NASL: Miami FC win first title, Spring Season takeaways

The Miami FC earned their first piece of hardware, taking home the NASL Spring Season title. Here’s a look at what else stood out in the first half of play.

In just their sophomore season, Miami FC have made waves with their impressive Open Cup run, but their play in the NASL Spring Season has been just as dominant. The NASL is split into a Fall and a Spring Season, both consisting of 16 matches, where the winners secure a position in the postseason against the top two teams in the combined standings who did not win. Miami locked up the title with one game remaining and were so dominant against their opponents they were against, they were the only team to finish with a positive goal difference. Second place SF Deltas only gave up 20 goals in their first season of play, ten of which were against Miami FC.

Miami is still in the running for an Open Cup title. Here’s what else stood out over the Spring Season in the rest of the league.

Expansion

With the NASL only consisting of eight teams, their provisional D2 status hinges on their ability to reach 12 teams by 2018. The league officially announced expansion sides Orange County and San Diego, and are rumored to soon be announcing a new owner for Jacksonville Armada, who are currently owned and operated by the league.

The league has also been rumored with a potential return to Atlanta before next season, along with a handful of other cities as expansion candidates. The league has gained a reputation for losing clubs in their short existence, but jumping the league total back up to 11 for next year is a step in the right direction, given they don’t lose additional clubs in the offseason.

Rising And Falling

After earning just seven points in their first 11 games, Indy Eleven pulled themselves back into contention after winning four of their last five, with a draw in their only other contest. North Carolina FC had a similar change, only in the opposite direction, only earning seven points in their last eight matches after earning 14 in their first eight. Indy and NCFC are next to each other the standings and are the first two teams out of the post season spots. Both will be trying to jump up those standings in the Fall Season.

The league flagship club, the New York Cosmos, have experienced their own rise and fall as well. The only team in the league currently who have won the title, the Cosmos uncertain offseason and shortened preseason has had a visible impact on the team in 2017. The club looks to be retooling for a run at the Fall Season crown as they’ve added several new signings already into the summer window.

Going into the Spring Season, Puerto Rico FC had compiled a good roster on paper as they also prepared for their sophomore season, which included an appearance in the Caribbean Football Union Club Championship, where the top four teams earn a spot in the CONCACAF Champions League. Despite having one of the better rosters, PRFC was upset in the Caribbean tournament and have struggled in league play. They’ll also look to turn things around in the Fall.

Against The Odds

While Miami FC has dominated league play, their closest competitor has been an unlikely opponent. It wasn’t Indy Eleven or the New York Cosmos, who won the Spring and Fall Seasons in 2016, but newcomers San Francisco Deltas. Despite their lack of history, the team is full of experience. Head coach Marc dos Santos has built his squad with a healthy mix of NASL veterans and international contributors. Look for the Deltas to stay in the hunt as the league shifts focus on the Fall Season. They’ve ready signed Brazilian Serie A veteran Dagoberto in an attempt to keep up with the NASL arms race.

Individual Performances

There are a good handful of standouts through 16 league games. Miami FC has several different players in the running for league leaders in all categories. There are several other individuals throughout the league who have put together great performances for their squads, like Emmanuel Ledesma with the Cosmos and Justin Braun with Indy. Here is our NASL Best XI for the Spring Season.

Next: MLS Multiplex Podcast: Episode 10

The NASL has a short break before starting the Fall Season with a doubleheader on Saturday, July 29. Miami FC will take on FC Cincinnati just three days later in the Open Cup semifinals. Look forward to seeing who can separate themselves from the rest of the league and test Miami FC in the postseason and a run for the league title.