Puerto Rico FC Earn First NASL Win in Week 4
Puerto Rico FC recored its first NASL win as the expansion club topped Rayo OKC to end the traveling squad’s six-game unbeaten streak in Week 4 of the 2016 Fall Season. Tampa Bay Rowdies’ late goal earned a draw versus the New York Cosmos, while Ottawa Fury edged Jacksonville Armada FC 2-0 at Community First Park in Jacksonville, Fla.
NASL Soccer News: Fans at Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium were treated to an historic night on Saturday as Puerto Rico FC earned its first North American Soccer League (NASL) win, cooling off a Rayo OKC side that entered the weekend riding a six-game unbeaten streak.
Elsewhere on Saturday night, the Tampa Bay Rowdies completed a late comeback to earn a draw against the New York Cosmos, who held a two-goal lead in the second half. Joe Cole scored the equalizer deep in second-half stoppage time from the penalty spot. Indy Eleven was able to bounce back quickly after its first loss of the year, defeating an FC Edmonton side that had lost just once in its last 10 games. Ottawa Fury FC was able to pick up its first win of the Fall Season with a shutout victory over Jacksonville Armada FC, while Minnesota United eased past the Fort Lauderdale Strikers.
The lone Friday night affair set the tone for a thrilling Week 4. Mexican star Omar Bravo scored on his league debut for the Carolina RailHawks, but it wasn’t enough as the back-and-forth contest with Miami FC ended with each team grabbing a share of the points.
Puerto Rico FC 1, Rayo OKC 0
Puerto Rico FC recorded its first ever league victory, knocking off red-hot Rayo OKC at Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium in Bayamón, P.R.
Héctor Ramos, a Puerto Rican international, continued his fast start in the Fall Season for Puerto Rico FC (1W-2D-2L, 5 points), scoring his fourth goal of the year in the 53rd minute. Paulo Mendes created the goalscoring opportunity.
The loss ended a six-game unbeaten run for Rayo OKC (2-2-1, 8).
Indy Eleven 1, FC Edmonton 0
Indy Eleven’s 13-game unbeaten streak was snapped a week ago, but the club bounced back quickly and defeated FC Edmonton at Carroll Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind.
Dylan Mares’ dangerous free kick found the head of Indy (3-1-1, 10) defender Greg Janicki for the only goal of the game in the 13th minute. It was the second time Janicki scored against FC Edmonton this year after finding the back of the net in a 1-1 draw in the Spring Season.
FC Edmonton (2-1-1, 7) was without its regular center backs – Papé Diakité and Albert Watson – in the loss. It was only the Eddies’ second time suffering a defeat in 11 games.
Tampa Bay Rowdies 2, New York Cosmos 2
The Tampa Bay Rowdies battled back to earn a draw with the New York Cosmos at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Joe Cole struck from the penalty spot six minutes into second-half stoppage time to earn the Rowdies a point. Tampa Bay (1-2-1, 5) had forced an own goal in the 85th minute to set up the equalizer when Ayoze’s attempted goal-line clearance ended up in his own net.
Juan Arango put the Cosmos (3-1-1, 10) ahead with a curling free kick in the 53rd minute. Yasmani Duk scored in the 67th minute in his first start since playing with Bolivia at Copa América. It was his second goal for New York, with both coming against Tampa Bay.
Ottawa Fury FC 2, Jacksonville Armada FC 0
Ottawa Fury FC earned its first win in the Fall Season with a 2-0 result over Jacksonville Armada FC at Community First Park in Jacksonville, Fla.
Thomas Stewart scored his first goal to give the visitors the lead. Bryan Olivera sprinted through the midfield before playing the ball to an umarked Stewart, who fired past Jacksonville (1W-1D-3L, 4 points) goalkeeper Sean Lewis in the 37th minute.
Carl Haworth added to the advantage for Ottawa (1-0-1, 3) when his low strike from the top of the box found the bottom corner in the 60th minute. It was the forward’s team-leading fourth goal of the year, while Olivera added his second assist of the game.
Source/Photo Credit: North American Soccer League
