News

The regular season is now over, and the top six seeds have qualified for the 2012 NASL Playoff. Regular Season Champion San Antonio, and second place Tampa Bay have clinched a First-Round bye into the semifinals.

Third place Puerto Rico and fourth place Carolina will host a single-game elimination game in the quarter finals against the sixth and fifth place teams respectively. The Islanders will host sixth placed Minnesota on Sunday, September 30 at 6:00 p.m., while the RailHawks will host fifth placed Ft. Lauderdale on Saturday, September 29 at 7:00 p.m.

San Antonio

The Scorpions finished in first place with 47 points and a 13-8-7 (W-T-L) overall record. They have a league-high 13 wins, as well as the league’s leading scorer forward Pablo Campos who scored 20 goals on the season. Midfielder Walter Ramirez is tied for third in the league with six assists, while goalkeeper Daryl Sattler finished the regular season with a goals against average of 0.79, which earned him the 2012 Golden Glove award.  San Antonio lead the league with most goals scored in the regular season with 46, as well as fewest goals against with 27 and they have a record of 1-2-2 in their last five games.

Tampa Bay

The second-placed Rowdies finished the regular season in with 45 points, posting a 12-9-7 record. The five away victories are tied for most by any team in the league, and the Rowdies have only lost one game at home during the regular season. Forward Daniel Antoniuk leads the Rowdies with seven goals, while forward Mike Ambersley has eight assists, tied for most in the league. Goalkeeper Jeff Attinella is second in the league with a goals against average of 1.07, while leading the league with 118 saves. Attinella’s 11 shutouts helped the Rowdies give up only 30 goals this season, tied for second lowest in the NASL. The Rowdies enter the playoffs with six-game unbeaten streak and a 2-3-0 record in their last five games.

Puerto Rico

Obtaining 41 points, the Islanders finished third in the league, with an 11-8-9 overall record. They are tied with San Antonio and Ft. Lauderdale for most home wins in the season with eight, and have given up 30 goals this season, tied for second-fewest in the league. Forward Nicholas Addlery has a team-high nine goals, placing him fifth in the league, while forward Jonathan Faña leads the team with five assists. Goalkeeper Richard Martin is third in the league in both goals against average with 1.08, and saves with 106. Puerto Rico has a record of 1-2-2 in their last five games.

Carolina

The RailHawks finished with 40 points, earning fourth place in the NASL standings. With a record of 10-10-8, they are third in the league for the fewest losses in the league, behind San Antonio and Tampa Bay with both having only seven losses this season. They are led by their leading scorer Nick Zimmerman, who is second in the league with 15 goals. Midfielder Mike Palacio leads the team with six assists, tied for third in the league. Goalkeeper Ray Burse is fifth in the league with 82 saves. Carolina has scored 44 goals this season, second-most in the NASL, but has allowed a league-high 46 goals, tied with Ft. Lauderdale. The RailHawks are 1-3-1 in their last five games.

Ft. Lauderdale

The Strikers posted an overall record of 9-9-10, finishing in fifth place with 36 points. With eight wins at Lockhart Stadium, they are tied for the most wins at home in the NASL with San Antonio and Puerto Rico. Midfielder Mark Anderson is third in the league with a team-high 11 goals, while injured midfielder Walter Restrepo leads the team and is tied for the league lead with eight assists. Goalkeeper Matt Glaeser is second in the NASL with 108 saves, but the Strikers have given up 46 goals, tied for most in the league. In their last five games, they have a record of 1-2-2.

Minnesota

With 35 points, the Stars finished in sixth place posting an 8-11-9 record. Minnesota gave up only 33 goals this season, fourth fewest in the league. Forward Amani Walker leads the team in both goals and assists, scoring seven goals and picking up five assists. Goalkeeper Matt Van Oekel is fifth in the league with a goals against average of 1.20 and is sixth in the league with 77 saves. The Stars are 1-3-1 in their last five games of the regular season.

NASL Quarterfinal Round

Carolina RailHawks vs. Fort Lauderdale Strikers

Saturday, September 29, 2012— 7:00 P.M. EDT

WakeMed Soccer Park

Cary, NC

2012 Series:  Fort Lauderdale won 2-0-2, 8 points

Puerto Rico Islanders vs. Minnesota Stars

Sunday, September 30, 2012— 6:00 P.M. EDT

Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium

Bayamón, Puerto Rico

2012 Series:  Tied 2-0-2

The Rowdies will play the first leg of the NASL Semifinals the weekend of October 5-7, with the opponent and location to be determined.  The Rowdies will then host the second leg of the NASL Semifinal on Saturday, October 13 at Al Lang Stadium.