Two Points Separate Five Clubs As Spring Season Hits Home Stretch

As the NASL’s 10-game Spring Season rounds the final turn, only two teams are out of the running. Seven points separate first place (New York) from ninth place (Ottawa). Three clubs -- the Cosmos, FC Edmonton and Carolina -- have played eight games; the rest have played seven. That means that trio can ill afford to drop points.

In a interesting scheduling note, only one game -- Indy Eleven vs. Carolina RailHawks on June 11 -- involves a head-to-head battle between teams from among the top five before this weekend’s action. The possible scenarios are many and complicated, but that does not mask the fact that NASL teams are playing meaningful games and playing for silverware in June.

On The Inside Track

Cosmos Face A Glut of Games: Defending NASL Champion New York (5W-0D-3L, 15 points) could win its final two games (vs. Rayo OKC, at Fort Lauderdale) and still fail to nail down the automatic berth into the semifinals of The Championship, which goes with winning the Spring Season title. With five games over 14 days (including an international friendly and U.S. Open Cup match), the Cosmos depth and fitness will be put to the test. One thing in the Cosmos' favor: The best goal differential, plus-7, in the league. The Cosmos complete their season schedule on June 4, one week before the rest of the league. Maximum Points: 21

For FC Edmonton, A Trip Too Far?: The Eddies (4-2-2, 14) are confronted by the same equation as the Cosmos, but against two Florida teams (at Miami FC; vs. Fort Lauderdale). Edmonton is unbeaten in five league games, which includes two straight victories, before it embarks on the longest road trip of the Spring Season with a trip to South Florida. Edmonton then has a week off before the season finale against the visiting Strikers. Maximum Points: 20

Run The Table, Win Title: Minnesota United (4-1-2, 13) stumbled last Saturday at Indy Eleven, losing the match, 4-2, losing left back Justin Davis to suspension for two yellow cards, and losing a chance to take over sole possession of first place that three points would have brought. The Loons have three challenging matches left to play (vs. Tampa Bay; at Rayo OKC; vs. Miami FC), two of which are at home where they’re unbeaten this season. Maximum Points: 22

Run The Table, Win Title, Too: Indy Eleven (3-4-0, 13) has navigated the Spring Season the way Italy navigates big tournaments: Nipping points early (playing two 0-0 and two 1-1 ties) in order to play meaningful games later. Whether by accident or under a close analysis by the club's coach, Tim Hankinson, Indy’s three remaining games (at Jacksonville, at Miami FC, vs. Carolina) includes a couple against the only two teams that have been eliminated. Six points from those games are not out of the question, which could set up a final against Carolina that very well might determine the Spring Season winner. Maximum Points: 22

RailHawks Need a Rally: Carolina (4-1-3, 13) has slowed down significantly since breaking from the gate with four straight victories to start the season, but the RailHawks have Memorial Day weekend to regroup and prepare for the home stretch. Two goals in the last four games has put the club in a tough position, but Colin Clarke’s side is still very much in the thick of things. Should they get a victory at Jacksonville on June 4, a cage match at Indy on June 11 is a distinct possibility. Maximum Points: 19

Help Wanted

The next four teams – Fort Lauderdale (2-3-2, 9), Tampa Bay (2-3-2, 9), Rayo OKC (2-2-3, 8) and Ottawa Fury FC (2-2-3, 8) – each have three games left and each have no margin for error. Dropping points would end the Spring Season title conversation for them. The Strikers (at Ottawa, vs. New York, at FC Edmonton), Rayo OKC (at New York, vs. Minnesota, at Ottawa), Ottawa (vs. Fort Lauderdale, at Tampa Bay, vs. Rayo OKC), and the Rowdies (at Minnesota, vs. Ottawa, at Jacksonville) each have some challenging games ahead as they look to stay in the hunt. The Strikers and Rowdies can max out at 18 points, while Rayo OKC and Ottawa can grab as many as 17.