Last week, home advantage seemingly proved to be a factor as the league's top three clubs recorded crucial home wins in the North America Soccer League play. In last Saturday action, Miami FC held-on for a 3-2 victory over Indy Eleven, while North Carolina outplayed visiting Jacksonville Armada in a convincing 3-1 home victory. After seeing their originally slated encounter being rescheduled, New York Cosmos edged Puerto Rico Football Club 4-3. San Francisco Deltas apparently appeared to be the only away team to earn maximum points last week, as they beat FC Edmonton 1-0.
Here's a complete summary of last week's NASL matches.
Miami FC 3-2 Indy Eleven
After seeing their 1-0 lead leveled up early into the second-half, Miami FC used two rapid goals “in succession” to beat the Indy Eleven. Vicenzio Rennella got the opener for Miami in the first half, but just after the break, Indy Eleven tied up the scoreline thanks to a Hunter Freeman own goal. 60th minute later, Dylan Mares put the hosts back in front, before Robert Kcira doubled the lead five minutes later. Justin Braun netted in a late consolation goal for the visiting Indy Eleven, as it turned out to be too late to overturn the deficit. With this crucial home victory, Miami FC now maintain the first spot in the NASL standings with fourteen points.
North Carolina 3-1 Jacksonville Armada
Despite conceding an early minute goal, the North Carolina rebound to nab a 3-1 home win. Jack Blake thirteenth minute penalty spot-kick opened the scoring for the visiting Jacksonville Armada. Later in the 28th minute, James Marcelin leveled up the scoreline for the hosts before Lance Laing doubled the lead just three minutes before the half time break.
Later in the 68th minute, Lance Laing extended the tally for North Carolina North Carolina, scoring in from the penalty box. North Carolina Football Club now climb to the fourth spot with eleven points.
FC Edmonton 0-1 San Francisco Deltas
A stoppage time goal from Cristian Portilla gave the Deltas the much-needed road win over FC Edmonton.
The central midfielder fired home a free kick that past Edmonton goalkeeper Chris Konokpa. The hosts only recorded one-shot on target, compared to the visiting Deltas five shots on goal. San Francisco Deltas maintain their unbeaten run away this spring season, while FC Edmonton lies in the cellar of the standings with only 4 points.
New York Cosmos 4-3 Puerto Rico
The Cosmos erased an early first half goal deficit to overcome Puerto Rico Football Club 4-3 last Sunday. Giuseppe Gentile opened the scoring for the Cosmos in the 16th minute, before Emery Welshman doubled the lead just two minutes later. A red card booking to Puerto's Yuma in the first half reduced the visiting team to 10 men, before goals from Juan Guerra and Andres Flores brought the hosts level before the break.
Five minutes into the second half, Ryan Richier put the Cosmos ahead before Walter Restrepo send home the fourth goal for the hosts. Later in the 63th minute, Cristiano Dias penalty spot-kick made things seem close to overturn the deficit, but that was clearly the visitors best chance in the second half. Last Sunday victory was the New York Cosmos first home win this season.
