Tampa Bay Rowdies' Clash with FC Edmonton Headlines Week 3 Matchups

Published on July 17, 2015 under North American Soccer League (NASL) News Release

Tampa Bay Rowdies' Celebration
(Tampa Bay Rowdies)

Minnesota United FC notched a 4-0 win over Jacksonville Armada FC in front of a record crowd at NSC Stadium, while the San Antonio Scorpions and FC Edmonton played to a 2-2 draw at Toyota Field.

The lineup of weekend fixtures begins on Saturday with four matchups kicking off at 7:30 p.m. ET. Three will take place in the state of Florida, with the Tampa Bay Rowdies hosting FC Edmonton, Jacksonville Armada FC welcoming the New York Cosmos, and the Fort Lauderdale Strikers lining up against the visiting Atlanta Silverbacks. Elsewhere, the Scorpions will pay a visit to the Carolina RailHawks.

The lone Sunday match, which will kick off at 3 p.m. ET, features two of the league's most confident sides. Ottawa Fury FC and Indy Eleven will each put their unbeaten runs at stake at TD Place.

Here is a full preview of each Week 3 matchup:

Carolina RailHawks vs. San Antonio Scorpions

7:30 p.m. ET | Saturday, July 18

WakeMed Soccer Park | Cary, N.C.

Watch | ESPN3 (National - U.S.), KSAT MeTV 12.2 (Local - San Antonio)

With a win and a draw in their last two matches, the Scorpions are growing in confidence. Forward Omar Cummings continues to find the back of the net, scoring his league-leading eighth goal in a mid-week draw with FC Edmonton. Billy Forbes, who is fresh off breaking San Antonio's consecutive match streak with 35 straight appearances, climbed up to a share of the league lead in assists (five) after tallying a pair against the Eddies. Forbes led the league with seven just a year ago.

The RailHawks finally dropped a match - a 2-1 loss to Indy Eleven last week - after going unbeaten in their previous six. Midfielder Austin da Luz continues to shine for Carolina since returning from an injury that kept him out for the entire Spring Season. He has already scored twice in three Fall Season matches.

Fort Lauderdale Strikers vs. Atlanta Silverbacks

7:30 p.m. ET | Saturday, July 18

Lockhart Stadium | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Watch | ESPN3 (National - U.S.)

Since the return of head coach Günter Kronsteiner for the Fall Season, the Strikers have secured two draws. Forward Stefano Pinho has been the in-form man, scoring five goals in his last five matches. Fellow Brazilian Marlon Freitas has also been playing well for Fort Lauderdale, controlling the tempo of matches from the center of the pitch.

The Silverbacks have made several changes to the roster for the Fall Season, and if last weekend's 1-0 win over Jacksonville is any indication, they are instantly reaping the benefits. It was the club's first home win of the season, and perhaps more importantly, arguably their most complete performance. With the club's strong defending all season, coupled with its new additions up front, the Silverbacks will try to earn back-to-back wins for the first time this year.

Jacksonville Armada FC vs. New York Cosmos

7:30 p.m. ET | Saturday, July 18

Community First Park | Jacksonville, Fla.

Watch | ESPN3 (National - U.S.), ONE World Sports (National - U.S.), CW17 (Local - Jacksonville)

After a fast start to life in the NASL, Armada FC has cooled off. The league newcomers are in the midst of a eight-game winless streak, and it isn't about to get any easier with the Spring Season champion New York Cosmos coming to town. With a few key players missing - Pascal Millien (international duty) and Alhassane Keita (suspended) - other attacking players will need to step up and find the goals that Jacksonville has been missing. The match could present a chance for young Jamaican Akeil Barrett to start and potentially make his case for a starting role in the Armada FC lineup.

The Cosmos, who head to Florida on the heels of an off week, will look to continue their 11-game unbeaten run. New York thought they had beaten Armada FC in the first ever meeting between the two sides, but the match ended in a 3-3 draw after some late-game heroics from Jacksonville. The Cosmos will no doubt want a better result when they visit Community First Park for the first time.

Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. FC Edmonton

7:30 p.m. ET | Saturday, July 18

Al Lang Stadium | St. Petersburg, Fla.

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

The Rowdies signed Freddy Adu earlier this week, but it is still unclear when the American midfielder will make his debut for the club. The Rowdies, currently sitting atop the NASL Combined Standings, will want to get back on track after a tough loss on the road in San Antonio. While his team was unable to find the back of the net in its recent defeat, head coach Thomas Rongen has plenty of attacking options at his disposal to test the Eddies' back line.

FC Edmonton will play its third road match in eight days, but that tough stretch hasn't slowed them down. The Eddies currently sit atop the Fall Season Standings after picking up two consecutive draws. While the squad has been hit with injuries and players away on international duty, the young Eddies, complete with new signings Thiago de Freitas and Pablo Cruz, have shown grit and character, particularly coming from behind twice to draw the Scorpions on Wednesday night.

Ottawa Fury FC vs. Indy Eleven

3:00 p.m. ET | Sunday, July 19

TD Place | Ottawa, Ontario

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

Ottawa saw its record shutout streak finally come to a halt at 648 minutes, but the club still remains unbeaten in seven matches after Tom Heinemann's late equalizer against Minnesota. Goalkeeper Romuald Peiser is also set to clinch another record - this time for consecutive matches played. Defender Mason Trafford currently holds the record with 27.

Ottawa's opponent will be another one of the in-form teams in the league, Indy Eleven. The Boys in Blue have now gone five games unbeaten (four coming under the guidance of Tim Regan). Forward Wojciech Wojcik has been lively in recent weeks, scoring goals in back-to-back matches. Indy could also trot out their newest signing, Dane Richards, as they look to continue their strong Fall Season play.

Tampa Bay Rowdies' Celebration

North American Soccer League Stories from July 17, 2015

• Armada FC Return to Jacksonville for Fall Home Opener with Spring Champions Cosmos - Jacksonville Armada FC
• Tampa Bay Rowdies' Clash with FC Edmonton Headlines Week 3 Matchups - NASL
• Match Preview: Two of the Hottest Teams in the NASL Meet Sunday with First Place on the Line - Ottawa Fury FC
• Silverbacks Visit Fort Lauderdale to Face Strikers - Atlanta Silverbacks
• Minnesota United Set to Face Historic Club León in International Friendly - Minnesota United FC

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