2016 North American Soccer League season

Last updated

North American Soccer League
Season2016
Champions New York Cosmos
Spring Champions Indy Eleven
Fall Champions New York Cosmos
Matches played187
Goals scored441 (2.36 per match)
Top goalscorer Christian Ramirez (18)
Biggest home win5 goals:
NYC 6–1 CAR
(August 27)
Biggest away win4 goals:
MNU 0–4 MIA
(Aug 6)
Highest scoring7 goals:
IND 5–2 JAX
(August 3)
NYC 6–1 CAR
(August 27)
Longest winning run5 games:
FC Edmonton
(Jul 27 – Aug 20)
Longest unbeaten run13 games:
Indy Eleven
(Apr 2 – Jul 11)
Longest winless run10 games:
Puerto Rico
(Jul 30 – Sep 17)
Longest losing run5 games:
Jacksonville
(Jul 13 – Aug 3)
Highest attendance10,156
MIA 1–1 TBR
(April 9)
Lowest attendance418
FTL 1–0 FCE
(October 12)
Total attendance885,337
Average attendance4,734
← 2015
2017 →

The 2016 North American Soccer League season is the 49th season of Division II soccer in the United States and Canada, and the 6th season of the modern North American Soccer League.

Contents

Three expansion clubs joined the league, with Miami FC and Rayo OKC joining in the Spring season and Puerto Rico FC beginning competition in the Fall season. In December, 2015, the San Antonio Scorpions' home stadium, Toyota Field, was bought by the city of San Antonio for use by Spurs Sports & Entertainment to host a club in the USL, forcing the Scorpions to cease operations. [1] In January, 2016, the NASL suspended its operation of the Atlanta Silverbacks for the 2016 season and possibly beyond. [2] As a result, the Spring season was contested by 11 clubs and the Fall season by 12. The New York Cosmos are defending Soccer Bowl champions. A split season format was used for the 2016 season.

Teams, stadiums, and personnel

Stadiums and locations

Personnel and sponsorship

TeamHead coachCaptainKit producerShirt sponsor
Carolina RailHawks Ulster Banner.svg Colin Clarke Flag of the United States.svg Nazmi Albadawi Adidas Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC
FC Edmonton Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Colin Miller Ulster Banner.svg Albert Watson Adidas The Fath Group
Fort Lauderdale Strikers Flag of Brazil.svg Caio Zanardi Flag of Haiti.svg Jean Alexandre InariaGuaraviton
Indy Eleven Flag of the United States.svg Tim Hankinson Flag of Ireland.svg Colin Falvey Diadora Honda
Jacksonville Armada FC Flag of England.svg Mark Lowry Flag of the United States.svg Matt Bahner Nike Winn-Dixie
Miami FC Flag of Italy.svg Alessandro Nesta Flag of the United States.svg Jonathan Borrajo Macron
Minnesota United FC Flag of England.svg Carl Craig Flag of the United States.svg Aaron Pitchkolan Inaria Atomic Data / Mall of America
New York Cosmos Flag of Venezuela.svg Giovanni Savarese Flag of the United States.svg Carlos Mendes Under Armour Emirates
Ottawa Fury FC Flag of Scotland.svg Paul Dalglish Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Julian de Guzman Adidas Chartwells
Puerto Rico FC Flag of England.svg Adrian Whitbread Flag of Brazil.svg Cristiano Nike Claro
Rayo OKC Flag of Spain.svg Gerard Nus Flag of Brazil.svg Michel Kelme
Tampa Bay Rowdies Flag of Scotland.svg Stuart Campbell Flag of England.svg Tamika Mkandawire Nike Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino

Player transfers

Managerial changes

TeamOutgoing managerManner of departureDate of vacancyPosition in tableIncoming managerDate of appointment
Puerto RicoExpansion team Flag of England.svg Adrian Whitbread August 24, 2015 [3]
Miami Flag of Italy.svg Alessandro Nesta August 31, 2015 [4]
Ottawa Fury Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Marc Dos Santos End of contractNovember 20, 2015Pre-season Flag of Scotland.svg Paul Dalglish November 20, 2015 [5]
Jacksonville Armada Flag of the United States.svg Eric Dade (int.)End of interim periodNovember 24, 2015 Flag of the United States.svg Tony Meola November 24, 2015 [6]
Indy Eleven Flag of the United States.svg Tim Regan (int.)End of interim periodDecember 2, 2015 Flag of the United States.svg Tim Hankinson December 2, 2015 [7]
Fort Lauderdale Strikers Flag of Austria.svg Günter Kronsteiner End of contractNovember 16, 2015 Flag of Brazil.svg Caio Zanardi December 2, 2015 [8]
Minnesota United Flag of the United States.svg Manny Lagos Promotion to general managerDecember 3, 2015 Flag of England.svg Carl Craig December 3, 2015 [9]
San Antonio Scorpions Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Alen Marcina FiredNovember 1, 2015 [10] Club defunct [11]
Rayo OKCExpansion team Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Alen Marcina January 7, 2016 [12]
Atlanta Silverbacks Flag of England.svg Gary Smith ReleasedJanuary 11, 2016Pre-seasonClub on hiatus [13]
Rayo OKC Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Alen Marcina Mutual terminationAugust 1, 20165th Flag of Spain.svg Gerard Nus August 1, 2016 [14]
Jacksonville Armada Flag of the United States.svg Tony Meola FiredAugust 7, 201611th Flag of England.svg Mark Lowry (int.)August 7, 2016 [15]

Spring season

Standings

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1 Indy Eleven (S)10460158+718 Playoffs
2 New York Cosmos 10604158+718
3 FC Edmonton 1052397+217
4 Minnesota United 105141612+416
5 Tampa Bay Rowdies 10442119+216
6 Fort Lauderdale Strikers 104331212015
7 Carolina RailHawks 104241113−214
8 Rayo OKC 103341112−112
9 Ottawa Fury 10235914−59
10 Jacksonville Armada 10145511−67
11 Miami FC 10145715−87
Source: NASL
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total goal differential; 3) total goals scored; 4) head-to-head record; 5) away goal differential; 6) away goals scored
(S) Spring season champion

Results

Home \ Away CAR FCE FTL IND JAX MIA MNU NYC OTT OKC TBR
Carolina RailHawks —1–30–00–02–11–0
Edmonton 1–0—2–10–22–12–0
Fort Lauderdale Strikers —0–01–11–12–10–1
Indy Eleven 4–11–1—4–22–11–1
Jacksonville Armada 0–11–1—2–10–11–1
Miami 1–00–0—0–32–31–1
Minnesota United 3–02–03–1—1–00–2
New York Cosmos 1–02–0—3–01–02–1
Ottawa Fury 1–21–02–02–2—1–1
Rayo 2–30–01–21–21–0—
Tampa Bay Rowdies 1–31–00–02–11–1—
Updated to match(es) played on May 21, 2016. Source:
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Fall season

Standings

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1 New York Cosmos (F)2214534421+2347 Playoffs
2 Indy Eleven 2211473625+1137
3 FC Edmonton 2210661614+236
4 Rayo OKC 229852821+735
5 Miami FC 229673127+433
6 Fort Lauderdale Strikers 2275101928−926
7 Carolina RailHawks 2275102535−1026
8 Minnesota United 226792525025
9 Puerto Rico 225981931−1224
10 Tampa Bay Rowdies 225892932−323
11 Jacksonville Armada 225892535−1023
12 Ottawa Fury 2257102326−322
Source: NASL
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total goal differential; 3) total goals scored; 4) head-to-head record; 5) away goal differential; 6) away goals scored
(F) Fall season champion

Results

Home \ Away CAR FCE FTL IND JAX MIA MNU NYC OTT PRF OKC TBR
Carolina RailHawks —1–03–03–21–03–31–00–20–02–20–14–1
Edmonton 1–0—1–02–11–00–21–02–11–00–00–01–0
Fort Lauderdale Strikers 0–11–0—2–11–01–10–00–03–12–00–21–4
Indy Eleven 3–01–03–0—5–22–11–03–01–03–02–11–1
Jacksonville Armada 2–20–01–10–0—3–20–02–40–22–11–13–2
Miami 1–01–00–22–11–0—1–12–32–10–10–12–2
Minnesota United 5–13–13–12–00–10–4—0–12–31–11–02–0
New York Cosmos 6–10–02–03–03–04–01–0—2–13–01–13–2
Ottawa Fury 2–02–20–11–11–20–03–11–1—1–20–12–0
Puerto Rico 2–10–12–11–13–30–30–01–20–0—1–00–0
Rayo 1–11–11–12–13–21–22–23–03–12–2—1–0
Tampa Bay Rowdies 1–00–12–12–31–11–12–22–21–13–02–0—
Updated to match(es) played on January 2016. Source:
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Playoffs

Combined standings

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1 New York Cosmos (C, X)3220575929+3065 Championship qualifiers
2 Indy Eleven 32151075133+1855
3 FC Edmonton 3215892521+453
4 Rayo OKC 32121193933+647
5 Minnesota United 32118134137+441
6 Fort Lauderdale Strikers 32118133140−941
7 Miami FC 321010123842−440
8 Carolina RailHawks 32117143648−1240
9 Tampa Bay Rowdies 32912114041−139
10 Ottawa Fury 32710153240−831
11 Jacksonville Armada 32612143046−1630
12 Puerto Rico FC 225981931−1224
Source: NASL
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total goal differential; 3) total goals scored; 4) head-to-head record; 5) away goal differential; 6) away goals scored
(C) Champions; (X) Regular season champion

The Championship

Participants

Semifinals

Indy Eleven 1–0 FC Edmonton
Ubiparipović Soccerball shade.svg63' Report
Report 		Diakité Yellow card.svg 83'
Eckersley Yellow card.svg 90+2'
Attendance: 9,702
Referee: Sorin Stoica
New York Cosmos 2–1 Rayo OKC
Arango Soccerball shade.svg73'Yellow card.svg 77'
Orozco Soccerball shade.svg90'
Duk Yellow card.svg 90+2'		 Report
Report 		Danso Soccerball shade.svg37'
Velásquez Yellow card.svg 42'
Kimura Yellow card.svg 64'
Attendance: 5,023
Referee: Jose Carlos Rivero

Soccer Bowl 2016

New York Cosmos 0–0 (a.e.t.) Indy Eleven
Arrieta Yellow card.svg 116' Report
Report 		Ring Yellow card.svg 72'
Falvey Yellow card.svg 83'
Penalties
Arrieta Soccerball shad check.svg
Moffat Soccerball shad check.svg
Ayoze Soccerball shad check.svg
Richter Soccerball shad check.svg		4–2Soccerball shad check.svg Paterson
Soccerball shade cross.svg Zayed
Soccerball shade cross.svg Busch
Soccerball shad check.svg Vuković
Attendance: 2,150
Referee: Allen Chapman

Attendance

ClubGPTotalHighLowAverageChange
Minnesota United 16137,1619,4606,1018,573-2.2%
Indy Eleven 16134,3399,3566,1328,396-14.4%
Tampa Bay Rowdies 1694,0487,6904,4295,8784.1%
Ottawa Fury 1687,7177,8474,3175,4826.2%
Miami 1686,83310,1561,2295,427N/A
Carolina RailHawks 1680,9238,0863,0935,05811.4%
Puerto Rico 1141,8116,4741,2333,801N/A
New York Cosmos 1660,4036,2432,4193,775-25.4%
Jacksonville Armada 1655,9885,3131,2543,499-55.9%
Rayo OKC 1651,8656,4169243,242N/A
FC Edmonton 1632,9593,1301,2432,060-28.7%
Fort Lauderdale Strikers 1621,2902,3764181,331-70.2%
Total187885,33710,1564184,734-19.9%

Source: NASL

Highest attendances

Regular season

RankHome teamScoreAway teamAttendanceDateWeekVenue
1 Miami 1 – 1 Tampa Bay Rowdies 10,156April 9, 20162 FIU Stadium
2 Miami 1 – 1 Minnesota United 10,012September 24, 201624 FIU Stadium
3 Miami 1 – 1 Minnesota United 9,739August 27, 201620 FIU Stadium
4 Minnesota United 2 – 0 Indy Eleven 9,460July 16, 201614 National Sports Center
5 Minnesota United 0 – 1 Jacksonville Armada 9,402October 1, 201625 National Sports Center

Statistical leaders

Awards

Monthly awards

Month NASL Player of the Month
PlayerClubStatsRef
April Flag of the United States.svg Austin da Luz Carolina RailHawks 3G [18]
May Flag of Senegal.svg Papé Diakité FC Edmonton 2G [19]
June Flag of Libya.svg Éamon Zayed Indy Eleven 3G [20]
July Flag of the United States.svg Christian Ramirez Minnesota United 7G, 1A [21]
August Flag of the United States.svg Matt Van Oekel FC Edmonton 22SV, 0GA [22]
September Flag of Argentina.svg Darío Cvitanich Miami 3G [23]

Weekly awards

WeekNASL Player of the WeekNASL Play of the Week
PlayerClubPlayerClub
Week 1 Flag of Venezuela.svg Juan Arango New York Cosmos Flag of the United States.svg Christian Ramirez Minnesota United
Week 2 Flag of the United States.svg Austin da Luz Carolina RailHawks Flag of the United States.svg Ben Speas Minnesota United
Week 3 Flag of Libya.svg Éamon Zayed Indy Eleven Flag of Libya.svg Éamon Zayed Indy Eleven
Week 4 Flag of the United States.svg Christian Ramirez Minnesota United Flag of the United States.svg Christian Ramirez Minnesota United
Week 5 Flag of Venezuela.svg Yohandry Orozco New York Cosmos Flag of Colombia.svg Jair Reinoso Indy Eleven
Week 6 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Nana Attakora Fort Lauderdale Strikers Flag of the United States.svg Jake Keegan FC Edmonton
Week 7 Flag of Senegal.svg Papé Diakité FC Edmonton Flag of the United States.svg Kevin Venegas Minnesota United
Week 8 Flag of Honduras.svg Ramón Núñez Fort Lauderdale Strikers Flag of Spain.svg Ruben Bover New York Cosmos
Week 9 Flag of England.svg Joe Cole Tampa Bay Rowdies Flag of the United States.svg Matt Bahner Jacksonville Armada
Week 10 Flag of Bulgaria.svg Georgi Hristov Tampa Bay Rowdies Flag of the United States.svg Tyler Gibson Rayo OKC
Week 11 Flag of Libya.svg Éamon Zayed Indy Eleven Flag of Libya.svg Éamon Zayed Indy Eleven
Week 12 Flag of the United States.svg Christian Ramirez Minnesota United Flag of Puerto Rico.svg Héctor Ramos Puerto Rico
Week 13 Flag of the United States.svg Nazmi Albadawi Carolina RailHawks Flag of the United States.svg Dylan Mares Indy Eleven
Week 14 Flag of Brazil.svg Michel Rayo OKC Flag of England.svg Joe Cole Tampa Bay Rowdies
Week 15 Flag of the United States.svg Jaime Chavez Miami Flag of the United States.svg J. C. Banks Minnesota United
Week 16 Flag of Zimbabwe.svg Lucky Mkosana New York Cosmos Flag of Cuba.svg Ariel Martínez Miami
Week 17 Flag of Libya.svg Éamon Zayed Indy Eleven Flag of the United States.svg Keith Savage Tampa Bay Rowdies
Week 18 Flag of Guinea.svg Alhassane Keita Jacksonville Armada Flag of Puerto Rico.svg Héctor Ramos Puerto Rico
Week 19 Flag of the United States.svg Matt Van Oekel FC Edmonton Flag of Italy.svg Amauri Fort Lauderdale Strikers
Week 20 Flag of El Salvador.svg Andrés Flores New York Cosmos Flag of the United States.svg Brad Ring Indy Eleven
Week 21 Ulster Banner.svg Daryl Fordyce FC Edmonton Flag of Brazil.svg Bruno Cardoso Fort Lauderdale Strikers
Week 22 Flag of Argentina.svg Darío Cvitanich Miami Flag of France.svg Romuald Peiser Ottawa Fury
Week 23 Flag of the United States.svg Matt Van Oekel FC Edmonton Flag of Puerto Rico.svg Joseph Marrero Puerto Rico
Week 24 Flag of Bulgaria.svg Georgi Hristov Tampa Bay Rowdies Flag of the United States.svg Trevor Spangenberg Puerto Rico
Week 25 Flag of Spain.svg Ruben Bover New York Cosmos Flag of the United States.svg Sidney Rivera Puerto Rico
Week 26 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Ben Fisk FC Edmonton Flag of the United States.svg J. C. Banks Minnesota United
Week 27 Flag of Brazil.svg Michel Rayo OKC Flag of the United States.svg Jaime Chavez Miami
Week 28 Flag of Venezuela.svg Juan Arango New York Cosmos Flag of the United States.svg Duke Lacroix Indy Eleven

League awards

NASL Best XI [32]
PositionPlayerTeam
Goalkeeper Flag of the United States.svg Matt Van Oekel FC Edmonton
Defense Flag of Spain.svg Ayoze New York Cosmos
Defense Flag of the United States.svg Justin Davis Minnesota United
Defense Ulster Banner.svg Albert Watson FC Edmonton
Defense Flag of the United States.svg Carlos Mendes New York Cosmos
Midfield Flag of the United States.svg Nazmi Albadawi Carolina RailHawks
Midfield Flag of Venezuela.svg Juan Arango New York Cosmos
Midfield Flag of England.svg Joe Cole Tampa Bay Rowdies
Midfield Flag of Brazil.svg Michel Rayo OKC
Forward Flag of the United States.svg Christian Ramirez Minnesota United
Forward Flag of Libya.svg Éamon Zayed Indy Eleven

References

  1. ↑ "Scorpions Soccer Club Thanks Fans for Supporting Soccer for a Cause". sascorpions.com. Archived from the original on December 23, 2015. Retrieved December 23, 2015.
  2. ↑ "NASL Suspends Operation of Atlanta Silverbacks". nasl.com. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Puerto Rico Football Club Announces Head Coach And Technical Director". nasl.com. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Alessandro Nesta Becomes Miami FC's First Head Coach". nasl.com. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Paul Dalglish Appointed Ottawa Fury FC Head Coach". nasl.com. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Legendary U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame Goalkeeper Tony Meola Hired as Armada FC Head Coach and Technical Director". Jacksonville Armada FC. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
  7. ↑ "Tim Hankinson Takes Over Indy Eleven Head Coaching Position". nasl.com. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Caio Zanardi Appointed Strikers Head Coach". nasl.com. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  9. ↑ "Manny Lagos Becomes Minnesota's Sporting Director; Carl Craig Appointed Head Coach". nasl.com. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  10. ↑ "SCORPIONS PART WAYS WITH HEAD COACH ALEN MARCINA". sascorpions.com. Archived from the original on November 3, 2015. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  11. ↑ "NASL Releases Statement on San Antonio Scorpions". nasl.com. Retrieved January 16, 2016.
  12. ↑ "Alen Marcina Named First Head Coach In Rayo OKC History". nasl.com. Retrieved January 8, 2016.
  13. ↑ "NASL Suspends Operation Of Atlanta Silverbacks". nasl.com. Retrieved January 16, 2016.
  14. ↑ "Alen Marcina Steps Down, Gerard Nus Named Rayo OKC Head Coach". Rayo OKC. Archived from the original on August 8, 2016. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
  15. ↑ "Armada FC Parts Ways With Head Coach/Technical Director Tony Meola, Assistant Coach Jim Rooney". Jacksonville Armada FC. Retrieved August 12, 2016.
  16. ↑ "NASL ANNOUNCES SCHEDULING DETAILS FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP SEMIFINALS". NASL.com. October 12, 2016.
  17. 1 2 "2016 NASL statistics" . Retrieved August 30, 2015.
  18. ↑ "PLAYER OF THE MONTH RailHawks Midfielder Austin Da Luz". NASL. Retrieved May 6, 2016.
  19. ↑ "PLAYER OF THE MONTH Eddies Defender Papé Diakité". NASL. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  20. ↑ "PLAYER OF THE MONTH Indy Forward Eamon Zayed". NASL. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
  21. ↑ "PLAYER OF THE MONTH Minnesota forward Christian Ramirez". NASL. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
  22. ↑ "PLAYER OF THE MONTH FC Edmonton's Matt VanOekel". NASL. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
  23. ↑ "PLAYER OF THE MONTH Miami forward Dario Cvitanich". NASL. Retrieved October 9, 2016.
  24. ↑ "New York Cosmos Midfielder Juan Arango Wins 2016 NASL Golden Ball". North American Soccer League. November 10, 2016. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  25. ↑ "Minnesota United Forward Christian Ramirez Wins NASL Golden Boot Award". North American Soccer League. November 7, 2016. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  26. ↑ "FC Edmonton Goalkeeper Matt VanOekel Wins NASL Golen Glove". North American Soccer League. November 7, 2016. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  27. ↑ "Indy Elevens Tim Hankinson Named 2016 NASL Coach of the Year". North American Soccer League. November 10, 2016. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  28. ↑ "Indy Eleven Forward Duke Lacroix's Individual Effort Earns 2016 Goal of the Year". nasl.com. November 8, 2016. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  29. ↑ "FC Edmonton Defender Papé Diakité Named 2016 NASL Young Player of the Year". North American Soccer League. November 9, 2016. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  30. ↑ "Miami FC Midfielder Michael Lahoud Named NASL Humanitarian of the Year". North American Soccer League. November 8, 2016. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  31. ↑ "Carolina RailHawks Earn 2016 NASL Fair Play Award". North American Soccer League. November 9, 2016. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  32. ↑ "North American Soccer League Announces 2016 Best XI". North American Soccer League. November 11, 2016. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
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