Ottawa Fury FC Enters Weekend with Lead in Fall Season Standings

Published on July 24, 2015 under North American Soccer League (NASL) News Release


NEW YORK (July 24, 2015) - Following its victory over the Atlanta Silverbacks on

Wednesday Night Soccer on ONE World Sports, Ottawa Fury FC enters the weekend atop the North American Soccer League (NASL) Fall Season Standings.

Fury FC will host one of two Sunday afternoon encounters, welcoming the Carolina RailHawks to TD Place. Fall Season action picks back up before then, however, with three matches scheduled for Saturday night.

Indy Eleven plays host to the New York Cosmos, the Tampa Bay Rowdies suit up at home against their Coastal Cup rivals, the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, and Minnesota United FC pays a visit to the San Antonio Scorpions. Like Ottawa, FC Edmonton will play in front of its home fans on Sunday afternoon, taking on the visiting Atlanta Silverbacks.

Here is a full preview of each Week 4 matchup:

Indy Eleven vs. New York Cosmos

7:30 p.m. ET | Saturday, July 25

Carroll Stadium | Indianapolis, Ind.

Watch | ESPN3 (National - U.S.), ONE World Sports (National - U.S.), NASL.com (National - Canada), WISH-TV (Local - Indianapolis)

In five previous meetings, neither Indy nor New York have been able to beat the other. After the most recent draw between the two sides - a 1-1 draw at Shuart Stadium on July 5 - the sides will gear up for their third and final regular season matchup. Aside from a recent stumble against Ottawa, the Boys in Blue have been much improved. The club had been unbeaten in interim coach Tim Regan's first four games.

The Cosmos, who have clinched a berth into The Championship, the NASL's four-team postseason tournament, by way of their Spring Season title, have been slow out of the blocks in the Fall Season. After seeing their 11-game unbeaten streak snapped in a 1-0 loss to Jacksonville last week, the Cosmos will look to wash away the taste of defeat against Indy.

Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Fort Lauderdale Strikers

7:30 p.m. ET | Saturday, July 25

Al Lang Stadium | St. Petersburg, Fla.

Watch | ESPN3 (National - U.S.), NASL.com (National - Canada), Great 38 (Local -Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg)

Coastal Cup action resumes as the Rowdies host the Strikers, who have already fallen once to their northern rivals at Al Lang Stadium this year. Tampa Bay currently leads the Cup race with two wins against the two other Florida-based sides (Strikers and Armada FC). It's possible that the Rowdies' newest signing, Freddy Adu, could make his debut for the club.

The Strikers, who have drawn three times since head coach Günter Kronsteiner took over, need to start adding to the win column. Fort Lauderdale could feature a new signing of its own in Gabriel, a right wing back with UEFA Champions League experience. In any case, the Strikers will want some revenge from their loss earlier in the season to the Rowdies at a rain-soaked Al Lang Stadium.

San Antonio Scorpions vs. Minnesota United FC

8:30 p.m. ET | Saturday, July 25

Toyota Field | San Antonio, Texas

Watch | ESPN3 (National - U.S.), NASL.com (National - Canada), KSTC45-TV (Local - Minneapolis/St. Paul)

In a matchup that has become a palpable rivalry over the years, Minnesota United pays a visit to the Scorpions at Toyota Field. The Loons, who are heading on the road for the first of three matches away from home, will have confidence coming off their latest result - a 4-0 win over Jacksonville. Last season's Golden Boot winner, Christian Ramirez, is starting to show the form that made him such a difficult player to mark in 2014, as United looks to continue to push for its place in The Championship.

San Antonio, on the other hand, will need more consistency, rather than the up-and-down nature of its 2015 season to date. With veteran Jamaican forward Omar Cummings leading the attack, the Scorpions will have a potent goal threat throughout the 90 minutes. Cummings currently leads the league in goals with eight, while his teammate, Billy Forbes, sits in a tie for first place in assists with five.

Ottawa Fury FC vs. Carolina RailHawks

3:00 p.m. ET | Sunday, July 26

TD Place | Ottawa, Ontario

Watch | ESPN3 (National - U.S.), OttawaFuryFC.com (National - Canada), Rogers TV (Local - Ottawa), WRAL2 (Local - Cary/Raleigh)

Sitting in first place in the Fall Season Standings, Fury FC are riding a wave of strong defending and timely finishes in front of goal. The club is currently on a nine-game unbeaten streak that dates all the way back to May 2. Marc Dos Santos' side is coming off a midweek win over the Silverbacks and will have another tough test with Carolina coming to town.

The RailHawks have been a portrait of consistency in 2015 and can potentially move up to first in the Fall Season Standings with a victory. Spanish forward Nacho Novo has six goals for Carolina this year and he's coming off his best performance of the year - two goals and an assist against San Antonio. The RailHawks have taken at least a point in seven of their last eight matches.

FC Edmonton vs. Atlanta Silverbacks

4:00 p.m. ET | Sunday, July 26

Clarke Field | Edmonton, Alberta

Watch | ESPN3 (National - U.S.), City TV (Local - Edmonton)

After a long road trip that finished with the club near the top of the Fall Season Standings, the Eddies return to Clarke Field with their confidence sky high and a potential bonus of a few players returning to the lineup from injury. Edmonton, which has recently been forced to play with several academy graduates and reserve players, is coming off a 1-0 victory over one of the league's top teams, the Rowdies. Perhaps more impressive is that the Eddies have stayed in top form minus their leading scorer, Lance Laing, who is headed to the CONCACAF Gold Cup Final with Jamaica.

The Silverbacks lost a tough match on Wednesday to Ottawa and continue their Canadian tour this Sunday. The Silverbacks' attack has looked more dynamic in recent weeks with their new additions. Junior Burgos and Pedro Mendes, who have both found the net since signing with the club, will look to partner again to create and finish off scoring opportunities. Atlanta, after changing its formation to a 3-5-2, is still adjusting, but will need to be tight at the back against Edmonton's high-scoring attack. Edmonton has scored 24 league goals in 2015 - second most behind Carolina.

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North American Soccer League Stories from July 24, 2015


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