
The second week of the NASL campaign has been completed, and two favorites have emerged in the sprint that is the league’s Spring Season.
After claiming all three points in Week 1, both the Carolina RailHawks and New York Cosmos repeated the feat in their sophomore efforts of 2016. The RailHawks earned a narrow victory in a five-goal thriller at Rayo OKC, while the Cosmos toppled the Jacksonville Armada in the club’s second home game.
Miami FC played its first home game in club history, but settled for a draw against the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Elsewhere, Minnesota United FC made up for last week’s misstep with a Week 2 win, while Indy Eleven and Ottawa Fury FC played to a tie.
Here’s a closer look at all of this weekend’s NASL action:
RAILHAWKS PICK UP SECOND STRAIGHT WIN WITH DEFEAT OF RAYO OKC
The RailHawks surprised many with a Week 1 upset of Minnesota United, but the team confirmed their status as contenders with a shocking comeback win over Rayo OKC.
Playing on the road, Austin da Luz scored a stoppage-time winner to lead the RailHawks to a 3-2 win over Rayo OKC. Da Luz previously scored the team’s first goal before seeing his side fall 2-1 down on finishes from Ryan Johnson and Michel. The RailHawks’ Aly Hassan leveled the scoreline in the 74th minute before da Luz snatched all three points with the late winner.
Now on six points through two games, the RailHawks return against Fury FC on Saturday, while Rayo OKC will have to sit through a bye before looking for the team’s first win on April 22 against fellow newcomers Miami FC.
COSMOS CRUISE PAST ARMADA
For the second straight week, the Cosmos faced few issues in dispatching their opponents.
Led by finishes from Jairo Arrieta and Adam Moffat, the Cosmos toppled the Jacksonville Armada, 2-0, in the latter’s first game under new head coach Tony Meola. Arrieta opened the scoring with a volley on a Juan Arango assist before Moffat fired home a pass from Niko Kranjcar to ice the game in the 55th minute.
The Cosmos join the RailHawks as the league’s two lone unblemished teams, and will put that mark on the line with a visit to Indy Eleven on Saturday. The Armada return to action one day prior for the team’s home opener against Miami FC.
MIAMI FC EARNS TIE WITH ROWDIES IN HOME OPENER
The first home game in Miami FC history is in the books, and it didn’t look very different than the club’s first game on the road.
For the second straight week, Miami FC earned a 1-1 draw against a Florida rival with Saturday’s 1-1 tie against the Rowdies. Dario Cvitanich netted in his second straight game for the expansion side, while Georgi Hristov fired home a late penalty kick to earn the Rowdies a point.
Miami FC remains in Florida for a clash with the Armada on Friday, while the Rowdies return home to host FC Edmonton on Saturday.
MINNESOTA UNITED TOPPLES FC EDMONTON
Minnesota United was in need of a bounce-back performance, and they got one on Sunday afternoon.
After falling to the RailHawks in Week 1, the Loons eased their way to victory on Sunday with a 2-0 defeat of FC Edmonton. Ben Speas did the damage with a pair of goals, with his second coming on a spectacular flick over his defender before a calm finish past the goalkeeper. The match also marked the return of Lance Laing, who left the Eddies for Minnesota United over the offseason.
With the win, the Loons now sit on three points ahead of a match against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, while FC Edmonton has one point ahead of a clash with the Rowdies.
INDY ELEVEN EARNS LATE TIE WITH FURY FC
Indy Eleven left it late, but a goal from Nemanja Vukovic proved enough to earn a hard-fought point.
Vukovic leveled the scoreline in the 89th minute, earning Indy Eleven a 1-1 draw with Fury FC. The Canadian club opened the scoring through Idan Vered, but Vukovic’s late-game rebound finish saw Indy Eleven earn the club’s second point of the season following a scoreless draw in Week 1.
Fury FC, which now has a point of its own following a Week 1 beating from the Cosmos, faces the unbeaten Carolina RailHawks in its next game. Indy Eleven has a difficult clash coming as well with a match against the Cosmos next on the schedule.

Much like the 6 previous, and only, matches between Indy xi and the cosmos, this is likely to be Indys third draw