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Six Clubs Separated by Only Three Points Chase Final Postseason

October 14, 2016 - North American Soccer League (NASL) News Release


Six Clubs Separated by Only Three Points Chase Final Postseason Spot
Six Clubs Separated by Only Three Points Chase Final Postseason Spot
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NEW YORK - The North American Soccer League (NASL) Fall Season is entering its final stretch. After a pair of stunning midweek results, the race for the final spot in The Championship, the league's four-team postseason tournament, has tightened significantly. Going into the weekend, six clubs are separated by just three points in the battle for fourth place in the league's Combined Standings.

Friday night's clash between Miami FC and the Tampa Bay Rowdies sets the table for what is sure to be a crucial weekend of games. Both teams take the field in Miami with a game in hand over their nearest competition and a chance to move into fourth with a win. On Saturday night, the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, the Carolina RailHawks, and Minnesota United will look to put their stamp on the postseason race. Fort Lauderdale welcomes red-hot Puerto Rico FC to South Florida, while Minnesota will also play at home, facing off against an FC Edmonton squad that recently punched its ticket to The Championship. The RailHawks will look to improve their road form in a matchup against Spring Season Champion Indy Eleven.

In the lone Sunday affair, a confident Rayo OKC side aims to continue its charge towards the postseason, welcoming Ottawa Fury FC to Miller Stadium.

Miami FC vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies

8 p.m. ET | Friday, October 14

Ocean Bank Field | Miami, Fla.

Watch | ESPN3 (National - U.S.), NASL.com (National - Canada), GolTV (National - U.S.), *International outlets

Miami FC and the Tampa Bay Rowdies have been unable to wrest control of their postseason fates so far, but each has four games remaining. Both clubs are currently trailing in the race to the postseason with the Rowdies one point back of fourth place in the Combined Standings - and the final postseason berth - while Miami has a two-point gap to make up. Friday night, though, offers either side a chance to move up. Miami and Tampa Bay have both played one less game than their nearest rivals in the table and can boost their own hopes while dampening their opponent's. Miami (8W-5D-5L, 29 points Fall; 9-9-10, 36 Combined) fell to fellow postseason hopeful Rayo OKC, 1-0, in its last outing. Michel scored the only tally from the penalty spot. Miami will need to smooth its recent rough patch, picking up only one win in its last five games.

The Rowdies (5-6-7, 21 Fall; 9-10-9, 37 Combined) were on a seven-game unbeaten run, but it came to an end in a 1-0 loss to FC Edmonton last Sunday. Over the past three games, Tampa Bay had a chance to separate itself from the pack, but a pair of draws and the recent loss have hampered the club's postseason push. Heading into Friday night's clash, games between Miami and Tampa Bay have been incredibly close. Both contests ended 1-1, including the meeting at the beginning of the month.

Fort Lauderdale Strikers vs. Puerto Rico FC

7 p.m. ET | Saturday, October 15

Central Broward Stadium | Lauderhill, Fla.

Watch | ESPN3 (National - U.S.), NASL.com (National - Canada), SFL-TV (Local - Fort Lauderdale), WAPA 2 (National - Puerto Rico), *International outlets

The Fort Lauderdale Strikers may have seen their postseason lives flashing before their eyes after a five-game winless streak, which included four straight losses. On Wednesday night, the club ended the skid to remain in the hunt with a 1-0 win over FC Edmonton. The Strikers (5-5-9, 20 Fall; 9-8-12, 35 Combined) are three points back of fourth place and the final postseason spot. Geison Moura provided the all-important goal in the first half of the victory over the Eddies.

Puerto Rico FC (4-9-6, 21 Fall; 4-9-6, 21 Combined) is one of the sides that has recently defeated the Strikers and is in the midst of a seven-game unbeaten streak. The club has also been strong on the road as it heads to Central Broward Stadium on Saturday. Puerto Rico is unbeaten in its last five road contests, winning the last two. Puerto Rico has also kept four clean sheets during the unbeaten run.

Jacksonville Armada FC vs. New York Cosmos

7 p.m. ET | Saturday, October 15

Community First Park | Jacksonville, Fla.

Watch | ESPN3 (National - U.S.), NASL.com (National - Canada), ONE World Sports (National - U.S.), ONEWorldSports.com (National - U.S., Canada), CW-17 (Local - Jacksonville)

The New York Cosmos are closing in on the Fall Season title and the No. 1 seed in The Championship, the league's four-team postseason tournament, and can do so this weekend with a win and some help. New York (11-5-3, 38 Fall; 17-5-7, 56 Combined) came from behind for a 1-1 draw against Ottawa Fury FC last Sunday with Juan Arango scoring his 12th goal of the year. The club will now stay on the road and heads to Jacksonville to take on the Armada FC.

Jacksonville (3-8-7, 17 Fall; 4-12-12, 24 Combined) enters the game with a five-game unbeaten run and has also not lost in its last six games at home. While Jacksonville is picking up points, the club hasn't been able to pick up wins. Four of the Armada FC's last five games have ended in stalemates, most recently a 0-0 draw with Indy Eleven. Another positive for Jacksonville, though, is that the club has kept a clean sheet in three straight games.

Indy Eleven vs. Carolina RailHawks

7:30 p.m. ET | Saturday, October 15

Carroll Stadium | Indianapolis, Ind.

Watch | beIN SPORTS en Español (National - U.S., Canada), beIN SPORTS CONNECT (National - U.S., Canada), WISH-TV (Local - Indianapolis), TWC SportsChannel (Regional - North/South Carolina)

Indy Eleven has a postseason seed - and a home semifinal game - wrapped up and will look to build momentum over the final three games of the regular season. Indy (8-4-6, 28 Fall; 12-10-6, 46 Combined) has had an uneven run of form over the past few weeks and played Jacksonville Armada FC to a scoreless draw on Wednesday night. The club, though, has been incredibly strong at home in 2016 where the side takes on the Carolina RailHawks next. The Boys in Blue are unbeaten in their previous 16 games at Carroll Stadium, dating to the end of last year.

The RailHawks (6-5-8, 23 Fall; 10-7-12, 37 Combined) enter the game on Saturday fighting for a spot in the postseason. The club was unable to capitalize during its midweek game, falling to Rayo OKC, 1-0, and was leapfrogged in the table by its Wednesday night opponent. Carolina will also have extra incentive this weekend to get a result. In the last meeting between the sides in Indianapolis, the RailHawks saw Indy score four times in a performance that ultimately clinched the Spring Season title for the Eleven.

Minnesota United vs. FC Edmonton

8 p.m. ET | Saturday, October 15

NSC Stadium | Blaine, Minn.

Watch | ESPN3 (National - U.S.), NASL.com (National - Canada), MY29 (Local - Twin Cities)

Minnesota United has hit a rough patch and is currently on a six-game winless streak, but the Loons are still holding onto the final spot in The Championship. The club faced Puerto Rico FC without star striker Christian Ramirez, who has a league-leading 16 goals, and earned a point on the road in the scoreless draw last Saturday. The Loons (5-7-7, 22 Fall; 10-8-11, 38 Combined) now host FC Edmonton, which has the benefit of a place in the postseason guaranteed. Minnesota's best moments of the season have come when the attack has been clicking and the side will look to rekindle its form from earlier in the year.

The Eddies (9-6-4, 33 Fall; 14-8-7, 50 Combined) were in action on Wednesday night and fell, 1-0, to the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. FC Edmonton, trailing the New York Cosmos by five points in the Fall Season, cannot drop any more points if it is to earn a piece of silverware and a home semifinal game. The club will certainly want to build momentum as the Fall Season winds down in anticipation of its first postseason appearance since 2011. Coach Colin Miller handed a rest to several regulars during the midweek game, but could restore the lineup to a more familiar look on Saturday night.

Rayo OKC vs. Ottawa Fury FC

7 p.m. ET | Sunday, October 16

Miller Stadium | Yukon, Okla.

Watch | | ESPN3 (National - U.S.), NASL.com (National - Canada), Cox Channel 703 (Local - Oklahoma City), Rogers TV (Local - Ottawa)

Over the past two games, Rayo OKC has put itself back in the running for the final postseason berth. The club picked up back-to-back 1-0 wins against fellow postseason contenders Miami FC and the Carolina RailHawks with Michel scoring both game-winners to increase his goal total to 12. Rayo OKC (6-8-5, 26 Fall; 9-11-9, 38 Combined) is now tied on points with Minnesota for fourth place. The club is unbeaten in seven games entering the encounter with Ottawa Fury FC.

Ottawa (5-6-8, 21 Fall; 7-9-13, 30 Combined) has slipped off the pace for the final postseason spot recently, but the club can certainly play spoiler on Sunday night. Despite Fury FC not picking up wins in its last three games, there may be no player in top form like Ryan Williams. Over the past five games, the midfielder has found the back of the net four times, most recently in the 1-1 draw with the New York Cosmos last weekend. Ottawa now heads to Miller Stadium for the first time looking for its first win against Rayo OKC.

*Fort Lauderdale and Miami have international TV partners in various countries. Visit strikers.com and miamifc.com for more information.




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Six Clubs Separated by Only Three Points Chase Final Postseason Spot
Six Clubs Separated by Only Three Points Chase Final Postseason Spot
   



North American Soccer League Stories from October 14, 2016


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