Photo by Minnesota United FC

By AARON CRANFORD

Nine games down, zero losses on the board for the New York Cosmos.

The Cosmos have all but clinched the 2015 NASL Spring Season title after a 1-1 draw vs. Minnesota United FC Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Carolina RailHawks had the most impressive win of the weekend after dominating Jacksonville Armada FC, 4-0, in Florida, while Indy Eleven and the Tampa Bay Rowdies played in the most intriguing affair.

After a long rain delay, Indy and the Rowdies battled it out to a 2-2 draw, in which Indy buried a 98th minute equalizer.

Here is a closer look at this weekend’s action:

FC EDMONTON, FURY FC SETTLE FOR SCORELESS DRAW

With both sides sitting on eight points entering Week 9, neither FC Edmonton nor Ottawa Fury FC could break into double-digit points in this growing NASL rivalry.

Fury FC had some of the better opportunities to break the deadlock in the first half, with Colin Falvey coming close on a header.

In the second half, it was more of the same, as Ottawa came close to finding the first when Paulo Junior found Nicki Paterson in the penalty area, but Eddies goalkeeper John Smits made a strong stop to keep the scoreline level in the 75th minute. While FC Edmonton is tied for the league-lead in goals scored, it did not fancy itself any solid chances to find the back of the net Friday. The match ended 0-0.

RAILHAWKS THUMP ARMADA FC TO MOVE INTO SECOND

The Carolina RailHawks’ 2015 Spring Season has not been one of consistency, but Saturday, everything clicked in their 4-0 win in front of 8,573 fans at Community First Park.

The RailHawks pegged four goals by Jacksonville Armada FC in the first half to surge past the Florida side in the Spring table, as Connor Tobin, Neil Hlavaty, Leo Osaki and Mark Anderson all found the back of Armada FC’s net.

Armada FC has had success in their expansion season, but it had no answer – offensively and defensively – for the RailHawks on the night.

HYLAND’S LATE EQUALIZER SEES INDY, ROWDIES SPLIT POINTS

After a long and rainy evening at Michael A. Carroll Stadium, Kyle Hyland was the hero, blasting in an equalizer in the 98th minute, salvaging a point for Indy in a 2-2 draw.

Dylan Mares put Indy ahead in the 21st minute, but from there, the Rowdies controlled the match and put two past goalkeeper Kristian Nicht. Rich Balchan knotted the scoreline up before halftime, and Maicon Santos gave the visitors the 2-1 lead in the 68th minute.

However, with the last kick of the ball, Hyland gave Indy the goal they had been wanting.

Three red cards were shown, one to goalscorer Santos, another to Stefan Antonijevic and one to Georgi Hristov.

STRIKERS STEAL POINT FROM SCORPIONS

The San Antonio Scorpions got off to a good start at Toyota Field Saturday, but it just hasn’t been their spring, as the Fort Lauderdale Strikers pulled one back and forced a 1-1 draw.

Joseph Nane tallied the first of the night for the Scorpions in the 21st minute after chipping a shot over Strikers goalkeeper Lionel Brown. However, Brown would end up paying his dues, saving seven on the night and keeping his side in the match.

Stefano Pinho was the goalscorer for the Strikers, while James Marcelin was kind enough to find the wide-open Pinho in the box and slide a pass over to him for the easy finish.

RAUL SAVES COSMOS’ UNBEATEN RUN VS. MINNESOTA UNITED

The New York Comsos remain undefeated after nine games, thanks to Spanish star Raul, who combined with Andres Flores’ cross into the penalty area.

In front of 9,317, Minnesota United FC got about as close as any team has to beating the Cosmos, as Pablo Campos scored the opener in the 8th minute. The Loons would hold the lead for another 82 minutes, but the Cosmos are resilient, and in a time of need, a superstar shined.

With the result, the Cosmos can clinch the Spring Season title with a draw or win in their last spring match, or the club can clinch the crown with Minnesota United and the Tampa Bay Rowdies drawing or losing either of their two remaining games.