Rowdies' Home Opener against United Headlines Week 2 Matchups

Published on April 10, 2015 under North American Soccer League (NASL) News Release


The North American Soccer League (NASL) opened the 2015 Spring Season in record-setting fashion, welcoming nearly 45,000 fans to five stadiums last weekend.

Beyond posting its highest single-week attendance number, the league saw a few of its clubs post records as well. Jacksonville Armada FC set the Modern Era attendance record with a crowd of 16,164, while the Fort Lauderdale Strikers set their club's Modern Era record with a total count of 11,691 fans.

On the field, the Armada FC, Tampa Bay Rowdies, Carolina RailHawks, and New York Cosmos kicked off their respective 2015 campaigns with three points, while the Atlanta Silverbacks and Indy Eleven each picked up a point following a 1-1 draw.

Week 2 will mark the start of Minnesota United FC's Spring Season Championship defense, as the Loons head down to St. Petersburg, Fla. on Saturday to play the Rowdies at the newly-renovated Al Lang Stadium. Key offseason signings Sammy N'Djock, Jonny Steele, and Ibson appear set to make their much-anticipated United debuts alongside the likes of Christian Ramirez and Miguel Ibarra.

Atlanta Silverbacks vs. Ottawa Fury FC

7:30 p.m ET | Saturday, April 11

Silverbacks Park | Atlanta, Ga.

Watch | ESPN3 (National-U.S.), TSNGO (National-Canada), Rogers TV and OttawaFuryFC.com (Local-Ottawa)

The Silverbacks were moments away from recording their first win with head coach Gary Smith at the helm, but a late penalty kick from Indy Eleven's Don Smart forced them to settle for a share of the points in Week 1. At home for the second week in a row, Atlanta will face an Ottawa Fury FC side that lost, 3-1, to the RailHawks last Saturday. Two Fury FC players will return to their old stomping grounds this weekend - Mike Randolph, who captained the team last season, and Brandon Poltronieri. Fury FC should be stronger than it was in the season opener, with Oliver, Mauro Eustaquio, and Nicki Paterson all returning from suspension. Ottawa, however, will be without Canadian international Julian de Guzman, who was sent off in Week 1.

Fort Lauderdale Strikers vs. Jacksonville Armada FC

7:30 p.m. ET | Saturday, April 11

Lockhart Stadium | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Watch | ESPN3 (National), CWYourJax17 (Local-Jacksonville)

Last weekend, Jacksonville Armada FC got off to a dream start in its inaugural NASL season. Jemal Johnson scored within 12 seconds to put the Armada FC on the path to their first-ever league victory. Marcos Flores and Alhassane Keita, both important cogs in the Armada FC attacking machine, were also on the score sheet. The Fort Lauderdale Strikers, on the other hand, couldn't find the scoring touch in Week 1, falling, 1-0, to the New York Cosmos at Lockhart Stadium. This Saturday's match will be the first Florida Derby of the season and will officially kick off the 2015 Coastal Cup, which is a trophy that is awarded to the Florida team with the best record against the others. 2015 will be the first year that the Cup will be contested by three sides (Armada FC, Strikers, and Rowdies).

Indy Eleven vs. New York Cosmos

7:30 p.m. ET | Saturday, April 11

Carroll Stadium | Indianapolis, Ind.

Watch | ESPN3 (National), ONE World Sports (National), WISH-TV (Local-Indianapolis)

Indy Eleven was able to salvage a point in Atlanta thanks to second-half substitute Don Smart's late penalty-kick goal. The New York Cosmos were able to grind out a 1-0 win in Fort Lauderdale, with Leo Fernandes heading home a Walter Restrepo cross. Indy and New York met three times last season, playing to draws each time. The last time the Cosmos visited "The Mike," they let a two-goal lead slip away late in the match. With each side looking to record its first-ever win against the other, the Cosmos will have to battle a hostile stadium environment, which is expected to feature a sellout crowd. The matchup is also notable because two FIFA World Cup veterans, Kleberson (IND) and Raî=BAl (NYC), will be competing against each other for the first time in league play.

Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Minnesota United

7:30 p.m. ET | Saturday, April 11

Al Lang Stadium | St. Petersburg, Fla.

Watch | ESPN3 (National), Great 38 (Local-Tampa Bay), KSTC-45TV (Local-Minnesota)

The new-look Tampa Bay Rowdies fired a warning shot to the rest of the NASL when they went into Toyota Field and topped the league's defending champions, the San Antonio Scorpions, 3-1, last weekend. The Rowdies now come back to their newly renovated home, Al Lang Stadium, to host defending Spring Season Champion Minnesota United FC on Saturday night. Displaying a strong back line a week ago, the Rowdies will need more of the same against the Loons, who are stacked in the attack with players like Ibarra, Ramirez, and Pablo Campos. Ramirez, last season's Golden Boot winner, will look to continue his run of success at Al Lang Stadium. He scored two goals in his last game in St. Petersburg. Also look out for Brazilian midfielder Ibson and Cameroonian National Team goalkeeper Sammy N'Djock, who could each be in line to make their club debut.

FC Edmonton vs. Carolina RailHawks

4:00 p.m. ET | Sunday, April 12

Clarke Field | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Watch | ESPN3 (National-U.S.), City TV Edmonton (Local-Edmonton), WRAL2 (Local-Carolina)

FC Edmonton is in need of a bounce-back match and Clarke Field presents them with the perfect place to do so. Heading out to Edmonton is a tough trip for any visiting team, so the Eddies will want to capitalize when they host the RailHawks on Sunday. If they are to get a positive result this weekend, Colin Miller's side will need to be significantly more organized than they were in their season-opening loss at Jacksonville. The RailHawks have had a particularly tough time in Edmonton of late, posting a winless record in their last seven visits. They also haven't recorded a win against the Eddies in their last four contests. Tiyi Shipalane was a spark plug for the RailHawks in Week 1, and he will need to fill that role again for Carolina to snap their streak.

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North American Soccer League Stories from April 10, 2015


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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