AFTER THE WHISTLE | Cosmos Near Spring Title Defense

Photo credit: New York Cosmos

The New York Cosmos earned a win over Rayo OKC and had the benefit of other results going their way in Week 9. The Cosmos play their final game against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers with a chance to claim back-to-back Spring Season titles.

Here are the important notes from the latest round of results: 

South Florida Sizzle…: The New York Cosmos can claim their second straight Spring Season title with a win at Fort Lauderdale on Saturday night. New York has won two games in a row, both at home, to complete that half of the schedule without a loss. But, and it is a big but, the Cosmos have lost three of four games away from Shuart Stadium – allowing five of the six goals the club has yielded all season. The Strikers have also won two straight and are unbeaten in four games, while outscoring the opposition by 7-3.

…And While We’re At It: Miami FC parlayed the recent acquisitions of Richie Ryan and Michael Lahoud into the first victory in club history on a stunning goal by Cuban international Ariel Martínez. The 1-0 victory gave Miami FC a boost ahead of its U.S. Open Cup match against visiting Wilmington on Wednesday night.

Joe Cole Helps Rowdies Roll: In a five-minute span, the English midfield star Joe Cole showed why a quick flash of skill and cunning can change a game, and perhaps a season. Tampa Bay’s Cole scored on a powerful header three minutes before halftime. It was the first goal of his NASL career. Then two minutes after the interval Cole lugged the ball 30 yards before sliding a pass to an open Eric Avila for the insurance goal in the Rowdies’ 2-0 win, handing Minnesota its first loss at home in the Spring Season.

On The Bubble: Three teams – Indy Eleven, FC Edmonton, Minnesota – couldn’t find much-needed results in the Spring Season title race over the weekend. The Eddies, with one match to play, cannot overtake the Cosmos. The Eleven (1-1 tie at Jacksonville) and the Loons (2-0 loss to visiting Fort Lauderdale) remain alive and will get to play important games the rest of the way should the Cosmos lose or tie and they both win games in Week 10. Carolina and Tampa Bay need the Cosmos to lose while those teams must win out. The possibilities only get interesting if New York stumbles against the Strikers.