USSF D2 Table Update

Week 9:

Miami vs. Puerto Rico

 - Result: 4-2 (Puerto Rico)

 - Full Match Reports: Miami (Puerto Rico's game recap was not available as of 6/6).

 - Thoughts: Miami FC had let in 4 goals in their first 6 matches and have now given up 7 goals in their two games against Austin and Puerto Rico this past week. Being on the road definitely plays into this, however, Miami must get back to its strong defensive play since the two goals on their side was also a season high. 

Minnesota vs. Rochester

 - Result: 0-0

 - Full Match Reports: Minnesota and Rochester

 - Thoughts: Both teams were coming off victories, but the Rhinos should be the only team happy with this result after going on the road to secure a point in front of a 5,000+ crowd. Rochester needs to turn a game like this - home against a bottom of the table team - into three points to keep up in a strong conference. 

Miami vs. Montreal

 - Result: 1-1

 - Full Match Reports: Miami and Montreal

 - Thoughts: Montreal brought in its third sell-out of the year over 13,000, but could not leverage the crowd and translate it into a win. Miami got on the board first with a 9th minute strike by former MLS striker Christian Gomez. Like the last match this result benefits Miami more so than Montreal to help hold pace while on the road. 

Tampa Bay vs. Vancouver

 - Result: 1-0 (Vancouver)

 - Full Match Reports: Tampa Bay and Vancouver

 - Thoughts: The Impact's captain - Nash - put away a 1st half penalty that made the difference on the night. It was a night of two seven games streaks. Tampa Bay's undefeated streak ended at seven games, while the Whitecaps have posted seven straight clean sheets. The win helps strengthen the NASL conference in comparison to a few of the stronger teams on the other side - Austin, Tampa Bay and Rochester.

Carolina vs. Portland

 - Result: 1-1

 - Full Match Reports: Carolina and Portland

 - Thoughts: Portland took a 1-0 lead in heavy rain in front of a crowd of 8,000+ behind a Ryan Pore goal - his eighth (league leading). However, Carolina battled back with another stoppage time goal from midfielder Daniel Paladini. This was a good result for the Railhawks who have had 3 roads games in a row at Puerto Rico, Montreal and Portland taking away 5 points. 

NASL Conference Standings

NASL Conference
Pos	Club	Pts	GP	W	L	D	GF	GA	GD	Playoffs
1	Vancouver Whitecaps	15	9	4	2	3	8	4	+4	*
2	Carolina RailHawks	12	8	3	2	3	10	7	+3	*
3	Montreal Impact	12	8	3	2	3	6	7	-1	*
4	Crystal Palace Baltimore	10	9	3	5	1	6	10	-4
5	Miami FC	9	9	1	2	6	9	12	-3
6	AC St. Louis	4	9	1	7	1	6	17	-11

USL Conference Standings

USL Conference
Pos	Club	Pts	GP	W	L	D	GF	GA	GD	Playoffs
1	Austin Aztex	20	9	6	1	2	19	11	+8	*
2	FC Tampa Bay	18	10	5	2	3	17	11	+6	*
3	Rochester Rhinos	15	10	4	3	3	11	9	+2	*
4	Portland Timbers	12	9	3	3	3	10	8	+2	*
5	NSC Minnesota Stars	11	12	3	7	2	10	19	-9	*
6	Puerto Rico Islanders	9	6	3	3	0	12	9	+3

(Wikipedia)

Thoughts / comments on this past weeks action? The current table standings?