The New York Cosmos and Ottawa Fury FC combined last year to produce one of the most entertaining championship finals in the young history of the modern NASL.
They’ll match up again this Sunday to close out the opening weekend of the NASL’s Spring Season at Shuart Stadium. However, this time the Cosmos will be facing off with a vastly different Fury FC squad, as NASL Coach of the Year Marc Dos Santos and many of his players have left for new opportunities.
Former Austin Aztex boss Paul Dalglish will now lead Ottawa from the sideline, with over a dozen new players jockeying to earn a spot in the new-look squad.
The Cosmos have added exciting pieces themselves like Juan Arango and Niko Kranjčar in the offseason, but have managed to retain a far higher amount of returning players to maintain some continuity.
Match Information
Sunday, April 3 at Shuart Stadium. Kickoff 4 p.m. ET
TV/Streaming: One World Sports
Referee: Mark Kadlecik
2015 Series: Cosmos W (1-0), D (0-0), Cosmos L (4-1), Cosmos W (4-1, Championship Final)
Projected Lineups:
Cosmos(4-2-3-1): GK Jimmy Maurer – D Hunter Freeman, David Ochieng, Carlos Mendes, Ayoze – M Juan Arango, Danny Szetela; Gabriel Farfan, Niko Kranjčar, Yohandry Orozco – F Yasmani Duk
Ottawa (4-3-3): GK Romuald Peiser – D Rich Balchan, Lance Rozeboom, Rafael Alves, Marcel de Jong – M Kyle Porter, Julian De Guzman, Mauro Eustaquio – F Dennis Chin, Paulo Junior, Gerardo Bruna
Ottawa’s attack vs. Cosmos defense
New York has the clear advantage in continuity as three of the regulars from last year’s back line will resume their roles to start out the season. To fill the gap left by the injured Roversio, the Cosmos reacquired the capable Jimmy Ockford on loan and brought in Kenyan internationalDavid Ochieng. Coming out of preseason camp, both players seem to be solid options at center back. Ottawa’s attacking unit is full of pace and some technical ability, but there doesn’t appear to be a proven finisher in the bunch.
Advantage: Cosmos
Cosmos attack vs. Ottawa’s defense
In stark contrast to the Cosmos defensive continuity, Ottawa has only one player left from its record-setting back line: centerback Rafael Alves. He’ll have to pick up much of the slack for a revamped defensive unit in the face of a Cosmos attack that loves to play with pace and aggression at home. New York has lost most of the consistent contributors to last year’s scoresheet, but they’ve replaced them with several enticing options, such as Yasmani Duk or Costa Rican veteran Jairo Arrieta.
Advantage: Cosmos
The Midfields
On paper, it’s tough to argue against what the Cosmos have assembled in midfield for the Spring Season. On top of the tremendous addition of decorated Venezuelan Juan Arango and Croatian international Niko Kranjčar, the club also has returning players like Danny Szetela, who will be eager to make a name for himself in the post Marcos Senna era. Ottawa also boasts a decorated international in Canadian team captain Julia De Guzman. The veteran will look to have a more consistent season after injury and international duty kept it out of Ottawa’s line up for long stretches last year.
Advantage: Cosmos
The Coaches
This is almost an unfair fight. After three wildly successful seasons, New York’s Gio Savarese has proven himself as one of the best coaches in the country, regardless of division. In contrast, Paul Dalglish’s record as a coach is a bit spotty. He claimed the PDL’s Coach of the Year award in 2013, but hasn’t found the same success in limited time in the professional ranks. He was sacked before his first season with FC Tampa Bay was over and also failed to qualify for the USL playoffs in his only season with Austin last year. The superior resources offered in Ottawa at the NASL level could be what Dalglish needs to find his groove on the sideline.
Advantage: Cosmos
X-Factor
For all their turnover this offseason, Ottawa did hold on to one of their most important pieces:Romuald Peiser. The reigning NASL Golden Glove winner kept his team in a handful of matches they had no business competing in last year. He’s more than capable of doing the same again and may have extra motivation to do so after allowing three goals in last year’s championship final at Shuart Stadium.
Prediction: 2-0 Cosmos
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