The New York Cosmos continued their ascent to the top of the standings, while some unexpected results caused some shifts in power around the league.
Gio Savarese’s team put together another fine display to bounce back from an early deficit and defeat the Tampa Bay Rowdies. As the Spring season starts to wind down, the Cosmos seem in control of the first playoff spot.
Rapidly gaining speed behind them, though, is an Indy Eleven side that claimed a shocking home win over Minnesota United. A result against Jacksonville Armada this weekend would see the unbeaten eleven really challenge the Cosmos at the top.
Here’s a closer look at the NASL Power Rankings:
SBI NASL Power Rankings
1. (Last Week -2). NEW YORK COSMOS (5-3-0)
LAST WEEK: Defeated Tampa Bay Rowdies, 2-1, on Sunday
THIS WEEK: vs. Rayo OKC on Saturday
OUTLOOK: The Cosmos have climbed back to the top of the table after a comeback home victory over the Rowdies last weekend. The team still needs to sort out its form on the road, but there can be no ignoring the dominance that this side shows when they play at Shuart Stadium. While both Minnesota United and Indy Eleven could both catch the leaders with a game in hand, the Cosmos’ five wins warrant their place at the top.
2. (4). INDY ELEVEN (2-0-4)
LAST WEEK: Defeated Minnesota United, 4-2, on Saturday
THIS WEEK: at Jacksonville United on Saturday
OUTLOOK: Followers of Indy Eleven would’ve told you that after the off-season the team went through, it would be a completely different year for the team. The rest of the league may not have been paying attention, but the roster turnover that brought in a number of experienced defenders and a few crucial attackers has really put this team in a new position. Indy Eleven is the only undefeated team left in NASL, and that could give them the push they need to the Spring Season title over the next few weeks.
3. (1). MINNESOTA UNITED (4-2-1)
LAST WEEK: Lost to Indy Eleven, 4-2, on Saturday
THIS WEEK: vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies on Saturday
OUTLOOK: The Loons suffered a crushing defeat in Indianapolis on Saturday, as the Eleven took control of the game early and never looked like they would lose points at home. Minnesota United’s Kevin Venegas and Stefano Pinho continued to impress, but the team defense fell apart in horrible fashion on the road. United still stands in good position going into the final games of the Spring, but this hiccup and a red card for Justin Davis could prove costly.
4. (7). FC EDMONTON (4-2-2)
LAST WEEK: Defeated Carolina RailHawks, 1-0, on Sunday
THIS WEEK: at Miami FC on Saturday
OUTLOOK: FC Edmonton has quietly risen to second place, stringing together a number of narrow victories in recent weeks. The Canadian side can no longer be ignored, defeating the Cosmos and now the RailHawks in big back-to-back results. If the defense can continue at this rate, then it will only take one goal per game to stay in contention for post-season down the stretch.
5. (3). CAROLINA RAILHAWKS (4-3-1)
LAST WEEK: Lost, 1-0, to FC Edmonton on Sunday
THIS WEEK: BYE
OUTLOOK: The Carolina RailHawks will now get a much needed bye week to halt the slide they’ve been on for the past month. After starting the year red hot, the team has been picked apart by opponents from all over the table. The team needs some time to regroup and re-capture their early season form if they hope to take advantage of those points going into the Fall.
6. (8). FORT LAUDERDALE STRIKERS (2-2-3)
LAST WEEK: Defeated Rayo OKC, 2-1, on Saturday
THIS WEEK: at Ottawa Fury on Friday.
OUTLOOK: The Fort Lauderdale Strikers continue a slow climb out of the depths of the league after a win over Rayo OKC last weekend. Their attack is finally clicking, and the team has now clearly found a style of play that is working for them heading into mid-season.
7. (6). TAMPA BAY ROWDIES (2-2-3)
LAST WEEK: Lost, 2-1, to New York Cosmos on Sunday
THIS WEEK: at Minnesota United on Saturday
OUTLOOK: The Rowdies are still not living up to expectations, and they now face a Minnesota United team that will have a chip on their shoulder after last weekend’s loss in Indy. Tommy Heinemann is scoring goals, but their fluid play isn’t producing the number of chances they need to consistently put pressure on their opponents.
8. (5). RAYO OKC (2-3-2)
LAST WEEK: Lost, 2-1, to Fort Lauderdale Strikers on Saturday
WEEK: at New York Cosmos on Saturday
OUTLOOK: Rayo OKC is certainly not looking too shabby as an expansion club. They have found a style of play that works for them, utilizing some talented individual pieces to earn key results so far. Their results have started to drift off, though, and it seems that Rayo’s early success could have been a high point for this Spring. Things will only get tougher as they travel to the Cosmos this weekend.
9. (9). OTTAWA FURY FC (2-3-2)
LAST WEEK: Defeated Jacksonville Armada, 1-0, on Sunday
THIS WEEK: vs. Fort Lauderdale Strikers on Friday
OUTLOOK: The Fury’s position remains unchanged in the power rankings after a narrow win over the Jacksonville Armada. Their performance over FC Edmonton in the Canadian Championship could have given the team the confidence they need to grind out some results in NASL, and they have another good chance for some points at home against the Strikers on Friday.
10. (10). JACKSONVILLE ARMADA (1-5-1)
LAST WEEK: Lost, 1-0, to Ottawa Fury on Sunday
THIS WEEK: vs. Indy Eleven on Saturday
OUTLOOK: Tony Meola’s side are likely focused on rebuilding for the Fall at this point, as they have lost their captain and are not getting results. Pekka Lagerblom is still not fit to play, and the Armada will just be hoping to not fall further behind the pack.
11. (11). MIAMI FC (0-4-3)
LAST WEEK: BYE
THIS WEEK: vs. FC Edmonton on Saturday
OUTLOOK: Just as the Carolina RailHawks so badly need a bye this week, Miami FC was in need of an off-week last time around. The expansion side sits at the bottom of the table, and new signing Richie Ryan has now had two weeks to gel with his new side that so desperately needed him. They face a tall task against an FC Edmonton side whose defense has been stellar, though, and a best-case scenario could be a scoreless draw in this one.
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