Miami FC Face Tampa Bay and Indy Eleven Host Ottawa Fury in Week 2 of the NASL
A set of rivalry matches are scheduled for the second week of the NASL as Indy Eleven host Ottawa Fury FC and Miami FC welcome Tampa Bay Rowdies to Ocean Bank Field. Miami face off against its second Florida team following its win versus Fort Lauderdale Strikers as Indy Eleven and Ottawa Fury FC look to gain its first three points of the season.
Soccer News: If Week 1 of the NASL Spring Season had a theme – it was that of early, and spectacular, goals. Minnesota United’s Christian Ramirez opened up the year with a superb half volley, which was followed up by an adept chip by Carolina RailHawks midfielder Tiyi Shipalane in the first match of the 2016 NASL season.
Week 2 of the Spring Season kicks off with a host of rivalries, new and old. Indy Eleven matches up with Ottawa Fury FC after signing several players from last year’s runners-up. It could add fuel to the fire for the clubs that each played their first NASL season in 2014.
Miami FC hosts the Tampa Bay Rowdies in what is another burgeoning Florida rivalry match after the expansion side met the Fort Lauderdale Strikers a week ago. Minnesota United visits FC Edmonton to continue the Flyover Cup between the two northernmost clubs in the league.
Here is a preview of all of the Week 2 matchups this weekend:
Indy Eleven vs. Ottawa Fury FC
7:30 p.m. ET | Saturday, April 9
Carroll Stadium | Indianapolis, Ind.
WATCH | beIN SPORTS (National – U.S., Canada), WISH-TV (Local – Indianapolis), Rogers TV (Local – Ottawa)
When Indy Eleven and Ottawa Fury FC meet on the field, it will be a reunion of sorts. Colin Falvey, Nicki Paterson, and Sinisa Ubiparipovic were members of last year’s Fury FC squad that reached The Championship Final. When the match kicks off, though, it will be all business.
Indy (0W-1D-0L, 1 point) earned a well-fought point in a scoreless draw with the Tampa Bay Rowdies. The new-look, and veteran-heavy, side will play in front of the Carroll Stadium crowd for the first time this season and will want to get its first win under new coach Tim Hankinson’s belt.
Ottawa (0-0-1, 0) fell, 3-0, to the Cosmos in a championship rematch as their reworked side tries to jell. Goalkeeper Romuald Peiser struggled in his first match after a Golden Glove-winning season and the French ‘keeper rebounding will play a large role in Fury FC earning its first points of the season.
Miami FC vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies
8 p.m. ET | Saturday, April 9
Ocean Bank Field | Miami, Fla.
WATCH | ESPN3 (National – U.S.), GolTV (National – U.S.), NASL (National – Canada), International outlets*
Miami FC nearly won its debut match against the club’s South Florida rivals, the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, last Saturday. Now, the club will line up once more against an in-state opponent. Miami (0-1-0, 1) plays at home for the first time against the Tampa Bay Rowdies. With the clash against Fort Lauderdale carrying extra intensity, Saturday’s encounter promises to be an exciting one for Miami soccer fans.
The Rowdies (0-1-0, 1) couldn’t find the breakthrough against Indy in the club’s season opener. Midfielder Kalif Alhassan was the one pulling the strings for Stuart Campbell’s side, creating five chances for his teammates. Tampa Bay will want to convert some of those opportunities and get early bragging rights on the expansion side.
Rayo OKC vs. Carolina RailHawks
8 p.m. ET | Saturday, April 9
Miller Stadium | Oklahoma City, Okla.
WATCH | ONE World Sports (National – U.S.), ONEWorldSports (
Playing its first competitive match in club history, Rayo OKC came close to writing a win into its opening chapter. With a strong attack including Greek international Georgios Samaras and U.S. international Robbie Findley, the Carolina defense will need to be aware at all times. After a scoreless draw with FC Edmonton, Rayo OKC (0-1-0, 1) remains at home where they played in front of a sellout crowd of 6,416 to open the season.
The RailHawks (1-0-0, 3) began the season shocked by a stunning Christian Ramirez goal, but quickly rebounded to score a pair of fine goals. Tiyi Shipalane, Austin da Luz, and the rest of the attack were dynamic against Minnesota and will give the Rayo OKC back line a stern test this weekend.
FC Edmonton vs. Minnesota United
4 p.m. ET | Sunday, April 10
Clarke Field | Edmonton, Alberta
WATCH | ESPN3 (National – U.S.), NASL (National – Canada), MY29 (Local – Twin Cities)
The first match of the Flyover Cup kicks off in Edmonton with both sides back after difficult matches last weekend. FC Edmonton (0-1-0, 1) showed a gutsy resolve to earn a draw in Oklahoma City after playing a man down for the majority of the match. The attack will now aim to find its feet at home against the Loons. Papé Diakité is one player to watch after 15 clearances against Rayo OKC, with the Loons boasting a cavalcade of attacking options.
Minnesota (0-0-1, 0) started the season off in fine fashion with Christian Ramirez’s early Goal of the Year contender in just the second minute. The Loons, though, couldn’t build off the early momentum, failing to take any points back with them from Carolina. Minnesota won’t panic, though, after overturning a slow start last Spring Season to reach The Championship, the league’s four-team postseason tournament.
New York Cosmos vs. Jacksonville Armada FC
6 p.m. ET | Sunday, April 10
Shuart Stadium | Hempstead, N.Y.
WATCH | ONE World Sports (National – U.S.), ONEWorldSports (
The New York Cosmos started 2016 as they ended last year, beating Ottawa and scoring three goals. Juan Arango had a dream debut for New York (1-0-0, 3) finding the back of the net twice in the season opener. The Cosmos also flashed the depth of their roster, handing a debut to Barclays Premier League veteran Niko Kranjčar to round off a picture-perfect win.
Jacksonville (0-0-0, 0) was idle for opening weekend, and will now begin their season on the road. It will be a homecoming for the club’s new coach, Tony Meola, who is a New Jersey native and boyhood Cosmos fan. Meola’s imprint on the squad has been felt with plenty of offseason changes, and the side gets its first chance to impress the new boss on Sunday.
Source/Photo Credit: NASL
