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FC Edmonton's Attempt For Seventh Straight Home Win Focal Point Of Wednesday Night Action

Omar Bravo and the RailHawks head to Ottawa, while Rayo OKC faces an in-form Joe Cole and the Rowdies
NASL Staff (@naslofficial} | Jul 26, 2016

Photo credit: FC Edmonton

Week 5 of the Fall Season kicks off on Wednesday night, and among the trio of matchups is an intriguing clash between two of the NASL's top teams in Canada. FC Edmonton, which has won its last six home games, welcomes the New York Cosmos to Clarke Field. The Eddies will be looking to shake off a loss to Indy Eleven, while the Cosmos enter the game fresh off letting a two-goal lead slip away against the Tampa Bay Rowdies. 

Elsewhere, the Carolina RailHawks and their much-improved attack visit Ottawa Fury FC, which recently added several key players with local ties, including Canadian international Jamar Dixon. Rayo OKC will try to bounce back straight away after its six-game unbeaten streak was snapped against Puerto Rico FC, and its opponent on Wednesday will be the Rowdies, who come to town with an in-form Joe Cole and increased attacking depth with the additions of Carlos Preciado and Martin Vingaard. 

Ottawa Fury FC vs. Carolina RailHawks
7 p.m. ET | Wednesday, July 27
TD Place | Ottawa, Ontario
Watch | beIN SPORTS (National – U.S., Canada), beIN SPORTS CONNECT (National – U.S., Canada), Rogers TV (Local – Ottawa), TWC SportsChannel (Regional – North/South Carolina), WRAL2 (Local – Cary/Raleigh)

The Carolina RailHawks’ attack has come alive in Fall Season play, most recently producing a three-goal performance in a draw against Miami FC. The club now heads on the road for midweek action against Ottawa Fury FC. Mexican international Omar Bravo made his league debut and scored his first goal, and forward Matt Fondy has performed well since making the move to the RailHawks, scoring his second goal of the year last weekend. Carolina (2W-1D-1L, 7 points) defeated Ottawa, 1-0, on the strength of a Tiyi Shipalane goal in the Spring Season.

Several changes to the Ottawa (1-0-3, 3) lineup yielded its first win with a 2-0 result over Jacksonville Armada FC last Saturday. Wednesday’s game at TD Place could give the home crowd a chance to see Ottawa native Jamar Dixon’s first competitive action in the NASL. It will also offer an opportunity to see English midfielder Ryan Williams, who made his debut in the win over Jacksonville. Amid the changes, one of Ottawa’s longest-standing players continues to shine - Carl Haworth scored his team-leading fourth goal in the recent victory.

FC Edmonton vs. New York Cosmos
9 p.m. ET | Wednesday, July 27
Clarke Field | Edmonton, Alberta
Watch | ONE World Sports (National – U.S.), ONEWorldSports.com (National – U.S., Canada)

FC Edmonton suffered a tough, 1-0 loss to Indy Eleven last weekend, but the club returns to Clarke Field where it has won six straight games. One of those wins came in a 2-1 defeat of Wednesday night’s opponent, the New York Cosmos. Goalkeeper Matt VanOekel has been in great form for the Eddies (2-1-1, 7), making eight saves against Indy. The Eddies’ rearguard will receive a boost with Papé Diakité back from his red-card suspension.

The Cosmos (3-1-1, 10) were five minutes plus stoppage time away from earning a victory against the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Instead the club drew, 2-2, at Al Lang Stadium and is still without a road win outside of Miami. A win for either team could shoot it up the Fall Season Standings early in the season as well as help continue their pace near the top of the Combined Standings.

Rayo OKC vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies
9 p.m. ET | Wednesday, July 27
Miller Stadium | Yukon, Okla.
Watch | CBS Sports Network (National – U.S., Canada)

Rayo OKC’s six-game unbeaten streak ended with a 1-0 road loss to Puerto Rico FC, but the side will look to bounce back quickly in a midweek contest with the Tampa Bay Rowdies. The club’s captain, Michel, has led the way with eight goals so far the year. He scored a fortuitous goal when Rayo OKC (2-2-1, 8) played to a 1-1 draw with the Rowdies back in the Spring Season.

Meanwhile, the Rowdies enter the game on the heels of a dramatic 2-2 draw against the New York Cosmos – a contest that saw Joe Cole convert a penalty kick at the death. Two new signings – Danish international Martin Vingaard and Colombian forward Carlos Preciado – made their respective debuts last Saturday, giving the Rowdies (1-2-1, 5) more options going forward. Tampa Bay enters Wednesday’s game with just one loss in its last six contests.

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