News

As the calendar turns to August today, the push for the NASL playoffs is in full swing, with all eight teams still in contention to reach the postseason. The top six clubs will advance to the playoffs, with the top two seeds receiving first-round byes.

Here is a look at the eight teams as we enter the final two months of the regular season:

Carolina
Points: 44
Place: 1st
Games Remaining: 10
Home (4): NSC Minnesota, Ft. Lauderdale, FC Tampa Bay, NSC Minnesota
Away (6): at Ft. Lauderdale, at Puerto Rico, at Atlanta, at Ft. Lauderdale, at Montreal, at Puerto Rico

Of Note: Carolina, which has lost just once since opening day and twice overall all season, holds a 15-point lead in the race for the top spot in the standings.

Puerto Rico
Points: 29
Place: 2nd
Games Remaining: 10
Home (7): Atlanta, Carolina, FC Edmonton, FC Edmonton, Montreal, FC Tampa Bay, Carolina
Away (3): at FC Edmonton, at FC Tampa Bay, at Atlanta

Of Note: Puerto Rico’s eight wins are second only to Carolina and the Islanders play a league-high seven of their final 10 matches at home.

FC Edmonton
Points: 25
Place: tied for 3rd
Games Remaining: 9
Home (6): Puerto Rico, Ft. Lauderdale, Atlanta, NSC Minnesota, Atlanta, Ft. Lauderdale
Away (3): at Puerto Rico, at Puerto Rico, at Montreal

Of Note: FC Edmonton has lost four straight games, but returns home this week for a three-match homestand.

NSC Minnesota
Points: 25
Place: tied for 3rd
Games Remaining: 11
Home (4): Ft. Lauderdale, Montreal, FC Tampa Bay, Atlanta
Away (7): at Montreal, at FC Tampa Bay, at Carolina, at Montreal, at FC Edmonton, at FC Tampa Bay, at Carolina

Of Note: NSC Minnesota, which ended Carolina’s unbeaten streak on July 9, plays seven of its final 11 matches away from home.

FC Tampa Bay
Points: 24
Place: 5th
Games Remaining: 10
Home (4): NSC Minnesota, Puerto Rico, NSC Minnesota, Ft. Lauderdale
Away (6): at Atlanta, at Montreal, at Ft. Lauderdale, at Carolina, at NSC Minnesota, at Puerto Rico

Of Note: FC Tampa Bay has lost just once since June 18 and has combined for four wins and five ties against its remaining opponents.

Ft. Lauderdale
Points: 21
Place: 6th
Games Remaining: 10
Home (5): Carolina, FC Tampa Bay, Montreal, Carolina, Atlanta
Away (5): at NSC Minnesota, at FC Edmonton, at Carolina, at FC Edmonton, at FC Tampa Bay

Of Note: The Strikers won just one match during the month of July but stand just four points behind third-place FC Edmonton.

Montreal
Points: 15
Place: 7th
Games Remaining: 10
Home (6): NSC Minnesota, FC Tampa Bay, Atlanta, NSC Minnesota, Carolina, FC Edmonton
Away (4): at NSC Minnesota, at Ft. Lauderdale, at Puerto Rico, at Atlanta

Of Note: Montreal has scored a league-low 15 goals this season, but hopes to build momentum following its 1-0 victory over Puerto Rico on Sunday.

Atlanta
Points: 12
Place: 8th
Games Remaining: 10
Home (4): FC Tampa Bay, Carolina, Puerto Rico, Montreal
Away (6): at Puerto Rico, at Montreal, at FC Edmonton, at FC Edmonton, at NSC Minnesota, at Ft. Lauderdale

Of Note: Atlanta has yielded a league-worst 37 goals in 2011, but the Silverbacks closed out July by claiming two wins and a tie for the month.