ew York Cosmos' Win In Front Of Sellout Crowd Headlines Action-Packed Night Of NASL Spring Season Ac

Published on April 19, 2015 under North American Soccer League (NASL) News Release

NEW YORK - The New York Cosmos and Ottawa Fury FC celebrated their 2015 home openers in style, each posting victories in front of enthusiastic crowds at Shuart Stadium and TD Place respectively.

The Cosmos drew their largest home crowd since returning to the NASL in 2013, shutting out the Tampa Bay Rowdies, 2-0, in front of a sellout crowd of 12,550 fans. Fury FC also sent its fans home happy on Saturday, topping defending Spring Season Champion Minnesota United FC, 1-0, at TD Place.

The Atlanta Silverbacks and Indy Eleven earned victories in the other two matchups on Saturday, each collecting three important points away from home in a few very tough places to play, Carolina and San Antonio.

New York Cosmos 2, Tampa Bay Rowdies 0

In what was the latest chapter of a long-standing rivalry that dates back to the 1970's, the Cosmos hosted the Rowdies in their home opener on a beautiful day in New York. It didn't take long for the home side to energize the 12,550 spectators in attendance, with Spanish star Marcos Senna netting a penalty kick in the 11th minute. On the other side of halftime, the Cosmos would add a second, and it was Walter Restrepo who set the table to pick up his third assist in as many matches. The Colombian midfielder's cross found the feet of Leo Fernandes, who finished low into the net for his second goal of the season. Cosmos goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer, who didn't have much to do against Tampa Bay on Saturday night, recorded his 15th NASL shutout to move into second place overall in the Modern Era.

Ottawa Fury FC 1, Minnesota United 0

After starting the season with a pair of road matches, Fury FC recorded its first win of the season on Saturday, shutting down a United side that had won all three of the previous meetings between the two sides. From the get-go, Ottawa put the visitors on the back foot, forcing Loons goalkeeper Sammy Ndjock into several key saves early on. All of Fury FC's attacking pressure finally paid off when forward Tom Heinemann beat three United defenders and slotted the ball past Ndjock for a 1-0 lead. The Loons ramped up their own pressure in the attacking half later in the match, but Ottawa's back line was able to stand tall to clinch the victory.

Atlanta Silverbacks 2, Carolina RailHawks 1

While history states that the Silverbacks don't play well when traveling to WakeMed Soccer Park, they had no such trouble in their first road test of the 2015 season. Sierra Leonean forward Shaka Bangura scored his second goal of the year with a strong individual effort in the 49th minute. Midfielder Jon Okafor then doubled the lead when he finished off Kyle Miller's cross in the 68th minute. Blake Wagner would ultimately pull one back for the RailHawks in the 82nd minute, but it was too little too late. The Silverbacks would hold on to snap a 12-game winless streak that dates back to last season.

Indy Eleven 2, San Antonio Scorpions 1

Indy Eleven became the second team to leave Toyota Field with three points this year, defeating the defending champions, the San Antonio Scorpions, 2-1, in dramatic fashion on Saturday night. After conceding a goal early in the second half to Scorpions veteran Omar Cummings, Indy Eleven stormed back through its Honduran duo of Erick Norales and Sergio Peî=B1a. Norales first equalized midway through the second half on a header from close range and then Peî=B1a finished things off in spectacular fashion, finding the net from over 40 yards out in the 89th minute. The win vaulted Indy Eleven into second place in the Spring Season Standings.

North American Soccer League Stories from April 19, 2015

• Eddies Earn First Three Points of the 2015 Season - FC Edmonton
• Goals by Dani Sánchez and Léo Moura; star performance by goalkeeper David Meves not enough - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
• Scorpions Fall 1-2 to Indy Eleven on Late Goal - San Antonio Scorpions
• ew York Cosmos' Win In Front Of Sellout Crowd Headlines Action-Packed Night Of NASL Spring Season Ac - NASL
• Sergio Pena's Late Shocker Lifts Indy Eleven to First Win of 2015 - Indy Eleven

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