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NASL PREVIEW | Ottawa Brings 10-Game Unbeaten Streak Into Canadian Derby

Week 5 kicks off on Friday night with Jacksonville-Minnesota at Community First Park
NASL Staff | Jul 31, 2015

As the North American Soccer League (NASL) Fall Season enters its fifth week, there is a new king on the throne. In the midst of a remarkable 10-game unbeaten streak, Ottawa Fury FC sits atop both the Fall Season and Combined Standings with a chance to increase its lead with a win over FC Edmonton on Sunday.

Four other matchups are on the schedule this weekend, starting with a rare Friday night clash between Jacksonville Armada FC and Minnesota United FC. The Loons have scored eight goals in their last two matches – one of which was a 4-0 win over the Armada FC in Minnesota.

On Saturday, the surging Atlanta Silverbacks pay a visit to Indy Eleven on the heels of a convincing 3-1 victory up in Edmonton last weekend. The Tampa Bay Rowdies and Carolina RailHawks also meet on Saturday night, with both sides trying to shake off losses in their previous matches.

In addition to the Canadian Derby on Sunday, the New York Cosmos and Fort Lauderdale Strikers will take the field at Shuart Stadium in an NASL Golden Era rivalry match.

Here is a full preview of each Week 5 matchup:

Jacksonville Armada FC vs. Minnesota United FC

Friday, July 31 | 7:30 p.m. ET

Community First Park | Jacksonville, Fla.

Watch | U.S. (National) – ESPN3, Canada (National) – NASL.com, Jacksonville (Local) – CW17, Twin Cities (Local) – KSTC-45TV (tape delay)

After a slow start to the Fall Season, Minnesota United is rolling. The Loons have taken seven points from their last three games, scoring nine goals in the process. Perhaps more importantly, forward Christian Ramirez, who took home NASL Golden Boot honors last year, is finally starting to hit his stride. The California native has tallied three goals and two assists in his last three matches. Meanwhile, Jacksonville Armada FC enters Friday’s clash on the heels of an off week. Guillermo Hoyos’ side should have some residual confidence from its 1-0 win over the Cosmos two weeks ago – a result that represented New York’s first league loss of the year. 

Carolina RailHawks vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies

Saturday, August 1 | 7:30 p.m. ET

WakeMed Soccer Park | Cary, N.C.

Watch | U.S. (National) – ESPN3, Canada (National) – NASL.com

The RailHawks are coming off a heartbreaking stoppage-time loss to league-leading Ottawa, but on the whole, they have been one of the NASL’s most consistent teams in 2015. Colin Clarke’s side returns home to WakeMed Soccer Park, where they haven’t lost since April 18, to host a Rowdies team that has struggled mightily in recent weeks. Almost out of nowhere, Tampa Bay has lost three straight (two at home) by a combined score of 7-1. The club has been boosted by the recent signings of Freddy Adu and Omar Salgado and will hope to recapture its early season form against the RailHawks on Saturday.

Indy Eleven vs. Atlanta Silverbacks

Saturday, August 1 | 7:30 p.m. ET

Carroll Stadium | Indianapolis, Ind.

Watch | U.S. (National) – ESPN3, Canada (National) – NASL.com, Indianapolis (Local) – WISH-TV

After bolstering their roster with the addition of players like Junior Burgos, Pedro Mendes, and Kosuke Kimura, the Atlanta Silverbacks look like a new team. The club has taken seven points from its last four matches, most recently coming away with an impressive 3-1 road win over FC Edmonton. Forward Jaime Chavez has scored three times in his last three matches, and goalkeeper Steward Ceus has been outstanding since returning from the Gold Cup. Indy has continued to look strong under interim head coach Tim Regan, taking at least a point in six of its last seven matches. The second-year club has featured a much livelier attack in recent weeks, with the likes of Dylan Mares, Wojciech Wojcik, and Brian Brown stepping into bigger roles. The hosts will have to play without one of their best defenders against Atlanta, as Honduran veteran Erick Norales is out due to a red card suspension.

FC Edmonton vs. Ottawa Fury FC

Sunday, August 2 | 4 p.m. ET

SMS Equipment Stadium | Fort McMurray, Alberta

Watch | U.S. (National) – ESPN3, Canada (National) – OttawaFuryFC.com, Ottawa (Local) – Rogers TV, Edmonton (Local) – City TV

Sunday’s match in Fort McMurray is certainly this weekend’s headliner, and not just because it features both of the league’s Canadian clubs. Ottawa Fury FC and FC Edmonton sit 1-2 in the Fall Season Standings after strong starts. Fury FC’s confidence is sky high heading into the weekend, as the team brings an active 10-game unbeaten streak to Alberta with them. Carl Haworth’s stoppage-time winner lifted Ottawa to a 2-1 win over Carolina last weekend. On the other side of the field, the Eddies are still licking their wounds after taking a 3-1 lashing from Atlanta on Sunday. Tomi Ameobi marked his return from injury with a goal, but the back line had some questionable moments in the loss. Colin Miller’s side enjoyed itself the last time it played in Fort McMurray, though, coming away with a 4-0 win over the San Antonio Scorpions. 

New York Cosmos vs. Fort Lauderdale Strikers

Sunday, August 2 | 5 p.m. ET

Shuart Stadium | Hempstead, N.Y.

Watch | U.S. (National) – ONE World Sports, Fort Lauderdale (Local) – SFL-TV

Although they won the Spring Season Championship, the Cosmos are winless in their last five league matches. Usually a team with a high-powered attack, New York has found the net just twice in its last three matches, and that could make things interesting this weekend against Fort Lauderdale. The Strikers have scored five times in their last two matches, and have gone unbeaten since the return of head coach Gunter Kronsteiner. Brazilian forward Stefano Pinho has scored five goals in his last four road matches – one of which came in the club’s 3-1 win over rival Tampa Bay last weekend.  

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