It came down to the final day, but the field is finally set for the NASL postseason.
With Sunday’s 1-0 defeat of the Jacksonville Armada, the Fort Lauderdale Strikers claimed the fourth and final spot in the NASL playoffs. The victory eliminated the Tampa Bay Rowdies, who settled for a 2-0 loss to the New York Cosmos in their final game of the regular season.
The Strikers are now set to take on those very same Cosmos on Saturday at Coney Island’s MCU Park (2 p.m., ESPN 3). The Cosmos, who went 2-0-1 against the Strikers this season, head into the playoffs as the top overall seed after claiming both the Spring and Combined titles, the latter of which came from a tiebreaker victory over Ottawa Fury FC.
As a result, Fury FC earns a home date with Minnesota United on Sunday (3 p.m., ESPN 3). Winners of the Fall title by a six-point margin, Fury FC split the season series with Minnesota, 1-1-1.
The two series will be single-elimination, with the Cosmos having first crack at hosting the NASL finale as the tournament’s top overall seed. The championship game is set for Nov. 15.
What do you think of the field? Who do you see as favorites in this upcoming round? Which club will win it all?
Share your thoughts below.
Go Cosmos!