LD Update: NASL Semis Preview; NASL Commish retires; MISL signings

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.

LD Update: NASL Game Night; NASL loans to & from

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.

Atlanta Silverbacks 1 :: 0 Fort Lauderdale Strikers - 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. - MORE

LD Update: USL Pro semis tonight; PR pounded; player availability news

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.

Both matches will be streamed on USLnation.com.

LD Update: USL Pro Game Night; Kickers signings; MISL combine

Antigua Barracuda 0:3 Los Angeles Blues - The Blues put an end to a five-game losing skid in a match that began Thursday evening and wrapped up Friday morning due to lightning in the 13th minute. A defensive lapse allowed Bryan Burke to give the visitors the advantage 11 minutes in. Antigua fought back with a couple chances, but the rally was dimmed when they lost Luke Blakely in the 66th for a second yellow. Two minutes later Brian Farber fired from inside the area to double the lead. Farber then connected with Burke with five minutes left on a cross to the back post to cap the lengthy contest. - MORE

Richmond Kickers 3:1 Pittsburgh Riverhounds - Bolstered by a handful of new additions, the Kickers grabbed a 2-0 halftime lead in the eight minutes leading up to the break. Gerson dos Santos created the opener in the 37th with a lofted cross that Yomby William nodded in at the back post. Jason Yeisley created the second, an own goal, with a cross into the six that went off a defender and through goalkeeper Hunter Gilstrap's legs. The second half was a stalemate until the two sides exchanged penalties in the final four minutes with Matthew Delicate giving Richmond their third and Matt Kassal spoiling the clean sheet in the 90th. - MORE