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 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.

LD Update: NASL adopts split season; USL Pro award finalists

The 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.

LD Update: NASL & USL Pro Game Nights; Cosmos to NASL; Roster changes

Midweek action created a two-point margin between the top three clubs in the NASL as the Puerto Rico Islanders moved back level with expansion San Antonio Wednesday and the defending champion Minnesota Stars keeping pace two points back the following night.

Wednesday - Puerto Rico Islanders 1:0 San Antonio Scorpions - The Islanders took the narrow decision between the league's two top sides with a header from Nicholas Addlery off a cross from Noah Delgado 25 minutes in. Jonathan Fana nearly made it two seven minutes later when he found himself alone with the keeper only to have Darryl Sattler make a great save. Richard Martin made a great save for the other side six minutes into the second, however, it was to keep a potential own goal on a Esteban Bayona cross from going in. Another great save for Martin came courtesy of the crossbar, which denited midfielder Hans Denissen five minutes later. - MORE