LD Update: Puerto Rico out of CCL; Tampa Bay clinches playoff bye

CCL News: 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. - MORE

Atlanta Silverbacks 3 :: 1 San Antonio Scorpions - 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. - MORE

Tampa Bay Rowdies 1 :: 1 Carolina RailHawks - 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. - MORE
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LD Update: CCL for PR; NASL honors & final week

CCL News: 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.

NASL News: The league announced midfielder Ty Shipalane of the Carolina RailHawks as the Offensive Player of the Week and Puerto Rico Islanders defender Anthony Vasquez as the Defensive Player of the Week.

LD Update: NASL Game Night

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.

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: Rowdies extend lease; CSL match-fixing report statement

Wednesday - FC Edmonton 2 :: 2 Carolina RailHawks - 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. - MORE

NASL News: The Tampa Bay Rowdies will continue to play in a baseball stadium in St Petersburg, signing a new four-year deal to continue leasing Al Lang Stadium.

CSL News: The league released a statement in regards to a recent CBC report focused an alleged match-fixing incident that occured in 2009 and further attempts to affect the outcome of matches for European betting interests.

LD Update: Possible Atlanta name change - an homage or offensive?

The Atlanta Silverbacks are considering a name change, 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.


The previous Chiefs were founded in 1967 and were original members of the previous NASL, winning the inaugural league championship in 1968.

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 teams and schools are moving away from 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, for being offensive.

LD Update: NASL honors & midweek games

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.