By JOHN BOSCHINI
For this first time all season, there's a packed weekend schedule in the NASL with all eight teams in action.
The focus is on the Carolina Railhawks and whether their ever-increasing winning streak can continue. The Railhawks are unbeaten in eight games and have won a club-record five games in a row.? The Railhawks come up against an FC Tampa Bay team that has allowed 11 goals this season.
The Puerto Rico Islanders return to weekend action with a matchup against the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers. Puerto Rico managed to regain some form with a 1-1 draw with second-place Edmonton in their mid-week game. Ft. Lauderdale is still looking for its first home win as the Strikers sit in sixth place.
A Canadian derby comes at a time when both Edmonton and Montreal are in desperate need of a win. Edmonton is back up to second with wins over Minnesota and Tampa Bay and is in position to make a run at Carolina. Montreal still sits in seventh place and could lose touch with the playoff race if the Impact isn't careful.
The NSC Minnesota Stars can get back on track after a three-game winless streak with a game against the woeful Atlanta Silverbacks. Atlanta is still looking for its first victory since returning to the field and has a -10 goal difference in just eight games.
Here is a look ahead to the weekend action in the NASL:
Edmonton is six points back of Carolina with a game in hand. After a 5-0 thumping against Montreal early in May Montreal has gotten seven points from a possible nine. Montreal will hope to regain some of that form after struggling since facing Edmonton, scoring only one goal in three games.
Carolina Railhawks at FC Tampa Bay (Saturday, 7:30 p.m.)
Striker Etienne Barbara had his scoring streak snapped last weekend but is still far and away the most dangerous offensive player in the NASL right now. Despite Barbara taking up most of the offense for the Railhawks, Pablo Campos finds himself with five goals on the season, second-most in the league.
Tampa Bay has drawn four of its nine games this season but could still jump up to fourth with a win and a Puerto Rico loss. Tampa Bay has only seven goals while allowing 11. If Tampa Bay concedes early, don't expect them to have the firepower to survive in a shootout.
NSC Minnesota Stars at Atlanta Silverbacks (Saturday, 7:30 p.m.)
After a pair of wins over Atlanta and Puerto Rico took the Stars up to second in the league, Minnesota has fallen to third having played a game more than Carolina. More concerning for Atlanta than its league-high 13 goals against is its league-low three goals scored. Finding that offense won't be easy against a Minnesota team that allows only one goal per game.
Puerto Rico Islanders at Ft. Lauderdale Strikers (Saturday, 7:30 p.m.)
Expect an offensive game as Puerto Rico takes its often explosive offense against a leaky Strikers defense. Eduardo Coudet should cause the Islanders' defense a few problems while Puerto Rico will rely Jonathan Fana and Nicholas Addlery.
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What do you think of this weekend's games? Excited for the Canadian derby? Do you see Carolina extending its winning streak?
Share your thoughts below.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SoccerByIves/~3/2Fypic5PJEs/nasl-week-9-a-look-ahead.html
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