NASL Week 12 Action Kicks Off on Saturday
NASL action heats up as teams look to salvage points heading into the final stretch of the NASL Fall Season. Indy Eleven take on Miami FC at Carroll Stadium, while the New York Cosmos take on FC Edmonton at home on Saturday night.
NASL Soccer News: The top four sides will face off on Saturday night in Week 12 action of the North American Soccer League (NASL) Fall Season.
The New York Cosmos welcome FC Edmonton to Shuart Stadium looking to continue their long home unbeaten streak. Indy Eleven will also be looking to extend their home unbeaten run versus a streaking Miami FC side that has jumped into second place and solidified itself as a contender for a spot in the 2016 NASL Playoffs.
A number of other clubs are hoping to gain ground in the NASL Combined Standings heading into the weekend. Minnesota United’s inconsistent play keeps their playoff position in question ahead of their matchup with Ottawa Fury FC. The Fort Lauderdale Strikers‘ six-game unbeaten run has them within striking distance of a playoff spot as they take on Rayo OKC.
The Carolina RailHawks and Tampa Bay Rowdies meet in a crucial match with both clubs looking to pick up points to stay in The Championship hunt. On Saturday night, Puerto Rico FC welcomes Jacksonville Armada FC to the Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium.
New York Cosmos vs. FC Edmonton
7 p.m. ET | Saturday, September 17
Shuart Stadium | Hempstead, N.Y.
Watch | ONE World Sports (National – U.S.), ONEWorldSports.com (National – U.S., Canada)
The New York Cosmos are on an eight-game unbeaten streak heading into the weekend, as well as remaining unbeaten at home for the last 15 matches. The Cosmos welcome the Eddies to Shuart Stadium on Saturday night. A strong Cosmos defense came up big to hold off Minnesota United, 1-0, last weekend. Jimmy Maurer recorded his 10th clean sheet, putting him one behind league leader Matt VanOekel of FC Edmonton.
The Eddies (7-4-2, 25 Fall; 12-6-5, 42 Combined) slipped on a chance to close the gap between the Cosmos on Wednesday night against Rayo OKC, which played out a scoreless draw. FC Edmonton are winless in their last four games as they prepare to take on a Cosmos side that they have never beaten in New York.
Indy Eleven vs. Miami FC
7:30 p.m. ET | Saturday, September 17
Carroll Stadium | Indianapolis, Ind.
Watch | ESPN3 (National – U.S.), NASL.com (National – Canada), WISH-TV (Local – Indianapolis), *International outlets
Spring Season Champion Indy Eleven (6-3-5, 12 Fall; 10-9-5, 39 Combined) are coming off a 2-1 loss to the Fort Lauderdale Strikers last Saturday. At Carroll Stadium, Indy are on a 14-game unbeaten streak without a loss dating back to last year. The team’s leading scorer, Eamon Zayed, has scored 10 of his 12 goals this season in Indianapolis.
Miami FC (7-4-2, 25 Fall; 8-8-7. 32 Combined)continued their recent stride in a 1-0 win over the Carolina RailHawks on Wednesday. Miami extended their unbeaten run to six games, as Dario Cvitanich scored his ninth goal of the year. Miami jumped into second place for the moment as they push towards a Fall Season title or postseason berth through the Combined Standings. Miami are five points behind the New York Cosmos and four points back of Minnesota United for fourth place in the Combined Standings.
Puerto Rico FC vs. Jacksonville Armada FC
7:30 p.m. ET | Saturday, September 17
Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium | Bayamón, P.R.
Watch | | beIN SPORTS en Español (National – U.S., Canada), beIN SPORTS CONNECT (National – U.S., Canada), WAPA 2 (National – Puerto Rico), CW17 (Local – Jacksonville)
Puerto Rico FC (1-7-6, 10 Fall; 1-7-6, 10 Combined) has played out two scoreless draws at home in recent weeks versus Ottawa Fury FC and the Tampa Bay Rowdies. They have also kept clean sheets in three of the last four games since Trevor Spangenberg took over the starting role as goalkeeper, resulting in three draws.
Jacksonville (2-4-7, 10 Fall; 3-8-12, 17 Combined) are coming off a 3-2 loss versus Rayo OKC last Sunday.
Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Carolina RailHawks
7:30 p.m. ET | Saturday, September 17
Al Lang Stadium | St. Petersburg, Fla.
Watch | ESPN3 (National – U.S.), NASL.com (National – Canada), BHSN1147 (Local – St. Pete/Tampa Bay), TWC SportsChannel (Regional – North/South Carolina), WRAL2 (Local – Cary/Raleigh)
The Tampa Bay Rowdies (3-4-6, 13 Fall; 7-8-8, 29 Combined) are unbeaten in their last three matches as they prepare to host the Carolina RailHawks. The Rowdies are coming off a scoreless draw versus Puerto Rico FC last Saturday. The Rowdies have recorded two clean sheets out of the past three matches.
The RailHawks (4-4-5, 16 Fall; 8-6-9, 30 Combined) head into the weekend coming off a 1-0 road loss on Wednesday night to Miami FC. The club is winless in its last five road games heading into an intense matchup in Tampa Bay. The RailHawks tallied a 3-1 victory at Al Lang Stadium during the Spring Season.
Minnesota United vs. Ottawa Fury FC
8 p.m. ET | Saturday, September 17
NSC Stadium | Blaine, Minn.
Watch | ESPN3 (National – U.S.), NASL.com (National – Canada), MY29 (Local – Twin Cities), Rogers TV (Local – Ottawa)
Minnesota United (5-5-4, 20 Fall; 10-6-8, 36 Combined) are coming off a 1-0 loss last Saturday versus the New York Cosmos. Christian Ramirez leads the Loons as the NASL’s leading goalscorer. Minnesota have been scoreless in three of its last five contests with just two goals during that stretch.
Ottawa (3-5-6, 14 Fall; 5-8-11, 23 PTS Combined) recorded a fifth straight draw on Saturday versus the Carolina RailHawks. Goalkeeper Romuald Peiser shows signs of strong form in comparison to his 2015 NASL Golden Glove year.
Rayo OKC vs. Fort Lauderdale Strikers
8 p.m. ET | Sunday, September 18
Miller Stadium | Yukon, Okla.
Watch | ESPN3 (National – U.S.), NASL.com (National – Canada), Cox Channel 703 (Local – Oklahoma City), SFL-TV (Local – Fort Lauderdale), *International outlets
The Fort Lauderdale Strikers (4-5-5, 17 Fall; 7-8-9, 29 Combined) are on a six-match unbeaten streak as they visit Rayo OKC. Caio Zanardi’s side can clinch a playoff spot if they can continue their current streak. Paulo Junior and Maicon Santos led the Strikers past Indy Eleven, 2-1,.
Rayo OKC (4-5-5, 17 Fall; 7-8-9, 29 Combined) notched a 3-2 win over Jacksonville Armada FC last Sunday along with a single point in a scoreless draw against FC Edmonton on Wednesday. Rayo OKC fell to the Strikers 2-1 in the Spring Season at Miller Stadium.
