The NASL’s Spring Season is a rollercoaster and, at least for the time being, Minnesota United sits at the highest peak.
A win over the Armada lifted the Loons to the top of the table while giving the team an inside track to the Spring title. On the other side, both the New York Cosmos and Carolina RailHawks faltered against teams they would normally expect to dispatch quite easily.
Behind them, Indy Eleven remains unbeaten, while the week’s big movers proved to be FC Edmonton. Miami FC stayed bottom of the league, while the Jacksonville Armada’s struggles continues following the sale of Richie Ryan.
Here’s a closer look at the NASL Power Rankings:
SBI NASL Power Rankings
1 (LAST WEEK-2). MINNESOTA UNITED (4-1-1)
LAST WEEK: Defeated Jacksonville Armada, 2-0, on Saturday
THIS WEEK: at Indy Eleven on Saturday
OUTLOOK: The Loons are in pole position after cruising past the Armada on Saturday. Already in first place and with a game in hand, Minnesota United controls their own fate heading down the home stretch. Kevin Venegas and Stefano Pinho led the charge over the weekend, and the Loons deservedly assume the top spot as those around them continue to falter.
2. (1). NEW YORK COSMOS (4-3-0)
LAST WEEK: Lost, 2-1, to FC Edmonton on Sunday
THIS WEEK: vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies on Sunday
OUTLOOK: The Cosmos struggled once again on the road while once again opening up the Spring Season race. Aside from a destruction of a hapless Miami FC team, the Cosmos have lost three of four on the road, a scary stat for Giovani Savarese. Defensively, the Cosmos will need to improve, and a return to Shuart Stadium and a match with a Rowdies team that has struggled throughout most of the season could serve as a springboard back into the title picture.
3 (3). CAROLINA RAILHAWKS (4-2-1)
LAST WEEK: Tied Miami FC, 0-0, on Saturday
THIS WEEK: at FC Edmonton on Sunday
OUTLOOK: The RailHawks fall back down to earth continued on Saturday with a lackluster scoreless draw with a generally inept Miami FC team. Now winless in three games, the RailHawks Spring Season title hopes look all but gone and Colin Clarke’s team is in severe danger of falling even further toward the pack with a difficult fixture this weekend.
4 (4). INDY ELEVEN (2-0-4)
LAST WEEK: Drew, 0-0, with Fort Lauderdale Strikers on Saturday
THIS WEEK: vs. Minnesota United on Saturday
OUTLOOK: Another week, another draw from Indy Eleven, who maintained their unbeaten record in lackluster fashion. Jon Busch played hero for the Eleven, as the veteran goalkeeper stopped several chances to keep the scoreline at zero apiece. With Minnesota United looming, the Eleven are set for their stiffest challenge yet and if they escape next Saturday’s clash with a zero in the loss column, they will certainly have earned it.
5 (5). RAYO OKC (2-2-2)
LAST WEEK: Tied Tampa Bay Rowdies, 2-2, on Saturday
WEEK: vs. Fort Lauderdale Strikers on Saturday
OUTLOOK: Through six games, Rayo OKC sits firmly in mid table with a 2-2-2 record and eight goals for and eight goals against. Given the challenges with building an expansion club, it’s not a bad place to be, but Saturday’s performance was certainly not one of their best. Georgios Samaras remained an unused sub, which is a bit concerning, but the fact that Michel is tied for the league lead in goals should serve as a major positive for the first-year club.
6 (5). TAMPA BAY ROWDIES (2-1-3)
LAST WEEK: Tied Rayo OKC, 1-1, on Saturday
THIS WEEK: at New York Cosmos on Sunday
OUTLOOK: For all of their attacking talent, the Rowdies are miserable in the final third. Their offensive struggles continued into Saturday’s clash with Rayo OKC, a very winnable game, while a defensive blunder was enough to seal their fate with a measly draw. The Rowdies are a good team, but have yet to fully gel, and with the Cosmos and Minnesota United looming, it’s high time they put it all together.
7 (9). FC EDMONTON (3-2-2)
LAST WEEK: Defeated New York Cosmos, 2-1, on Sunday
THIS WEEK: vs. Carolina RailHawks on Saturday
OUTLOOK: After being demolished by Fury FC midweek in the Canadian Championship, the Eddies picked up a spectacular league result over the weekend by taking down the Cosmos. Record-wise, the Eddies are doing well, but there are certainly some concerns on the attacking end. Defensively, the Eddies are as good as any team in the league, as evidenced with Sunday’s win, but they’ll still need to show a bit more to join the league’s elite.
8 (7). FORT LAUDERDALE STRIKERS (1-2-3)
LAST WEEK: Tied Indy Eleven, 0-0, on Saturday
THIS WEEK: at Rayo OKC on Saturday
OUTLOOK: The Strikers deserved a win on Saturday, but struggled to find a finishing tough against Jon Busch and Indy Eleven. Still, throughout the past two weeks, the Strikers have looked much improved and seem to have found some of the identity they were lacking through the season’s opening month or so.
9 (8). OTTAWA FURY FC (1-3-2)
LAST WEEK: BYE
THIS WEEK: vs. Jacksonville Armada on Saturday
OUTLOOK: Fury FC is riding a league bye after throttling FC Edmonton midweek in the Canadian Championship. Another midweek clash looms before a very winnable game against the Armada over the weekend.
10 (10). JACKSONVILLE ARMADA (1-4-1)
LAST WEEK: Lost, 2-0, to Minnesota United on Saturday
THIS WEEK: at Ottawa Fury FC on Sunday
OUTLOOK: From the outside, it appears that the Armada have given up on the Spring Season. Given the money exchanged, selling Richie Ryan was a no-brainer, but the captain’s departure has left a major void in the Armada lineup. Saturday’s performance showed just that, as the Loons played harder and smarter than the Armada throughout the match.
11 (11). MIAMI FC (0-4-3)
LAST WEEK: Tied Carolina RailHawks, 0-0, on Saturday
THIS WEEK: BYE
OUTLOOK: All things considered, Saturday’s effort was a positive one for Miami FC, who likely didn’t expend a point from the RailHawks. Richie Ryan is now there to help, even if Miami FC overpaid for his services. A bye gives a chance to integrate the midfielder to the group in pursuit of their first victory.
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