By Simon Fudge/whitecapsfc.com
Austin Aztex kept their firm grip on top spot in the USSF D-2 Pro League, while Vancouver Whitecaps FC continue to lead the NASL Conference after the latest weekend of action.
It was a mixed round of games for Miami FC and Puerto Rico Islanders, while FC Tampa Bay's seven-match unbeaten run came to an end in the Pacific Northwest.
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Action started on Wednesday, with Puerto Rico claiming a third league win of the season after a
4-2 victory
at home to Miami FC. The Blues scored first and last in the Caribbean, but the Islanders struck four unanswered goals between Miami's two strikes. Former Whitecaps strikers Josh Hansen and Nicholas Addlery found the scoresheet, while Englishman David Foley scored from the penalty spot before Chris Nurse struck Puerto Rico's fourth goal.
Friday saw a battle of two USL Conference clubs, with Rochester Rhinos having to settle for a
0-0 home draw
with struggling NSC Minnesota Stars at Marina Auto Stadium in Upstate New York.
On Saturday, Austin made it three wins on the trot following a
2-1 victory
at home to Puerto Rico. Maxwell Griffin struck the opening goal for the club from the Texas state capital before Addlery made sure both sides went to halftime level at 1-1. However, the in-form Aztex gave the 4,218 fans at Austin's House Park something to smile about after Yordany Alvarez struck the match winner in the dying stages.
There were three games on Sunday, with Miami FC recovering from their midweek loss to earn a very creditable
1-1 draw
with Montreal Impact in Quebec. Christian Gomez gave the Blues an early lead before former 'Caps midfielder Tony Donatelli earned a point with a first-half penalty at Stade Saputo. Meanwhile, in Oregon, Portland Timbers saw their winless streak extend to five matches after they were held to a
1-1 draw
at home to Carolina RailHawks. Ryan Pore gave the Timbers the lead before Carolina earned a point at PGE Park when substitute Daniel Paladini dramatically struck the RailHawks' equalizer in time added on at the end of the contest. Finally, in Vancouver, the first-ever meeting between the Whitecaps and Tampa Bay Rowdies went the way of the home side. Captain Martin Nash's penalty just before halftime gave ten-man Vancouver a second-straight home win in the league.