Spring Season Championship Picture Becomes Clearer After New York, Minnesota Claim Week 8 Wins

Published on May 23, 2015 under North American Soccer League (NASL) News Release

NEW YORK (May 23, 2015) - The North American Soccer League (NASL) Spring Season Championship picture is becoming clearer with each new week, and on Saturday night, it was the New York Cosmos and Minnesota United FC making positive moves in the standings.

The first-place Cosmos remained unbeaten with a 3-0 victory over the NASL's defending champions, the San Antonio Scorpions, while Minnesota United FC leapfrogged Jacksonville Armada FC and the Tampa Bay Rowdies to move into second place. The Loons are still six points behind the Cosmos, but they have a match in hand as well as a date with New York next week.

Elsewhere on Saturday, the Carolina RailHawks claimed a 1-0 road victory against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, while Ottawa Fury FC sent their fans home happy with a 1-0 win of their own against Indy Eleven.

Here is a full rundown of the Week 8 matches:

New York Cosmos 3, San Antonio Scorpions 0

The unbeaten New York Cosmos increased their lead in the NASL Spring Season standings with a convincing 3-0 win over the San Antonio Scorpions at Shuart Stadium on Saturday night. Spanish icon Raúl opened the scoring with a well-taken penalty in the first half, and Rovérsio and Leo Fernandes found the net in the second interval to help the Cosmos stay unbeaten in 2015.

Minnesota United FC 3, Jacksonville Armada FC 2

Minnesota United FC won its third straight match on Saturday night, knocking off fellow Spring Season Championship contenders Jacksonville Armada FC, 3-2, at a sold-out NSC Stadium. Goals from Pablo Campos and Tiago Calvano had the Loons up a pair midway through the second half, but Jacksonville didn't go down without a fight. Pascal Millien cut the Minnesota lead in half to make it 2-1, and after Miguel Ibarra found the net for the Loons, a goal from Armada FC's Jemal Johnson set the stage for a nervy finish. The hosts were able to finish the match off, though, moving up to second place in the Spring Season standings.

Carolina RailHawks 1, Fort Lauderdale Strikers 0

South African midfielder Tiyi Shipalane scored for the second straight week, helping the Carolina RailHawks snap a six-game winless streak in a 1-0 win over the Fort Lauderdale Strikers at Lockhart Stadium. With the victory, RailHawks head coach Colin Clarke became the first to reach 50 wins in the NASL Modern Era. The Strikers created numerous scoring chances, and nearly equalized in the final moments through forward Jose Angulo, but it wasn't to be as the hosts fell to their second-straight loss.

Ottawa Fury FC 1, Indy Eleven 0

In front of their largest crowd of the season, Ottawa Fury FC claimed a dramatic 1-0 victory over visiting Indy Eleven at TD Place on Saturday afternoon. Second-half substitute Nicki Paterson blasted a shot home from 12 yards out in the 88th minute, giving Fury FC its first win since April 25. In addition to dropping the result, Indy lost its leading scorer, midfielder Sergio Peña, to an injury in the second half.

FC Edmonton vs. Atlanta Silverbacks

Still licking its wounds after bowing out of the Amway Canadian Championship in heartbreaking fashion, FC Edmonton plays host to the Atlanta Silverbacks on Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. ET. Despite having one of the league's top attacks, the Eddies enter their clash with the Silverbacks in last place. Colin Miller's side has conceded a league-high 15 goals, which is good news for visiting Atlanta, who have had their fair share of troubles finding the net in 2015.

New York Cosmos in Action

North American Soccer League Stories from May 23, 2015

• RailHawks Defeat Strikers 1-0 - North Carolina FC
• New York Cosmos Cruise Past San Antonio to Remain Undefeated - New York Cosmos
• Spring Season Championship Picture Becomes Clearer After New York, Minnesota Claim Week 8 Wins - NASL
• United Earns Third Straight Win and Third Straight Sellout - Minnesota United FC
• Strikers Come up Short against RailHawks - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
• San Antonio's Two-Match Win Streak Ends in New York - San Antonio Scorpions
• Fury FC Steal All the Points as Paterson Nets Late Winner - Ottawa Fury FC
• Late Ottawa Goal Downs Indy Eleven 1-0 - Indy Eleven
• Strikers President Robbie Leaving Club - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
• Atlanta Travels to Edmonton for Week 8 Clash - Atlanta Silverbacks

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