Matchups in Carolina, Fort Lauderdale Under Midweek Spotlight In Week 16

October 12, 2016 - North American Soccer League (NASL) News Release

NEW YORK - Only two points separate the Carolina RailHawks and Rayo OKC in the North American Soccer League (NASL) Combined Standings as both clubs chase fourth-place Minnesota United for the lone remaining berth in The Championship, the league's four-team postseason tournament.

The teams face off again on Wednesday night after they played to a thrilling 1-1 draw with each side scoring in second-half stoppage time two weeks ago. This time, the two teams square off at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C. Both the RailHawks and Rayo OKC, each with four games to play, are coming off pivotal shutout victories last weekend that have left six teams within six points.

The evening's two other games -- Indy Eleven at Jacksonville Armada FC and FC Edmonton at the Fort Lauderdale Strikers -- feature two teams that have already secured spots in The Championship: Indy as the Spring Season champion and the Eddies, who still have a chance to overhaul New York in both the Fall Season table and the Combined Standings. The Strikers still have an outside chance of advancing to the postseason, but must immediately put a halt to their four-game losing streak.

Jacksonville Armada FC vs. Indy Eleven

7 p.m. ET | Wednesday, Oct. 12

Community First Park | Jacksonville, Fla.

Watch | ESPN3 (National - U.S.), CW17 (Local - Jacksonville), MyIndy-TV 23 (Local - Indianapolis)

Scheduled to be played last Saturday, this Jacksonville-Indy clash was postponed as Hurricane Matthew inundated Florida's Atlantic Coast with wind, rain and flooding. Jacksonville, under its new coach Mark Lowry, has put together a four-game unbeaten streak, which includes a 1-0 upset of Minnesota United at NSC Stadium. With Lowry, the young Englishman at the helm, Armada FC has put the focus on its young and talented players like Charles Eloundou (5 goals, 1 assist) and Danny Barrow. The backline in front of goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo has yielded only one goal in Jacksonville's three previous games. This will be the third and final game this year between the two clubs, with Indy winning once, 5-2, and the other game ending in a 1-1 draw.

Indy Eleven enters the game hoping to erase the bad taste from a 2-1 loss at FC Edmonton. Indy's Eamon Zayed (14 goals, 6 assists) remains the club's leading scoring threat. The NASL's Spring Season champion is preparing to host a semifinal game in The Championship, the league's four-team postseason tournament, and only recently began to find its early-season form. Before the loss to the Eddies, Indy had put together a two-game winning streak. The Boys in Blue are unbeaten at Carroll Stadium (11-3-0) this year, but are only 1-6-6 on the road.

Carolina RailHawks vs. Rayo OKC

7:30 p.m. ET | Wednesday, Oct. 12

WakeMed Soccer Park | Cary, N.C.

Watch | beIN SPORTS USA (National - U.S., Canada), beIN SPORTS en Español (National - U.S., Canada), TWC Sportschannel (Regional - North/South Carolina), WRAL2 (Local - Raleigh-Durham)

When the RailHawks and Rayo OKC last met on Oct. 2, the teams played through 90 scoreless minutes before Matt Watson gave visiting Carolina the lead in stoppage time, only to see Futty Danso tie the game in the waning moments for Rayo. Now, both teams have found life in the race to The Championship.

Carolina put together a solid 90 minutes against Fort Lauderdale on Sunday, walking away with all three points in a 3-0 win. The victory thrust the RailHawks back into the thick of the race for the fourth and final postseason berth. Midfielder Nazmi Albadawi picked up his 10th assist of the year to set a Modern Era league record. The win put Carolina even, on points, with Tampa Bay and only one point behind Minnesota United.

Rayo OKC is one of four NASL teams this year with a league-high four road wins, where the club plays half of its remaining four games. Under Coach Gerard Nus, Rayo is unbeaten in its last six games, with two wins sandwiched around four draws. The surprising victory at Miami FC last Saturday night vaulted Rayo OKC back into contention for fourth place in the Combined Standings, only three points behind Minnesota with one game in hand. Michel has converted seven penalty kicks and has 11 goals overall this year.

Fort Lauderdale Strikers vs. FC Edmonton

7:30 p.m. ET | Wednesday, Oct. 12

Central Broward Stadium | Lauderhill, Fla.

Watch | ONE World Sports (National - U.S.), SFL-TV (Local - South Florida)

Fort Lauderdale has lost four straight games, but still has a shot at qualifying for the postseason, especially with three consecutive home games before closing out the regular season at Ottawa Fury FC. Sunday's 3-0 wipeout at Carolina, however, had to be deflating for a technically skillful team that has only scored three goals in its last five games. The Strikers are six points behind fourth-place Minnesota in the Combined Standings, but have lost both previous meetings against the Eddies this year. The club's two Haitian internationals -- Pascal Millien and Jean-Marc Alexandre, are leading the team's effort to aid the victims of Hurricane Matthew, which devastated parts of the Caribbean island. Fans who donate new or gently used clothing and shoes, non-perishable food items or toiletries will receive one complimentary ticket to Wednesday's game against FC Edmonton.

The Eddies get to leave Alberta's winter-like conditions from the weekend and jet back to the sun and balmy temperatures of South Florida for this midweek match. FC Edmonton locked down a spot in The Championship on Sunday by virtue of a goal by Canadian youth international Ben Fisk. For his efforts, Fisk was named the NASL's Player of the Week. Goalkeeper Matt VanOekel notched his league-leading 15th shutout of the year, a record in the league's Modern Era, and also holds a league-best goals against average of 0.57. The Eddies boast the league's most proficient defense, having allowed only 16 goals in 28 games.

Matchups in Carolina, Fort Lauderdale Under Midweek Spotlight in Week 16

North American Soccer League Stories from October 12, 2016

• FC Edmonton Concedes 1-0 Decision to Strikers - FC Edmonton
• Fort Lauderdale Win on Night Dedicated to Haiti Hurricane Relief - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
• Match Recap: RailHawks Suffer Heartbreaking Loss against Rayo OKC - North Carolina FC
• NASL RECAP: Indy Eleven Gets Point from 0-0 Draw at Jacksonville Armada FC - Indy Eleven
• RECAP: Armada Hold Indy Eleven to Scoreless Draw In - Jacksonville Armada FC
• The Championship, Viewing Parties, Final Home Match - FC Edmonton
• NASL Announces Scheduling Details for the Championship Semifinals - NASL
• Carolina Hosts Rayo OKC in An Important Midweek Match; Dollar Dog Night at WakeMed Soccer Park - North Carolina FC
• Matchups in Carolina, Fort Lauderdale Under Midweek Spotlight In Week 16 - NASL
• FC Edmonton Midfielder Ben Fisk Named NASL Player of the Week - NASL
• Williams Scores Third TOTW Selection in Four Weeks - Ottawa Fury FC
• FC Edmonton's Fisk, Watson Selected to NASL Team of the Week - FC Edmonton
• REMINDER- Media Credential Request MIAvTBR - Miami FC

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