As we approach the halfway point of the 2011 season, here is a quick look at each of the eight teams in the North American Soccer League.
The Carolina RailHawks lead the NASL with 31 points in 12 games. At 10-1-1 (W-T-L) and currently on an 11-match unbeaten streak, the RailHawks boast the league’s leading scorer in forward Etienne Barbara, who currently has 13 goals. Barbara also sits atop the league with seven assists and has the most multiple goal games with three. Carolina goalkeeper Brad Knighton is tied for first in the league with four shutouts.
With 20 points in 12 matches, FC Edmonton sits in the second place position of the NASL with six wins, two ties and four losses. Edmonton’s Kyle Porter and Shaun Saiko have accounted for half of the team’s 16 goals scored with four each, and Saiko also leads the team with three assists. Edmonton goalkeeper Rein Baart has three shutouts thus far.
The NSC Minnesota Stars have 18 points with a 4-6-3 record so far. Minnesota’s leading scorers are Simone Bracellelo and Devin Del Do, each with four goals. Stars goalkeeper Joe Warren is third in the league with 45 saves and tied for first with four clean sheets.
Puerto Rico sits in fourth place with 18 points. Islanders forward Jonathan Faña ranks second in the league with six goals and Nicholas Addlery is tied for third with five goals. Goalkeeper Ray Burse has 32 saves for the Islanders, who are unbeaten at home this season with four wins and two ties.
The Fort Lauderdale Strikers are in fifth place with 15 points, just two points ahead of FC Tampa Bay. The two teams will play each other twice in six days beginning next Wednesday, June 29 in Ft. Lauderdale followed by the annual Fourth of July match in Tampa Bay on Monday, July 4th.
Eduardo Coudet leads the Strikers and is tied for sixth in the league with four goals. He is also tied with Aaron Hohlbein with two assists for Ft. Lauderdale, which is on a current five-game unbeaten streak. Goalkeeper Matt Glaeser leads the league with a goals against average of 0.50.
FC Tampa Bay has been led by forward Mike Ambersley, who leads the team and ranks tied for third in the league with five goals this season. Forward Warren Ukah has scored two goals, while rookie goalkeeper Jeff Attinella has posted two shutouts and leads the league in saves.
The Montreal Impact rests at seventh place, totaling nine points with a record of 2-3-6. Migane Diouf, Idriss Ech-Chergui and Ali Gerba each have two goals for the team. Goalkeeper Bill Gaudette is tied for the league lead with four shutouts and is third in goals against average (0.95), but the Montreal offense has been shut out five times in 11 matches.
At five points, the Atlanta Silverbacks are in last place with just one win in their first 12 matches. Matt Horth and Willie Hunt lead their team with two goals each for the Silverbacks. Mario Pérez ranks tied for second in the league with three assists.
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