The most decisive NASL news of the week had nothing to do with league standings or playoff spots.  On Wednesday, the NASL announced a new regular season format for the league starting in 2013, which will feature separate spring and fall competitions with the winners of each competition meeting in a single game on the weekend following the conclusion of the second competition. The winner of that match will claim the Soccer Bowl trophy as the NASL’s 2013 champions.

With less than three weeks remaining in the 2012 regular season, there is plenty of room for teams to move in league standings.  Last Saturday, the RailHawks claimed a crucial three points in Puerto Rico, upsetting the third place team with a 3-1 win.  The win moved the RailHawks into fourth place with 34 points, and narrowed the gap to only five points away from second place and nine from first.

Brian Ackley, Jason Garey and Nick Zimmerman each scored to keep the RailHawks in front.  Ackley had his second goal in as many starts, as he recently made his way back to the starting lineup.  Unfortunately, he also hurt his hamstring and left the match in the 29th minute.

Zimmerman volleyed his shot into the net off a nice cross from the ever-exciting Ty Shipalane.  The goal came less than a minute after Shipalane entered the game, and the play is now up for NASL Play of the Week.

With the three goals, the RailHawks scored more goals against Puerto Rico’s goalkeeper, Richard Martin, than all other teams combined in the month of August.  With only two goals against in four games, Martin was awarded August’s NASL Player of the Month.  The award is voted on by 20 members of the media, and Martin edged out Zimmerman by only two votes.

The weekly NASL awards went to Frankie Sanfillippo for Defensive Player of the Week and Matt Horth for Offensive Player of the Week. 

Sanfillippo and Tampa Bay posted the shutout against Fort Lauderdale.  The Rowdies beat the Strikers at Lockhart Stadium 3-0, clinching a playoff spot and winning the Coastal Cup (highlights here).  The Coastal Cup is awarded to the annual winner of the Tampa Bay-Fort Lauderdale series.

With the win, Tampa Bay is in sole possession of second place in the league standings with 39 points.

Horth scored both goals as Atlanta traveled to Edmonton and beat the Eddies 2-0.  The Silverbacks win ties the two teams at 22 points in the bottom of league standings.  The game also marked the professional debut of Silverbacks goalkeeper Eric Ati who impressed by posting the shutout.

In the fourth game of the weekend, Minnesota tied the league-leading San Antonio Scorpions, yet remained disappointed with their play.  Minnesota was the first to score, with a goal from Armani Walker in the 33rd minute.  However, they let the win slip away when Hans Denissen scored in the 71st minute for the Scorpions. 

All the highlights from the past week’s competitions can be found on the NASL Weekly Rewind.  The MLS Reserves, Soccer by Ives and Inside Minnesota Soccer all take a look at the past action and what’s to come this weekend as well.

This Saturday, the RailHawks return to WakeMed Soccer Park, but will be without John Krause and Nick Millington who are both overseas on national team duty. 

The RailHawks have five important matches remaining against San Antonio, Edmonton and Tampa Bay, and will begin the campaign by hosting the Scorpions. The RailHawks are only nine points behind the Scorpions in the standings, and can make up important ground by taking the win this weekend. 

Before the game, Carolina will host the Homebrew Soktoberfest.  Homebrewers from around the Triangle will be showing off their best brews alongside Lonerider drafts.  Here is a sneak peek of the winner’s mug.  Entry for the event is only $10 and the winner will be determined by fan votes.

On Wednesday, the RailHawks travel across the border to Edmonton for another important game to move up in league standings.

Puerto Rico travels to Fort Lauderdale to take on the Strikers, who are currently sitting in fifth place.  Three points would make a huge difference for either team, as the Strikers are only two points behind the Islanders.

The Rowdies will stay at home this Saturday as they host Atlanta.  This game is important for more than just these two teams, as a win for Tampa Bay would assure a playoff spot for the RailHawks.  The Rowdies took a look at their remaining matches in the regular season here.

Minnesota Stars have a busy week ahead as they host Edmonton on Saturday, then Puerto Rico on Tuesday.  The Stars just added Orlando City FC forward Jamie Watson to their roster, but they are still looking for their first win in the past 8 games.

There is a lot of important action in the next week with potential for plenty of movement in league standings.  The league rounded up all the scenarios for teams to clinch the remaining three spots in the playoffs as San Antonio, Tampa Bay and Puerto Rico have already claimed a spot.