NY Cosmos Claim No. 1 Seed of NASL Playoffs for Second Consecutive Year
The New York Cosmos clinched the top seed in the NASL postseason for the second consecutive year following a win over Jacksonville Armada FC. FC Edmonton and Indy Eleven hold onto the second and third spots of the Combined Standing as the NASL heads into the final stretch of regular season matches in the coming weeks.
NASL Soccer News: The New York Cosmos clinched the North American Soccer League (NASL) Fall Season title and the top seed in The Championship following the club’s 4-2 victory over Jacksonville Armada FC and FC Edmonton’s loss against Minnesota United on Saturday night.
The defending NASL Champion Cosmos used a strong second-half performance to claim all three points on the road. The Cosmos clinched the No. 1 seed in the playoffs for a second consecutive year and will host a semifinal match along with Indy Eleven.
In Friday’s lone match, Miami FC and the Tampa Bay Rowdies played out a draw as both teams kept their postseason hunt alive for another week.
Minnesota United recorded their first win since early September, edging FC Edmonton in a game that saw league-leading goalscorer Christian Ramirez extend his lead in the NASL Golden Boot race. With the win, Minnesota hold onto sole possession of fourth place in the Combined Standings and remains in position for the final berth of the playoffs.
The Fort Lauderdale Strikers kept their postseason hopes alive with a key win over Puerto Rico FC, while the Carolina RailHawks’ playoff aspirations took a stall after a loss to Indy Eleven.
Rayo OKC edged Ottawa Fury FC on Sunday night to remain tied in points with Minnesota United for the fourth spot.
New York Cosmos 4, Jacksonville Armada FC 2
The New York Cosmos notched three goals in the final 10 minutes of play, two from Juan Arango, to edge Jacksonville Armada FC at Community First Park on Saturday night. The result marked Jacksonville’s first loss following a five-game unbeaten streak. The Cosmos have secured the right to host a semifinal game in The Championship on Saturday, November 5th.
The Cosmos (12W-5D-3L, 41 points Fall; 18-5-7, 59 Combined) took a 1-0 lead in the 23rd minute with Arango leading Jairo Arrieta with a pass into the Jacksonville (3-8-8-, 17 Fall; 4-12-13, 24 Combined) penalty area for a shot that was saved by goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo. The rebound fell into the path of Yohandry Orozco, who finished it into the back of the net. The goal ended the Jacksonville’s 293-minute shutout streak.
Jacksonville brought the score level in the 66th minute when Alhassane Keita recorded his fifth goal of the year, putting a left-footed shot past goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer from the top of the penalty area. Zach Steinberger gave Armada FC the lead in the 79th minute.
Arango recorded his 13th goal of the year when his free kick kissed the crossbar and bounced down over the goal line in the 83rd minute. The Venezuelan star added his second of the night when he buried a left-footed free kick for his 14th of the year.
Minnesota United 3, FC Edmonton 1
Minnesota United won their first game in over a month and moved into sole possession of fourth place in the Combined Standings as Christian Ramirez scored two goals on the night in 3-1 victory over FC Edmonton.
FC Edmonton (9-6-5, 33 Fall; 14-8-8, 50 Combined) opened up the scoring in the 16th minute when Minnesota (6-7-7, 25 Fall; 11-8-11, 41 Combined) goalkeeper Sammy Ndjock couldn’t cover the rebound from a free kick that Albert Watson pounced on to put into the back of the net.
Ramirez brought the score to a deadlock and added to his league-leading goal total with a one-time strike in the 23rd minute. J.C. Banks picked up an assist with a flick that freed Ramirez for the open shot. Later, Ramirez scored his 18th of the year at the end of a counterattack streak.
The Loons tallied an insurance goal in the 85th minute when Ben Speas struck a perfect cross to the near post that Stefano Pinho headed past Eddies goalkeeper Tyson Farago.
For the second match in a row, Eddies coach Colin Miller started Farago in goal in place of the league’s top goalkeeper Matt VanOekel, deciding to give his No. 1 choice a rest on the team’s two-game road trip. The Eddies lost their second match in a row for the first time since April.
Fort Lauderdale Strikers 2, Puerto Rico FC 0
The Fort Lauderdale Strikers are still in the hunt for the remaining playoff spot after a 2-0 win over Puerto Rico FC on Saturday night. The loss ended Puerto Rico’s seven-match unbeaten streak.
Fort Lauderdale (6-5-9, 23 Fall; 10-8-12, 38 Combined) scored the first goal of the game with only 12 minutes left of play when Geison Moura pounced on a loose ball in front of Puerto Rico FC’s (4-9-10, 21 Fall; 4-9-10, 21 Combined) goal. Jose Angulo converted a pass from Ramón Núñez to double the Strikers’ lead in the 85th minute.
Indy Eleven 3, Carolina RailHawks 0
Indy Eleven extended their home unbeaten streak to 17 matches, dating back to last year, and damaged the playoff hopes of the Carolina RailHawks with a win at Carroll Stadium.
Indy Eleven (9-4-6, 31 Fall; 13-10-6, 49 Combined) scored the opening goal just before halftime when Justin Braun headed in a cross by Sinisa Ubiparipovic past Carolina (6-5-9, 23 points Fall; 10-7-13, 37 Combined) goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre. Indy’s Nicki Paterson, a substitute, extended the score with a searing free kick to the lower right corner in the 77th minute. Soulemayne Youla added a third goal in the final minutes of the match, slotting home a cross from Don Smart.
The loss marked the second straight for the RailHawks at a crucial time of the season. Carolina dropped a 1-0 decision to visiting Rayo OKC last Wednesday and has only two matches left in the Fall Season to clinch a playoff berth. Indy will prepare to host one of the semifinals in The Championship on Saturday, November 5th.
Miami FC 2, Tampa Bay Rowdies 2
Miami FC held a two-goal advantage early, but were unable to hold on in a draw with the Tampa Bay Rowdies as both sides needed three points in a tight race to The Championship.
Jaime Chavez opened the scoring in the 16th minute when Blake Smith sent over a cross and the Miami forward struck the ball on the volley past Tampa Bay goalkeeper Matt Pickens.
Kwadwo Poku gave Miami (8-6-5, 30 Fall; 9-10-10, 37 Combined) a two-goal advantage in the 21st minute when Chavez went from goalscorer to provider. Chavez slotted the ball to Poku who found space in the box and sent his shot to the right corner of the goal to extend Miami’s lead.
The Rowdies would pull a goal back six minutes later when Georgi Hristov added his 10th goal of the season with a header fed from Eric Avila. Tampa Bay (5-7-7, 22 Fall; 9-11-9, 38 Combined) notched the game-tying goal in the 66th minute as an unmarked Juan Guerra was sent in a ball at the top of the box from Joe Cole. Guerra struck a shot past Miami FC goalkeeper Daniel Vega to salvage a point for the Rowdies.
Rayo OKC 3, Ottawa Fury FC 1
Rayo OKC edged Ottawa Fury FC to remain in contention for The Championship following a 3-1 victory on Sunday afternoon. The win brought Rayo OKC level in points with Minnesota United for the fourth playoff spot.
Giuseppe Gentile opened up the scoring for Ottawa in the 28th minute with the assist credited to Carl Haworth. Michel responded eight minutes later with his first goal of the night to bring the match level at Miller Stadium. Billy Forbes extended Rayo OKC’s lead in the 61st minute, while Michel provided an insurance goal in the 84th minute of play.
Photo Credit: North American Soccer League
