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The NASL playoffs have reached the championship round, with Ft. Lauderdale and NSC Minnesota set for the first leg this weekend in Blaine, Minnesota.

FC Tampa Bay assistant coach David Hayes sat down with FCTampaBay.com this week to break down the matchup. Here are some of his thoughts on the teams and the players.

Ft. Lauderdale (4th seed) vs. NSC Minnesota (6th seed)


FT. LAUDERDALE
On what they need to do to win:
They need to keep an eye on Luke Mulholland. He has been great for the Stars as far as keeping the ball with the intent to go forward. He has created a lot of chances. Cristiano Dias has been phenomenal in the back for them. He played great against us and he played great against Carolina. They need to watch him on set pieces.

NSC Minnesota has had outstanding performances and when you have an entire team firing on all cylinders like they are, you must have organization, discipline and communication if you are Ft. Lauderdale. Strikers head coach Daryl Shore is a good coach and will have all three elements in his gameplan. They must stick to that plan. The Strikers have done that well so far in the playoffs, and that’s why they are in the championship.

Most Important Player: Defender Lance Laing
His speed and demeanor coming out of the back is going to create problems for Minnesota.


NSC MINNESOTA
On what they need to do to win:
They need to be aware of Lance Laing, the left back. He gets forward a lot. They have to worry about Martin Nunez and Brian Shriver, who scored three goals in the semifinals. Every possession that Ft. Lauderdale has had in the playoffs is leading to a cross or a shot. They are making the right decisions. For Minnesota, they need to be well organized as a unit.

Most Important Player: Joe Warren
In the championship, goalies are crucial. Against Carolina, he saved a penalty kick and a breakaway. Joe Warren is their backbone.


CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES PREDICTION
You look across every league and at any level, anything can happen. That’s why you play the game.  At any moment, anyone can win. Momentum is a big key going into the playoffs.

Both teams are playing well offensively right now. Ft. Lauderdale is scoring more than three goals per game in the playoffs, while the Stars are scoring above their season average as well.

It will come down to the defensive side, and NSC Minnesota is a little bit more bolted down in the back. But Ft. Lauderdale is very lethal going forward. It could go either way, but I think NSC Minnesota will prevail because of the goalkeeping.