On the strength of how the NASL's fall season has unfolded so far, we should hardly be surprised that, once again, we've had a change at the top of the table, as the New York Cosmos now find themselves in the ascendency after last week's results.
Whether they stay there for consecutive weeks might be another story entirely, as this week's slate features a rash of games that will have every impact on the top spot by the time the weekend's business ends on Sunday.
Whether they stay there for consecutive weeks might be another story entirely, as this week's slate features a rash of games that will have every impact on the top spot by the time the weekend's business ends on Sunday.
Tampa Bay Rowdies v. Atlanta Silverbacks
For homestanding Tampa Bay, life is pretty good at the moment. They've just taken four points off of Carolina over the span of two consecutive games, and overall they are in the midst of a nine game unbeaten run dating back to the spring. While last week's draw at Carolina saw them slip back into second behind New York, they are still but one point behind the Cosmos at the top of the table.
Tampa Bay haven't exactly been airtight in the back thus far in the fall, but their myriad of attacking options have seen them score fifteen times through seven games in the fall season. Evans Frimpong has become one of the main fulcrums of Ricky Hill's attack, as the young winger has truly begun to blossom in a newly adopted 4-3-3. In playing in more advanced positions, Frimpong has been able to focus on the attacking side of things more, and accordingly he has been a fullback's nightmare of late.
Tampa Bay haven't exactly been airtight in the back thus far in the fall, but their myriad of attacking options have seen them score fifteen times through seven games in the fall season. Evans Frimpong has become one of the main fulcrums of Ricky Hill's attack, as the young winger has truly begun to blossom in a newly adopted 4-3-3. In playing in more advanced positions, Frimpong has been able to focus on the attacking side of things more, and accordingly he has been a fullback's nightmare of late.
Atlanta had been plagued with scoring problems throughout the fall season, which served as the catalyst for the recent re-signing of Ruben Luna, who was so instrumental in scoring vital goals during Atlanta spring season title run. In perfect fashion, Luna made quite the emphatic return to the Silverbacks last week, as he scored one from close range against San Antonio and deftly set Danny Barrera up for his goal from range in Atlanta's comprehensive 2-1 win.
Borfor Carr is set to miss out through injury for Atlanta, so Horace James will continue to be the Silverbacks' main pacy outlet down the right.
With either Tampa Bay or Atlanta set to reacquaint with the top of the table with a win, expect this one to be nothing short of enthralling. Atlanta has been more resolute defensively, however, which leads me to think a road win could be on the cards.
Borfor Carr is set to miss out through injury for Atlanta, so Horace James will continue to be the Silverbacks' main pacy outlet down the right.
With either Tampa Bay or Atlanta set to reacquaint with the top of the table with a win, expect this one to be nothing short of enthralling. Atlanta has been more resolute defensively, however, which leads me to think a road win could be on the cards.
Fort Lauderdale Strikers v. New York Cosmos
The Strikers and Cosmos met in the fall season opener in New York, and at that time a rebuilding Fort Lauderdale side could only head back down south with a heartbreaking loss in hand. Times have changed since then, however.
After losing their first two games of the fall season and continuing on with their spring season demons, the Strikers have just about been the form team of the league, having tallied eleven points over their last five games. The Strikers could stand to be getting some more goals from their array of creative talent, but the rearguard, spearheaded by goalkeeper loanee Richard Sanchez and the improving Rafael Alves, have done enough to give the Strikers the backbone to win some close games.
Likewise, New York has yet to reach full song in attack, but regardless, they are there at the top of the table. While the myriad of strikers haven't scored as much as one would expect, the Cosmos have been able to win their share of midfield battles through Marcos Senna and a re-emerging Danny Szetela.
Just as New York got a home win in this matchup earlier in the fall, expect the Strikers to return the favor this time around to get back to the top of the table. Also expect this game to have a bit less drama than the Strikers' last time out in Edmonton.
After losing their first two games of the fall season and continuing on with their spring season demons, the Strikers have just about been the form team of the league, having tallied eleven points over their last five games. The Strikers could stand to be getting some more goals from their array of creative talent, but the rearguard, spearheaded by goalkeeper loanee Richard Sanchez and the improving Rafael Alves, have done enough to give the Strikers the backbone to win some close games.
Likewise, New York has yet to reach full song in attack, but regardless, they are there at the top of the table. While the myriad of strikers haven't scored as much as one would expect, the Cosmos have been able to win their share of midfield battles through Marcos Senna and a re-emerging Danny Szetela.
Just as New York got a home win in this matchup earlier in the fall, expect the Strikers to return the favor this time around to get back to the top of the table. Also expect this game to have a bit less drama than the Strikers' last time out in Edmonton.
San Antonio Scorpions v. Carolina RailHawks
It was but a few short months ago that San Antonio defeated Carolina at home to crush Carolina's spring championship and pull themselves to within one point in the final spring table behind Atlanta at the top. Those days might as well have been a generation ago.
San Antonio lost their sixth game of the fall season last week at Atlanta, leaving them firmly rooted at the foot of the table on a solitary point. While the game finished 2-1, one never got the feeling that Atlanta was ever truly at risk of conceding an equalizer to a San Antonio side that looked absolutely bereft of ideas. Indeed, San Antonio's goal from Hans Denissen was as fortunate and honestly undeserved as they come.
Carolina have been scoring their share of goals over the last couple of games, both against Tampa Bay, but only wound up with one point to show for their troubles. We know Carolina is loaded with attacking talent, and they really should run rampant in getting a mark of revenge against San Antonio. Expect at least a 2-0 scoreline in favor of the visitors.
Carolina have been scoring their share of goals over the last couple of games, both against Tampa Bay, but only wound up with one point to show for their troubles. We know Carolina is loaded with attacking talent, and they really should run rampant in getting a mark of revenge against San Antonio. Expect at least a 2-0 scoreline in favor of the visitors.
FC Edmonton v. Minnesota United
In predictable fashion, Edmonton drew last week at home against Fort Lauderdale thanks to Lance Laing's fantastic, if not controversial, free kick. Also predictable was that Edmonton, yet again, got nothing from their strikers. Wash, rinse, repeat it seems.
However, it is the fact that Edmonton tends to be so hard to beat at home that should be of the most concern for Manny Lagos and his Minnesota side. Yes, Minnesota is fantastically talented on paper, this is a game they certainly need to win if they are going to stay in this fall season race. Should Minnesota lose and New York win, Minnesota would find themselves seven points adrift. Pablo Campos and Mike Ambersley will need to find their feet to keep Minnesota from falling into the abyss.
Predicting a draw from this one is almost low hanging fruit, but there is a reason for that: it keeps coming true at Edmonton. 1-1 it is.
However, it is the fact that Edmonton tends to be so hard to beat at home that should be of the most concern for Manny Lagos and his Minnesota side. Yes, Minnesota is fantastically talented on paper, this is a game they certainly need to win if they are going to stay in this fall season race. Should Minnesota lose and New York win, Minnesota would find themselves seven points adrift. Pablo Campos and Mike Ambersley will need to find their feet to keep Minnesota from falling into the abyss.
Predicting a draw from this one is almost low hanging fruit, but there is a reason for that: it keeps coming true at Edmonton. 1-1 it is.
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