Austin Aztex (16 games played, 9-2-5, 32 points, 1^st in USL Conference, 1^st in league)

“I think we've been the surprise team. I think people on the outside probably thought, 'Well, Adrian knows what he's doing and they'll probably be better than they were last year.' But I don't think people thought we'd be as competitive as we are.”

Key to second half: Goal production from trio of Maxwell Griffin, Jamie Watson and Eddie Johnson

“If we want to stay where we are we need to maintain this lead. Them three players have done the bulk of our scoring and we need to maintain that until the end of the season. If we score the same amount of goals in the first half [of the season] then we'll be really close to winning the league.”

Vancouver Whitecaps (17 games played, 7-2-8, 29 points, 1^st in NASL Conference, 2^nd in league)

“It's a strange year for them. They want to be competitive this year but they have an eye on next year because they have an eye on MLS. They don't want to ignore this season, but their long-term goals are obviously something that they're building toward. But it doesn't surprise me that they're second in the table. I said before the season started, it'll be the usual suspects. … They're a really well-run club with experienced people in key positions.”

Key to second half: Marcus Haber*

[Editor's Note: At the time Heath was asked of Vancouver, Heath was unsure of how long Haber's stint with Vancouver would last. Haber, who returned to Vancouver on a two-month loan from West Brom in April, returned to his English club for preseason training after the Whitecaps' 1-1 draw against Puerto Rico on June 16. Four days earlier Haber was key in a 2-1 win against Austin, recording a goal and an assist.]

“The fact they got him into the Premier League tells you that the kid has got potential. He's very strong, big and quick. … I don't know how long they'll keep him, but I would think keeping him fit and healthy will be important for them.”

Rochester Rhinos (16 games played, 7-3-6, 27 points, 2^nd in USL Conference, 3^rd in league)

“I think Rochester's surprised a few teams. To be honest with you, they were better than I expected when we played them here. … They've been in the league, they know the league inside out, they know what type of players to sign. So although they've revamped nearly everything from their team last year, I think I've been surprised at how well they've done. … They'll be in or around the top four teams all season.”

Key to second half: head coach Bob Lilly

“Knowing Bob they way I do, he wears his heart on his sleeve. Everyone knows where he is. … I think the coach will be the key. He's done a good job you have to say.”

NSC Minnesota Stars (19 games played, 7-9-3, 24 points, 3^rd in USL Conference, 4^th in league)

“i would think that Minnesota is probably one of the biggest teams in our division. They're a physically tall and strong team. We won 2-1 in Minnesota [on May 1] but it was a very difficult game. … They've slowly crept up the league if you look at their performances and they've gotten better as the season goes on.”

Key to second half: 10-year second division veteran Johnny Menyongar.

“It's very much a team effort there. No real star individuals but I think that Johnny Menyongar, who plays behind the striker, has been a really good player in this league for many years. He will be the one that keeps there season alive for them because he's arguably their best player.”

Portland Timbers (16 games played, 6-5-5, 20 points, 4^th in USL Conference, 5^th in league)

“They're gradually getting better and stronger. I certainly think they'll be in the top of the league.”

Key to second half: Forwards Mandjou Keita and Chinedu Dike.

“They're very strong up front with Keita and Dike. They're big and powerful. Their ability I think will get stronger as the season progresses.

Carolina RailHawks (14 games played, 5-3-6, 21 points, 2^nd in NASL Conference, 6^th in league)

“They've drawn more games than anybody expected. This time last year, they were winning those games. The games that they're drawing 1-1, last year they were winning 2-1.”

Key to second half: forwards Etienne Barbara, Gregory Richardson and Josh Gardner

“They've got good forward players and if they can keep all their forwards healthy I think they will climb the league as well.”

Tampa Bay Rowdies (16 games played, 5-6-5, 20 points, 5^th in USL Conference, 7^th in league)

“They've had a great first season back in the league. The fact is that Paul Dalglish is the coach and has an assistant in Perry Van Der Beck who's played in the league and been in and around Tampa for a long time. They've probably been the surprise team along with us this year. I know the games that we've played [against each other,] I thought they were good. I enjoyed our two games against them. I enjoyed watching both teams play that night.

Key to second half: Pascal Millien and Long Tan.

“They've got good forward players in Pascal Millien and Long Tan. … They're having a bad run at the moment but all the games have been close. … They'll be wanting to make the playoffs.

Montreal Impact (16 games played, 5-5-6, 20 points, 3^rd in NASL Conference, 8^th in league)

“They started slowly and are getting better as the season gets on. Once again, they're Vancouver and Portland that they have probably the deepest squad in our league I would think. … As the second half of the season comes in and you start picking up injuries and suspensions, that's when they usually come into their own because their depth of squad carries them through.”

Key to second half: Forward combination of Peter Byers, Roberto Brown, Eduardo Sebrango

“Their three forwards are all very capable. If they stay fit and they can rotate them around, they can look good going forward.”

Puerto Rico Islanders (14 games played, 5-6-3, 18 points, 6^th in USL Conference, 9^th in league)

“I'm surprised at their start. Like everybody else in our division, I think everybody expected Puerto Rico to be in and around the top. I still think, with their team, in the second half of the season, it wouldn't surprise me if they slowly climb the table. … I fully expect them to get better.”

Key to second half: Kendall Jagdeosingh.

“He's incredibly quick, probably the quickest player in our league I would think. He hasn't scored probably as many goals as [Islander head coach] Colin [Clarke] thought he would. I think that would change in the second half of the season. That's probably one of the reasons why I would expect them to slowly move up the table.”

Crystal Palace Baltimore (16 games played, 4-8-4, 16 points, 4^th in NASL Conference, 10^th in league)

“I think they've done well. Their results are just very up and down. You don't know one week to the next. They go away and win three [points] in Portland and go away and get a result in Carolina and then come home a lose to somebody you don't expect them to. They've been a little bit unpredictable really. But going forward, they've got threats.

Key to second half:

“I think the front part of their team is very good. They have a lot of pace and a lot willingness to run. Mbuta and Randi Patterson they have a lot of pace.

Miami FC Blues (16 games played, 2-6-8, 14 points, 5^th in NASL Conference, 11^th in league)

“[They're] better than last, a little stronger than last year, but I think they'll be pleased with the season they've had so far. I think if you play Miami and don't approach the game properly I think you'll have problems. They're a good footballing team. They do like to pass the ball. … On any given day, they can beat you.”

Key to second half: Paulo Araujo Jr.

“He's obviously scored goals for them. … Every team needs a goal scorer. We know from last year. If you don't have people scoring consistently, it's hard to win games.”

AC St. Louis (15 games played, 3-8-4, 13 points, 6^th in NASL Conference, 12^th in league)

“They've had it difficult. I think, like we did last year, unless you've been through it, it's difficult because you don't know what to expect. … It's everything. The travel, playing games on a Thursday then playing a game on a Saturday, taking the appropriate numbers to games, deciding which team to play in the first game rather then the second game. All those things come into the situation. It's more difficult than people think. Although they've changed the coaching clientèle, the guys they started with didn't know the league. It's new to them and you don't know what to expect.”

Key to second half: Time

“They'll certainly be a lot better this time next year when they've seen the league and know what to expect from it.”