Photo by Ottawa Fury FC
By COLE KELLOG
NASL’s two Canadian teams are still leading the pack as the fifth week of the fall season kicks off this Friday night.
Expansion side Ottawa Fury FC is in first with a commanding 13 points, five points ahead of its nearest contender in FC Edmonton. The Eddies have been impressive themselves, only posting one loss in the opening five matches in the fall. Late on Sunday afternoon, those two sides will face off in Edmonton for what is undoubtedly the match of the weekend.
After winning the Spring Season, the New York Cosmos find themselves at the bottom of the table, with draws against Indy Eleven on either side of the team’s first loss of 2015. The Cosmos will host the Fort Lauderdale Strikers in an attempt to regain form on Sunday.
Elsewhere around the league, the Jacksonville Armada will host Minnesota United, Freddy Adu and the Tampa Bay Rowdies travel to the Carolina RailHawks, and the Indy Eleven will play the Atlanta Silverbacks at home.
Here’s a closer look at this weekend’s action:
JACKSONVILLE ARMADA vs. MINNESOTA UNITED (Friday, 7:30 p.m., WatchESPN)
The Jacksonville Armada posted three losses in the first three matches of the Fall Season. More upsetting for Armada fans, though, is the manner in which those losses came. Jacksonville gave up seven goals while recording none of its own. All that changed on July 15.
The Armada put on a show to defeat the Cosmos 1-0 at home in front of 8,167 fans. A second half goal from hometown hero Tommy Krizanovic partnered with a standout performance from goalkeeper David Sierra gave Jacksonville the much needed win.
Minnesota United has won two straight, with the most recent result being a 4-3 victory over the San Antonio Scorpions on the road. Christian Ramirez and Kalif Alhassan of Minnesota both played a part in all four goals.
United has won both previous matchups between the sides, with each being played in Minnesota.
CAROLINA RAILHAWKS vs. TAMPA BAY ROWDIES (Saturday, 7:30 p.m., WatchESPN)
After a hard 3-1 at home to Florida rivals Fort Lauderdale last weekend, the Tampa Bay Rowdies are looking to turn around its Fall Season.
The Rowdies have now lost three in a row, giving up seven goals while only scoring one. Experienced coach Thomas Rongen has not left results up to chance, though, bringing in attacking firepower to enhance his side. While some NASL fans may gawk at the signing of journeyman midfielder Freddy Adu, the Rowdies’ newest addition may be more comforting.
On Wednesday, the club announced the acquisition of Omar Salgado on loan from Tigres of Liga MX. Rongen has had previous experience with both of the attackers, coaching them in U.S. youth national teams.
The RailHawks will be looking for a win at home after a disappointing loss to the Fury last time out. Carolina looked set to earn a point on the road when Nacho Novo put in game-tying goal in the 81st minute, but the Fury struck again in stoppage time to take all three points.
This match will be the last for RailHawks defender Wes Knight, who will retire after the game.
INDY ELEVEN vs. ATLANTA SILVERBACKS (Saturday, 7:30 p.m., WatchESPN)
Indy Eleven is coming off of the high of a draw at home against the Cosmos. The 1-1 draw was the second between the teams already this fall, after a match with the same result opened the campaign for both teams. Great control followed by an insane strike from Dylan Mares earned Indy the result at home last weekend.
The side will be without captain Erick Norales this week, after receiving a two-match suspension for a red card in the Cosmos match. Fortunately, Indy’s coach Tim Regan will have some fresh blood to pick from. The Eleven acquired former Butler midfielder Zach Steinberger on loan from the Houston Dynamo midweek.
The Atlanta Silverbacks are having a back-and-forth fall season. The team’s 2-2-1 record has them in fifth place in the league. The Silverbacks’ last result, though, was a 3-1 win over a strong FC Edmonton side.
A Jaime Chavez brace followed by a goal from Shaka Bangura secured that win on the road for the Silverbacks. Coach Gary Smith will hope to ride the confidence of that win in what will be a tough match in Indianapolis this weekend. Look for a fine performance from Junior Burgos, who leads the Silverbacks in assists.
FC EDMONTON vs. OTTAWA FURY FC (Sunday, 4 p.m., WatchESPN)
The match between the two Canadian sides that sit atop the league table is undoubtedly the game of the weekend.
FC Edmonton lost last time out for the first time in five matches this fall. The loss came against the Silverbacks at home, and a late Tomi Ameobi strike was merely consolation in the 3-1 loss. The Eddies will be looking to bounce back to their form from the first four matches, when the team scored eight goals and only conceded three.
Fury FC hasn’t lost in 10 league matches. The side has won four out of five games this fall. Both Tom Heinemann and Richie Ryan have scored three goals apiece since the restart. The league-leaders have created 9 goals this fall.
NEW YORK COSMOS vs. FORT LAUDERDALE STRIKERS (Sunday, 5 p.m., WatchESPN)
The New York Cosmos are at the bottom of the NASL table, but the Spring Season champions have at least one game in hand against the rest of the league’s teams. However, that extra match won’t matter if the team can’t find some attacking fluidity.
The Cosmos have only scored two goals in its three matches this fall, compared to 19 in its 10 spring games. Walter Restrepo has gotten both of those league goals for New York, with each coming in 1-1 draws against the Indy Eleven. Gio Saverese may have the luxury of a place in the postseason regardless of the Fall Season, but, without forward momentum, the Cosmos will surely struggle in the final.
Fort Lauderdale is undefeated so far this fall, playing to three draws before a win last week against the Rowdies. Goals from PC, Bruno Nunes, and Stefano Pinho highlighted that 3-1 win for the Strikers. Walter Ramirez and Pinho each found the back of the net twice this season for Fort Lauderdale.