Atlanta Silverbacks, Tampa Bay Rowdies score road wins to highlight NASl Week 8 action Photo courtesy NASL. NASL: August 31, 2014 - While the top two teams didn't change, there was plenty of movement in the NASL Fall Season Standings following an exciting night of league action. The Atlanta Silverbacks and Tampa Bay Rowdies notched key road wins on Saturday night, and up until the final moments of the game in Indianapolis, it looked like the New York Cosmos would do the same. A late goal for Indy Eleven clinched a share of the points, however, forcing the Cosmos to settle for a draw.

The third-place Rowdies gained ground on the league-leading San Antonio Scorpions, who fell to the Fort Lauderdale Strikers last night, while the Silverbacks leapfrogged three teams to rise to fifth place in the Fall Season Standings. With the draw, the Cosmos move up one spot to sixth place, passing the Carolina RailHawks.

Tampa Bay Rowdies 2, Ottawa Fury FC 0

First-half goals from forward Brian Shriver and midfielder Darel Russell earned the Tampa Bay Rowdies a crucial 2-0 win over Ottawa Fury FC at TD Place. Rowdies goalkeeper Matt Pickens was called into action on several occasions, but Fury FC simply couldn't find the net. Shriver's goal came off an assist from forward Georgi Hristov in the 29th minute, and it was followed up by a long-range blast from Russell 12 minutes later.

"We're delighted with the victory, and extra delighted that we managed to keep a clean sheet because we haven't had many of them this year," said Rowdies Head Coach Ricky Hill. "I'm happy with the performance, and I hope we can go to Minnesota next week and put on an equally good performance."

Indy Eleven 2, New York Cosmos 2

The New York Cosmos raced out to a 2-0 lead in the first half, but they couldn't hang on, playing to a 2-2 draw with Indy Eleven in front of a sellout crowd of 10,659 at Michael A. Carroll Stadium in downtown Indianapolis. Midfielder David Diosa headed in a cross from Andres Flores to put the Cosmos up 1-0 in the 6th minute. Just before halftime, the visitors found the back of the net again, with Norwegian forward Mads Stokkelien firing home a pass from new signing Danny Mwanga. Indy Eleven forward Mike Ambersley pulled one back midway through the second half, converting a pass from midfielder Victor Pineda. With just seconds to go, midfielder Jermaine Johnson chipped the ball over the head of Cosmos goalkeeper Kyle Zobeck to clinch a share of the points.

"We're really pleased with the result and the effort from our players," said Indy Eleven Head Coach Juergen Sommer. "At halftime, we had a lot to talk about, and we came out with nothing to lose. We knew we needed to keep the crowd in it and play with energy, and once Ambersley scored, we really felt that we could get the equalizer."

Atlanta Silverbacks 2, Carolina RailHawks 0

For the first time in the NASL Modern Era, the Atlanta Silverbacks left Cary, N.C. with a victory. Second-half goals from midfielder Junior Sandoval and defender Ryan Roushandel gave the Silverbacks a 2-0 win over the Carolina RailHawks at WakeMed Soccer Park. It was Atlanta's first ever road win in Carolina. Sandoval beat RailHawks goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald with a beautiful strike in the 63rd minute, and 12 minutes later, Roushandel blasted a free kick into the net from nearly 30 yards out.

"We were fortunate. I thought the second goal was a very good strike," said Silverbacks Head Coach Jason Smith. "The game was very even, but I thought we picked up our pace a little bit, got the ball wide a little better, and I think that was the difference in the game."

Fort Lauderdale Strikers 2, San Antonio Scorpions 0

In the lone Friday night game, the Fort Lauderdale Strikers earned a 2-0 home win over the San Antonio Scorpions, who came to Lockhart Stadium holding the top spot in the NASL Fall Season Standings. The Strikers controlled the game from the outset, and a goal from forward Fafa Picault sent them on their way just before halftime. Picault had forced a number of saves out of Scorpions goalkeeper Josh Saunders early in the game, and finally beat him with a shot off the post in the 43rdminute.

The Strikers were reduced to 10 men midway through the second half when forward Aly Hassan was shown a straight red card, but that didn't stop them from getting a second goal. Midfielder Mark Anderson's free kick beat Saunders in the 79th minute to give the Strikers a 2-0 lead that they would hold on to for the rest of the game.

Sunday, August 31

FC Edmonton vs. Minnesota United FC

Kickoff: 2 p.m. MT (4 p.m. ET) at Clarke Stadium





NASL Fall Season Week 8 Scores

Tampa Bay Rowdies 2, Ottawa Fury FC 0

Indy Eleven 2, New York Cosmos 2

Atlanta Silverbacks 2, Carolina RailHawks 0

Fort Lauderdale Strikers 2, San Antonio Scorpions 0

FC Edmonton vs. Minnesota United FC - Sunday at 4 p.m. ET



