Home Winning Streaks On The Line As Week 5 Rolls On

Photo credit: New York Cosmos

Week 5 of the NASL Fall Season continues on Saturday after Rayo OKC, Ottawa Fury FC, and FC Edmonton picked up midweek victories.

After its dramatic comeback against the New York Cosmos, the Eddies have a chance to extend their home winning streak to eight games when they host the Carolina RailHawks in the lone Sunday affair of Week 5. Rayo OKC, which currently occupies the top spot in the Fall Season Standings, is on a strong run of its own heading into Saturday’s matchup with high-scoring Minnesota United. The aforementioned Cosmos can win an eighth straight game at home when they host Puerto Rico FC. A win would also set a record for consecutive victories at home, which currently stands at nine, set by the RailHawks in 2011.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Miami FC hosts Indy Eleven, who bounced back in swift fashion from their first loss. Ottawa Fury FC enters the weekend on a two-game winning streak and welcomes the Tampa Bay Rowdies to TD Place, while the Fort Lauderdale Strikers and Jacksonville Armada FC meet in a Coastal Cup clash at Lockhart Stadium.

Fort Lauderdale Strikers vs. Jacksonville Armada FC
7 p.m. ET | Saturday, July 30
Lockhart Stadium | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Watch | ESPN3 (National – U.S.), NASL.com (National – Canada), SFL-TV (Local – Fort Lauderdale), CW17 (Local – Jacksonville), *International outlets

Florida rivals, the Fort Lauderdale Strikers and Jacksonville Armada FC, will hope to jumpstart their Fall Season campaigns at Lockhart Stadium. The Strikers (0W-1D-4L, 1 point) have lost their last four games, while the Armada FC has dropped its last three. Despite the tough stretch, Fort Lauderdale may come in with an advantage, having never lost to Jacksonville on home soil, including a 1-1 comeback draw in the Spring Season with a man down.

Jacksonville (1-1-3, 4) will be buoyed by its recent signings having more time with their teammates. Alexander Andersson and Nicklas Maripuu earned their debuts, while Pekka Lagerblom featured for the first time after getting over injury issues. The attack needs to find its feet in the Fall after being shutout in three straight games.

Ottawa Fury FC vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies
7 p.m. ET | Saturday, July 30
TD Place | Ottawa, Ontario
Watch | ESPN3 (National – U.S.), NASL.com (National – Canada), Rogers TV (Local – Ottawa)

Ottawa Fury FC (2-0-3, 6) is hitting its stride and has been boosted by several recent signings with ties to the Ottawa area. Defender Eddie Edward and Canadian internationals Jamar Dixon and Maxim Tissot have all joined in recent weeks. Carl Haworth, who has been with the club since its first NASL season in 2014, has been the focal point of the attack. He added his team-leading fifth goal in the 2-0 win over the Carolina RailHawks on Wednesday night.

The Tampa Bay Rowdies were also in action on Wednesday night, but were unable to secure any points on the road against Rayo OKC in a 1-0 loss. Tampa Bay (1-2-2, 5), though, has had some success at TD Place, having never lost on the road to Ottawa (1-3-0). The game on Saturday offers a chance for an emotional return to Ottawa for Rowdies forward Tom Heinemann, who helped carry Fury FC to The Championship Final a year ago. Tampa Bay won the first meeting between the sides this year at Al Lang Stadium in the Spring Season, winning 2-1.

New York Cosmos vs. Puerto Rico FC
7:30 p.m. ET | Saturday, July 30
Shuart Stadium | Hempstead, N.Y.
Watch | ONE World Sports (National – U.S.), ONEWorldSports.com (National – U.S., Canada), WAPA 2 (National – Puerto Rico)

The New York Cosmos (3-1-2, 10) have let leads slip in back-to-back games – 2-2 at Tampa Bay and 2-1 at FC Edmonton – to drop points. Shuart Stadium, though, offers the side a chance to get back to its winning ways. New York is a perfect 7-0-0 at home in league play this year. Veteran Juan Arango continues to lead by example, adding his team-high sixth goal in the loss to the Eddies.

Puerto Rico FC heads to New York full of confidence after earning its first ever league win, a 1-0 victory over Rayo OKC. Puerto Rican international Héctor Ramos has shouldered the goalscoring load for the club, tallying his fourth goal in five games in the club’s first win. The side, however, will need to shore up its defense on the road if it is to claim its first victory away from home. Puerto Rico has allowed eight goals in three games on its travels so far.

Miami FC vs. Indy Eleven
8 p.m. ET | Saturday, July 30
Ocean Bank Field | Miami, Fla.
Watch | beIN SPORTS (National – U.S., Canada), beIN SPORTS en Español (National - U.S., Canada), beIN SPORTS CONNECT (National – U.S., Canada), *International outlets

Miami FC and Indy Eleven battled to a 0-0 draw late in the Spring Season, and the game should be just as close on Saturday. Miami (1-2-1, 5) forward Jaime Chavez is finding goalscoring form with three goals in the last two games. The club’s new midfield – including Kwadwo Poku, who has scored two goals so far - is starting to pay dividends. Miami has looked much more dangerous going forward, playing to a thrilling 3-3 draw against the Carolina RailHawks in its last game.

Indy Eleven (3-1-1, 10) bounced back quickly after its first loss of the year, immediately returning to the win column with a 1-0 result over FC Edmonton. Defender Greg Janicki scored the lone goal of the game and has been dangerous in set-piece situations with three goals this year. The back line could potentially receive a boost with Colin Falvey rounding back into fitness.  

Rayo OKC vs. Minnesota United
9 p.m. ET | Saturday, July 30
Miller Stadium | Yukon, Okla.
Watch | ESPN3 (National – U.S.), NASL.com (National – Canada), Cox Channel 703 (Local – Oklahoma City), MY29 (Local – Twin Cities)

Rayo OKC catapulted to the top of the Fall Season Standings with a 1-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Billy Forbes capitalized on a mistake from Tampa Bay goalkeeper Matt Pickens for the lone goal in Wednesday night’s affair. Rayo OKC (3-2-1, 11) has been one of the most consistent teams in the league in recent weeks, only losing one time in its last eight games. The run started with a 1-0 win against Minnesota United, the club’s opponent on Saturday.

Minnesota (3-0-1, 9) enters the contest with its attack in fine form. In the last four games, the Loons have found the net 10 times, which is second most in the Fall Season – and Minnesota has played the least amount of games so far. Christian Ramirez scored his league-leading 11th goal in a 3-1 win over the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, but it was Ibson, who had two assists, that drove the team forward last weekend.  

FC Edmonton vs. Carolina RailHawks
4 p.m. ET | Sunday, July 31
Clarke Field | Edmonton, Alberta
Watch | ESPN3 (National – U.S.), NASL.com (National – Canada), City TV (Local – Edmonton), TWC SportsChannel (Regional – North/South Carolina), WRAL2 (Local – Cary/Raleigh)

FC Edmonton (3-1-1, 10) won its seventh straight home game on Wednesday, needing late drama to do so. The Eddies scored twice in the final 11 minutes against the New York Cosmos to claim a 2-1 victory. Nik Ledgerwood and Daryl Fordyce were on target for Edmonton in the win, while goalkeeper Matt VanOekel continues to be a key reason for the club’s recent success, making 13 saves over the last two games.

The Carolina RailHawks (2-1-2, 7) enter the game in Edmonton on the heels of a 2-0 loss to Ottawa Fury FC on Wednesday night. The RailHawks currently hold the record for most wins at home with nine, which was set back in 2011, and can play the role of spoiler at Clarke Field on Sunday. 

*Fort Lauderdale and Miami have international TV partners in various countries. Visit strikers.com and miamifc.com for more information.