NASL Podcast Episode #16; Minnesota Stars and Carolina RailHawks 2nd Leg Semifinals Preview with Neil Morris
Welcome to episode #16 of the IMSoccer News North American Soccer League Podcast.
This is a special edition of the NASL Podcast with special guest Neil Morris who helps me preview the 2nd leg of the NASL semifinal game between Minnesota and Carolina.
You may know Neil Morris as the writer who contributes to IndyWeek.com in Cary, North Carolina and who is the soccer beat writer for the for the Triangle Offense blog. There he covers many things soccer, particularly the Carolina RailHawks.
We also play audio from post game interviews after last Saturday’s Minnesota Stars win over the RailHawks. Carolina’s Tony McManus, head coach Martin Rennie and Stars head coach Manny Lagos all reflect on the game and talk about the upcoming match in Cary at WakeMed Park this weekend.
Minnesota has the one goal advantage going into the rematch and a 3-game win streak. Carolina has the most potent offense in the league and will be playing at home, but they have lost their last 5 games and, according to Morris, the team and their coach are asking questions to which no one seems to know the answer. Carolina played well Saturday night but so did Minnesota. One team will move on to the finals and one will pack their bags for the winter. Which team will claim the glory?
Please join Neil Morris and me as we preview Saturday’s 2nd leg semifinal.
You can find all past episodes of the North American Soccer League Podcast here.
Standard Podcast [ 38:41 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
from → Carolina RailHawks, Interviews, North American Soccer League (NASL), NSC Minnesota Stars, Podcast
U.S.A. Lose to Ecuador 1-0
A 79th minute goal by Ecuadorian second half substitute Jaime Ayovi was all it took to defeat the US Men’s National Team on Tuesday night at Red Bull Arena. Ecuador’s Walter Ayovi’s got a bit of space on the left side of the field where it seemed the U.S. had trouble all night long. His cross found the head of J. Ayovi who had slipped his marker, Tim Ream, who was playing at his home stadium. Ream’s mental lapse allowed J. Ayovi just enough space to lean ahead of the defender and redirect the ball into the net past U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard.
The loss now brings Jurgen Klinsmann’s record to 1-3-1. While the U.S. has never given up more than one goal in a game under Klinsmann, his method of playing a more attacking style higher up the field has not yet resulted in more goals. Since taking over as head coach, the U.S. has scored only 2 goals.
Highlights of the 1-0 loss to Ecuador.
from → Mens National Team, USSF, Video
NASL Podcast Episode #15; First Leg Semifinals and Interview with Commissioner David Downs
Welcome to episode #15 of the IMSoccer News North American Soccer League Podcast.
The NASL kicked off the first leg of the home and away semifinals this past weekend. The IMSoccer News Podcast staff of Jay (Yankiboy) Long, Gerry Wittmann and yours truly, Brian Quarstad, review the victories for Fort Lauderdale and Minnesota and discuss what went wrong for Puerto Rico and Carolina.
We also take a look at second leg of these total goal semifinal series. Who will emerge as winners and move on to the NASL Championship finals?
Then NASL Commissioner David Downs joins the IMS team and discusses a wide range of topics. Downs talks about the on field product of the league this season. He addresses the IMS article concerning the resignation of Traffic CEO Julio Mariz. The relationship with NASL and Gol TV is discussed. The Commissioner also reveals some information about the talks that have been taking place this past summer with Major League Soccer. Negotiations to find a working relationship between the two leagues have taken place in regard to MLS reserve players. Lastly, he speaks about the resignation of American executive Chuck Blazer from CONCACAF and reflects on the rejected U.S. bid for the 2022 World Cup. Should the U.S. continue to make bids for World Cups and Olympics? You might be surprised by his answer.
Please join Jay Long, Gerry Wittmann and I as we present to you another IMSoccer News NASL Podcast.
You can find all past episodes of the North American Soccer League Podcast here.
Standard Podcast [ 46:41 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
from → Interviews, North American Soccer League (NASL), Podcast
Final Minnesota State High School Soccer Coaches Association Poll for 2011
The Minnesota State High School Soccer Coaches Association (MSHSSCA) have completed their final poll of the year.
Sectionals start next week with the 2011 State High School Tournament taking place from October 26 – November 3. IMSoccer News will once again bring you coverage of the quarterfinals and up-to-the-minute coverage of the semis and finals that take place in the Metrodome.
Here is the MSHSSCA final coaches poll for the week of 10-9-11 read more…
from → High School Soccer (MSHSL)
Traffic Sports CEO Julio Mariz Resigns; Ramifications for NASL Unclear
A story involving Traffic Sports’ loss of TV contract was reported last July that went largely unnoticed. That story may have already had consequences with the Traffic Sports Group out of Brazil. Traffic is the benefactor that supports three of the eight teams in the North American Soccer League (NASL).
In mid July it was reported that Traffic Sports lost the broadcast rights to Integrated Sports Media.
Integrated Sports Media has secured the rights to more than 40 CONCACAF WC qualifiers from Traffic Sports USA, while Schramm Marketing Group, through a pact with rights-holders Full Play Group and Al Jazeera Sports, is representing 72 CONMEBOL matches.
While many know of Traffic’s dealing in the world of players rights, that aspect of their business is relatively new. For over 30 years the bulk of Traffic’s income has actually derived from TV rights to sporting events and sports and event marketing. With soccer-passionate countries from South America like Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Colombia, the CONMEBOL WC qualifying matches were one of the many pieces of their income stream. read more…
from → North American Soccer League (NASL), Team Owners Association (TOA)
Fort Lauderdale Earn Playoff Win in Puerto Rico
The Fort Lauderdale Strikers won the away leg of their two-game series with the Puerto Rico Islanders 3-1 Saturday in Bayamon. The first leg of the semi-final NASL playoff matchup marked the first time in 2011 that the Islanders lost a match at their Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium home.
The Islanders came into the match with ten players away on international duty for CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers on Friday. Captain Noah Delgado, Alexis Rivera, Héctor Ramos, Scott Jones, Marco Vélez, Petter Villegas, Richard Martínez and Tyler Wilson were on duty for the Puerto Rican National Team for their 1-1 draw with St. Kitt’s and Nevis Friday and for their upcoming Tuesday match against Canada. Defender Osei Telesford started for Trinidad & Tobago in their 2-1 upset loss to Bermuda, while forward Jonathan Fana played for the Dominican Republic in their 2-1 loss to El Salvador. Strikers’ regular Cristian Arrieta was also called up to the Puerto Rican National Team.
The shorthanded Islanders were able to hold off the Strikers during the first half, which ended scoreless. Scoring chances were few for both sides during the first 45 minutes, but the scoreboard began lighting up early in the second half. The Strikers’ Martin Nunez, who came in for Abe Thompson at halftime, scored off a cross by NASL Best XI pick Lance Laing to make the score 1-0 in the 49th minute. Fort Lauderdale doubled their lead in the 82nd minute, as former Islander Arrieta found midfielder Walter Restrepo. The 23-year-old Californian blasted a shot past read more…
from → Fort Lauderdale Strikers, North American Soccer League (NASL), Puerto Rico Islanders
NSC Minnesota Stars vs. Carolina RailHawks First Leg Semifinal Video Highlights
Video highlights of the first leg of the total goals home and away semifinal series between the Carolina RailHawks and the NSC Minnesota Stars. The Stars defeated Carolina 1-0 with a 90th minute goal.
from → Carolina RailHawks, North American Soccer League (NASL), NSC Minnesota Stars, Video