Ottawa Fury Host Miami FC & Another Florida Derby Takes Place in Week 5 of the NASL
New York Cosmos host undefeated Carolina Railhawks in Week 5 of the NASL as another Florida Derby takes place between the Fort Lauderdale Strikers and the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Ottawa Fury FC welcome Miami FC in its 2016 home opener, while Rayo OKC face off against Indy Eleven at home.
Soccer News: The Carolina RailHawks take their show on the road for a second week in a row when they visit the New York Cosmos on Sunday. Carolina is the only team that has won all of its matches through the first four weeks of the NASL Spring Season.
Another chapter of the Florida Derby will be written on Saturday as the visiting Tampa Bay Rowdies head to Lockhart Stadium to face the Fort Lauderdale Strikers.
Elsewhere, expansion side Rayo OKC aims to build off its first ever win with a difficult home test against Indy Eleven, while Ottawa Fury FC is set for its 2016 home opener against Miami FC.
Here is a rundown of all the matches during Week 5 of the Spring Season:
Ottawa Fury FC vs. Miami FC
2 p.m. ET | Saturday, April 30
TD Place | Ottawa, Ontario
Watch | ESPN3 (National – U.S.), Gol TV (National – U.S.), Rogers TV (Local – Ottawa), International outlets*
Ottawa Fury FC hits the field at TD Place for the first time in 2016, and the club is hoping that some home cooking will get the Spring Season momentum rolling. Fury FC (0W-1D-3L, 1 point) has scored just once this season, and Paul Dalglish’s side looks like a team that is still in the process of coming together after changes in the offseason. Ottawa is coming off a 2-0 loss to Canadian rival FC Edmonton.
Miami FC (0-2-2, 2) is still seeking its first NASL win after losing or drawing its first four matches in heartbreaking fashion. Miami’s attack has shown flashes of brilliance with Dario Cvitanich scoring three goals in four games and the ever-active Ariel Martinez finding the net for his first goal with a cracking effort in last week’s 3-2 loss to Rayo OKC. Now, the back line, under the tutelage of legendary Italian defender and current head coach Alessandro Nesta, needs to tighten up to start piling up points.
Fort Lauderdale Strikers vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies
7 p.m. ET | Saturday, April 30
Lockhart Stadium | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Watch | ONE World Sports (National – U.S.), ONEWorldSports.com (National – U.S., Canada), SFL-TV (Local – Fort Lauderdale), International outlets*
The Fort Lauderdale Strikers (0-2-1, 2) were able to grind out a gutsy 1-1 draw against Jacksonville Armada FC, despite playing the majority of the second half down a man. Jose Angulo provided a spark with a great individual effort before playing the ball to Maicon Santos for the equalizer. Now, the Strikers host a second Florida side in a row (and third time so far this season) with the Tampa Bay Rowdies visiting Lockhart Stadium. The Strikers have gotten the better of the Rowdies in recent matches, winning four of the last six contests.
The Rowdies (1-2-1, 5 have been strong at the back aside from last weekend’s 3-1 loss to the Carolina RailHawks. In the first three matches, the Rowdies had conceded just once. In front of goal is where the Rowdies need to click a little better with just three goals (one from a penalty kick) to start the season.
Rayo OKC vs. Indy Eleven
8 p.m. ET | Saturday, April 30
Miller Stadium | Oklahoma City, Okla.
Watch | beIN SPORTS (National – U.S., Canada), beIN SPORTS CONNECT (National – U.S., Canada), Cox Channel 703 (Local – Oklahoma City)
Fresh off its first win as a club, Rayo OKC (1-1-1, 4 heads back home to face Indy Eleven. Rayo OKC was able to defeat Miami FC, 3-2, in a weather-delayed affair, as the side showed how devastating it can be in the attack. That was evidenced by the speed of Billy Forbes for his goal and Robbie Findley’s effort from distance. The expansion side will hope to carry that momentum from its first win against an Indy side that has proven to be a tough nut to crack so far this year.
Indy (1-2-0, 5) is coming off a bye week, but garnered positive results beforehand. The Boys in Blue have shown a penchant for late-game dramatics with all of their goals so far coming in the 89th minute or later. Eamon Zayed should test the Rayo OKC back line after his two-goal effort in Indy’s recent 2-1 win over the New York Cosmos.
New York Cosmos vs. Carolina RailHawks
6 p.m. ET | Sunday, May 1
Shuart Stadium | Hempstead, N.Y.
Watch | ONE World Sports (National – U.S.), ONEWorldSports.com (National – U.S., Canada), TWC SportsChannel (Regional – North/South Carolina), WRAL2 (Local – Cary/Raleigh)
Through two games, the New York Cosmos were dominant, scoring five goals and conceding zero. The Cosmos (2-0-0, 6), though, have dropped their last two contests, falling victim to late goals in both. The Cosmos’ attack, in particular, will need to get back on form in the friendly confines of Shuart Stadium on Sunday.
The Carolina RailHawks have posted a perfect record so far, and have jumped into pole position in the Spring Season title race. Haitian international James Marcelin has been a force, filling in at center back for the past three matches and also chipping in with a goal in the 3-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Nazmi Albadawi has also been a creative dynamo with four assists so far, as the RailHawks (4-0-0, 12) aim to continue their sparkling run of form.
Source/Photo Credit: North American Soccer League
