Lovel Palmer going for the ball during the Indy Eleven home game
By Brian Cook Have you ever rewatched a movie? Maybe you like the cast, the plot, or the writing of the movie? Whatever it may be this season's Indy Eleven has increasingly become a movie we are still watching. A movie that we know the ending and we know who stars in it but we still watch it. We still watch it because it's entertaining to us even if our favorite character dies at the end. Indy Eleven and the San Francisco Deltas finished a lot like they did in the beginning of the season. A draw at 2-2 thanks to a last minute goal by the Deltas This was a slightly different movie though. Let's call it a sequel. Instead of the structured and rigid form that both teams had at the beginning of the season Indy Eleven's defensive weaknesses shined through and the boys in blue had to contend with the Deltas 26 total shots taken during the game (for reference, the first game of the season saw the Deltas have five total shots) How the team played on this June 4th game was 100% different than the team that was played during the March 25th season opener but nevertheless the Boys in Blue gave every bit of a chance for the Deltas to be up 10-2 instead of the actual score of 2-2.
One of the fascinating things to watch so far in 2017 has been the work the backline of Indy Eleven has put in. A key aspect of previous levels of success for the Indy Eleven defense has been a fluid backline which is typically reflected in the post game heatmaps. For the most part Indy corrected it's work and kept itself intact compared to other times (Miami) where they faced the 4-3-3. The goals by Portilla and Sandoval of the Deltas had little to do about positioning on the pitch.
Both goals show where the real defensive issues lie and where most teams look to exploit. While fluid, if you break open and spread out the backline for Indy you tend to get missed marks and quick attempts.
The goal by Portilla isn't an indication of this but what was the game tying goal shows you how much players like Greg Janicki, who Hankinson had praised for his marking ability, were valuable to the 2016 efforts.
Palmer is a right fullback turned wingback turned central defender and now is a pseudo box to box midfielder beside Brad Ring. He tends to favor a holding midfield role that has him playing more stationary and defensive than attacking but this goal was simply beautiful to see. Palmer has become a huge vocal point of the starting eleven for Indy Eleven and it shows that there is still an attack in this team. If Lovel Palmer's goal was great, I think Brad 'Legend' Ring's might have been a word yet to be created:
Legendary Brad Ring living up to his legendary name
Main takeaway from the game:
The result against Indy Eleven isn't what the team wanted. Being up 2-0 with 10 minutes left in the game is something that should be textbook to wrap up. It shouldn't be something that has the same result as the previous matchups and previous times you have watched your favorite movie. It's a different story. It's a different plot, but in the end the story stays the same and Indy Eleven finally get another point on the board. The thing to take away form this game is the slow build. This team is still figuring itself out and it's still learning about it's strengths and weaknesses and still learning about who they are as a club. It's a balancing act that doesn't entirely sit on the shoulders of the players on the field. Expectations have been set based off of last year's performance that Tim Hankinson and his staff (even if they have changed) should be able to stop errors and spot issues and correct them while minimally creating new ones to deal with. It's a fair thing for fans to request. It's not difficult. Fix the fixable errors and learn how to minimize the ones you can't fix before the week. If the club ever gets back to a healthy starting eleven we will see what exactly they can do but for now we will want and hope for this team to get back on track. At least we can say that Indy Eleven didn't lay down at all during the game:
Indy Eleven to win (-125, ★★★★★): This fixture couldn't come at a better time for the win-starved Eleven. FC Edmonton is a team in free fall; their identity as a physical defensive powerhouse all but gone. Since the departure of Lance Laing following the 2015 season, FCE's goals per game average has fallen from 1.37 (2015), to 0.78 (2016), and now to 0.60 (2017, through five games).
Unfortunately for Colin Miller, the Eddie's saving grace from a season ago (one of the greatest season-long defensive performances in American soccer history) has also evaporated. Despite keeping a majority of their defensive roster intact, Edmonton has already conceded 38% (8 goals) of their entire goals against tally (21) from 2016. Ouch. Unless Miller convinces Real Salt Lake to loan them Matt Van Oekel, expect Indy's draw streak to stop here.
New York Cosmos Draw No Bet (-160, ★★★★★): New York has yet to look convincing, but the league-leading Armada have yet to best anyone but the hapless Eddies. I'll continue to be skeptical until they do. It's difficult to imagine the Cosmos leave Jacksonville with anything less than a point.
Carolina Railhawks to win (-105, ★★★★): It's still early, but the Railhawks are showing significant signs of growth in 2017. As the team with the highest road loss percentage a season ago, earning four points from back-to-back road games -- and against quality opposition (Miami and Puerto Rico) -- is a massive step forward. Flashes of brilliance followed by inexplicable letdowns have been a hallmark of the Colin Clarke era in Carolina, however. Dispatching a talented Deltas squad -- even one which hasn't found the net in over 270 minutes -- would prove NCFC are a title threat. I like their chances.
Predictions:
We're tracking these predictions in a points-based system throughout the season: 3 points for correct game result, 1 point for each correct score (by team), and 1 additional point for a perfect game. Current Standings: Brian: 51 Caleb: 50 Jordan: 35 James: 29 Brandon: 27 Mark: 24
Have any questions about any of the numbers or terminology found in this post? Reach out to @CalebRamp on Twitter. Remember: All gambling and betting line discussion is for entertainment purposes only. If you do choose to gamble, be sure to do so legally and responsibly. Don't forget to follow Bloody Shambles on Twitter, and like us on Facebook!
Solid play from Marco Franco and Colin Falvey helped earn Indy their first clean sheet of 2017.
By: Caleb Ramp The start of the 2017 NASL season has been frustrating for supporters of Indy Eleven. Spoiled, perhaps, by the ease in which they would dismantle teams at home in the latter stages of last season -- outscoring opponents 25-5 in the fall season. Four draws from four matches (including a squandered 2-0 lead) have left many trying to determine who or what to blame. Being held scoreless at home for the first time in the Tim Hankinson era only adds fuel to the fire. Soccer is a game of thin margins, however. If a few pivotal moments thus far had gone Indy's way -- had Braun's third goal against Puerto Rico not been disallowed, or had any number of painfully close chances from Indy's forwards this season found their target -- the narrative would undoubtedly be different.
The impact of key injuries should also be taken into account -- though it could be argued that the very apparent lack of depth (especially when compared to last season) is a failure in and of itself. Broken Wings: Injuries to Don Smart and Ben Speas (both expected to miss another few weeks, per Tim Hankinson) resulted in Gerardo Torrado and Craig Henderson starting on the outside of a 4-4-2 diamond. Unsurprisingly, neither looked particularly comfortable. Torrado, to his credit, linked up well with Sinisia Ubiparipovic (who found himself in the starting lineup for the first time in 2017) -- but the Indy attack repeatedly fizzled in the final third. After the game, Hankinson criticized the number of unnecessary touches and low-percentage passes the Eleven had taken: "We weren't thinking productively enough." On the right, Henderson had a game to forget. Turnovers, misplayed passes, inaccurate cross attempts, and defensive errors plagued him from the opening whistle. The absence of Don Smart -- and the lack of a suitable replacement -- dramatically limited the area of the pitch San Francisco was tasked with defending. Unable to find consistent success through the midfield, Indy often opted to bypass it altogether -- a less-than-ideal strategy when playing into wind gusts of 20+ MPH.
LEFT: Ben Speas and Don Smart vs SF Deltas (3/25/17) RIGHT: Gerardo Torrado and Craig Henderson vs SF Deltas (4/22/17)
It's not all bad for the Boys in Blue, though. Despite doing so in a fairly unimpressive fashion, drawing the Deltas meant setting an NASL record with 20 unbeaten home matches, and the extended 16-game Spring season grants Indy a bit more time than usual to get healthy. Four games, four draws -- but only four points from the top of the table. League-leading Jacksonville Armada await. That's a new one.
FC Edmonton vs Jacksonville Armada - Under 2.5 Goals (-140, ★★★★★): Deja vu. With an extremely high number of weekly rematches, the NASL schedule presents its teams (and us) with a unique challenge in 2017. These back-to-back replays are, in my opinion, the most difficult type of games to predict in soccer. Not only is it easy to fall victim to simply overvaluing the previous week's result, but there are a large number of intangible variables which can have a much larger role than they usually would. Individual and team tactical flexibility and adaptability impacting these fixtures may be obvious, but even something as simple as the ability to effectively get under your opponent's skin (I would expect to see an above-average number of cards this weekend) can -- and often will -- change the result. In weeks like this -- particularly early in the season where our sample size is still so small -- finding a constant is key. Including last week, 27 of Edmonton's previous 32 matches have finished under 2.5 goals. Ride the wave. I strongly believe First Half Draw (+110, ★★) to be worth a play as well. Miami FC vs New York Cosmos - Both Teams to Score (-150), ★★★★): After successfully fading the Cosmos in the first two weeks of the season, we'll be relying on them to at least find the net in this one -- something they've failed to do thus far in 2017. Their opponent's net, anyway. Placing this much confidence in a team with more own goals (1) than shots on target (0) might be toeing the edge of the gambler's fallacy ("they're due for it!"), but Gio Savarese is still one of the best coaches in North America. If nothing else, have faith in his ability to make effective adjustments. Even if they fail to get a result, expect them to put up a much better fight.
San Francisco Deltas to Win (-110, ★★★): I said before the season opener that sleeping on Marc Dos Santos and the Deltas would be a mistake. Here's where I put my (proverbial) money where my mouth was. No team in the league lost more games on the road in 2016 than Carolina (68.75%). While their attack looks superb on paper, finishing problems plagued them against Miami. Defensive inconsistency appears to still be an issue as well.
Predictions:
We're tracking these predictions in a points-based system throughout the season: 3 points for correct game result, 1 point for each correct score (by team), and 1 additional point for a perfect game. Current Standings:
Have any questions about any of the numbers or terminology found in this post? Reach out to @CalebRamp on Twitter. Remember: All gambling and betting line discussion is for entertainment purposes only. If you do choose to gamble, be sure to do so legally and responsibly. Don't forget to follow Bloody Shambles on Twitter, and like us on Facebook!
Before the first matches of the season, the contributors here shared our picks for the final combined 2017 NASL standings. At the same time we asked NASL fans to share their picks for the upcoming season. Below the results are compared:
2017 NASL Standings Predictions
Bloody Shambles
NASL Fans
1
Miami FC
Miami FC
2
New York Cosmos
New York Cosmos
3
Indy Eleven
Indy Eleven
4
San Francisco Deltas
FC Edmonton
5
FC Edmonton
North Carolina FC
6
North Carolina FC
San Francisco Deltas
7
Puerto Rico FC
Puerto Rico FC
8
Jacksonville Armada FC
Jacksonville Armada FC
Fans and pundits agreed on five of the eight picks, the top three and bottom two. The middle of the pack - the fourth, fifth and sixth - were only positions where the two groups differed. Of all the teams, the Deltas saw the most variety in their predicted finish, a difference of two spots (4th and 6th) between the polls. Some stats on the NASL Fan votes:
Most consensus on ranking: Miami (51.6% of 1st place votes); New York (55.2% of 2nd place votes); Jacksonville (72.4% of 8th place votes)
Fans from seven of the eight NASL clubs voted (Jacksonville, where you at? Not reading this blog, apparently.)
Indy Eleven fans made up 54% of voters
We'll check back during the season to see how our predictions are looking.
Tanner Thompson helped Indy Eleven avoid defeat on his debut
By: James Cormack
Not for the first time in their history, Indy Eleven were the guests at the inaugural match of an NASL expansion team. San Francisco Deltas came into this game with all the vim and vigor of a team bursting with excitement to get their season under way.
Indy Eleven had their own preparation problems to deal with going into the game and there was much deliberation amongst supporters and pundits alike about who would or should start in this match.
Injury issues with Colin Falvey and Lovel Palmer left Tim Hankinson no option but to play with an unfamiliar back four, specifically the center back pairing of Daniel Keller and Kwame Watson-Siriboe.
As mentioned in our last couple of blogs pertaining to roster development and pre-season play there were some concerns about how the more defensive looking midfield setup of Indy Eleven would translate into service and goal scoring opportunities for our attack.
Despite the advertised 4-4-2 formation for Indy Eleven it appeared we were set up and played more like a 4-5-1 (4-2-3-1) with debutant Tanner Thompson playing in behind Just Braun in attacking midfield. Ben Speas and Don Smart played wide left and right while Brad Ring and Gerardo Torrado filled the defensive midfield roles.
Last minute lineup changes made our task of finding goals look even more of a challenge. Éamon Zayed was dropped to the bench in favor of a single striker formation, splitting the usually productive pairing of Braun and Zayed in attack. Indy Eleven's bench consisted of only four outfield players, Siniša Ubiparipovic, Craig Henderson, Anthony Manning and Éamon Zayed. Keith Cardona took the reserve keeper slot giving Indy five bench players. English forward David Goldsmith was ineligible while awaiting a work permit. Opening night a good draw...
I had settled for taking a point in this game before it even started, obviously three points would be nice but coming out of pre-season into an opening night game away from home against an opponent we have very little knowledge about keeps the result acceptable to me.
It was not a pretty game by any means and this has to be expected. If I cast my mind back to July 2016 in Puerto Rico when we were the willing guests in PRFC's inaugural home match, it was not entirely different to this game and probably one of the worst games I have seen Indy play despite an undefeated and successful Spring season, Indy had to force a 1-1 draw with a late equalizer from Souleymane Youla.
San Francisco played the match with all the eagerness and heavy challenges you would expect from a new team on their opening night. The home side's enthusiasm was rewarded in the 31st minute when Kyle Bekker redirected an assist from Danny Cruz past Jon Busch into the Indy net.
It would be easy to assume and apportion blame on an untested Indy back four but it did all appear a little too easy for San Francisco. Deltas full back Kenny Tiejsse advance on the left side drawing Marco Franco with him, while Danny Cruz took up position in the corner drawing Kwame Watson-Siriboe away from center. The eventual cross from Cruz was not closed down and Bekker met the ball unchallenged, splitting the remaining defenders and side footed into the net for San Francisco's very first NASL goal.
San Francisco held their lead going into the half time break but lost it early in the second half. In a similar situation to the opening goal Indy Eleven found good space on the left side through Ben Speas who delivered a beautiful ball into the box that found Tanner Thompson, with his back to defense Tanner was able to head the ball into the left of the net whilst under pressure and going to ground.
It was a great opening goal for young player making his debut, Tanner Thompson did not once look in any way overawed or nervous in his first professional appearance. It brought Indy Eleven back level in the game in the 58th minute with ample time to try and push for a second.
Éamon Zayed entered the game along with new signing Craig Henderson in the 77th minute replacing Tanner Thompson and Ben Speas but the game would not see another goal. Zayed had a good look in the 90th minute but his header from a Don Smart cross went wide of goal. Both sides came away from the game with a point, not even 6 minutes of added time was enough for either side to break the deadlock.
Overall thoughts...
Kwame Watson-Siriboe one of several players making their NASL debut for Indy Eleven
The most valuable thing outside of taking a point on the road for Indy Eleven in this game is returning home with knowledge of a team we have never played against before. The match was not a great one to watch but we know more about an opponent we will play again at home in a few weeks time. Tim Hankinson will probably be satisfied with performances from some of the new Boys in Blue, most notably Tanner Thompson, Ben Speas and Kwame Watson-Siriboe and how they perform under league match pressure. While some might wonder about our signings for 2017, Thompson made it clear despite having no professional experience he is not here just to make up numbers and he grabbed his debut chance by the throat.
I am sure some would like to see bigger name signings and a more impressive start. Remember where we began in 2014 with unknown players like Dylan Mares, his approach and attitude given a chance at professional soccer was exemplary and he was included in the starting lineup for Miami FC yesterday ahead of a midfield roster packed with talent. Tanner Thompson could well turn out to be the most shrewd signing of the off season.
Ben Speas worked well in the left side role and provides the same kind of enthusiasm and aggressiveness in midfield as we have seen from aforementioned Dylan Mares in previous years and this will only improve with more competitive game time.
Kwame looks to be a very confident player at center back and also dangerous at corners and set pieces, when Indy Eleven does see the return of Colin Falvey I think they will be a very formidable pairing.
This time last year most people felt that Indy were not ready for the season to begin, we went to Tampa Bay and came home without defeat and continued with a couple of disappointing draws before finding their feet. There have been several changes and we likely will need some time before we find our best combination and formation again.
It's very early and nothing from this game can possibly give an indication of how Indy Eleven's year is going to go. What we already know from previous experience of Tim Hankinson's team is they won't ever give up on a game so it's difficult to be cynical or disappointed with one point from this game. It's just the beginning and we are on top of the table.
Top four standings after the opening three matches all ended in draws.
Miami FC Draw No Bet (+125, ★★★★). I was burned in the opener last season by picking pre-season hype (Minnesota at the time) over the RailhawksNCFC at Wake Med. Here's to hoping history doesn't repeat itself. Miami's roster is simply too good to pass on this amount of value in a Draw No Bet line. The additions of Michel (who I believe to be the best offseason signing in the league), Dylan Mares, and Stefano Pinho turned an already solid roster into one which is utterly terrifying. I would even go as far as to say Miami's midfield is better than several in MLS.
No team scored more goals on the road in 2016 than Miami FC (1.38), with Nesta's squad being particularly prolific in the first half (0.75 goals per game, also a league-leading metric). Carolina, conversely, led the league in first-half goals conceded at home (0.56). Miami to score first (line not available at the time of publication) could also be an intriguing play if the value is right.
San Francisco Deltas vs Indy Eleven Under 2.5 (-105, ★★★): Since 2014, six teams have joined the NASL as expansion sides. Only one (Jacksonville) earned all three points in their initial outing. Given this, I also think there's still value to be had in Indy Eleven Win/DrawDouble Chance (-160, ★★★). If you're looking for a higher-risk/higher-reward play, it's hard not to like the Draw result at +235. The Deltas are a team which shouldn't be slept on this season, however. A very talented roster led by a very talented coach (both of which boast a wealth of NASL experience and success) will give the Bay Area plenty to be excited about. It's no secret the Eleven struggled on the road last season.Hankinson's men -- most of whom have returned in 2017 -- boasted the second-lowest winning percentage away from home (12.5%), as well as the highest road draw percentage (43.75%). Indy also kept their road games low-scoring: averaging 2.06 combined goals per game. Only Rayo OKC (1.69, may they rest in peace) and FC Edmonton (1.31) had lower average totals. It's also worth noting that Indy's total is even lower if we disregard road results where backup keeper Keith Cardona was given game time (eight total goals in two games).
Puerto Rico FC Win/Draw Double Chance (-115, ★★): Here's where I go against the 2016 numbers a bit. PRFC's losing percentage at home was the fourth-highest in the NASL last season (27.27%), while the Cosmos tied OKC for the highest road winning percentage (37.5%). It's important to note, however, that Puerto Rico had a much smaller sample for these metrics due to missing the Spring season. Even more importantly is that they were undefeated at home in their final six games (2W 4D). Both teams have seen their fair share of roster changes while still keeping a solid core from 2016, and the Cosmos are admittedly known for their fast starts -- but I fully expect Bayamon to be a tough trip for any team in the league this year.
Have any questions about any of the numbers or terminology found in this post? Reach out to @CalebRamp on Twitter. Remember: All gambling and betting line discussion is for entertainment purposes only. If you do choose to gamble, be sure to do so legally and responsibly. Don't forget to follow Bloody Shambles on Twitter, and like us on Facebook!
How will the clubs line up at the end of the season? Be sure to submit your prediction!
By: Brandon Cockrum After writing our season preview, the Bloody Shambles staff submitted their predictions for the upcoming season. My picks were clearly the best and most accurate, but, to save my less-informed peers a public shaming, I have aggregated each of our six ratings into one predicted table. Without further ado, here are the Bloody Shambles' 2017 NASL Predictions: Final Combined Standings
Miami FC
New York Cosmos
Indy Eleven
San Francisco Deltas
FC Edmonton
North Carolina FC
Puerto Rico FC
Jacksonville Armada FC
The Championship and Soccer Bowl Trophy Winner
Miami FC
In what seems assuredly to be a tight playoff race, our confidence in Miami taking both the combined season and championship trophies was nearly unanimous. FC Edmonton was the only other club to receive a vote for a first place finish in the combined standings. As for the the winners of the Soccer Bowl trophy, Miami received three votes, while Edmonton, New York, Indy each received one vote. As for the bottom of the table, FC Edmonton also received one vote from a Shambler for a last place finish, but was outclassed by a league-owned Jacksonville club that collected five last place votes.
What do you think? We'd love to see what the fans think, so we set up a poll for you too. We'll check back after the spring and fall seasons to see how our picks are faring.
Eight teams will compete in 32 regular season games for four championship spots in 2017.
By: James Cormack, Brian Cook, Jordan Kalt, and Brandon Cockrum FC Edmonton: (James Cormack) The Eddies have always been known as a tough side to break down, retaining Albert Watson and Papé Diakité is an important corner stone for that team to build around. At the other end of the spectrum Edmonton struggled to score goals last season, if they had to rebuild a back line as well that could see them struggle. However, they have retained probably more of their 2016 squad than any other team. Edmonton have bolstered their attack with the addition of Northern Ireland international Dean Shiels. If Dean can bring back the form he showed at Kilmarnock and Rangers in Scotland, he could be the answer to where goals will come from, he can create just as many as he can score, if chemistry can form quickly between Shiels and Tomi Ameobi the Edmonton attack could be much more potent in 2017.
Former Kilmarnock manager Kenny Shiels with his son and former Kilmarnock striker Dean Shiels.
On of the biggest roster losses for FC Edmonton in the off season has been that of Matt Van Oekel who departed for MLS side Real Salt Lake. Van Oekel was easily the top goalkeeper in the league in 2016 and the smart money would appear to be on former Toronto and Timbers keeper Chris Konopka filling the void.
With 2016 being the most successful FC Edmonton have had to date and having kept together most of that squad, you would have to consider them as a potential championship playoff team once again.
2016 - Finished 3rd in combined, lost in playoffs. 2015 - Finished 7th in combined standings. 2014 - Finished 6th in combined standings. 2013 - Finished 5th in spring, 6th in fall. 2012 - Finished 8th in standings. 2011 - Finished 6th in standings.
Indy Eleven: (James Cormack) Indy have kept a large core of the 2016 roster that made it to the championship final, but have also lost some players in one critical area. Other than not winning the final Indy Eleven know they have one area where they need to improve and that is gaining points away from home. Tim Hankinson is retained as coach after giving Indy their most successful season to date in 2016.
Dylan Mares, Duke Lacroix and Omar Gordon all shared time on Indy's left midfield and all three have now departed the team. Indy Eleven have added Ben Speas who has been playing in this position in pre season, but there is little depth for that role. The biggest changes in Indy Eleven's roster have come in midfield and it may take some time for them to find their way again.
Mexico star Gerardo Torrado returns to Indy Eleven in 2017
Along with Speas, the Eleven have added Craig Henderson, an experienced New Zealand midfielder who has played mostly in Sweden and Norway, and young Tanner Thompson who has been one of Indiana University's best attacking midfielders in recent years.
The back line may not start as expected with Colin Falvey still recovering from surgery but with Marco Franco, Lovel Palmer, Kwame Watson-Siriboe and Nemanja Vukovic in front of retained goalkeeper Jon Busch the back should be tight enough. There is a lack of depth though, Indy added Anthony Manning who has limited game time with Portland Timbers and Timbers II and can utilize Daniel Keller in central defense, any early injury or suspension could be costly.
Éamon Zayed and Justin Braun return in attack for Indy but again there is not a great deal of depth in this position should either player go missing. Indy added David Goldsmith from Butler University who has no real professional experience, and to date no sign of potential signing Dino Williams from Montego Bay, their season is still in progress in Jamaica.
Indy Eleven should make playoffs again, spring and fall positioning may depend on their performances away from home and finding chemistry with some new players. Despite some small roster shake up they still have the potential to win the NASL Championship. 2016 - Finished 2nd in combined standings, Spring Champions, Championship runner up. 2015 - Finished 9th in combined standings 2014 - Finished 9th in combined standings Jacksonville Armada: (James Cormack) Jacksonville Armada have now taken on the mantle of "league owned team" after the departure of owner Mark Frisch. Not an ideal position to be in as we have seen in the past with Atlanta Silverbacks. Mark Lowry who took over as coach from Tony Meola in 2016 has been made head coach full time.
Jacksonsville's first two years as a club have been disappointing, having finished 11th and bottom in their inaugural season they again finished 11th in 2016 and escaped being in last place in combined standings thanks to Puerto Rico only coming in during the fall season.
Armada have a smattering of experience left over from 2016 in players like Mechack Jérôme, and Charles Eloundou, and have added one or two recognizable players including a full contract for Zach Steinberger along with Aaron Pitchkolan, Drew Beckie, and Jack Blake.
I'll be honest a read through the roster hardly inspires confidence, its going to take a lot of work for them to get a settled back line, their best chances of goals are probably going to come from the midfield. There are only two listed forwards, 21 year old Derek Gebhard has only had 270 mins of playing time in last two seasons and Trinidad striker Jonathon Glenn who has been playing in Iceland for four years, scored no goals in 2016 at all.
I would love to be more optimistic, and I wish good fortune for JAX but I think it is going to be a very difficult season for them and I have to peg them for last place, operating on a budget provided by the league and playing at a new location having already seen dwindling attendances in 2016, it will take a very strong team bond and a lot of belief from this team to get anywhere close to mounting a challenge for a playoff spot. 2016 - Finished 11th in combined standings. 2015 - Finished 11th in combined standings.
Miami FC: (Brian Cook) While Miami can’t buy the Beatles love, the money they have spent in the first two seasons since joining the North American Soccer League might buy them a championship. That isn’t to knock their moves. The moves Miami FC have made since the beginning set a new standard for team building as well as raised their expectations and 2017 isn’t any different.
The addition of Dylan Mares from Indy Eleven as well as Stefano Pinho coming to Miami brings NASL experience as well as strong players (not to mention the host of other names Miami has brought in for 2017.)
The transactions by Miami FC have made it clear, they want the playoffs. Finishing last in the Spring and 5th in the Fall and 7th in the combined standings Miami FC’s transactions spell out the need to finish in the top four for the playoffs.
Money can’t buy you a title even in a league like NASL so Miami’s biggest obstacle is not to rely solely on the skill and the name on the back of the jerseys but bring the tactical awareness to utilize those names they brought in.
2016 – Finished 7th in combined standings.
Dylan Mares and Michael Lahoud will be aiming for a starting spot on the same team in 2017
New York Cosmos: (Brian Cook)
To say the worst off season (short of Jacksonville Armada) for any NASL team was New York Cosmos would be an understatement. There was a strong possibility they wouldn’t even be in the 2017 season but thanks to the checkbook of Rocco B. Commisso we are gifted with the return of NASL’s 2016 champion.
The biggest challenge for New York Cosmos was their need to rebuild their team following all the issues regarding the future of NASL and their club. They have done just that. Walter Restrepo’s return following a short spell in MLS/USL, Jimmy Maurer, who was a member of the title winning team last season, returns again. That's just the small list of it. While also returning quite a few names the Cosmos also worked to bring in new players that will surely meet the Cosmos standard they have set. Khalif Alhassan formerly of Tampa Bay Rowdies and Minnesota United has signed along with former La Liga midfielder Javi Marquez who will certainly help stabilize their midfield even more, and more recently Dejan Jakovic bringing international experience to an already rich team. New York Cosmos fans should be excited to see this team in 2017
The Cosmos have done a great job to rebuild a team that was all but dead. I think if they start off strong and with the names they brought back from last year they should be right back in line for the NASL title.
2016 - Finished 1st in combined standings, NASL Champions.
2015 - Finished 1st in combined standings, NASL Champions.
2014 - Finished 3rd in combined standings, lost in playoffs.
2013 - Finished 1st in fall standings, Fall winners, Soccer Bowl winners.
North Carolina FC: (Jordan Kalt) Re branded and renewed in their determination to push the growth of soccer in the state of North Carolina, jeering chants of “What the hell’s a RailHawk?” are now a thing of yesteryear.
Carolina's rebrand sees the orange out and the dark blue in, no more Railhawk.
Colin Clarke is still beloved by his supporters and returns to the manager’s seat hoping to lead his team to bounce back after a disappointing mid/low finish in the 2016 table. He’ll have many familiar faces to help him improve. Austin Da Luz, Connor Tobin, Tiyi Shipalane and Brian Shriver spearhead the returnees. With a deeply talented midfield, Clarke’s club has never relied on forwards to score their goals, but one player that North Carolina should hope to see more from will be 27 year old striker, Matt Fondy. A pickup before the Fall portion of last season following his brief and lackluster stint with Jacksonville Armada, remember that Fondy had impressed once upon a time. Two years ago he was a crucial part of Louisville City FC’s attack. With 28 appearances and 22 goals for City in 2015 he won USL’s Golden Boot and moved (at that time) up the ladder to the NASL. During his few short months last year in North Carolina, Fondy showed glimpses of promise but certainly fell below his potential.
The majority of North Carolina’s new signings have been pedestrian, picking up several from USL’s Colorado Switchbacks and from other teams in the recently reclassified D2 league. At goal, no move has been made to sign a replacement for Akira Fitzgerald, the “Irish Ninja” who handled the majority of goalkeeping duties for several years. So it seems likely that the young Mack Robinson, signed in April of last year, will receive further opportunity to turn his collegiate success at DePaul University into professional accolade. Given that many other NASL clubs have improved their rosters markedly, the question for this revamped North Carolina squad is whether they’ve made the right moves to top their disappointing finish in last season’s standings. 2016 - Finished 8th in combined standings. 2015 - Finished 6th in combined standings. 2014 - Finished 5th in combined standings. 2013 - Finished 2nd in spring and fall. 2012 - Finished 4th in standings, losing semi finalist.
2011 - Finished 1st in standings, losing semi finalist.
Puerto Rico FC: (Brandon Cockrum) Puerto Rico FC made a respectable debut in 2016’s fall season, finishing ninth out of 12 teams and near the end of the season going unbeaten in seven games. With 8 goals and 4 assists in 19 games, striker “Pito” Ramos was the club’s most outstanding player; however, the team’s offense left much to be desired, averaging only 0.86 goals per game. It’s tough to win scoring at that rate, even tougher when you concede 1.41 goals per match, as PRFC did last year. Ramos returns to the Orange in 2017, along with defender and captain Cristiano Dias, as well as young player of the year nominees Kyle Culbertson, Sidney Rivera and “Jackie” Marrero. With their key players and young talent in the fold, club leaders looked for more experienced players to add to the roster this off season, resulting in upgrades across the board. Forwards Conor Doyle (Derby County, DC United) and Jairo Puerto (CD Marathon, Honduran national team) bring international experience to the attack, while midfielders Walter Ramirez (Indy Eleven, Tampa Bay Rowdies) “Yuma” Monsálvez (Rayo Vallecano, Rayo OKC) and Jordi Quintile (Sporting KC, Barcelona B) bring diverse skills to give the club multiple options for situational needs. Less heralded but solid additions to the defense should help the backline improve upon their 2016 performance as well.
Jack-Jorge take on Pito-Jackie. There can only be one winning team and the loser doesn't see it coming. Literally. ⚽🙅😂 #SomosNaranja🔶 pic.twitter.com/Sy4ojj0nyl
With participation in three tournaments since the end of the 2016 season PRFC have been the league’s most active team on the field. In early March, the squad competed in the most competitive of those tournaments, the Caribbean Club Championship, finishing second place in their group. It was not enough for them to advance to CONCACAF Champions League but the match time should help the team’s readiness for the NASL season. A strong start could give the club the positive vibes and confidence needed to gel as a team and compete for a playoff spot. 2016 - Finished 9th in fall, 12th in combined standings (did not play in spring) San Francisco Deltas: (Jordan Kalt)
Workers installing seats from Candlestick Park in Kezar Stadium, home of SF Deltas.
Previewing inaugural seasons are tricky. Who is this guy? He has no identity within this team. He’s just another in a pack of assorted pieces that are supposed to be able to work together. There are no team stats to look back on. Relationships are few or non-existent between the new teammates. “Well, he formerly…” precedes the only info anyone can give you.
Looking ahead to 2017 all we can go on is what these guys have been and what they have done. So, formerly… Danny Szetela, of Cosmos fame, was a foundational presence in New York’s midfield and remained their rock through four years of largely successful roster changes and three championships. Head coach Marc Dos Santos comes to San Francisco on the heels of back to back runner-up finishes. Those recent successes came with NASL’s old Ottawa Fury in 2015 and most recently at the helm of Swope Park Rangers in the USL 2016 Cup. Two experienced Brazilians, winger Jackson Pereira and centerback Reiner Ferreira, have also signed with the club. Both are versatile players who have successfully held a variety of different roles at former clubs, notably as right and left backs. They will be joined by a couple faces more familiar to the NASL in Greg Jordan (a former Minnesota United fan favorite) and defender Nana Attakora, who has spent the majority of his years in MLS before most recently playing for the NASL’s Scorpions and Strikers.
To cap off an already intimidating squad, head coach Dos Santos has been reunited with Romauld Peiser, former Ottawa Fury star and one of the best goalkeepers the NASL has seen in the modern era. Sure, they may be sporting the ugliest logo in the league and a questionable team name but CEO Brian Helmick and his team of techy investors have clearly worked very hard to drum up excitement for the beginnings of this club and have put the money down to back it. First years are always difficult to predict, but at the very least this team looks combustible with potential. Dangerous.
