BEFORE THE WHISTLE | Rayo OKC Leading Fall Season Pack

Photo credit: Rayo OKC

Rayo OKC started its strong run of form against Minnesota United at the end of the Spring Season. Now, the two sides meet with Rayo OKC sitting at the top of the heap in the second of the league's split-seasons.

Here are some key storylines heading into the weekend: 

Rayo OKC Welcomes Loons Back To Oklahoma: First-place Rayo OKC (3W-2D-1L, 11 points) has lost only once in its last eight games, getting back on track in its midweek win against visiting Tampa Bay to vault into the top spot in the Fall Season Standings. Minnesota (3-0-1, 9) has won two straight at home and has two games in hand on Rayo OKC. This game features the league’s two top goalscorers: Minnesota’s Christian Ramirez has scored 11 times, while Rayo OKC’s Michel has tallied eight goals.

FC Edmonton Goes For Eighth Straight At Home: The Eddies (3-1-1, 10) have transformed Clarke Field into a fortress with seven consecutive wins at home since dropping their home opener way back in April. In addition to allowing only three goals against overall in the Fall Season, FC Edmonton has allowed the visiting opposition one goal – that being the Cosmos’ early tally in Wednesday’s remarkable two-goal fight back. Daryl Fordyce’s two strikes this year have each been game-winners. Carolina (2-1-2, 7) was on a three-game unbeaten run before Wednesday’s 2-0 loss at Ottawa and is now in the middle of a three-game road trip.

Indy Eleven Facing Challenging Schedule: Back on the winning track after Minnesota spoiled its 13-game unbeaten run, Indy (3-1-1, 10) travels to South Florida to face the Miami FC (1-2-1, 5), which played Carolina to a thrilling 3-3 draw last week. After its road game, the Eleven heads back home to play Wednesday (vs. Jacksonville) and Saturday (vs. Ottawa). The club’s Mexican star Gerardo Torrado has garnered the headlines, but it has been center back Greg Janicki who has grabbed the goals -- he has scored in two of Indy’s three Fall Season wins.

Heinemann Returns To TD Place: Tom Heinemann helped lead Ottawa Fury FC (2-0-3, 6) to The Championship Final a year ago, scoring eight goals (and four more in the postseason) as the spearhead of the club’s attack. On Saturday, he returns to Canada’s capital city as the Tampa Bay (1-2-2, 5) target man. He has scored three goals for the Rowdies, two from long range, and has won 22 fouls in 14 games (seven starts). Fury FC has been on a roll, winning two straight after logging three losses to open the Fall Season. Tampa Bay lost to Rayo OKC on Wednesday.

Orange Legion Heads To New York: Puerto Rico FC’s rabid traveling band of supporters will hit the road once more when Carmelo Anthony’s orange clad team faces New York (3-1-2 10) at Shuart Stadium. While Anthony prepares to represent the U.S. in men’s basketball at the Rio Olympics, Puerto Rico FC (1-2-2, 5) catches a Cosmos side reeling after Wednesday’s loss at FC Edmonton when New York again allowed two late goals in a 2-1 defeat. Puerto Rico FC’s international striker Héctor Ramos has scored four of the club’s five goals. New York is unbeaten at home this year.