POWER RANKINGS | Week 1
Week 1 was a record-setting one in the North American Soccer League (NASL) and when the dust settled, it produced plenty of goals as well. Three clubs finished Saturday night with three goals on the score sheet - Tampa Bay Rowdies, Jacksonville Armada FC, and Carolina RailHawks.
Here are the rankings after the first week of action:
1 – Tampa Bay Rowdies
The Rowdies posted the most impressive victory on opening weekend. With the defending champions, the San Antonio Scorpions, celebrating their 2014 triumph before the game, the Rowdies ended the party swiftly. With an opening goal in the 10th minute from Stefan Antonijevic, the Rowdies never looked back to record their first three points of the Thomas Rongen Era.
2 – Jacksonville Armada FC
What a way for the Armada FC to begin in the NASL. Jemal Johnson scored just 12 seconds into the game, setting a new Modern Era record for the fastest goal and sending the Armada FC on their way to a convincing victory over FC Edmonton. Jacksonville kept the theme of breaking records going, as their inaugural game attracted 16,164 fans - the largest ever crowd in the Modern Era. Alhassane Keita and Marcos Flores also opened their Armada FC scoring accounts in the win, putting the finishing touches on a dream debut.
3 – Carolina RailHawks
Powered by Tiyi Shipalane’s vibrant display on Saturday, the RailHawks opened up their season with a 3-1 win over Ottawa Fury FC at WakeMed Soccer Park, a perennially tough place to play for visitors. Simone Bracalello, brought in to add another veteran presence, scored a goal in his RailHawks debut and Hunter Gilstrap, also making his club debut, kept the momentum going for the home side with his penalty save in the first half.
4 – New York Cosmos
In Raúl’s debut with the New York Cosmos, on the road at Fort Lauderdale, the club secured all three points. It was a scrappy game from the visitors, as Leo Fernandes’ header was the lone tally in the game. The Cosmos, who at times had trouble taking all three points in these type of games last season, will be buoyed heading into their travels to Indy after their gritty performance.
5 – Atlanta Silverbacks
In Gary Smith’s coaching debut, the Silverbacks nearly came away with all three points at home against Indy. Shaka Bangura, starting up top for the home side, produced a strong game and scored the club’s lone goal in the second half. Jonathan Okafor also had an impressive opening performance in the 1-1 draw. One thing is for sure - the Silverbacks have a team that could prove to be very competitive this season.
6 – Indy Eleven
Staring a 1-0 loss right in the eyes, Indy was able to wrestle a point from the Silverbacks late in the game. Second-half substitute Don Smart found the back of the net from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time, giving Indy a boost heading into their home opener in Week 2.
7 – Fort Lauderdale Strikers
The Strikers opened up their season in front of 11,691 fans – the club’s biggest crowd since the league’s launch in 2011. Putting on an entertaining display and creating more scoring opportunities than the Cosmos, Fort Lauderdale was unable to find a goal, which would have moved them up the rankings. That said, the Strikers’ performance bodes well as they head into a matchup against in-state rival Jacksonville Armada FC this upcoming weekend.
8 – Ottawa Fury FC
Fury FC traveled to Carolina, and as teams often do, struggled at WakeMed Soccer Park. Conceding two first-half goals and missing a penalty kick, Fury FC didn’t get off to a good start. It also didn’t help that one of the club’s marquee signings, Julian de Guzman, got sent off in the second half. Despite Brandon Poltronieri’s consolation goal, Ottawa will need to improve when they head to Silverbacks Park on April 11 if they want to move up in the rankings.
9 – FC Edmonton
The Eddies wouldn’t have expected to be down a goal within 12 seconds, but that was the situation they found themselves in at EverBank Field. Giving up two further goals in the first half, Saturday exposed an uncharacteristically disorganized FC Edmonton side. The club will need to pick themselves up quickly, and it has a great chance to do it next week when back at Clarke Field, which is never an easy road trip for a visiting team.
10 – San Antonio Scorpions
The Scorpions kicked off the 2015 Spring Season with a celebration and a look back at their 2014 NASL Championship. San Antonio’s joy from their pregame festitivities was short-lived, though, as they conceded three goals to the new-look Rowdies and only found the net once themselves in second-half stoppage time. The Scorpions have a bye week coming up, which could be a good or bad thing depending on how you look at it.
N/A – Minnesota United
Did not play in Week 1.
