2016 North American Soccer League season

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.

North American Soccer League
Season2016
ChampionsNew York Cosmos
Spring ChampionsIndy Eleven
Fall ChampionsNew York Cosmos
Matches played187
Goals scored441 (2.36 per match)
Top goalscorerChristian 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 →

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
Main article: List of NASL stadiums
Locations of NASL clubs

Personnel and sponsorship
Team Head coach Captain Kit producer Shirt sponsor
Carolina RailHawks Colin Clarke Nazmi Albadawi Adidas Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC
FC Edmonton Colin Miller Albert Watson Adidas The Fath Group
Fort Lauderdale Strikers Caio Zanardi Jean Alexandre Inaria Guaraviton
Indy Eleven Tim Hankinson Colin Falvey Diadora Honda
Jacksonville Armada FC Mark Lowry Matt Bahner Nike Winn-Dixie
Miami FC Alessandro Nesta Jonathan Borrajo Macron
Minnesota United FC Carl Craig Aaron Pitchkolan Inaria Atomic Data / Mall of America
New York Cosmos Giovanni Savarese Carlos Mendes Under Armour Emirates
Ottawa Fury FC Paul Dalglish Julian de Guzman Adidas Chartwells
Puerto Rico FC Adrian Whitbread Cristiano Nike Claro
Rayo OKC Gerard Nus Michel Kelme
Tampa Bay Rowdies Stuart Campbell Tamika Mkandawire Nike Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino

Player transfers
Main article: List of North American Soccer League transfers 2016

Managerial changes
Team Outgoing manager Manner of departure Date of vacancy Position in table Incoming manager Date of appointment
Puerto Rico Expansion team Adrian Whitbread August 24, 2015[3]
Miami Alessandro Nesta August 31, 2015[4]
Ottawa Fury Marc Dos Santos End of contract November 20, 2015 Pre-season Paul Dalglish November 20, 2015[5]
Jacksonville Armada Eric Dade (int.) End of interim period November 24, 2015 Tony Meola November 24, 2015[6]
Indy Eleven Tim Regan (int.) End of interim period December 2, 2015 Tim Hankinson December 2, 2015[7]
Fort Lauderdale Strikers Günter Kronsteiner End of contract November 16, 2015 Caio Zanardi December 2, 2015[8]
Minnesota United Manny Lagos Promotion to general manager December 3, 2015 Carl Craig December 3, 2015[9]
San Antonio Scorpions Alen Marcina Fired November 1, 2015[10] Club defunct[11]
Rayo OKC Expansion team Alen Marcina January 7, 2016[12]
Atlanta Silverbacks Gary Smith Released January 11, 2016 Pre-season Club on hiatus[13]
Rayo OKC Alen Marcina Mutual termination August 1, 2016 5th Gerard Nus August 1, 2016[14]
Jacksonville Armada Tony Meola Fired August 7, 2016 11th Mark Lowry (int.) August 7, 2016[15]

Spring season

Standings
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Indy Eleven (S) 10 4 6 0 15 8 +7 18 Playoffs
2 New York Cosmos 10 6 0 4 15 8 +7 18
3 FC Edmonton 10 5 2 3 9 7 +2 17
4 Minnesota United 10 5 1 4 16 12 +4 16
5 Tampa Bay Rowdies 10 4 4 2 11 9 +2 16
6 Fort Lauderdale Strikers 10 4 3 3 12 12 0 15
7 Carolina RailHawks 10 4 2 4 11 13 −2 14
8 Rayo OKC 10 3 3 4 11 12 −1 12
9 Ottawa Fury 10 2 3 5 9 14 −5 9
10 Jacksonville Armada 10 1 4 5 5 11 −6 7
11 Miami FC 10 1 4 5 7 15 −8 7
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 — 1–3 0–0 0–0 2–1 1–0
Edmonton 1–0 — 2–1 0–2 2–1 2–0
Fort Lauderdale Strikers — 0–0 1–1 1–1 2–1 0–1
Indy Eleven 4–1 1–1 — 4–2 2–1 1–1
Jacksonville Armada 0–1 1–1 — 2–1 0–1 1–1
Miami 1–0 0–0 — 0–3 2–3 1–1
Minnesota United 3–0 2–0 3–1 — 1–0 0–2
New York Cosmos 1–0 2–0 — 3–0 1–0 2–1
Ottawa Fury 1–2 1–0 2–0 2–2 — 1–1
Rayo 2–3 0–0 1–2 1–2 1–0 —
Tampa Bay Rowdies 1–3 1–0 0–0 2–1 1–1 —
Updated to match(es) played on May 21, 2016. Source:
Colours: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Fall season

Standings
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 New York Cosmos (F) 22 14 5 3 44 21 +23 47 Playoffs
2 Indy Eleven 22 11 4 7 36 25 +11 37
3 FC Edmonton 22 10 6 6 16 14 +2 36
4 Rayo OKC 22 9 8 5 28 21 +7 35
5 Miami FC 22 9 6 7 31 27 +4 33
6 Fort Lauderdale Strikers 22 7 5 10 19 28 −9 26
7 Carolina RailHawks 22 7 5 10 25 35 −10 26
8 Minnesota United 22 6 7 9 25 25 0 25
9 Puerto Rico 22 5 9 8 19 31 −12 24
10 Tampa Bay Rowdies 22 5 8 9 29 32 −3 23
11 Jacksonville Armada 22 5 8 9 25 35 −10 23
12 Ottawa Fury 22 5 7 10 23 26 −3 22
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 — 1–0 3–0 3–2 1–0 3–3 1–0 0–2 0–0 2–2 0–1 4–1
Edmonton 1–0 — 1–0 2–1 1–0 0–2 1–0 2–1 1–0 0–0 0–0 1–0
Fort Lauderdale Strikers 0–1 1–0 — 2–1 1–0 1–1 0–0 0–0 3–1 2–0 0–2 1–4
Indy Eleven 3–0 1–0 3–0 — 5–2 2–1 1–0 3–0 1–0 3–0 2–1 1–1
Jacksonville Armada 2–2 0–0 1–1 0–0 — 3–2 0–0 2–4 0–2 2–1 1–1 3–2
Miami 1–0 1–0 0–2 2–1 1–0 — 1–1 2–3 2–1 0–1 0–1 2–2
Minnesota United 5–1 3–1 3–1 2–0 0–1 0–4 — 0–1 2–3 1–1 1–0 2–0
New York Cosmos 6–1 0–0 2–0 3–0 3–0 4–0 1–0 — 2–1 3–0 1–1 3–2
Ottawa Fury 2–0 2–2 0–1 1–1 1–2 0–0 3–1 1–1 — 1–2 0–1 2–0
Puerto Rico 2–1 0–1 2–1 1–1 3–3 0–3 0–0 1–2 0–0 — 1–0 0–0
Rayo 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–1 3–2 1–2 2–2 3–0 3–1 2–2 — 1–0
Tampa Bay Rowdies 1–0 0–1 2–1 2–3 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–2 1–1 3–0 2–0 —
Updated to match(es) played on January 2016. Source:
Colours: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Playoffs

Combined standings
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 New York Cosmos (C, X) 32 20 5 7 59 29 +30 65 Championship qualifiers
2 Indy Eleven 32 15 10 7 51 33 +18 55
3 FC Edmonton 32 15 8 9 25 21 +4 53
4 Rayo OKC 32 12 11 9 39 33 +6 47
5 Minnesota United 32 11 8 13 41 37 +4 41
6 Fort Lauderdale Strikers 32 11 8 13 31 40 −9 41
7 Miami FC 32 10 10 12 38 42 −4 40
8 Carolina RailHawks 32 11 7 14 36 48 −12 40
9 Tampa Bay Rowdies 32 9 12 11 40 41 −1 39
10 Ottawa Fury 32 7 10 15 32 40 −8 31
11 Jacksonville Armada 32 6 12 14 30 46 −16 30
12 Puerto Rico FC 22 5 9 8 19 31 −12 24
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) Champion; (X) Regular season champion.

The Championship

Participants

Semifinals
Indy Eleven1–0FC Edmonton
Ubiparipović  63' Report
Report		 Diakité  83'
Eckersley  90+2'
Carroll Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana
Attendance: 9,702
Referee: Sorin Stoica
New York Cosmos2–1Rayo OKC
Arango  73'  77'
Orozco  90'
Duk  90+2'		 Report
Report		 Danso  37'
Velásquez  42'
Kimura  64'
Attendance: 5,023
Referee: Jose Carlos Rivero

Soccer Bowl 2016
Main article: Soccer Bowl 2016
New York Cosmos0–0 (a.e.t.)Indy Eleven
Arrieta  116' Report
Report		 Ring  72'
Falvey  83'
Penalties
Arrieta
Moffat
Ayoze
Richter 		4–2 Paterson
Zayed
Busch
Vuković
Belson Stadium, Oueens, New York
Attendance: 2,150
Referee: Allen Chapman

Attendance
Club GP Total High Low Average Change
Minnesota United 16 137,161 9,460 6,101 8,573 -2.2%
Indy Eleven 16 134,339 9,356 6,132 8,396 -14.4%
Tampa Bay Rowdies 16 94,048 7,690 4,429 5,878 4.1%
Ottawa Fury 16 87,717 7,847 4,317 5,482 6.2%
Miami 16 86,833 10,156 1,229 5,427 N/A
Carolina RailHawks 16 80,923 8,086 3,093 5,058 11.4%
Puerto Rico 11 41,811 6,474 1,233 3,801 N/A
New York Cosmos 16 60,403 6,243 2,419 3,775 -25.4%
Jacksonville Armada 16 55,988 5,313 1,254 3,499 -55.9%
Rayo OKC 16 51,865 6,416 924 3,242 N/A
FC Edmonton 16 32,959 3,130 1,243 2,060 -28.7%
Fort Lauderdale Strikers 16 21,290 2,376 418 1,331 -70.2%
Total 187 885,337 10,156 418 4,734 -19.9%

Source: NASL

Highest attendances

Regular season

Rank Home team Score Away team Attendance Date Week Venue
1Miami1 – 1Tampa Bay Rowdies10,156April 9 (April 9)2FIU Stadium
2Miami1 – 1Minnesota United10,012September 24 (September 24)24FIU Stadium
3Miami1 – 1Minnesota United9,739August 27 (August 27)20FIU Stadium
4Minnesota United2 – 0Indy Eleven9,460July 16 (July 16)14National Sports Center
5Minnesota United0 – 1Jacksonville Armada9,402October 1 (October 1)25National Sports Center

Statistical leaders

Awards

Monthly awards

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

Weekly awards

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

League awards

NASL Best XI[32]
Position Player Team
Goalkeeper Matt Van OekelFC Edmonton
Defense AyozeNew York Cosmos
Defense Justin DavisMinnesota United
Defense Albert WatsonFC Edmonton
Defense Carlos MendesNew York Cosmos
Midfield Nazmi AlbadawiCarolina RailHawks
Midfield Juan ArangoNew York Cosmos
Midfield Joe ColeTampa Bay Rowdies
Midfield MichelRayo OKC
Forward Christian RamirezMinnesota United
Forward Éamon ZayedIndy Eleven

References

  1. "Scorpions Soccer Club Thanks Fans for Supporting Soccer for a Cause". sascorpions.com. 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. 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. "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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