New York, Minnesota Look To Stay Hot In Week 10 Action
Fall season leaders Ottawa Fury FC travel down to San Antonio
NEW YORK (September 4, 2015) - The race to The Championship, the NASL's four-team postseason tournament, continues in Week 10 as the teams have hit the midway point in the Fall Season. Minnesota United FC earned a 1-0 win over Indy Eleven to start the week's action which continues with a game on Friday, three on Saturday, and one on Sunday.
The weekend's games begin Friday night when the Carolina RailHawks look to end a four-game losing skid when they host the Atlanta Silverbacks at 7:30 p.m. ET. On Saturday, Indy tries to end its own losing skid - currently at two games - against Jacksonville, which has yet to win on the road, with kickoff at 7:30 p.m. ET. At the same time, the New York Cosmos look to spoil 40th anniversary celebrations against rival Tampa Bay Rowdies and extend their current eight-game unbeaten run. To round out Saturday, the last-place (in the Combined Standings) San Antonio Scorpions host Fall Season leader Ottawa Fury FC at 8:30 p.m. ET.
Finally, FC Edmonton plays host to a streaking Minnesota United as the Eddies try to end a two-game losing run. The match kicks off at 4 p.m. ET.
A full preview of each matchup follows:
Carolina RailHawks vs. Atlanta Silverbacks
7:30 p.m. ET | Friday, Sept. 4
WakeMed Soccer Park | Cary, N.C.
Watch | ESPN3 (National - U.S.), NASL.com (National - Canada)
The RailHawks (2-2-6, 8 points) have hit a tough stretch, losing their last three games and conceding three goals in each. Back at WakeMed Soccer Park, though, Carolina is usually at its best. Despite a 3-2 loss to the New York Cosmos last weekend on the road, it was a confidence boost for Nazmi Albadawi, who scored his first two goals of the season, while Tiyi Shipalane continued his strong play in 2015. The club, however, will be missing Futty Danso, who is on international duty with Gambia, and Daniel Scott after picking up a red card last weekend.
While the RailHawks are a tough team at home, the Silverbacks (5-3-3, 18 points) have collected three points at WakeMed this season, picking up a 2-1 victory in the Spring Season. Last weekend, Junior Burgos' free kick found the back of the net for a 1-0 win against FC Edmonton. Burgos, Jamie Chavez, and Pedro Mendes have continued to combine well in the attack, while Rauwshan McKenzie, who has played every minute of the season so far, has marshalled a strong back line. C.J. Cochran is expected to step up in net with No. 1 'keeper Steward Ceus with Haiti for World Cup qualifying matches.
Indy Eleven vs. Jacksonville Armada FC
7:30 p.m. ET | Saturday, Sep. 5
Carroll Stadium | Indianapolis, Ind.
Watch | ESPN3 (National - U.S.), NASL.com (National - Canada), WISH-TV (Local - Indianapolis), CW17 (Local - Jacksonville)
Indy (2-3-6, 9 points) is coming off two tough results, the most recent Wednesday night in a 1-0 loss to Minnesota United. Dane Richards has been in good form for the Boys in Blue, but saw his three-game scoring streak coming to an end against the Loons. Keith Cardona, filling in for goalkeeper Kristian Nicht, made a number of big saves despite the loss on Wednesday. He could potentially keep his place in the team as Indy looks to get back on track at home this weekend.
The Armada FC (3-2-5, 11 points) have had an admirable first season in the NASL, but are still without a win on the road as the club heads to Indy this weekend. A grittier, defensive team has been on display recently with three shutouts in the last four games, but Jacksonville's goals have dried up a bit. The trio of Jemal Johnson, Akeil Barrett, and Marcos Flores will be the key men to right the ship in the final third. The Armada FC, however, will be missing Pascal Millien (Haiti) and Shawn Nicklaw (Guam) on international duty.
Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. New York Cosmos
7:30 p.m. ET | Saturday, Sep. 5
Al Lang Stadium | St. Petersburg, Fla.
Watch | ESPN3 (National - U.S.), ONE World Sports (National - U.S.), NASL.com (National - Canada), Great 38 (Local - St. Pete/Tampa Bay)
A rivalry writes its next chapter on the eve that the Rowdies (2-2-6, 8 points) celebrate the club's inaugural season in 1975 - the year the Rowdies won their first NASL title as well. In the current season, a strong Spring Season has kept Tampa Bay in the race for The Championship after a poor run of form in the Fall. Last weekend's result, however, may just have momentum swinging in a better direction. The Rowdies overcame a two-goal deficit against Fall Season leader Ottawa Fury FC at TD Place. Tampa Bay will be without midfielder Richie Menjivar, who is away on international duty with El Salvador.
After a rare blip this season - a 1-0 loss to Jacksonville - the Cosmos (5-4-1, 19 points) have gone on an eight-game unbeaten stretch. Currently atop the Combined Standings, and with a Spring title under their belts, the Cosmos are pushing to add a Fall title as well. New York trails Ottawa by two points, but could leap up to first place depending on this weekend's result. The Cosmos will be without Andrés Flores, who is also with El Salvador.
San Antonio Scorpions vs. Ottawa Fury FC
8:30 p.m. ET | Saturday, Sept. 5
Toyota Field | San Antonio, Tex.
Watch | ESPN3 (National - U.S.), OttawaFuryFC.com (National - Canada), Rogers TV (Local - Ottawa)
The Scorpions (2-3-4, 9 points) have had a rough campaign to date, sitting in last place in the Combined Standings, as the defending league champion stares at an uphill climb to reach the postseason. On the plus side, only six points are in the way of moving into a berth in The Championship. San Antonio has a two-game unbeaten run - a win and a draw against Jacksonville - but the club needs more goals to propel itself up the standings. Omar Cummings, who has 10 goals so far, has gone almost a month without a goal. He last scored on Aug. 8 in a 3-3 draw with Atlanta.
Ottawa (6-3-1, 21 points) built a cushion at the top of the Fall Season standings, but has seen the gap close behind it after a three-game winless streak - all at home. Fury FC now heads out on the road looking to get back to top form after squandering a two-goal lead a weekend ago to the Rowdies. Julian de Guzman will miss the match while on World Cup qualifying duty with Canada.
FC Edmonton vs. Minnesota United FC
4 p.m. ET | Sunday, Sept. 6
Clarke Field | Edmonton, Alberta
Watch | ESPN3 (National - U.S.), City TV (Local - Edmonton), KSTC45-TV (Local - Twin Cities)
After building a strong case toward reaching the postseason, the Eddies (4-3-4, 15 points) have had hiccups in the last two matches - both shutout losses. Edmonton will be without key players Lance Laing (Jamaica) and Sainey Nyassi (Gambia) to international duty. Forward Tomi Ameobi will need to get back to his scoring ways, while Dustin Corea will most likely slot into the Eddies' starting lineup. Back at Clarke Field, Edmonton will hope to pick three points, but to do so, the home side will need to slow down a ferocious Minnesota attack.
The Loons (5-3-2, 18 points) have scored in 18 straight games - a Modern Era record - after their 1-0 win over Indy and Justin Davis' game-winning goal, which is good for a three-game winning streak as well. The defender has been instrumental in the attack as well as at the back, picking up two goals and an assist in his last two games. While Christian Ramirez hasn't scored in the last two games, he has still been linking well with his teammates to create scoring opportunities, and should be heavily involved on Sunday against the Eddies.