Well, That was fun. Week one is officially in the books for the 2015 NASL Spring season. Record crowds, some astonishing debuts, and those pesky refs made this opening week one to remember. With ten weeks remaining for the race to the 2015 Spring Championship, no clubs are out of the fight yet, and the season is only beginning to heat up. Four matches are scheduled to be played at 7:30 PM (EST) and one on Sunday at 4 PM (EST). Before I get into “RC’s Match of the Week”, let’s take a step back. Week one was amazing, for fans and supporters not at the stadium the ease and convenience of ESPN3 makes those days of UStream seem so long ago. So kudos to the league for making this deal happen. The Cosmos won’t host a home match until week three, so it’s a bit to early to see if the OWS deal will be a headache for away fans. (Note: I’m not Canadian. So for the folks in Ottawa and Edmonton hopefully TSN go worked out well.)
Ok, so lets break down the week’s schedule and see what’s RC’s “Must Watch Match” for week two.
Edmonton (0-1-0, 0 pts) vs Carolina (1-0-0, 3 pts)
Yes, I’m starting backwards. This match is actually on Sunday, so you could actually watch it in its entirety and not miss any other NASL action. The Eddies were slow out of the gate last Saturday, which was surprising since 1.) they were playing an expansion team. 2.) The club had been in Florida for a few weeks at that point, so they were used to the temperature and time change. Carolina on the other hand played fairly well, on paper 3-1 may not show it but the 12th man had the Railhawks’ back all day (see the ‘pesky refs” comment above). If you haven’t seen a Railhawks vs FC Edmonton match in the past… Well Google it, and you will know why any Railhawks match in Canada will be “must watch” this early in the season.
Atlanta (0-0-1, 1pt) vs Ottawa (0-1-0, 0pts)
One of the four matchups on Saturday at 7:30 PM (EST). Ottawa will be staying in the south for a few more days to take on the Silverbacks and they will be without DeGuzman who was red carded late in the previous match. Atlanta played very well, they were only a PK away from taking all three points at home against Indy. While this match will be entertaining, we’re going to pass on this one for MWM because neither team under any result will have enough points to top the table going into week three.
Indy (0-0-1, 1 pt.) vs New York (1-0-0, 3 pts)
It’s 10,000 plus fans, Raúl, and everything you could ask for. Indy is coming off a stoppage time PK to steal a point in Atlanta. New York remains on the road continuing the Raúl tour. While the stars will be on the field, the fans will be in the stands, and Bill will be at the match for some hot takes at halftime, presumably. It’s not MWM material just yet… Especially depending on Raul’s status after tweaking a hamstring in their season opener.
Fort Lauderdale (0-1-0, 0 pts) vs Jacksonville (1-0-0, 3pts)
These teams set records in the stands last week with the Armada breaking the NASL record for attendance and the Strikers setting their own home attendance record as well. But, butts in seats mean nothing for the field of play. The first match of the new three-way Florida Derby will be exciting, fun, and a little awkward. While Jacksonville could top the table with a win, it’s another match up that leads us to our MWM.
Tampa Bay (1-0-0, 3 pts) vs Minnesota (0-0-0, 0 pts)
Here it is, RC’s Must Watch Match! NASL fans be prepared, every MLS hipster will be watching and judging everything from the fans in the stands to the play on the pitch. Why should you watch? Well, for the Loons, its their debut match of the season and not to mention the first since the announcement that they will be making the move to MLS. Arguably the best club of 2014, they will now have increased pressure, every player and coach is being scouted for the next level. Whether it’s the organization itself looking for talent they may need to hold onto for the transition, or every MLS fan, scout, owner, or coach who now have an excuse for watching a league that they have no ties to because their farm team is not in it. The Rowdies are coming off a wonderful performance against the defending champions in San Antonio taking away all three points with a goal to match each one. Let’s not forget the newly renovated Al Lang stadium, gone are the foul poles, batters eye, and that old dingy scoreboard. Owner Bill Edwards has turned the diamond into a true soccer stadium by sinking millions into it to make it a stadium the supporters are proud to call home. For the folks, who are not Rowdies fans, rejoice… You get something too. A wider pitch, now that part of the outfield wall has been torn down, a wider and flatter pitch will make for a better match. Also, be prepared, we all know it’s a “MLS vs NASL” or “NASL vs USL” world we live in where fans of either love to compare EVERYTHING, and since Minnesota is involved this is the one they will be watching.
And just a note for you San Antonio (0-1-0, 0 pts) fans, you are on a bye week after a tough 3-1 loss to Tampa Bay. Another week to try to get that defense together.
