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NASL Week 2 Preview

By Daniel Garza

May 1, 2016; New York, NY, USA; The NASL game ball before the game between the New York Cosmos and the Carolina Railhawks at James M. Shuart Stadium. New York Cosmos won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
May 1, 2016; New York, NY, USA; The NASL game ball before the game between the New York Cosmos and the Carolina Railhawks at James M. Shuart Stadium. New York Cosmos won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
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The opening weekend of the North American Soccer League is in the books and the second weekend of action will feature three more exciting match-ups.

There were no winners in week one of NASL action, as all three matches ended on level terms, with a total of only four goals being scored. This weekend defending champions, New York Cosmos, will play their first home match of the season, while FC Edmonton and the Jacksonville Armada kick off their seasons.

Indy Eleven vs. Puerto Rico FC

The Eleven will host their first match of 2017 against Puerto Rico FC as both clubs look for their first win of the spring season. In the 2016 fall season, the Eleven went undefeated against Puerto Rico, which included a win and a draw for the Indiana club.

It was a decent showing from both sides in their opening weekend fixtures. The Eleven were a bit unlucky not to come away with all three points, but still had a strong showing, including new signing Tanner Thompson scoring his first goal for the club.

Puerto Rico will try and take some momentum into Saturday’s match as they drew with the Cosmos 0-0 last weekend. They too were a bit unlucky not to score on a few occasions. Midfielder Yuma had a strong match for the club and was named to the best XI of the week.

In 2016, the Eleven were formidable at home and went undefeated at Michael A. Carroll Stadium in the fall season. Puerto Rico took 10 points from a possible 33 on the road last season.

How to Watch: ESPN3 (National – U.S.), NASL.com (National – Canada), WAPA 2 (National – Puerto Rico), MyINDY (Local – Indianapolis)

https://twitter.com/TheMiamiFC/status/847842418649182210

New York Cosmos vs. Miami FC

It will be the first home match of the season for the Cosmos as they are set to play in Brooklyn. Their opponents will be a club they defeated twice in the 2016 fall season.

Miami is coming off of a 1-1 draw in their opening match that saw Kwadwo Poku score his first goal of the season for the club.

The Cosmos will be in search of their first goal of 2017 as they were held scoreless in a 0-0 draw against Puerto Rico.

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In 2016, the Cosmos collected 27 of 33 points available at home in the fall season. Miami was decent on the road, only losing three of their 11 away fixtures.

How to Watch: beIN SPORTS USA (National – U.S., Canada), beIN SPORTS CONNECT (National – U.S., Canada), PIX11 (Regional – New York), CW South Florida (Local – Miami)

Jacksonville Armada vs. FC Edmonton

The first Sunday match of the year will take place in Florida as the Armada host FC Edmonton in both clubs first match of 2017. It will be the first match at Hodges Stadium for the Armada, which will be the club’s new home this season.

FC Edmonton had a successful time in England, playing against the likes of Burnley and Stoke City in their preseason preparation. Expect them to be full of confidence as they only lost one of their four matches in England.

For the Armada, the club is looking to turn things around this season after finish second from the bottom in the 2016 fall season.

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Edmonton was fairly poor on the road in the fall season, and likewise, the Armada struggled to pull results out at home.

How to Watch: ESPN3 (National – U.S.), NASL.com (National – Canada), This TV (Local – Jacksonville)

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