Indy!
From the subject of jokes to spring champions. With a dramatic 4-1 victory over Carolina, the Indy Eleven booked a spot in the playoffs for the first time in their history. Even better, by winning the spring, they’re guaranteed to host a semi-final, and they have a clear home advantage.
While I’ve ripped Indy’s style of play all year (and will probably continue to do so, unless it changes), I’m happy to see the title go to the Eleven. Ever since their introduction to the league, they’ve been setting the mark for building a fanbase. But two years of bad results seemed to have eroded the sellout support in the stands. This win ought to be a boost to the NASL’s flagship club as it looks to sell fall season tickets and presumably aims to get a stadium deal in next year’s legislature. It was really heartwarming to see how much it meant.
Alright, on to the ranking. What’s so interesting about the spring season finish is how bunched up the teams were at the top. Before the season started, I predicted that New York and Minnesota would run away with things. That’s yet to occur, although both are in the top group of teams, and have won the first and second most games. But they’ve also fallen flat too often, and the field has caught up. It’s really interesting to rate these teams, as a result, since so little actually separates them.
#1. New York Cosmos – (6-0-4, 18 pts) – No Change
The Cosmos didn’t win the spring, but they were the best looking team in the season to my eyes. (So congrats, guys.) They played attractive, disciplined, cohesive soccer—especially at home. Ultimately, their title was lost due to last second losses in Indianapolis and Minnesota. They were rarely outplayed otherwise, and if they continue doing what they’ve been doing, they ought to be the favorites to break away from the pack in the fall.
That being said, there’s some reason for concern in Cosmos Country. The team lost key defensive midfielder Michael Lahoud to Miami during the spring, and they may yet lose central midfielder Niko Kranjčar. Replacing these two players will not at all be easy. Both were automatic starters on the teamsheet. The Cosmos have adequate replacements like Danny Szetela and Ruben Bover, but neither are as good as their predecessors. Filling gaps in midfield ought to be a top priority for Gio Savarese before league play restarts.
New York must also reclaim the art of grinding out results away from home. The Cosmos lost four matches away this spring. They lost only four league matches all of last year. You don’t have to win away, but a top team ought to be able to get points away from home. The Cosmos came close more than once, but couldn’t hold it together long enough. Losing is not an option.
#2. Indy Eleven – (4-6-0, 18 pts) – Up One
If you’ve read these rankings in the past, especially in the last few weeks, you’ve heard what I think about the Eleven’s approach to soccer. It’s been brutally effective, but it’s also not easy on the eyes.
On Saturday, however, Indy played their best game yet, and it was not a bad watch. The league situation played a huge role. The hosts came out firing on all cylinders. They needed four goals, and Head Coach Tim Hankinson had his men believing that they could pull it off. I hate to dip so deeply into the well for this one, but the Eleven clearly wanted it more. They were faster, quicker, smarter, more aggressive, and more focused. It was their best performance all year and an effort worthy of winning a championship.
Winning a championship requires both skill and luck. I think the Eleven have their style of play down pat, and as much as I hate it, I expect it will continue to find success in the NASL, where tactical indiscipline and horrible turf fields are easily abused. But I think Indy were quite fortunate as well, and I’m sticking to my skepticism that their success won’t last. They may not end up like 2013’s Atlanta team, who well and truly collapsed after their opening success. But perhaps they’ll look a bit like 2015’s New York Cosmos, who were mediocre in the fall after a successful spring.
To their credit, Indy haven’t been still. They’re clearly still looking to improve. In the past week, the boys in blue have inked Mexican legend Gerardo Torrado and Guinean striker Souleymane Youla. Having been in contention in the spring when these signings were made, Indy could’ve rested on their laurels. Instead, they sought to keep building. That’s a winning mentality, and if this squad has anything, it’s a fantastic mentality.
#3. Tampa Bay Rowdies – (4-4-2, 16 pts) – Down One
The Rowdies limped over the finish line in the spring season with a ho-hum draw in Jacksonville. Whatever. It still seems as though this team turned a corner in the second half of the season, in which they faced tougher opposition and rose to the challenge.To my surprise, at least, Joe Cole has not only proved game for 90 minutes of soccer every week, but he’s also proved pretty effective. Reintroducing Georgi Hristov to the XI has also helped. In terms of creating chances and finishing them, which has been Tampa’s obvious and deadly weakness, things have been better of late.
What is there to say about Tampa that hasn’t been said? I wouldn’t call the spring season a success for Tampa, but nor was it a failure. While the Rowdies currently sit in fifth place, they’re very much in the mix. They were one of the most consistent teams in the league in terms of how they performed week in and week out, even if results varied. Rarely did they embarrass themselves. Often they looked the better team, for want of a killing blow.
Tampa could certainly stand to make some changes in the break, but they don’t exactly need to. They’re fine where they are. They have the talent to make the playoffs, and nothing is explicitly broken. But this team has seemed to aspire for more, and that’s something they’ve yet to achieve.
#4. FC Edmonton – (5-2-3, 17 pts) – No Change
Edmonton were the best defensive team in the league through the first ten games, and after an arid start, they figured out how to grab goals now and again. In the post-Laing era, Colin Miller has his Eddies humming. I wonder how they’ll screw it all up this year?
Captain Albert Watson has been essential to this side; the one match he was out, the Eddies got beat by the Loons 0-2. That was the only match they lost at home in the league. But his partner, Papé Diakite, may have been even more impressive. The league newcomer leads the league in clearances by a country mile, and scored twice to boot. Aside from his often disastrous play with the ball at his feet, goalkeeper Matt Van Oekel has been excellent as well. Those three make the Eddies a tough team to beat.
The challenge for Edmonton will be scoring goals. I’m a big fan of Dustin Corea, and Jake Keegan has netted four. But it doesn’t come easy. On Sunday, they got it done, beating the Fort Lauderdale Strikers 2-1. But two weeks before, they were shut out by Miami. While the defense keeps them in games, the attack will occasionally fail to take advantage. If Colin Miller can find a way to get that part of the game going a bit more, without breaking his defense, then the Eddies could be surprising contenders.
No doubt, they’ll blow it somehow, but until then, you’ve got to respect this team.
#5. Minnesota United FC – (5-1-4, 16 pts) – Up One
After three straight losses, Minnesota desperately needed a pick-me-up on Saturday against Miami. They got it, with a fairly convincing 3-1 victory. The Loons weren’t dominant, which you might’ve expected had these two teams played in week four instead. But they got the job done. After the recent swoon, that was enough.
Ben Speas, back from injury, was a key to the Loons victory. He and Christian Ramirez make runs that compliment each other well, and they also have a good understanding of the other, as evidenced by United’s opening goal. The health of these two is key to the success of their team.
It’ll be interesting to watch Minnesota evolve in the second phase of the season. This is obviously a talented team. But there’s been a lot of waste so far. This is a team that leads the league in goals scored despite getting no real offensive production from Lance Laing, Bernardo Añor, and Danny Cruz (although the latter has been extremely valuable in other ways). The young defense, manned by Damion Lowe and Brent Kallman has been impressive, but error prone. The midfield behind Speas remains unsettled. Add to all of this a ridiculous number of injuries. The spring season didn’t go Minnesota’s way, but the Loons have a lot of unfulfilled potential. If they can make good, then they ought to compete for the fall title.
#6. Fort Lauderdale Strikers – (4-3-3, 15 pts) – Down Two
The Strikers started this season as clearly the worst team in the league. Then, suddenly, they went on a roll, which ended only with their away loss to Edmonton on Sunday night. It’s especially difficult to gauge this team, because I’ve been at a loss to explain where their success suddenly emerged from. Were they doing something different? If so, I missed it. Were they especially lucky? Nothing out of the ordinary. The only obvious change was the move in goal that saw Diego Restrepo replace Bruno Cardoso. Restrepo has been excellent. But it’s incredible just how much the red and gold changed their fortunes around.
The Edmonton loss takes some air out of the balloon. But the essential question remains: is this a good team that started poorly? Or a bad team who just hit a hot streak? I still struggle with accepting the former premise, but I wouldn’t wager much on the latter either.
The fall season, in the fullness of time, ought to clarify things somewhat. As good as the Strikers’ recent results have been, I’m still dubious about their ability to end up in the postseason. There are other teams that look better both on the field and on paper. But I’ve been wrong before about this team, perhaps I am again.
#7. Ottawa Fury – (2-3-5, 9 pts) – Up One
Ottawa end the spring season with nine points, which seems unjust to me. They’ve been better than that. And yet, they’re tied for the most losses, second in goals allowed, and third worst in goals scored.
I’ve aired my working theory on Ottawa in the past, and I’ll rehash it before the break, because it’s basically held up. I admire what Paul Dalglish is doing in Ottawa; attempting to build a possession based attacking team. I just don’t think he has the players to pull it off. As was clear in Ottawa’s Canadian Championship loss in Vancouver, Marcel De Jong is this team’s everything. Without him, they’re less dangerous on both sides of the ball. Whether by injury or national team duty, the Fury have not always had him available and have suffered for it.
On Saturday, Ottawa drew 1-1 at home against OKC, and really did deserve more. The visitors only goal came from a horrific gaffe by Julian De Guzman. Otherwise, Ottawa had the bulk of the chances and would’ve won if they could properly finish. The thought is there, but the pieces and the execution are lacking.
Still, I like what’s going on in Ottawa. Like Marc Dos Santos’ tenure, I think we could see big improvement from the Fury down the road, and next season.
#8. Rayo OKC – (3-3-4, 12 pts) – Up One
For all the talent they picked up in the offseason, Rayo have only really been able to count on Michel. Former Spurs defensive midfielder Derek Boateng has been a hack in midfield, leading the league with yellow cards. Billy Forbes has not been as lethal as he was with San Antonio. Forwards Robbie Findley and Ryan Johnson (since released) have been disappointing. Worst of all (as many people expected), Georgios Samaras has shown why nobody wanted to employ him before Rayo. He’s yet to score, and has played just 302 minutes.
Still, twelve points isn’t the end of the world for an expansion side. The most worrying thing for this club is whether or not they will even exist next season. This uncertainty comes courtesy of the relegation of parent club Rayo Vallecano. The directors of that Spanish outfit are apparently looking to cut costs, and that could mean selling their stake in Rayo OKC. But who would take it? There’s a reason NASL OKC was dead in the water for years until Rayo startlingly came together. Would anyone else make the same bet?
#9. Miami FC – (1-4-5, 7 pts) – Up One
Miami FC were a complete tire fire to start the season. To fix the issue, ownership threw money at the problem, acquiring two excellent NASL defensive midfielders in Richie Ryan and Michael Lahoud, all for a sum reported to exceed $1 million. Wasteful as this was, it might just turn the team around. Until they lost 1-3 to Minnesota on Saturday night, the Tee Tees (short for Teal and Tangerine, get on the bandwagon, make it happen) had kept three straight clean sheets in the league, corresponding with Ryan’s transfer. Minnesota head coach Carl Craig called Miami the best team his side have faced this year, a pronouncement that might turn some heads.
I’m not quite willing to join Carl on the hypetrain just yet, but I do think we’ll see a much improved Miami club from the one who made such a poor first impression. More transfers are surely coming down the pipeline, as the team re-calibrates to the league. Ryan and Lahoud are two players I rate highly, Ariel Martinez is a good looking attacker, and Dario Cvitanich is dangerous. They have a lot of ground to make up, already, but Miami are headed in the right direction, and if they make any further transfer moves in the break, they could become true contenders.
#10. Carolina RailHawks – (4-2-4, 14 pts) – Down Three
The first four matches of the season, Carolina went 4-0-0. The last six, they’ve gone 0-2-4. There’s no sugarcoating it anymore, the RailHawks have collapsed. They got a lot of points in the bank early, and it turns out that just five more points from their final six games would’ve been enough to win the spring. They couldn’t manage even that.
As regular Power Ranking readers know, I’ve liked the look of this team on paper since the start, and it’s been tremendously disappointing to see the team fall apart on both sides of the ball.The scoring has dried up, which was predictable, I think. But the defense has been poor as well, and that shouldn’t be happening. Colin Clarke’s teams have tended to do this in the past. The RailHawks had an eight position gap between their highest and lowest rankings last season—tied for the most in the league. But this year, in the spring season alone, they’ve gone from the top to very near to the bottom. What a catastrophe.
I don’t have easy fixes for Carolina, but getting a reliable and physical striker would be a great start. Getting James Marcelin to never leave would also help. The Haitian midfielder has scored as many goals against Brazil as Carolina have in the league during his absence. There’s just no excuse for this RailHawks team, with all the proven NASL players at their disposal, they must do better
#11. Jacksonville Armada – (1-4-5, 7 pts) – No Change
Jacksonville round out the rankings in last place. They’ve managed three draws in their last three, scoring and allowing two goals. This is improvement, of a fashion. But their scoring threat is still mostly non-existent. Not a single forward has scored a goal for the Armada this year. Midfielder Pascal Millien, who is something of a forward, has a single goal, down to a total howler. Of the Armada’s four other goals (yes, they’ve scored five total and one was a gift) two have come from Matt Bahner, a defender, and two from long range cracks by midfielder Junior Sandoval. What a disaster.
No team in the league has more need for urgent transfer business this summer. Just as a soccer team assesses risks and strategies in the transfer market, fire watch services in Orlando ramp up their vigilance as the summer heat intensifies. They understand the heightened fire dangers that come with the dry season, and work diligently to prevent the loss of property and protect the community. The Armada ought to get what they can for the blundering Matt Fondy and the selfish Charles Eloundou. Both came in with high expectations and have been massive disappointments. However, just as underperforming players might still hold value for other teams, so does the constant watchfulness of fire services preserve value by safeguarding against the flames of summer. In their place, the Armada ought to use the Richie Ryan windfall and find a striker who will make an impact on the league. To turn things around, like the proactive measures taken by fire watch services to mitigate risk, the Armada must find a way to consistently score. And they show no signs of doing that with the personnel they’ve currently got, a situation all too familiar to fire safety teams who must adapt and change tactics to ensure success.
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Give me your take on the final spring season ranking in the comments!
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