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Aaron Nielsen ,

April 8, 2013 Email

Aaron Nielsen



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The 2013 NASL season will hopefully be a transitional period to a more consistent 2nd division in North American Soccer. The league has announced expansion teams for the next three season including a team in Ottawa, and 2013 will see the return of the New York Cosmos. The Cosmos have signed former MLS players Carlos Mendes, Hunter Freeman, Joseph Nane and Peri Marosevic, although feel they are not ready to play in the spring. The league decided to do a split season similar to what is used in South America with each season champions playing in the 2013 Soccer Bowl at the end of the Fall Championship. Seven teams will compete in the 14 game Spring Championship including FC Edmonton who are looking to improve on their last place finish last season. Until the Cosmos enter the league, below are my predictions and analysis for each team competing in the 2013 NASL season.



ATLANTA SILVERBACKS

2012: 7-12-9 (7th in regular season)

Head Coach: Brian Haynes

Key Returners: Martyn Lancaster Df (25GP), Borfor Carr Fw (22GP 2G), Shane Morony Df (18GP 3G)

Key Newcomers: Ruben Luna F (Dallas MLS), Kellen Gulley (Chicago MLS on Loan), Mark Bloom D (21GP for Charlotte USL PRO)



Analysis: Altlanta has struggled in the NASL finishing last and 2nd last in 2012. In 2013 the team brought in the very opinionated Eric Wynalda, who created some buzz last season as manager of Cal FC who became the first USASA side to beat an MLS Club in the US OPEN Cup (Portland Timbers). Wynalda brought in six Cal FC players along with former MLS players Ruben Luna and Kellen Gulley. On paper the team looks worse off than last season especially with the losses of Goalkeeper Daniel Illyes, Midfielder Ciaran O'Brien and leading Goalscorer Matt Horth.

2013 Prediction: 7th Place CAROLINA RAILHAWKS 2012: 10-8-10 (4th in regular season - Lost Semi-Finals)

Head Coach: Colin Clarke

Key Returners: Nick Zimmerman F (26GP 15G 1A), Brian Shriver Fw (22GP 5G 3A), Ty Shipalane Mf (27GP 5G 4A), Kupono Low Mf (26GP)

Key Newcomers: Tim Murray GK (New England MLS), Nicholas Addlery F (23GP 9G 1A with Puerto Rico), Ciaran O'Brien M (23GP 2G 4A with Atlanta), Paul Hamilton D (23GP 1G with Edmonton). Analysis: After dominating the 2011 season, the 2012 Railhawks season could be perceived as a disappointment. The 2013 club were able to hold on eight starters, including Nick Zimmerman who scored 15 goals last season. They did lose Gale Agbossoumonde to Toronto FC and are hoping recent signing of Canadian defender Paul Hamilton can replace him. Another question is goalkeeping where Tim Murray replaces Ray Burse - Murray was signed by New England in the MLS but never got into a game.

2013 Prediction: 4th Place FC EDMONTON 2012: 5-13-10 (8th in regular season)

Head Coach: Colin Miller (New Manager)

Key Returners: Shuan Saiko M (22GP 7G 6A), Antonio Rago D (24GP), Michael Cox F (19GP 3G)

Key Newcomers: Carlyle Mitchell D (Vancouver MLS on loan), Wes Knight D (27GP with San Antonio), Neil Hlavaty M (24GP 2G 2A with Minnesota), Edson Edward D (20GP with Puerto Rico) Analysis: Former Canadian National Team Player Colin Miller takes over as head coach of FC Edmonton. The club brought in Albert Watson and Daryl Fordyce from Northern Ireland and Americans Wes Knight and Neil Hlaverty to create stability. However, it’s defender Edson Edward and midfielder Shuan Saiko, both on the outside of the Canadian National Team, who could provide the most excitement to Clarke Stadium. Edmonton does have some depth issues and are hoping the addition of Carlyle Mitchell on loan from the Whitecaps and veteran Chris Nurse will make Edmonton competitive throughout the season.

2013 Prediction: 6th Place FORT LAUDERDALE STRIKERS 2012: 9-10-9 (5th in regular season - Lost in 1st Round)

Head Coach: Daryl Shore

Key Returners: Mark Anderson M (25GP 11G 3A), Andy Herron F (18GP 8G 2A), Walter Restrepo (21GP 6G 7A), Matt Glaeser GK (27GP)

Key Newcomers: Shavar Thomas D (Montreal MLS), Jamal Johnson FW (England), David Foley FW (12GP 6G 3A with Puerto Rico) Analysis: It’s a bit of a surprise that the Strikers were able to hold on to my NASL top prospect from last season, Mark Anderson, as you would imagine he could get at least a trial from a MLS Club. By keeping Anderson, Fort Lauderdale have a good core of experienced NASL players including Walter Restrepo, Goalkeeper Matt Glaeser and former MLS striker, 35 year old Andy Herron. This off-season they added former Montreal Impact player Shavar Thomas which should give the Strikers stability in defense, while former English Premier League player Jamal Johnson will hope to assist the offence.

2013 Prediction: 5th Place MINNESOTA UNITED FC

2012: 8-9-11 (6th in regular season - Playoff Finalists)

Head Coach: Manny Lagos

Key Returners: Simone Bracalello F (23GP 5G), Matt Van Oekel GK (25GP), Justin Davis D (24GP 1G 3A), Kentaro Takada M (24GP 2G 1A)

Key Newcomers: Etienne Barbara F (Vancouver MLS), Pablo Campos F (28GP 20G 5A with San Antonio), Aaron Pitchkolan D (23GP 2G 1A) Analysis: Playoff specialist Minnesota United will have a very interesting strike force for the 2013 season. Etienne Barbara joins the club from Vancouver, who failed to perform in the MLS although and prior scored 20 goals for Carolina and Pablo Campos joins him after scoring 20 goals with San Antonio last season. Barbara and Campos did play together with Carolina, a team who finished 1st in 2011, and they were one-two in league scoring. No nonsense defender Aaron Pitchkolan and Goalkeeper Daryl Sattler also joins the club from San Antonio. With the only major loss being Armani Walker, Minnesota will likely show their playoff form over the last two seasons throughout the season and challenge for first place.

2013 Prediction: 2nd Place SAN ANTONIO SCORPIONS 2012: 13-7-8 (1st in regular season - Lost in Semi-Finals)

Head Coach: Tim Hankinson

Key Returners: Walter Ramirez M (25GP 2G 4A), Blake Wagner M (23GP 1G 1A), Hans Denissen F (25GP 4G 5A), Esteban Bayona F (26GP 6G 3A)

Key Newcomers: Bryan Jordan M (LA Galaxy MLS), Pat Phelen D (New England MLS), Edin Husic M (Karlovac Croatia), Ivan Milicevic F (Osijek Croatia) Analysis: San Antonio had a very successful expansion season, both on and off the pitch in 2012, including generating an attendance of over 9,000 per game and finishing 1st during the regular season. This year the club opens a new soccer specific stadium and they also brought in former MLS players Bryan Jordan and Pat Phelen, who will join Blake Wagner, Greg Janicki and Canadian Kevin Harmse as well as five new players from Eastern Europe. Although they also allowed 20 goal scorer Pablo Campos, Wes Knight, Matt Gold, and Aaron Pitchkolan, all who have MLS experience, to leave during the off season. It’s difficult to predict how San Antonio will do this season although I think they lost too much in the off-season to finish first again.

2013 Prediction: 3rd Place TAMPA BAY ROWDIES 2012: 12-7-9 (2nd in regular season - Playoff Champions)

Head Coach: Ricky Hill

Key Returners: Mike Ambersley F (27GP 6G 7A), Luke Mulholland F (26GP 5G 1A), Takuay Yamada M (28GP 3G 1A), Frankie Sanfilippo D (26GP 2G)

Key Newcomers: Armani Walker F (21GP 7G 4A with Minnesota), Jay Needham D (25GP 3G 1A with Puerto Rico) Analysis: Tampa Bay won the 2012 championship beating Minnesota in the finals on Penalty Kicks. This season the Rowdies will have to compete off the field with USL PRO expansion team VSI Tampa, although on the field the team should have the lineup to compete for another championship. The club has nine regulars returning from last season, including the strike partnership of Mike Ambersley and Luke Mulholland. Tampa Bay have also added NASL 2012 Top Prospect from Minnesota Armani Walker, as well as Jay Needham who played with Puerto Rico last season.

2013 Prediction: 1st Place Aaron Nielsen has worked within the soccer/sports industry for over 15 years. His statistical analysis brings the beautiful game in a whole new light. The detailed player data and prospect lists he produces are used by many scouts, agents, and football insiders around the world.You can find updating stats regularly at ENBSports.

