Cosmos Will Try Again To Capture Fall Title

Published on October 25, 2013 under North American Soccer League (NASL) News Release


(MIAMI, Fla. October 25, 2013) - The first-place New York Cosmos will once again try to capture the 2013 Fall Season title and qualify for the NASL Soccer Bowl, when they visit the Lone Star State for the first time in 32 years on Saturday as they face the San Antonio Scorpions at Toyota Field at 8:30 pm during Week 13 action live on NASL.com.

Having missed out on the 2013 NASL Fall Season title last week when they conceded a last minute goal against FC Edmonton, a New York win over San Antonio, in its second-ever meeting between the two, would secure a berth at NASL Soccer Bowl to meet the Spring Season winner the Atlanta Silverbacks on Saturday, November 9, in Atlanta, Ga.

"This weekend is a semi-final for us," said Cosmos coach, Giovanni Savarese, whose side has a nine-game unbeaten streak and is currently atop the fall standings with 25 points. "We need to win to make it to the championship. The guys have been training hard and are ready for San Antonio. It's going to be a very tough game for us."

A Cosmos draw or even a defeat would also be enough to advance if the second-placed Tampa Bay Rowdies fail to take maximum points away to FC Edmonton the following day.

However, the Scorpions, who are among five teams mathematically out of contention for this year's NASL Soccer Bowl, are aiming to dent Cosmos hopes on the back of a fine home run having won its last three games at Toyota Field.

"We want to spoil their party," said Scorpions interim coach Alen Marcina. "For us, this is our championship game. To be the best you have to beat the best. This is an opportunity to show our fans that we want to close out with our fourth win in a row at home, and again spoil the Cosmos' party."

The Scorpions-Cosmos encounter will also air locally live on Me-TV-KSAT 12.2 and on Spanish Radio via 102.03 FM-San Antonio and Radio Formula 1500 AM Boerne.

A loss or tie by the Cosmos in their first visit to Lone Star State since 1981, will keep the Rowdies, who are five points behind New York in the fall standings, in contention for NASL Soccer Bowl provided they in turn defeat FC Edmonton in Canada on Sunday at Clarke Stadium at 4pm ET.

The Rowdies-Eddies match-up will be shown live on NASL.com however not in Canada. The encounter north of the border can be seen nationally on television tape delay via Rogers Sportnet 360 and live on Radio - TSN 1260.

"We're looking forward to another entertaining game against a very good Tampa Bay side," said FC Edmonton coach Colin Miller, whose club spoiled the Cosmos celebration last week in New York. "Coming on the heels of a terrific team performance, earning a valuable point on the road, we want to bring our best for the home fans that have been great in support all season long."

The NASL Week 13 action commences earlier on Saturday evening when the Carolina RailHawks hosts the Atlanta Silverbacks at WakeMed Soccer Park at 7pm ET, live on NASL.com and CarolinaRailHawks.com as well as locally via radio 99.9 HD-3 The Ticket.

Carolina aims to continue its home-unbeaten streak, which currently stands at 14 (NASL and U.S. Open Cup) games this year. Meanwhile the Silverbacks were the team that prevented the RailHawks from winning the 2013 Spring Title at the Triangle when they drew 1-1 last June.

"This is a very important game for us," said RailHawks coach, Colin Clarke. "Our home unbeaten streak is something we want to continue and Atlanta is going to want to get a good result leading into Soccer Bowl. This is a big rivalry game."

Also on Saturday, the Fort Lauderdale Strikers visit Minnesota United FC, who look to finish at home on a high note and end a three-game losing streak at NSC Stadium at 7 pm ET, live on NASL.com and can be seen locally on KSTC-45TV.

"It's not going to be an easy game for us, but are guys have a lot of confidence right now from the last game, and they want to end the season on a good note," said Strikers coach, G-nter Kronsteiner, whose team is leveled in the head-to-head series against United since 2011. "As long as we continue working hard during practice and for the whole game, we have a good chance."

This weekend's games from Carolina, Edmonton, San Antonio and Minnesota can be seen via a live stream at www.NASL.com and on iOS and Android devices by downloading the Ustream App.

Tickets for NASL Soccer Bowl 2013 are now on general sale and can be purchased by calling 404-969-4900 or booking online at www.atlantasilverbacksfc.com.

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North American Soccer League Stories from October 25, 2013


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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