NASL Fall Season: Week Seven Preview

Thanks to Tampa Bay's late dramatics against Carolina and Ft. Lauderdale's inability to keep their winning streak alive against an ailing San Antonio side, the top of the NASL table is adorned in green and yellow--if only on goal difference.

As one would predict at this stage, the race for the second spot in this season's Soccer Bowl hardly became any clearer, and indeed, four teams could conceivably find themselves at the top of the table at the close of this weekend by way of wins and favorable results elsewhere.

It's all poised for another fantastic weekend in the American second division, with seemingly every game offering its share of talking points.

Carolina RailHawks v. Tampa Bay Rowdies

In a strange twist of scheduling fate, Carolina and Tampa Bay find themselves meeting again only a week after their pulsating 3-2 encounter at Tampa Bay that was ultimately decided in the Rowdies' favor by Paul Hamilton's late own goal.

With Tampa Bay now atop the table, if only by goal difference, the challenge now comes in the form of staying there. With the endeavor shown last week from Ricky Hill's side, one just about has to think they have the mettle to do it. A lot has been made of the Hristov/Barbara strike pairing, but as seen last week, the likes of Luke Mulholland and the ever-emerging Evans Frimpong are truly driving what is a very dangerous attacking side.

Equally dangerous going forward, of course, is Carolina. We can look at the 2013 scoring charts and see Brian Shriver on top, but yes, like Tampa Bay, Carolina is much more of a sum of their parts than that. Indeed, it wasn't Shriver on the scoresheet last week, but instead Ty Shipalane and loanee Enzo Martinez.

Expect this one to be as tight as it was last week, and maybe with almost as many goals. A draw sounds about right this time.

New York Cosmos v. Minnesota United
Last week's draw against Atlanta was much like many of the Cosmos' outings thus far. Some creativity, some chances, and nary a goal to be had. One would think that the goals will come soon, but a revolving door up top merely highlights New York's problems at this stage. Alessandro Noselli and Henry Lopez have had their moments of glory, but consistency in front of goal has been elusive.

Minnesota will be bolstered by the return of leading man Pablo Campos, who missed out last week thanks to his suspension following the fracas down in San Antonio. For a side blessed with talent but still looking for a measure of good form, his return will be nothing short of vital.

The central midfield pairing of Callum Mallace and Floyd Franks has done well of late, and they should be very much up for the challenge of neutralizing the likes of Marcos Senna and Ayoze. This one feels like a Minnesota win in the making.

Atlanta Silverbacks v. San Antonio Scorpions
Seemingly the only thing standing between Atlanta and the recently familiar top of the NASL table in this fall term has been a lack of scoring. Accordingly, the Silverbacks have been stricken with a slew of 1-1 draws that might have easily been turned into wins only a few months prior. Joe Nasco's heroics in goal ensured yet another 1-1 draw against the Cosmos on the road last week.

With their collective goal-scoring issues in mind, the Silverbacks have re-signed Ruben Luna this week following his pursuit of opportunities abroad after the close of the spring season. Have tallied five times during Atlanta's spring season championship, his return will be warmly greeted. Pedro Mendes' one game suspension following his sending off in New York makes Luna's return all the more vital.

In need of three points for the sake of staying in the fall season race, the Silverbacks couldn't have asked for a better opponent this week other than San Antonio. The Scorpions did claw out a 0-0 draw against Fort Lauderdale last week, but that was merely their first point from six games.

San Antonio has signed former Toronto FC defender Logan Emory, and he very well may feature due to the prolonged suspension of Kevin Harmse.

The Silverbacks have been due for a breakout performance in the fall. Don't be surprised if this is it.

FC Edmonton v. Fort Lauderdale Strikers
With now ten points from their last four games, Fort Lauderdale continues to be the surprise package in the NASL this fall. While much attention has been given to the Strikers' myriad of attacking options, more credit has to be given to a very improved rearguard. FC Dallas loanee Richard Sanchez has been magnificent in goal, and Rafael Alves continues to evolve nicely in the heart of the defense after experiencing a couple of growing pains early on.

As we have seen, however, Edmonton has scarcely been a happy hunting ground for away teams this season, as visitors have only come away with two points thus far against a typically hard to beat side. And still, despite that ingrained defensive resolve, FC Edmonton still struggle to score, having not scored more than a goal in any game so far this fall.

Is there anything else on the cards for this one other than a draw, whether 0-0 or 1-1? Probably not.