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2014 NASL Spring Champion to be Crowned this Weekend

June 6, 2014 - North American Soccer League (NASL) News Release


NEW YORK, NY (June 6, 2014) - For a second consecutive Spring Season, three teams head into the final week of matches with the chance of winning the North American Soccer League (NASL) Spring Title. League-leader Minnesota United FC aim to capture their first title since 2011 when they visit Tampa Bay Rowdies at Al Lang Stadium on Saturday, June 7, live on ESPN3. On the heels of United and separated by just three points, are New York Cosmos and San Antonio Scorpions. Soccer fans can tune in to www.NASLlive.com to watch all five matches this weekend.

United can book the first berth into 'The Championship,' set for kickoff on November 8, with a victory or tie against Rowdies on Saturday. Minnesota can still claim the Spring Crown with a loss against Tampa Bay AND a Cosmos loss or draw against Ottawa Fury FC AND the Scorpions lose/draw or win that does not overcome their goal differential against Fort Lauderdale Strikers.

"I think it's exciting and we have really worked hard to get to this point," said Minnesota United coach, Manny Lagos. "I'm really proud of how we have put ourselves in a position to win the Spring Season. There is still a lot of work to be done and Tampa Bay is a good team and better than their record reflects."

Rowdies currently lead the head-to-head series, but Minnesota is unbeaten against Tampa Bay in its last three encounters. Both teams previously met on November 2, 2013 with United posting a 6-4 win at Al Lang Stadium.

Rowdies coach Ricky Hill noted: "Any game against Minnesota is generally a close affair. It's been that way since I've been at the club and I don't expect Saturday to be any different. Credit to Manny Lagos and his staff for the consistency they've showed so far this year. We need to play with that consistency. Saturday will give us an opportunity to finish the Spring on a high. Our aim is to get the three points, but we know they have a lot to play for. It'll be like a Cup Final for us."

NASL Spring Week 9 encounters commence on Saturday at 7:30 pm ET with Indy Eleven visiting Atlanta Silverbacks Park for the first time in history.

With both clubs looking to end the Spring Campaign on a high note and gain valuable points, Indy is searching for its first league victory, while the Silverbacks have won three of their last six matches, including the U.S. Open Cup.

"We say it every week, but it's true - every game matters and every point matters," said Silverbacks Technical Director, Eric Wynalda. "It's important for us to get three points at home on Saturday - not just for our team, but for our fans that come out and support us week in and week out."

Closing out Saturday's matches, third place Scorpions take on Fort Lauderdale Strikers at Toyota Field at 8:30 pm ET (7:30 pm CT) with a chance to claim the Spring Title.

Scorpions will need a win and Minnesota to lose, New York Cosmos to either tie or lose and turn around their goal differential to Minnesota. They can also claim the title if Minnesota loses and New York wins and they catch the Cosmos on goal differential.

"Fort Lauderdale boasts a squad with experience that's produced some exciting results this year," said Scorpions coach Alen Marcina, whose club is coming off its fourth road victory of the season last week against Indy Eleven. "We're coming off two hard fought road games and we're looking to close out the Spring season with similar determination in front of our home crowd."

Strikers, who were knocked out of the Spring Title race with a 3-0 loss to the Cosmos last week, are now looking for one of the other three berths to 'The Championship.'

"We're still disappointed with the result of the Cosmos game but obviously, every game counts, every team still has a chance to make the playoffs," said Strikers coach, G-nter Kronsteiner. "San Antonio is on a streak right now, but we need to go up there and come back with some points."

The 2014 Spring Season Week 9 concludes on Sunday, June 8, with two Canada vs. U.S. match-ups as Carolina RailHawks visit FC Edmonton, while Cosmos hosts Fury FC.

Defending champions Cosmos welcome Ottawa Fury FC for the first time at Hofstra University's James M. Shuart Stadium at 5 pm ET.

Cosmos can claim the Spring Title with a win over Fury FC, but only if Minnesota lose to Tampa Bay and San Antonio lose/tie or win and do not turn around the goal differential deficit.

"We expect Ottawa to be a very difficult team," said Cosmos coach Giovanni Savarese. "For us, it's a big challenge and depending on the results on Saturday, hopefully, we'll have a chance to enter the game with a chance to win the championship."

Fury FC coach Marc Dos Santos added: "This game has a lot of meaning for both teams. The Cosmos still have a chance of winning the Spring season while we want to move up in the standings and end well this first part of the season. Our Club is growing in play and confidence and we believe in our chances going to New York."

Rounding out Week 9 on Sunday, will be Carolina taking on Edmonton at Clarke Stadium at 4 pm ET (2 pm MT).

The RailHawks, who extended their unbeaten streak at home to 21 games last week, have not won in Edmonton in their last five visits, including the most recent one, a 2-1 loss at Clark Stadium on October 6, 2013.

"It's a big match this weekend," said RailHawks coach Colin Clarke. "Every point matters with the new postseason format. Edmonton is always a tough place to come away with points. We've been playing well on both sides of the ball and look to continue the momentum."

Soccer fans around the world will also be able to 'Watch Every Match Live' - all 135 NASL matches -- throughout the 2014 North American Soccer League season, including these Week 9 matches in Atlanta, Edmonton, New York, San Antonio and Tampa Bay at www.NASLLive.com. The NASL has extended the Free Trial of NASLLive.com to encompass the entire Spring Season.

NASL Spring Season Week 9 Schedule - (All kickoff times US EST)

Saturday, June 7

Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Minnesota United FC

Al Lang Stadium; St. Petersburg, Fla. 7:30pm

Atlanta Silverbacks vs. Indy Eleven

Atlanta Silverbacks Park; Atlanta, Ga. 7:30 pm

San Antonio Scorpions vs. Fort Lauderdale Strikers

Toyota Field; San Antonio, Tex. 8:30pm

Sunday, June 8

FC Edmonton vs. Carolina RailHawks

Clarke Stadium; Edmonton, Alberta 4 pm

New York Cosmos vs. Ottawa Fury FC

Hofstra University's James M. Shuart Stadium; Hempstead, N.Y. 5 pm

NASL Standings

P TEAM PLD W D L GF GA +/- PTS

1 Minnesota United FC 8 6 1 1 13 6 7 19

2 New York Cosmos 8 5 1 2 13 3 10 16

3 San Antonio Scorpions 8 5 1 2 11 7 4 16

4 Carolina RailHawksrs 8 4 2 2 10 9 1 14

5 Fort Lauderdale Strikers 8 4 0 4 16 16 0 12

6 Ottawa Fury FC 8 3 1 4 14 12 2 10

7 Tampa Bay Rowdies 8 3 0 4 8 15 -7 9

8 Atlanta Silverbacks 8 2 3 3 8 13 -5 9

9 FC Edmonton 8 1 2 5 5 10 -5 5

10 Indy Eleven 8 0 3 5 11 17 -6 3

Tiebreakers: 1.) Goal difference 2.) Goals scored 3.) Head-to-head 4.) Away goal difference 5.) Away goals scored

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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