Minnesota & Rayo OKC Battle for Final Playoff Spot
Rayo OKC remain in the driver’s seat for the final NASL playoff berth as the last week of regular season matches prepares to kick off. Rayo needs at least one point to clinch the final spot as the Oklahoma club sits three points ahead of Minnesota in the Combined Standings.
NASL Soccer News: The final weekend of the North American Soccer League Fall Season prepares to kick off with one spot remaining in the NASL postseason.
The New York Cosmos, Indy Eleven, and FC Edmonton have already booked their tickets to The Championship, with Rayo OKC and Minnesota United still in contention for the final playoff berth.
Heading into the last round of matches, Rayo OKC hold a three-point lead over Minnesota as they will be in action on Sunday night against Indy Eleven.
Week 18 kicks off with the Eddies visiting Miami FC on Friday night. Ottawa Fury FC hosts the Fort Lauderdale Strikers and the Carolina RailHawks close out their season versus Puerto Rico FC on Saturday. Jacksonville Armada FC welcome Tampa Bay Rowdies to Community First Park on Sunday.
Miami FC vs. FC Edmonton
8 p.m. ET | Friday, October 28
Ocean Bank Field | Miami, Fla.
Watch | ESPN3 (National – U.S.), NASL.com (National – Canada), *International outlets
Miami FC were stalled in the Fall Season at a crucial stretch in the campaign as the first-year club came up just short of reaching The Championship. Hosting one last home game, Miami (8W-6D-7L, 30 points Fall; 9-10-12, 37 Combined) will look to end a five-game winless skid to conclude the 2016 campaign. Miami recently fell 4-0 to the New York Cosmos, but the club has had success against FC Edmonton this year. Miami edged the Eddies 1-0 in the Spring Season and picked up a 2-0 win at Clarke Stadium in September.
FC Edmonton (10-6-5, 36 Fall; 15-8-8, 53 Combined) will be looking to iron out their form before heading to Indianapolis for a semifinal game on November 5th. The Eddies returned to the win column last Sunday with a 1-0 victory over Jacksonville Armada FC. Coach Colin Miller is expected to give some regulars a rest before his side embarks on its first contest in the postseason since 2011.
Ottawa Fury FC vs. Fort Lauderdale Strikers
2 p.m. ET | Saturday, October 29
TD Place | Ottawa, Ontario
Watch | ESPN3 (National – U.S.), NASL.com (National – Canada), Rogers TV (Local – Ottawa), *International outlets
Ottawa Fury FC helped end the Tampa Bay Rowdies’ bid for the playoffs last week with a 1-1 draw at Al Lang Stadium. Fury FC (5-7-9, 22 Fall; 7-10-14, 31 Combined) now looks to wrap up the year with a victory. The club will have to shake off a five-game winless streak that has consisted of three losses.
Fort Lauderdale (6-5-10, 23 Fall; 10-8-13, Combined) was in the mix for the final spot in The Championship as the Fall Season closed in on the final stretch, but a 2-0 loss to Rayo OKC last Saturday ended the club’s bid to return to playoff action for a third straight season. The Strikers now close out the year facing a club that they’ve had success against this campaign. Fort Lauderdale won the two previous matchups in 2016, earning a 2-1 road victory in the Fall Season and a 3-1 win earlier in the Fall Season, a match that was notable for Amauri’s stunning bicycle kick.
Puerto Rico FC vs. Carolina RailHawks
7:30 p.m. ET | Saturday, October 29
Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium | Bayamón, PR
Watch | beIN SPORTS en Español (National – U.S., Canada), beIN SPORTS CONNECT (National – U.S., Canada), WAPA 2 (National – Puerto Rico), TWC SportsChannel (Regional – North/South Carolina), WRAL2 (Local – Cary/Raleigh)
Puerto Rico FC was wrapping up the Fall Season as one of the hottest clubs in the NASL, but their streak has stalled over the past two matches – both defeats. Recently the club was edged, 3-0, by Indy Eleven, but coach Adrian Whitbread heads into the last match of the season with plenty of positives from the course of the Fall Season. Several young players have shown promise and Puerto Rico (4-9-8, 21 Fall; 4-9-8, 21 Combined) has a strong core in place heading into next season. Before that, though, the club welcomes the Carolina RailHawks to Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium. Puerto Rico enters the matchup on a five-game unbeaten run at home.
The RailHawks (7-5-9, 26 Fall; 11-7-13, 40 Combined) finished their slate of home matches for the year with a 1-0 win over Minnesota United. Despite claiming all three points, other results ended the club’s chances to reach the playoffs. Matt Fondy scored his seventh goal of the season in the win. The RailHawks played to a 2-2 draw with Puerto Rico back in August.
Minnesota United vs. New York Cosmos
8 p.m. ET | Saturday, October 29
NSC Stadium | Blaine, Minn.
Watch | ONE World Sports (National – U.S.), ONEWorldSports.com (National – U.S., Canada), MY29 (Local – Twin Cities)
Minnesota United looked destined to claim a berth in The Championship, but a dip in form – and only three wins in the past three months – have put odds against the Loons. Minnesota (6-7-8, 25 Fall; 11-8-12, 41 Combined) now trails Rayo OKC in the Combined Standings by three points as they face off against the Fall Season Champion in a do-or-die situation. Anything less than three points for the Loons will put an end to the club’s playoff hopes. Minnesota has edged the Cosmos at NSC Stadium, where the sides will play on Saturday, pulling out a 1-0 win, despite playing the majority of the second half down a player.
New York (13-5-3, 44 Fall; 19-5-7, 62 Combined) visits the Loons aiming to continue its momentum heading into The Championship. The Cosmos are unbeaten in five matches and set a new league record for most games unbeaten at home in a row (19) after a 4-0 win over Miami FC. New York, though, is still awaiting its opponent for the semifinal game on November 5th, but can help determine its postseason fate this weekend. If the club can draw or win, the Cosmos will take on Rayo OKC in their first postseason match.
Jacksonville Armada FC vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies
4 p.m. ET | Sunday, October 30
Community First Park | Jacksonville, Fla.
Watch | CBS Sports Network (National – U.S., Canada)
Jacksonville Armada FC has several rising talents and coach Mark Lowry will get one last look as he prepares to build for his first full year in charge of the club. Forward Charles Eloundou has continued to impress late in the season and has a team-leading six goals. The club has certainly had a new energy over the past month and Jacksonville (4-8-9, 20 Fall; 5-12-14, 27 Combined) will look to close out the season on a strong note against the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
Tampa Bay (5-8-8, 23 Fall; 9-12-10, 39 Combined) had been fighting for the final berth in the playoffs, but the club was unable to pick up any wins during the last six games. The club played to a 1-1 draw with Ottawa Fury FC, but lost leading goalscorer Georgi Hristov, who earned a red card in the match. The Rowdies now close out the year on the road and have played in a pair of 1-1 draws against Jacksonville this campaign.
Rayo OKC vs. Indy Eleven
7 p.m. ET | Sunday, October 30
Miller Stadium | Yukon, Okla.
Watch | ESPN3 (National – U.S.), NASL.com (National – Canada), Cox Channel 703 (Local – Oklahoma City)
Heading into the final weekend, Rayo OKC is poised to reach The Championship in the club’s first season. Rayo has won its last four games, and is on a nine-game unbeaten run overall. Defender Sebastien Ibeagha scored the eventual game-winner in the 2-0 defeat of the Fort Lauderdale Strikers that helped move the side past Minnesota United in the Combined Standings. Rayo OKC (8-8-5, 32 Fall; 11-11-9, 44 Combined) needs at least a point on Sunday, but will clinch the final playoff spot if Minnesota fails to get a win on Saturday.
Indy Eleven (11-4-6, 37 Fall; 15-10-6, 55 Combined) is picking up steam at the right moment before hosting a semifinal game on November 5th against FC Edmonton. The side has won the past three matches, while scoring three goals apiece in the wins. With the postseason looming, Indy will look to continue its momentum at Miller Stadium, where the side has won previously. The Boys in Blue also defeated Rayo OKC by the same scoreline earlier in the Fall Season.
Photo Credit: North American Soccer League
