Week 9 Match Preview

Indy Eleven v.s Tampa Bay Rowdies
Indy were not the only team who were knocked out of the cup on Wednesday, Tampa also exited the competition through a 1-0 defeat by USL’s Pittsburgh Riverhounds. It’s a quick turnaround for both teams. Tampa are undefeated in their last four games with two wins and two draws in NASL whereas Indy Eleven have picked up a solitary point in their last four matches and have been defeated in their last three games and scored only one goal against Minnesota. In 2014 the sides met three times, in the very first meeting of the two teams the game ended 1-1 at Carroll Stadium. In the fall season Indy suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Tampa before drawing 2-2 in Tampa at the end of the season. Tampa have scored 8 goals in their seven games so far, they drew 0-0 in Ottawa against Indy Eleven’s most recent NASL opponents. Despite Indy being bottom and going through a pretty rough spell and having to play a team in good form closer to the top of the table, I think this game will be pretty tight. Both teams have only had a couple days to prepare, but the issue again for Indy is going to be finding the back of the net, including the US Open Cup match, we have scored only 1 goal in four games now. Our strength may come from set pieces, corners, free kicks are probably our best chance to score in games. bearing this in mind it is probably going to be a long night again for Indy fans, any casual observer is probably going to expect Tampa to win this game. But will a little patience and a little luck, anything is possible, there have been many games already that we should have won but didn’t, we always have a chance if we can keep the other team out.

Who has a boo boo this week??

Kleberson and McKinney still not ready to rejoin the roster, Sergio Pena remains out. Brad Ring is listed as “questionable” with right hamstring tightness. Dragan Stojkov is a probable for the game so most likely we may see him on the bench tomorrow, possibly starting.

If Brad Ring is not available to start then we are missing both of our regular defensive midfielders, I am thinking it is likely we will see a 4-5-1 formation again possibly with Keller at the back of the midfield. I expect to see a similar lineup as seen in the Louisville game, question marks will be on who starts in midfield and whether anyone will be sat down for lack of effort. I think it would be good to bring Mares back into the lineup, he had an off game in Ottawa so was not overly surprised he was sat down for the Louisville game. I would leave Brown on the bench and stop playing him out of position, move Melgares over to the left and put Pineda inside him, or vice-versa, and have Mares inside Smart or Stojkov on the right, and either start with Wojcik or Lacroix up front, I don’t think it would do any harm to give Duke more time, we can’t score regardless of who is on the field so I won’t be disappointed if he starts. Back four will likely not change Hyland, Janicki, Norales and Franco and Nicht in goal.
San Antonio Scorpions v.s Fort Lauderdale Strikers

By: Kevin Collins

This season.
Both San Antonio and Ft. Lauderdale come into this game with the exact same record, and both coming off league losses last week and U.S. Open Cup losses this past Wednesday. San Antonio has struggled to find the back of the net, despite having the league’s leading scorer in Omar Cummings, and their defense has allowed the second most goals against giving the Scorpions the league’s worst goal differential.

The Strikers haven’t been able to find the back of the net either, failing to score in their last three NASL games. The team is playing with new Brazilian ownership this season and look to have turned a corner from their previous selves. While the results have yet to come to fruition, the team is doing well in the community and now has a new neighbor in Miami FC, who will join in 2016.
Last season & Outlook.
Last year, these two teams were an even 1-1-1 until the Soccer Bowl win for the Scorpions. San Antonio leads the all-time series against the Strikers, 5-4-3, including 1-0 in post-season play. The most important game in San Antonio’s history was the 2-1 win last November over the Strikers that gave the Scorpions the NASL title.

Both teams have been eliminated from contention for the Spring title race – made official after the Scorpions lost to the league leading New York Cosmos last weekend. The focus for both teams should be to get as many points from their remaining games. With three games each, the most points that one of these two teams can achieve in the Spring is 16. Both cannot achieve that as the play each other this weekend with the same amount of points coming into the game.
Players to watch.
From Ft. Lauderdale, my player to watch is Leo Moura, the Strikers’ high profile signing from Brazil. The aging star is tied for most goals in NASL play for the team. Although the Strikers haven’t scored in three NASL games, I don’t think that trend will continue – especially against the porous Scorpions defense.

The player to watch for the Scorpions will be Rafael Castillo. Castillo came on in the second half of the Scorpions’ U.S. Open Cup match against the Austin Aztex and immediately took control of the midfield and even added a couple scoring opportunities. I think Castillo will get the start since he only played a half of soccer, but his control of the ball in the midfield will be crucial, not only for getting the ball down the field, but also keeping it away from the Strikers.

Prediction.
I think that the Scorpions have more firepower relative to the Strikers. This game won’t see a lot of goals, if any. I’m predicting a 1-0 scoreline. This game can go either way really easily, so the scoreline is what I’ll predict – not the winner.

The game is this Saturday, May 30th at 7:30pm CST at Toyota Field. #SASvFTL

New York Cosmos v.s Minnesota United FC
This is a very important match for the Cosmos. If the Cosmos get the victory tonight and the Rowdies who are facing Indy Eleven , draw or loss the New York Cosmos are Spring Season Champs. The Cosmos and United both played U.S Open Cup matches mid week. The Cosmos beat Jersey Express and United lost , in the the third round. The Cosmos used a rotated squad during that match since they are playing tonight , and on Tuesday against the Cuba National Team.
Minnesota United comes into this match looking to stay alive in the hunt for a Spring Championship. With a Minnesota victory or draw they will stay alive.

Jacksonville Armada v.s Carolina Railhawks
The Armada have lost last week against Minnesota United , and on Wednesday at Richmond . Tonight against the Railhawks they will be looking to get on the right side of the table , WINNING.

The Armada are still alive in the hunt for a Spring Championship. The Armada have to win there three remaining matches , to have a chance. Carolina don’t have a chance to win the Spring Championship , but with a victory tonight they will jump to second place.