QUOTE SHEET | The Importance Of Being At Home

Photo credit: Matt May/Tampa Bay Rowdies

The Carolina RailHawks are headed for a showdown with the New York Cosmos with a chance to remain unbeaten, while old rivals clash in Fort Lauderdale when the Strikers take on the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

Here are the coaches thoughts heading into this weekend’s action:

Ottawa Fury FC coach Paul Dalglish on club’s home opener

“It’s something that might give you that extra five percent and give you the strength to make that run that you thought you were too tired to make. I saw the game against Minnesota last season and if we can start recreating that atmosphere every game it’s going to help us pick up points. Also, you want to make your home field a fortress, you want to make people intimidated when they come here, and we will take our first step in doing that Saturday.”

Miami FC coach Alessandro Nesta on heading on the road outside of Florida

“This is a match we are not taking lightly. It is our first real road trip as a team and we are determined to get a result. Ottawa was a strong side last year and even though they haven’t gotten the results they’ve wanted, they have proven to be a strong team at home. I believe in my guys and after last week’s performance, I hope we can come back home with three points.”

Fort Lauderdale Strikers coach Caio Zanardi on the team getting stronger

“We will be playing at home and looking for our first win [of the 2016 NASL season]. It will be a great derby for the fans to enjoy, and we know the importance of this match. We know what we need to do. We are hoping to see some players who missed the start of the season – Kleberson, Dalton, and Julius James also. We have more options with these players available.”

Tampa Bay Rowdies coach Stuart Campbell on the Florida Derby

"I'm very excited to go down to Fort Lauderdale and play against one of our classic rivals. These matches are special as the records and standings go out the window. It's going to be a very fast and aggressive game and we have to make sure we're ready for it."

Rayo OKC coach Alen Marcina on the matchup with Indy Eleven

“Indy is a very strong team; they’re undefeated. They’ve got a very hard-working team, they have a very good coach that is going to have them ready and prepared. We expect that this is going to be a war. Every game, every team in this league is good. We’re going to have to fight for those three points and leave all on the line for our fans.”

Indy Eleven coach Tim Hankinson on playing style his side may face against Rayo OKC

"They've got the tools, and it will be interesting to see how they play. On video we've seen them play a more defensive and counterattack style, and then they've done more pressuring in other games. They seem to be a roster trying to find exactly what they want to do, so we have to be ready for everything."

New York Cosmos coach Giovanni Savarese playing the unbeaten Carolina RailHawks

“They are always difficult games. Carolina is always very disciplined. I think they have a very good group and they are coming in undefeated. You have to give them a lot of credit because they have worked very hard to achieve those four very important results. For us, it’s another final like every other game that we play, and we are very motivated to play at home again and to play against a good team.”

Carolina RailHawks coach Colin Clarke on trying to remain unbeaten on the road

“We’ve had a great start of the season, and we are really looking forward to our match against the Cosmos. They are the reigning NASL Champions and we’ve had really competitive matches against them. We are going to New York with the belief that we can get a positive result this weekend. Our goal is to continue our undefeated run until the end of the season and beyond.”