Canadian Rivalry Continues As The Race For The Championship Enters Home Stretch
Fort Lauderdale, Tampa Bay, and Atlanta head on the road seeking crucial points to gain postseason position.
Soccer News: The North American Soccer League (NASL) regular season is nearing its close, and the race for The Championship, the NASL’s four-team postseason tournament, is on track for a thrilling finale. The Canadian rivalry will continue in Week 14 of the Fall Season with FC Edmonton aiming to strengthen its grip on the No. 4 seed against a surging Ottawa Fury FC at TD place on Sunday at 5 p.m. (all times are Eastern).
A pair of Florida clubs, the Fort Lauderdale Strikers and the Tampa Bay Rowdies, vying for a postseason spot will both hit the road in search of the three points. Fort Lauderdale visits the San Antonio Scorpions, while the Rowdies head north to square off with Minnesota United.
STANDINGS | Three postseason spots still up for grabs in The Championship
A full preview of each matchup is below:
Jacksonville Armada FC vs. Indy Eleven
7:30 p.m. | Saturday, Oct. 3
Community First Park | Jacksonville, Fla.
Watch | ESPN3 (National – U.S.), NASL.com (National – Canada), CW17 (Local- Jacksonville)
The Armada FC (4W-2D-8L, 14 points Fall; 7-5-12, 26 Combined) ended a rough run of results with a 2-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rowdies to pick up their first Coastal Cup win. Jacksonville hopes to carry that momentum into this weekend against Indy. Defensively the Armada FC was strong against Tampa Bay and the attack, which had been struggling to score, returned to form in the victory. Another plus for the Armada FC is they play a second consecutive match at home where they have had the majority of success in their inaugural campaign.
Indy (3-4-8, 13 Fall; 6-8-11, 26 Combined) traveled to the Sunshine State for a midweek tussle with the Rowdies and picked up a point in a 1-1 draw. The Eleven looked dangerous throughout the match and have been boosted by the return of midfielders Dylan Mares and Sergio Peña. Indy’s attack, with its speed among Brian Brown, Duke Lacroix and Dane Richards, may cause trouble for Jacksonville’s back line.
Minnesota United vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies
8 p.m. | Saturday, Oct. 3
NSC Stadium | Blaine, Minn.
Watch | ESPN3 (National – U.S.), NASL.com (National – Canada), KSTC45-TV (Local – Twin Cities)
The Loons (8-5-2, 29 Fall; 11-10-4, 43 Combined) are soaring straight toward a berth in The Championship and are on a nine-game unbeaten run. In the last match against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, the attack ran rampant in a 5-2 victory. Reigning Golden Boot winner Christian Ramirez – 10 goals – is now just two off the pace of the league’s leading scorer, Stefano Pinho. Midfielders Ibson and Kalif Alhassan have also been vital in Minnesota’s strong performances over the last several weeks.
Tampa Bay (4-3-8, 15 Fall; 9-7-9, 34 Combined) is just outside a postseason spot, having an equal number of points with FC Edmonton, but trailing on goal differential. The Rowdies have had a roller-coaster run of form in the Fall Season, and the away matches have had the dips. Tampa Bay, however, can take confidence from the performances of Long Tan and Freddy Adu during the midweek contest as they combined for the Rowdies’ goal and formed a strong partnership in the final third. Needing points to reach The Championship, Stuart Campbell’s men have plenty of motivation to earn a crucial win up north.
San Antonio Scorpions vs. Fort Lauderdale Strikers
8:30 p.m. | Saturday, Oct. 3
Toyota Field | San Antonio, Tex.
Watch | ESPN3 (National – U.S.), NASL.com (National – Canada), SFL-TV (Local – Fort Lauderdale)
The Scorpions (3-5-6, 14 Fall; 6-8-10 Combined) came from behind to earn a 3-3 draw against the Atlanta Silverbacks, and that resolve and fight is what the Scorpions need to reach The Championship. With eight points separating them from a chance to defend their NASL title, all is still there to play for. In their bid for the postseason, the Scorpions added firepower with the signing of forward Kris Tyrpak this week.
The Strikers (5-5-4, 20 Fall; 8-7-9, Combined) have stumbled in recent matches, but are firmly in the race for The Championship. Sitting just three points out of the No. 4 seed, a win at Toyota Field would bolster their chances at postseason play. Fort Lauderdale needs Pinho to return to the scoresheet and add to his league-best 12 goals. Behind him, the return of PC will also give the Strikers a boost as they aim to leave Texas with the maximum three points.
Ottawa Fury FC vs. FC Edmonton
3 p.m. | Sunday, Oct. 4
TD Place | Ottawa, Ontario
Watch | ESPN3 (National – U.S.), OttawaFuryFC.com (National – Canada), FCEdmonton.com (National – Canada), Rogers TV (Local – Ottawa)
Ottawa (10-4-1, 34 Fall; 12-9-4, Combined) is closing in on a postseason berth in its second season, sitting atop both the Fall Season and Combined Standings. After a three-game road trip that resulted in three wins, Fury FC returns home to face Canadian rival FC Edmonton. While much of the focus has been on Ottawa’s defense and goalkeeper Romuald Peiser, it has been the attack that has been impressive over the last three games. Tom Heinemann and Paulo Junior have put a tremendous amount of pressure on opposing defenses and have scored six goals – three apiece – in Fury FC’s last two games.
The Eddies (7-4-4, 25 Fall; 9-7-9, 34 Combined) moved into the race for the final postseason spot with a 2-1 win over the New York Cosmos last weekend. Edmonton is unbeaten in its last four matches – three wins in a row – and are full of confidence heading into the Canadian Derby. The Eddies’ back line has had a turnaround in the Fall Season and will try to slow down Ottawa’s in-form attack. Going forward, Lance Laing is always a threat on the left side, but the introductions of Pablo Cruz and Dustin Corea into the lineup have added even more creativity for the Eddies.
New York Cosmos vs. Atlanta Silverbacks
5 p.m. | Sunday, Oct. 4
Shuart Stadium | Hempstead, N.Y.
Watch | ONE World Sports (National – U.S.)
The Cosmos’ (6-5-4, 23 Fall; 11-10-4, 43 Combined) 18-game home unbeaten run was snapped last weekend – and they have lost the last two overall – but can rebound by beginning a new streak at Shuart Stadium against the Silverbacks. While already earning a place in the postseason, New York can still claim the No. 1 seed in The Championship and a win against Atlanta would be one step closer to doing so. The back line, though, will need to slow down Atlanta’s trio of attackers – Junior Burgos, Pedro Mendes, and Jaime Chavez.
The Silverbacks (6-4-5, 22 Fall; 7-7-9, 30 Combined) have their sights set on reaching The Championship and sit just four points out a postseason place. Their offensive trio will be key for Atlanta to take three points from its trip to New York as they have combined – either assisting or scoring – to help Atlanta score 20 of its 22 Fall Season goals so far. A typically organized unit may just limit New York’s multitude of attacking options and did so in the lone meeting between the sides in 2015, which ended in a 0-0 draw.
