Photo by Yamil Lage/AFP/Getty Images
By RYAN TOLMICH
The New York Cosmos are just 90 minutes away from an NASL Spring Title, but don’t expect head coach Giovanni Savarese to take this weekend’s game any differently than the nine that preceded it.
Heading into Saturday’s matchup against the Jacksonville Armada, the Cosmos can lock up the NASL Spring title even in defeat. However, Savarese insists that this weekend’s match-up isn’t about titles or looking too far ahead. It’s about grabbing another three points like the Cosmos have been doing all season.
“First of all we have to make sure that we treat this game right and that we do the best thing for the game Saturday to try and get a good result,” Savarese said. “We’ll manage to see how things are going, and that way we can start thinking about what’s coming next, but for us the main focus is Jacksonville and trying to put on a good performance there with the best guys that we have available.
“I think the most important thing is to concentrate and the most important thing is to try and win. We are entering this match like it’s any other game and we’re keeping that mentality.”
Here are some more of Tuesday’s NASL news and notes:
STRIKERS TO NAME COACH BY MONDAY
The Fort Lauderdale Strikers are nearing the appointment of a new head coach.
Following the departure of Marcelo Neveleff on Sunday, the Sun Sentinel is reporting that the Strikers will name their new head coach by Monday. Strikers general manager Amaury Nunes has reportedly been in discussions with at least four candidates for the job.
Nunes went on to hint that Nevelff was not the team’s ideal choice for the job when they hired him before the season, but the general manager also stated that they were hoping to keep him on board despite his desires to step aside.
“He said the team wasn’t simulating what they did in practice,” Nunes told the Sun Sentinel. “We wanted to keep him, but the results didn’t translate.”
Soccer director Andre Chaves, who hired Neveleff, also resigned Sunday.
The Strikers are back in action on Saturday with a trip to visit the Atlanta Silverbacks.
SCORPIONS TO FACE COSTA RICA’S CLUB SPORT CARTAGINÉS
With the Spiring Season nearing its end, San Antonio Scorpions have secured themselves a midsummer friendly.
The Scorpions announced Tuesday that the club will host Costa Rica’s Club Sport Cartagines for a friendly on June 27 at Toyota Field.
“Club Sport Cartaginés is a storied team in Costa Rica and has an impressive history of success with multiple championships,” said Scorpions team president/general manager Howard Cornfiel. “Their current squad is full of international experience – including players that have participated in the CONCACAF Gold Cup and FIFA World Cup – and we think this will be an exciting matchup for our fans to watch.”
STRIKERS SCHEDULE TRIP TO BRAZIL FOR FRIENDLY AGAINST PONTE PRETA
At the conclusion of their Spring campaign, the Fort Lauderdale Strikers will head south to Brazil.
The Strikers announced Tuesday that the club will travel to Brazil for a June 20 friendly with Ponte Preta.
“It is an honor for us to play Ponte Preta, a team with so much tradition,” said Strikers managing partner Ricardo Geromel. “The match not only gives the Strikers brand exposure, but also offers the players and team a challenge during our NASL break. This international experience will help us get ready for the Fall Season.”
The match-up with Ponte Preta is the Strikers’ second friendly scheduled for this summer, as the club will also face Boca Juniors on July 1.