elimation from playoff contention the night before, the hosts did not give up after a fifth minute strike from Nick Zimmerman. Kyle Porter evened terms just four minutes later and gave Edmonton the lead four minutes after intermission. Zimmerman, however, put away the rebound of his own shot in the 56th minute for the draw. - <a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3238"><b>MORE</b></a><br /><br /><b>NASL News:</b> The Tampa Bay Rowdies will <a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3231">continue to play in a baseball stadium</a> in St Petersburg, signing a new four-year deal to continue leasing Al Lang Stadium. <br /><br /><b>CSL News: </b>The league <a href="http://canadiansoccerleague.com/newsnet/templates/?z=5&a=648">released a statement</a> in regards to a recent <a href="http://metronews.ca/sports/368091/canadian-soccer-league-matchfixing-150000-and-a-club-is-yours/">CBC report focused an alleged match-fixing</a> incident that occured in 2009 and further attempts to affect the outcome of matches for European betting interests. <br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><b>USL Pro News: </b>The Pittsburg Riverhounds announced First National Bank as the <a href="http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/662728.html">presenting sponsor for the new Highmark Stadium</a>, which the bank was involved with via a loan. <br /><br /><b>MISL News: </b>The Syracuse Silver Knights have re-signed Andre Berenzon <a href="http://misl.uslsoccer.com/home/663129.html">to a two-year deal</a> despite the midfielder missing much of last season to an ACL injury... The league announced the <a href="http://misl.uslsoccer.com/home/662971.html">completion of the coaching staff</a> for the 2012 Combine September 27 with the addition of Alan Mayer and Mark Litton. <br /><br />-<br />Gerald Barnharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00379710897199972139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5941521382155844183.post-75114421362848904802012-09-11T23:42:00.000-04:002012-09-12T00:35:52.996-04:00LD Update: Possible Atlanta name change - an homage or offensive?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfJZz3Xg-7Fibg0fvLbwYkPMDW5RdK0gEexve4DctDEdvNJfWsSQm6n3yZyX3YT6sHxQpu7FlAZJB08ppYp_EFQSb1Sp_4jb9y0pZv4aWWecqOqLSC4VctSL0eGinfhzV6BxGVYNkE3w/s1600/LD-Update-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfJZz3Xg-7Fibg0fvLbwYkPMDW5RdK0gEexve4DctDEdvNJfWsSQm6n3yZyX3YT6sHxQpu7FlAZJB08ppYp_EFQSb1Sp_4jb9y0pZv4aWWecqOqLSC4VctSL0eGinfhzV6BxGVYNkE3w/s200/LD-Update-web.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
The Atlanta Silverbacks <a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3219">are considering a name change</a>,
giving fans the option to re-brand the team as the former NASL name
Chiefs or even as something completely different. The polling will run
until the US Presidential Election Day. <br />
<br />
<br />
The previous Chiefs were founded in 1967 and were original members of the previous NASL, winning the inaugural league championship in 1968. <br />
<br />
Though it is obviously
an attempt ride the retro branding wave around the league, the move is
particularly surprising in a sports era in which <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Native_American_mascot_controversy">teams and schools are moving away from</a>
and changing the verbiage used in regard to names and mascots. And
particularly so considering the city's Atlanta Braves are one of the
most cited teams, aside from the NFL's Redskins and MLB's Cleveland Indians, <a href="http://www.aimovement.org/ncrsm/">for being offensive</a>. <br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
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One also has to wonder how a decision like this is considered when one of FIFA's biggest pushes right now is to <a href="http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/socialresponsibility/antiracism/index.html">stamp racism out of the sport</a>.
Though, they will argue the name is to honor Native Americans, there
will no doubt be some Native Americans who find the Chiefs name
offensive, no matter how it is utilized.<br />
<br />
Placing the controversy
of the Chiefs aside and the fact it would be a waste of over a decade of
branding the unique Silverbacks name, there is also one other problem.
There already is an Atlanta Chiefs team in the city - the <a href="http://www.atlantachiefsfootball.com/">minor league football team</a> of the Gridiron Developmental Football League.<br />
<br />
<b>NASL GAME NIGHT</b><br />
<br />
<b>Minnesota Stars 4 :: 0 Puerto Rico Islanders</b> - The Minnesota Stars avoided the weekend's last-minute equalizer that delayed their entry into the postseason, scoring two goals before the break. Key in the victory that ended a nine-game winless run (0-4-5) in which they also failed to score more than two in a game were Jamie Watson, who just arrived on loan from Orlando City of USL Pro, Amani Walker and Miguel Ibarra. <br /><br />Watson set up Nate Polak 17 minutes in and Walker fed Ibarra in the final minute of the first half to double the advantage. Ibarra then turned provider in the second half, finding Watson five seconds into the second half and Walker seven minutes later. The result completes the playoff field, eliminating FC Edmonton and the Silverbacks. - <a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3228"><b>MORE</b></a><br />
<br />
<b>MISL News:</b> The Milwaukee Wave <a href="http://misl.uslsoccer.com/home/662343.html">announced the signing</a> of Luan Sales Oliveira, an award-winning professional futsal player in Brazil. <br />
<br />
<b>W-League News:</b> The LA Strikers announced that team captain Vanessa Valentine is <a href="http://wleague.uslsoccer.com/home/662247.html">retiring and taking the newly-open position</a> as general manager of the team. <br />
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-Gerald Barnharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00379710897199972139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5941521382155844183.post-33767968173378611492012-09-11T00:16:00.000-04:002012-09-11T00:16:24.990-04:00LD Update: NASL honors & midweek games<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfJZz3Xg-7Fibg0fvLbwYkPMDW5RdK0gEexve4DctDEdvNJfWsSQm6n3yZyX3YT6sHxQpu7FlAZJB08ppYp_EFQSb1Sp_4jb9y0pZv4aWWecqOqLSC4VctSL0eGinfhzV6BxGVYNkE3w/s1600/LD-Update-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfJZz3Xg-7Fibg0fvLbwYkPMDW5RdK0gEexve4DctDEdvNJfWsSQm6n3yZyX3YT6sHxQpu7FlAZJB08ppYp_EFQSb1Sp_4jb9y0pZv4aWWecqOqLSC4VctSL0eGinfhzV6BxGVYNkE3w/s200/LD-Update-web.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
The Canadian Soccer League issued a statement today regarding fixture conflicts with national team matches - a matter that has plagued soccer in the United States for many years, whether it be professional clubs scheduling games at the same time as the national team(s) or local soccer organizations not scheduling in an effort to maximize support of the professional team. <br />
<a name='more'></a><br />The CSL stated that while it does its best to avoid conflicts, its previously scheduled games for last Friday - the day Canada played Panama - were not rescheduled, nor were requested to be by any of the teams involved. - <a href="http://canadiansoccerleague.com/newsnet/templates/?z=5&a=644">MORE</a><br /><br /><b>NASL News: </b>Takuya Yamada of the Tampa Bay Rowdies was honored as the league's <a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3215">Defensive Player of the Week</a> while FC Edmonton's Shaun Saiko was recognized as the <a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3213">Offensive Player of the Week</a>... The Minnesota Stars can clinch the final playoff spot with a win Tuesday against the Puerto Rico Islanders in the first of two midweek games - FC Edmonton plays Carolina RailHawks Wednesday. <br />Gerald Barnharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00379710897199972139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5941521382155844183.post-34728181637468250832012-09-09T03:37:00.007-04:002012-09-09T03:37:56.090-04:00LD Update: Battery win USL Pro title; Cunningham gets first NASL goal<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtSy4AmoUkLTdOhw0jaJhPxRLWgosRAfcZz-36SagzmaPkqDNNgoELXWjGY3Cm7D3s2yhVBe2Zl5k3QZ30QOgF51N3gCkqhYDXp_r2a8vaSqpekwD626tD2dKiIte31Ul2OUC4Zc5h1gY/s1600/090812+Champions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtSy4AmoUkLTdOhw0jaJhPxRLWgosRAfcZz-36SagzmaPkqDNNgoELXWjGY3Cm7D3s2yhVBe2Zl5k3QZ30QOgF51N3gCkqhYDXp_r2a8vaSqpekwD626tD2dKiIte31Ul2OUC4Zc5h1gY/s1600/090812+Champions.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charleston celebrates title | courtesy Charleston Battery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Two rookies led the Battery, the playoff team with the most losses on the season (10), to the franchise's fourth championship in 20 years as Charleston defeated the Wilmington Hammerheads for the USL Pro title. <br /><br />Meanwhile, in the NASL it was all ones... nearly. Three of the four matches concluded in 1-1 draws with the fourth finishing with just one strike between the two clubs. <br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><b>USL PRO CHAMPIONSHIP</b><br /><br /><b>Charleston Battery 1 :: 0 Wilmington Hammerheads </b>- The league's third best defense shut down the high-flying visitors, who came into the match with seven goals in its previous two playoff victories on the road against Richmond, 3-2, and one-loss two-time regular season champion Orlando City, 4-3. Rookie of the Year winner Jose Cuevas set up the winning strike with 16 minutes remaining with a through ball to midfielder Mike Azira, who one-timed his effort from the left side of the box for his first goal as a professional with the Uganda native out of the University of Mobile joining the club after impressing the team at the USL Pro Combine. The victory gave the Battery their second title in three years after previously winning championships in 1996 and 2003. - <a href="http://www.uslsoccer.com/home/661650.html"><b>MORE</b></a><br /><br /><b><span id="goog_604986511"></span><span id="goog_604986512"></span>NORTH AMERICAN SOCCER LEAGUE</b><br />
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<br /><b>Carolina RailHawks 0 :: 1 San Antonio Scorpions</b> - After a two hour delay before the match due to weather, it was an even longer wait before the visitors found a special winner with six minutes remaining. Walter Ramirez delivered the ball to MLS all-time leading goal scorer Jeff Cunningham, who tallied his first goal of the season. - <a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3210"><b>MORE</b></a><br /><br /><b>Fort Lauderdale Strikers 1 :: 1 Puerto Rico Islanders </b>- Two goals in the first nine minutes left impressions of more, but the two sides played to a stalemate the rest of the way. Nicholas Addlery put the Islanders in front three minutes in and Pecka answered in the ninth with a strike that ultimately put the Strikers into the postseason. - <a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3207"><b>MORE</b></a><br /><br /><b>Tampa Bay Rowdies 1 :: 1 Atlanta Silverbacks</b> - In another stalemate after two first half strikes, the visitors took the lead at the half-hour mark through Matt Horth. Takuya Yamada put the terms back to even for Tampa Bay with three minutes remaining in the half. - <a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3205"><b>MORE</b></a><br /><br /><b>Minnesota Stars 1 :: 1 FC Edmonton </b>- The hosts were one kick away from clinching the final playoff berth as FC Edmonton took away two points with a literal last-second strike via Shaun Saiko. Amani Walker had given the home team the lead 19 minutes into the contest - <a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3211"><b>MORE </b></a><br /><br /><b>Playoff Chase: </b>San Antonio, Tampa Bay, Puerto Rico, Fort Lauderdale and Carolina have clinched playoff berths with the race for the top two spots and byes to the semifinals still open. Minnesota has firm control in the race for the final playoff berth, sitting eight points ahead of both Edmonton and Atlanta with all three clubs having three games remaining. <br />
<br />
-Gerald Barnharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00379710897199972139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5941521382155844183.post-11496733557031275392012-09-08T02:00:00.002-04:002012-09-08T02:00:29.206-04:00LD Update: Bixler retires; USL Pro award winners; MISL sched released<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfJZz3Xg-7Fibg0fvLbwYkPMDW5RdK0gEexve4DctDEdvNJfWsSQm6n3yZyX3YT6sHxQpu7FlAZJB08ppYp_EFQSb1Sp_4jb9y0pZv4aWWecqOqLSC4VctSL0eGinfhzV6BxGVYNkE3w/s1600/LD-Update-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfJZz3Xg-7Fibg0fvLbwYkPMDW5RdK0gEexve4DctDEdvNJfWsSQm6n3yZyX3YT6sHxQpu7FlAZJB08ppYp_EFQSb1Sp_4jb9y0pZv4aWWecqOqLSC4VctSL0eGinfhzV6BxGVYNkE3w/s200/LD-Update-web.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<b>USL Pro News: </b>Veteran Harrisburg City Islanders defender Dustin Bixler, a three-time All-League selection and 2007 USL Second Division championship MVP, <a href="http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/661452.html">announced his retirement</a>... The expansion club in Arizona <a href="http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/661405.html">announced it will play as Phoenix FC</a>, unveiling Wolves as the mascot and prominent feature of the new logo... The league <a href="http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/661366.html">announced the season award winners</a> at the championship banquet, honoring Kevin Molino (Orlando) as MVP, Adrian Heath (Orlando) as Coach of the Year, Troy Roberts (Rochester) as Defender of the Year and Jose Cuevas of the championship finalist Charleston Battery as the Rookie of the Year. <br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><b>NASL News:</b> The league recognized Puerto Rico Islanders goalkeeper Richard Martin as the <a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3187">Player of the Month of August</a> on Thursday... <br /><br /><b>MISL News:</b> The league <a href="http://misl.uslsoccer.com/home/661325.html">unveiled the schedule</a> for the second season of the reborn league, kicking things off November 2 and wrapping up the season with the championship mid-March.<br /><br />Gerald Barnharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00379710897199972139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5941521382155844183.post-37044798112907034032012-09-05T23:55:00.000-04:002012-09-05T23:55:25.239-04:00LD Update: NASL adopts split season; USL Pro award finalistsThe big news of the day was the announcement from the North American Soccer League that it is altering its competitive structure to a two-season format in which the spring season will be held from March to July 4 followed by a 3-4 week break before the fall season commences.<br />
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Each session will have a balanced home-and-away schedule with the two winners meeting at the home location of the spring champion following the conclusion of the fall session the first week of November. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3173">The new format</a>, chosen unanimously by the NASL Board of Governors in late August, allows clubs to play non-league matches during the break. <br /><br /><b>NASL News: </b>Fort Lauderdale Strikers midfielder Michael Tetteh was <a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3179">suspended an additional game</a> (two total) for his red card Saturday.<br /><br /><b>USL Pro News:</b> The <a href="http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/660604.html">league unveiled the finalists</a> for Most Valuable Player as well as the year's best coach, defender, goalkeeper and rookie. Regular season champion Orlando City has someone in contention for all but the Rookie of the Year honor, including two of three vying for MVP. Teammates Dennis Chin and Kevin Molina will be competing against one another as well as Wilmington's Corey Hertzog. <br /><br /><b>MISL News: </b>Former Sporting KC player Craig Rocastle <a href="http://misl.uslsoccer.com/home/660731.html">is returning to the Missouri Comets</a> after a stint with Thrasyvoulos of the Greek Second Division, where he earned nine game MVP honors in 17 matches. <br /><br /><br />-Gerald Barnharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00379710897199972139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5941521382155844183.post-1732250890185287952012-09-04T20:30:00.000-04:002012-09-04T20:30:24.305-04:00LD Update: USL Pro All-League honors; NASL honors; Blues to play Pachuca<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfJZz3Xg-7Fibg0fvLbwYkPMDW5RdK0gEexve4DctDEdvNJfWsSQm6n3yZyX3YT6sHxQpu7FlAZJB08ppYp_EFQSb1Sp_4jb9y0pZv4aWWecqOqLSC4VctSL0eGinfhzV6BxGVYNkE3w/s1600/LD-Update-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfJZz3Xg-7Fibg0fvLbwYkPMDW5RdK0gEexve4DctDEdvNJfWsSQm6n3yZyX3YT6sHxQpu7FlAZJB08ppYp_EFQSb1Sp_4jb9y0pZv4aWWecqOqLSC4VctSL0eGinfhzV6BxGVYNkE3w/s200/LD-Update-web.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<b>LD News: </b>Orlando City of USL Pro is<a href="http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/2012/09/04/jamie-watson-loaned-to-minnesota-stars-for-remainder-of-season/"> loaning Jamie Watson</a> to the NASL Minnesota Stars for the remainder of the season. <br /><br /><b>NASL
News:</b> The league recognized Matt Horth of the Atlanta Silverbacks as
the <a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3167">Offensive Player of the Week</a> and Frankie Sanfilippo of the Tampa Bay
Rowdies as the <a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3166">Defensive Player of the Week</a>... The Carolina RailHawks
duo of Nick Millington (Guyana) and John Krause (Puerto Rico) have been
<a href="http://carolinarailhawks.com/index.php?id=111&newsid=3164">called in for national team camps</a> in preparation for World Cup
qualifiers and the Digicel Caribbean Cup (qualifiers for Gold Cup). <br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><b>USL
Pro News: </b>The league unveiled the two <a href="http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/660191.html">All-League Teams for the 2012 season</a>, recognizing 22 of the league's top players. Two players each
represent this weekend's championship game finalists Wilmington
Hammerheads and host Charleston Battery. Two-time regular season
champion Orlando City had three players on the First Team and four more
on the Second Team... The LA Blues announced they will play an
<a href="http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/659741.html">international friendly Thursday</a> against Pachuca of Mexico.<br /><br /><b>W-League
News:</b> The Dayton Dutch Lions introduced Sid van Druenen <a href="http://wleague.uslsoccer.com/home/660118.html">as the team's new coach</a> after serving as an assistant since November of 2011. <br />-<br />Gerald Barnharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00379710897199972139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5941521382155844183.post-76022809102139661952012-09-02T02:51:00.001-04:002012-09-02T02:51:14.373-04:00LD Update: NASL Game Night<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Home clubs were winless on the night, but with the playoffs looming all the attention is on positioning in the table. The Tampa Bay Rowdies joined the San Antonio Scorpions in the playoff field with a road win against state rival Fort Lauderdale that also allowed the Carolina RailHawks to jump into a tie for fourth with the Strikers with a victory over the Puerto Rico Islanders who only sit two points ahead of the duo in third. Defending champion Minnesota missed out on a chance to pull away and virtually lock up the sixth and final berth, but played to a draw against the league-leading San Antonio Scorpions. <br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><b>Tampa Bay Rowdies 3:0 Fort Lauderdale Strikers </b>- The hosts lost Michael Tetteh for violent conduct in the 19th minute. Fort Lauderdale held strong, but the man advantage proved to much going into the final 10 minutes. A Luke Mulholland corner found the head of Takuya Yamada, who flicked it on to Raphael Cox for the finish in the 81st minute. A minute later Frankie Sanfilippo scored on a counter attack and Carl Cort capped the game in stoppage time. - <a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3157"><b>MORE</b></a><br /><br /><b>Puerto Rico Islanders 1:3 Carolina RailHawks </b>- Colin Clarke's RailHawks pressed the Islanders, fresh off Champions League action, from the get-go, forcing Richard Martin to make two good saves in the first few minutes, but the attack finally broke through in the 20th minute. Brian Ackley tapped in a shot headed by Greg Shields off the crossbar for the lead and 16 minutes later Jason Garey collected the ball from Brian Shriver before firing inside the right upright. The Islanders only needed two minutes to start a rally in the second half with Nicholas Addlery forwarding the ball to Hector Ramos. They nearly equalized in the 61st through Jonathan Fana, but was inches wide. Ten minutes later they would regret the miss as Ty Shipalane found Nick Zimmerman to lock up the win. - <a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3160"><b>MORE</b></a><br /><br /><b>Minnesota Stars 1:1 San Antonio Scorpions </b>- The hosts took the lead with a diving effort to connect with the ball by Amani Walker put the ball past Daryl Sattler for the lead 33 minutes in. The Stars, though, could not hold onto the advantage for the remaining hour and gave up the equalizer in the 69th minute Hans Denissen collected the ball from Pablo Campos before driving to the inside and bending the ball to the far post. - <a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3161"><b>MORE</b></a><br />-<br /><br /><br />Gerald Barnharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00379710897199972139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5941521382155844183.post-22691325503071390502012-09-01T02:12:00.001-04:002012-09-01T02:14:00.742-04:00LD Update: Champion Orlando City out; Charleston & Wilmington reach USL Pro Final<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One upset was perhaps fathomable, but too was improbable. Both road teams, however, advanced Friday evening to reach the USL Pro championship game next Saturday.<br />
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The Wilmington Hammerheads, who accounted for Orlando City's lone loss this season, repeated the feat in stunning fashion. The Charleston Battery, meanwhile, battled the Rochester Rhinos to a 1-1 draw before prevailing in penalties. <br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<b>Orlando City 3:4 Wilmington Hammerheads </b>- Things went Wilmington's way from the start, grabbing the lead four minutes in from the spot via Corey Hertzog after goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo had taken Hagop Chirishian down in the box. Five minutes later the hole got even bigger for the defending champions when Hertzog connected with Luke Holmes to double the lead. Chirishian would make it three off a counter created by an Ian Fuller turnover. <br />
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Orlando City made changes before the break and were able to cut into the deficit before intermission when Matt Luzunaris struck in the 44th. The post kept Orlando City from closing in further early in the second half before the momentum again shifted to the visitors with Hertzog intercepting a poor pass and scoring what would prove to be the game-winner in a thrilling finish. <br />
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Hertzog was the same man that was a nightmare for Orlando City in their lone defeat, 3-1, on June 2. In both games he tallied two goals and an assist. <br />
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Wilmington loss Dylan Riley to a red card in the 64th minute, but the reigning two-time regular season champions were unable to find the back of the net until stoppage time. Jamie Watson converted on a penalty and moments later George Davis sent a deflected shot past the keeper. - <a href="http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/659377.html"><b>MORE</b></a><br />
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<b>Rochester Rhinos (3) 1 :: PK :: 1 (4) Charleston Battery -</b> The longtime foes each picked up a shutout win against the other in their two-game series during the season. The third match proved to be a deadlock with the hosts striking for the first goal 10 minutes into the second half on a close-range tally from Kendall McFayden. <br />
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The Rhinos thought they were headed back to another championship match when former Rhino Tony Donatelli, who struck for two goals three weeks ago against his previous team in a 4-0 win, proved Rhinos' nemisis yet again, scoring the Battery's first-ever playoff goal in Rochester dating back to 1998 on a header with a minute left in regulation. <br />
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Instead of celebrating, the home fans watched another 30 minutes of a stalemate, which also continued into the tiebreaker, which needed two additional rounds. Rochester's Kristian Nicht and Charleston's Andrew Dykstra each made a save and saw one miss in the initial five, going into sudden-victory shots level 3-3 in the tiebreaker. Nicht took the sixth shot for Rochester, but saw his effort saved by his counterpart. He made up for it, though, by stopping veteran John Wilson on the next shot. Dykstra, however, made a third save in the seventh round and JC Mack put his into the roof of the goal to put Charleston through to the Final. - <a href="http://www.charlestonbattery.com/news.asp?y=2012&page=1&id=759"><b>MORE</b></a><br />
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<b>USL PRO CHAMPIONSHIP - Battle of the Carolinas</b><br />
Wilmington Hammerheads @ Charleston Battery<br />
Saturday, September 8, 7:30 pm ET - Blackbaud Stadium<br />
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<b>USL Pro News: </b>In his third consecutive start and fourth appearance since returning to the club from being on loan to the LA Blues, Bright Dike scored his second goal in three games for the Portland Timbers in a <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-08-31-por-v-col/recap">1-0 victory over Colorado</a>. <br />
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-Gerald Barnharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00379710897199972139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5941521382155844183.post-30064877777824137112012-08-31T16:38:00.000-04:002012-08-31T16:39:28.837-04:00LD Update: USL Pro semis tonight; PR pounded; player availability news<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The USL Pro championship finalists will be determined tonight with both semifinals kicking off around 7:30 pm ET. The reigning two-time regular season champion and last year's league winners Orlando City play host to the Wilmington Hammerheads, the only team to hand them a loss in their amazing 17-1-6 campaign, while longtime foes Rochester Rhinos and Charleston Battery square off in New York. <br />
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Both matches will be streamed on USLnation.com. <br />
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<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
<b>Wilmington @ Orlando City 7:30 ET</b><br />
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You could not create three matches as differently as the three previous contests went between the two sides in league play this season. <br />
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The first meeting in Orlando April 15 was dominated by John Rooney, who netted his only two goals of the year as well as one of his two assists as they cruised to a 4-1 win. He opened the scoring in the ninth and doubled the lead before the break with his season in the 41st via Kevin Molino, who added another assist later. Rooney connected with Rob Valentino in the 54th to make it three-nil before Bryce Taylor struck for Wilmington two minutes later. Dennis Chin capped the night in the 65th. <br />
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The return meeting in Wilmington June 2 was the complete opposite as the Hammerheads rolled to what proved to be a rare win, handing Orlando City a 3-1 defeat. Chin opened the scoring for Orlando City in the 13th minute, but it was all Wilmington and Corey Hertzog after that. He equalized with some help from Mark Briggs in the 26th. The two reversed roles to find the go-ahead goal in the 56 minute. Hertzog ensured the victory with a second strike in the 90th. <br />
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The final meeting just over a month ago, July 25, in Orlando saw Orlando City play to one of it's six draws this season. Taylor scored his second of the year against Orlando City to break the stalemate in the 68th minute, but Chin found Matt Luzanaris with six minutes left to avoid the second loss. <br />
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<b>Charleston @ Rochester 7:35 ET</b><br />
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As with the other match-up, the two matches between the familiar foes were completely different at either end of the season. The one difference is that both matches were won by the visiting side with shutout performances.<br />
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In the early meeting May 12, the Rhinos were still enjoying the fantastic defensive start behind goalkeeper Kristian Nicht. Danny Earls scored the deciding tally in the 1-0 result in the 61st minute on an assist from JC Banks, who may miss the semifinal match due to injury. <br />
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In the return match three weeks ago it was Charleston dominating in Rochester August 11. Tony Donatelli took it to his previous team (2011) finding the back of the net twice in the 4-0 win, scoring in the 18th and 30th minutes. Amadou Sanyang pushed the lead to three in the final minute of the first half. Donatelli capped the evening with an assist, setting up Dane Kelly with four minutes left. <br />
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<b>NASL News:</b> The Puerto Rico Islanders dropped their second <a href="http://www.concacaf.com/page/CL/NewsDetail/0,,12813%7E2904184,00.html">CONCACAF Champions League match</a>, falling on the road Wednesday to a mostly reserve LA Galaxy squad, 4-0... FC Edmonton midfielder Matt Lam <a href="http://the11.ca/2012/08/31/fces-lam-to-miss-sundays-match-for-disciplinary-reasons">has been suspended by the club</a> for 'disciplinary reasons' for Sunday's match.<br />
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<b>USL News: </b>Rochester Rhinos star midfielder JC Banks, the USL Pro assist leader, is likely out for the playoffs heading into the team's semifinal match <a href="http://www.wisconsinsoccercentral.com/set-pieces/professional/3937-state-pros-banks-suffers-torn-acl">due to a knee injury</a>... Richmond Kickers midfielder and former Japanese international Nozomi Hiroyama has <a href="http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/659155.html">announced his retirement</a> from professional soccer. <br />
-Gerald Barnharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00379710897199972139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5941521382155844183.post-47947887558456277152012-08-29T02:59:00.000-04:002012-08-29T02:59:07.067-04:00LD Update: NASL honors, sponsor & SKC loan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>NASL News: </b>The San Antonio Scorpions ownership announced Toyota as the presenting <a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3125">sponsor of the stadium currently under construction as well as the associated theme park</a> for special-needs individuals, Morgan's Wonderland... The league announced the weekly honors, naming Carolina RailHawks goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald as the <a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3119">Defensive Player of the Week</a> and Fort Lauderdale Strikers forward Abe Thompson as the <a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3118">Offensive Player of the Week</a>... The RailHawks announced the addition of Sporting Kansas City midfielder Konrad Warzycha via a <a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3126">loan for the rest of the season</a> after playing just one minute in league play and making two US Open Cup appearances in the club's run to the tournament championship. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Gerald Barnharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00379710897199972139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5941521382155844183.post-45001344207157724342012-08-26T03:28:00.001-04:002012-08-26T03:31:32.252-04:00LD Update: Carolina clubs win dramatic USL Pro playoff openers; NASL Game Night<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It was a dramatic night of rallies in the opening round of the USL Pro playoffs as the Carolina clubs Charleston Battery and Wilmington Hammerheads advanced to the semifinals. Charleston came from behind at home to knock out Harrisburg while Richmond and Wilmington played a back-and-forth contest that saw the visiting Hammerheads prevail on a late strike. <br />
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In the NASL, two matches were of note. The two sides tied for second squared off, but the Tampa Bay Rowdies and visiting Puerto Rico Islanders played to a scoreless stalemate. Meanwhile, the Fort Lauderdale Strikers moved within two points of the pair by downing the league-leading San Antonio Scorpions. <br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<b>USL PRO PLAYOFFS - First Round</b><br />
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<b>Richmond Kickers 2:3 Wilmington Hammerheads </b>- Matthew Delicate's header off the crossbar three minutes in may have loomed large at the end, but it looked as though things were falling the way of the Kickers when Wilmington loss their keeper Alex Horwath to injury four minutes later and a Sascha Goerres free kick in the 11th provided the opening tally. The free kick curled around the wall and was stopped by new keeper Troy Hernandez, falling to Jason Yeisley for the empty net finish. <br />
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Midway through the second half, Wilmington rallied to the lead with Steven Perry finding Troy Cole inside the box, where he placed a shot from the penalty spot in the 69th minute beneath the diving Ronnie Pascale, who would be playing his final game for the Kickers. Three minutes later Perry would see a corner kick come through a sea of defenders in the box to find him at the back post for the go-ahead strike. <br />
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Veteran Mike Burke, who came out of retirement late in the season, came through for the equalizer in the 79th, delivering the ball to Edson Elcock, who nodded the ball into the upper corner to put things on even terms. And just as it appeared the game was about to head to overtime, a cleared ball was kept in at the touchline seconds before the final whistle by Tom Parratt, who floated a desperate cross into the box that made its way over Pascale and into the far side netting for the win. - <a href="http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/657323.html"><b>MORE</b></a><br />
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<b>Charleston Battery 2:1 Harrisburg City Islanders</b> - The hosts found themselves behind early on when Tom Mellor drove down the left side and delivered a well-paced cross to Brian Ombiji, who had an open net at the back post for the easy finish. Harrisburg, however, would see things reverse completely before the break. <br />
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The Battery found a little luck in the 40th minute. Tony Donatelli fired a shot off the left post that caromed back into the area and was handled by a City Islanders defender. Nicki Paterson would knot the score with the spot kick into the left corner. Jose Cuevas made an excellent play at midfield, turning and pausing before sending Donatelli through on a breakaway in the final minute of the half for the game-winning strike. - <a href="http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/657330.html"><b>MORE</b></a><br />
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<b>NORTH AMERICAN SOCCER LEAGUE</b><br />
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<b>Tampa Bay Rowdies 0:0 Puerto Rico Islanders </b>- A spot in the postseason was available for the winner, but the result left both needing to wait another week. It was the eighth shutout of the season for Tampa Bay's Jeff Attinella with Richard Martin getting the clean sheet on the other end. - <a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3115"><b>MORE</b></a><br />
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<b>Fort Lauderdale Strikers 2:1 San Antonio Scorpions </b>- Scoreless into the second half, it appeared the visitors were going to take the lead in the 54th minute only to see Ryan Cochrane's effort denied by the post. Five minutes later a handball in the box allowed Abe Thompson to give the Strikers the lead. Thompson would double the lead in the 69th with a shot that Daryl Sattler was only able to get a piece of. The woodwork came into play again for San Antonio, denying Hans Denissen in the 76th minute. They finally found some fortune, though, in the 83rd when a Javier Saavedra free kick was knocked in for an own goal, but the equalizer never came. - <a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3111"><b>MORE</b></a><br />
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<b>Minnesota Stars 1:1 FC Edmonton </b>- Cristiano Dias gave the defending champions the initial lead when the center back got a second chance in the 17th minute after his initial shot off a long throw-in from Brian Kallman was blocked. Amani Walker picked up the rebound and dropped it back to Dias for his first goal in two years. A clearance in the 74th minute fell nicely for Bryan Arguez, who took one touch before letting loose a searing shot from 25 yards into the upper corner for the draw. - <a href="http://mnstarsfc.com/2012/08/nothing-to-separate-stars-and-eddies-as-minnesota-kicks-off-homestand/">MORE</a><br />
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<b>Atlanta Silverbacks 0:1 Carolina RailHawks </b>- The southern rivals nearly played to a stalemate were it not for Brian Ackley taking advantage of an Atlanta turnover in the 66th minute and put it past Daniel Illyes. - <a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3114"><b>MORE</b></a><br />
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<b>NASL News:</b> The Fort Lauderdale Strikers added Michael Tetteh <a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3104">on loan from the Seattle Sounders</a> Friday. <br />
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<b>USL Pro News: </b>The season is not quite over for the LA Blues, who <a href="http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/656901.html">announced an international friendly</a> with Guatemalan champion Xelaju, which is currently playing in the CONCACAF Champions league group phase in which it recently upset Guadalajara, 1-0.<br />
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-Gerald Barnharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00379710897199972139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5941521382155844183.post-19687528216803682512012-08-22T02:31:00.003-04:002012-08-22T02:31:52.720-04:00LD Update: NASL & USL Pro honors; PDL expansion club in FL<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>NASL News: </b>Pablo Campos was honored as the league's <a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3080">Offensive Player of the Week</a> after helping San Antonio clinch the first playoff berth while Fort Lauderdale Strikers midfielder Conor Shanosky was recognized as the <a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3081">Defensive Player of the Week</a>. <br />
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<b>USL Pro News: </b>The league officially recognized on Monday the <a href="http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/655710.html">season's statistical award winners</a>. Orlando City players nearly earned all four awards with Dennis Chin winning the double, capturing the scoring championship (24) and goal scoring title (11). Teammate Miguel Gallardo finished as the league's top netminder in goals-against average (0.780), beating out two others that finished under the goal-per-game mark. Orlando's Kevin Molino nearly captured the Assist Leader award, but was edged out by JC Banks of the Rochester Rhinos (8) for the honor.. The league unveiled Tuesday the final <a href="http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/656056.html">Team of the Week</a> honors for the regular season, selecting Harrisburg City Islanders netminder Nick Noble as the Player of the Week.<br />
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<b>PDL News: </b>United Soccer Leagues announced Southwest Florida SC <a href="http://pdl.uslsoccer.com/home/655967.html">as an expansion club for 2013</a>. The club, which announced its general manager and coaching staff, is holding a nickname vote, giving fans the choice of Adrenaline, Dynamite or Thunder. Gerald Barnharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00379710897199972139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5941521382155844183.post-88635505447209567672012-08-20T02:01:00.001-04:002012-08-20T02:01:31.758-04:00LD Update: Dramatic finish of USL Pro ; Scorpions clinch in NASL<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfJZz3Xg-7Fibg0fvLbwYkPMDW5RdK0gEexve4DctDEdvNJfWsSQm6n3yZyX3YT6sHxQpu7FlAZJB08ppYp_EFQSb1Sp_4jb9y0pZv4aWWecqOqLSC4VctSL0eGinfhzV6BxGVYNkE3w/s1600/LD-Update-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfJZz3Xg-7Fibg0fvLbwYkPMDW5RdK0gEexve4DctDEdvNJfWsSQm6n3yZyX3YT6sHxQpu7FlAZJB08ppYp_EFQSb1Sp_4jb9y0pZv4aWWecqOqLSC4VctSL0eGinfhzV6BxGVYNkE3w/s200/LD-Update-web.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Clutch wins and missed opportunities highlighted a dramatic final night in the USL Pro regular season as the Charlotte Eagles failed to take advantage of prime position to clinch a playoff berth and the Richmond Kickers were unable to claim the second-place berth direct to the semifinals, leaving Rochester in second. <br /><br />Meanwhile, Wilmington jumped over Charlotte in the table with a win over their state rivals after a loss the night before in their two-game series, and the Harrisburg City Islanders picked up a crucial win on the other side of the country to slip by the Eagles for the final playoff berth. <br />
<a name='more'></a><br />As the USL Pro season came to an end, the beginning of the end of the NASL season was marked by the league-leading San Antonio Scorpions becoming the first to clinch a postseason berth. <br /><br /><u><b>USL Pro Playoffs </b></u><br /><br /><u>First Round - Saturday Aug 25</u><br />(5) Wilmington @ (4) Richmond<br />(6) Harrisburg @ (3) Charleston<br /><br /><u>Semifinals - Friday Aug 31</u><br />Lower seed @ (1) Orlando City<br />Higher seed @ (2) Rochester<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>USL PRO</b></span><br /><br /><b>Charlotte Eagles 1:2 Wilmington Hammerheads</b> - New York Red Bulls loanee Corey Hertzog gave the visitors the initial advantage 29 minutes into the contest, and nearly had a second before the break. Needing just a draw, a free kick from Mauricio Salles led to a scramble in the box that wrapped up with Darren Toby burying the equalizer in the 58th minute. Second-half sub Steven Perry became the Hammerheads hero in the 77th minute when he took advantage of a mis-stepped defender on a counter and struck for the winner. - <a href="http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/655407.html"><b>MORE</b></a><br /><br /><b>LA Blues 0:1 Harrisburg City Islanders</b> - The hosts had numerous quality scoring chances, many denied by Nick Noble, that allowed the visitors to keep their playoff chances alive. Harrisburg capitalized on the opportunity in teh 66th minute when Lucky Mkosana made an excellent individual play by beating several Blues players en route to dropping the ball to an unmarked Yann Ekra for the easy tap-in winner. - <a href="http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/655415.html"><b>MORE</b></a><br /><br /><b>Antigua Barracuda 2:1 Richmond Kickers </b>- The hosts capped the season with a positive result, playing the role of spoilers against Richmond by avenging Friday's 1-0 loss. It took very little time for Antigua to show Richmond they were not going to lay down, sending a ball down the left wing in the first minute of play to Ranja Christian, who found Quinton Griffith for a 12-yard rip into the upper corner just 27 seconds into the contest. Richmond nearly equalized twice before the break with a stunning 40-yard shot from Sascha Gorres that was narrowly put aside by the keeper in the 16th minute and Luke Vercollone hitting the frame in the 31st. The near-chances proved costly as Randolph Burton drove to the box and blasted a 20-yarder to double the lead in the 38th. The Kickers attempt at a rally found some success, but too late as a throw-in during stoppage time finished with Chris Agorsor tallying. - <a href="http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/655393.html"><b>MORE</b></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>NORTH AMERICAN SOCCER LEAGUE</b></span><br /><br />San Antonio Scorpions 4:0 Tampa Bay Rowdies - It was all Scorions right from the start. Walter Ramirez provided the opener eight minutes in and Pablo Campos pushed the lead to three before the break with strikes on a one-v-one with the keeper in the the 17th and a penalty in the 28th following a play in which he was fouled. He nearly had a third on a second spot kick four minutes later, but was denied by Jeff Attinella. Estaban Bayona capped the night off with a tally in stoppage time. - <a href="http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3075"><b>MORE</b></a><br /><br />Gerald Barnharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00379710897199972139noreply@blogger.com0