Spring Season Title Race Takes Center Stage in Week 9

Published on May 29, 2015 under North American Soccer League (NASL) News Release


NEW YORK (May 29, 2015) - The New York Cosmos could clinch the North American Soccer League (NASL) Spring Season Championship this weekend, but first the league leaders will have to get a result against surging Minnesota United.

The two clubs meet at the NSC Stadium in Blaine, Minn. on Saturday night, headlining a weekend full of intriguing matchups around the league. Elsewhere, a rematch of the 2014 Championship Final will take place at Toyota Field in San Antonio, where the defending champion San Antonio Scorpions host the Fort Lauderdale Strikers.

Here is a brief look at each of this weekend's five matchups:

Ottawa Fury FC vs. FC Edmonton

7 p.m. ET | Friday, May 29

TD Place | Ottawa, Ontario

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

The two Canadian clubs are about to meet for the third time in 2015, but for the first time in league play. FC Edmonton heads to Ottawa to take on Fury FC, bringing confidence from two previous wins against their Canadian rivals in the Amway Canadian Championship. The Eddies have boasted the NASL's top scoring attack in the Spring Season, led by Ritchie Jones' four goals and Tomi Ameobi's three. Lance Laing leads the league with four assists, and the Jamaican international has found the back of the net three times as well. Edmonton, however, has had trouble keeping balls out of their own net, conceding 17 times in the league so far.

Ottawa, on the other hand, has had trouble finding the back of the net, with just five goals scored in seven matches. Nicki Paterson's 88th-minute winner should provide a boost heading into Friday's matchup, where Fury FC will aim to get a bit of revenge against the Eddies and leapfrog them in the table.

Indy Eleven vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies

7:30 p.m. ET | Saturday, May 30

Carroll Stadium | Indianapolis, Ind.

Watch | ESPN3 (National - U.S.), WISH-TV (Local - Indianapolis)

The Tampa Bay Rowdies and Indy Eleven enter Saturday's match as two sides heading in different directions. Indy dropped to the bottom of the Spring Season standings with a 1-0 loss to Ottawa last week, while the Rowdies dropped down to third during their off week. The Rowdies, though, can potentially move back into second place with a victory at Carroll Stadium and stay in the race for the Spring Season title.

Indy will want to get back on track with their remaining three matches. Sergio Peña, the Eleven's leading scorer, may miss the match after picking up an injury last weekend. Indy's forwards will need to finally click and start finding the back of the net, with Wojciech Wojcik, Charlie Rugg, and Brian Brown only having one goal between them so far this year.

Jacksonville Armada FC vs. Carolina RailHawks

7:30 p.m. ET | Saturday, May 30

Community First Park | Jacksonville, Fla.

Watch | ESPN3 (National - U.S.), CW17 (Local - Jacksonville), WRAL2 (Local - Cary/Raleigh)

Jacksonville Armada FC lost a tough match against Minnesota United last week, and it put a dent in their Spring Season title hopes. Armada FC, however, can bounce back when they host the RailHawks on Saturday. Jacksonville's attack continues to find ways to score in league play, with 12 goals so far. Jemal Johnson and Alhassane Keita each have three goals to their name, and along with Marcos Flores and Pascal Millien, the attack will once again need to fire on all cylinders.

The RailHawks enter the match after a confidence-boosting win in Fort Lauderdale. It was the first win for Carolina at Lockhart Stadium in the Modern Era and the first win since their 3-1 victory on opening day over Ottawa. Last week's victory was also a milestone, as head coach Colin Clarke earned his 50th regular season win to become the first coach to reach that mark in the Modern Era. Tiyi Shipalane continues to serve as a catalyst for the team, with goals in back-to-back matches. The South African midfielder will be expected to test Armada FC's back line and use his speed to get in behind the defense that likes to push high up the pitch.

Minnesota United vs. New York Cosmos

8 p.m. ET | Saturday, May 30

NSC Stadium | Blaine, Minn.

Watch | ESPN3 (National - U.S.), ONE World Sports (National - U.S.), KSTC-TV45 (Local - Minneapolis/St. Paul)

Minnesota United can move closer to catching the unbeaten New York Cosmos for the Spring Season title if they can accomplish something they have yet to do - beat them. In five previous meetings, the Cosmos have won three and drawn two. After a slow start out of the gates, United has won three in a row, led by the strong play of Pablo Campos and U.S. Men's National Team midfielder Miguel Ibarra.

The Cosmos will look to continue their stellar form, and if they get a victory, they will clinch the Spring Season title, which comes with an automatic playoff berth. With a solid back line that has only conceded a mere five goals so far, the Cosmos' attack has started to flourish. Walter Restrepo and Leo Fernandes are a constant threat on the flanks, while Raúl and Lucky Mkosana have formed a one-two punch up top.

San Antonio Scorpions vs. Fort Lauderdale Strikers

8:30 p.m. ET | Saturday, May 30

Toyota Field | San Antonio, Texas

Watch | ESPN3 (National - U.S.)

The Scorpions were showing glimpses of the side that won the championship last season, but their improving attack was stifled by the Cosmos in a 3-0 loss in New York last weekend. The Scorpions, who had the strongest defense a year ago, haven't looked the same this season, with 14 goals against in the Spring Season. Alen Marcina's club will face a familiar foe in the Strikers, who they defeated in The Championship Final at Toyota Field last year.

The Strikers, who are in the midst of a month-long scoring drought, will look to take advantage of a leaky Scorpions defense. That responsibility will fall on the club's Brazilian attackers who, after a bright start, have had a dip in form. After falling to Carolina at home for the first time, a win at Toyota Field would be the perfect tonic to push on for a strong Spring Season finish.

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North American Soccer League Stories from May 29, 2015


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