New York Cosmos vs. Ottawa Fury: Lineups and preview

The Cosmos hopes of winning the NASL spring title were dashed last night, when the Tampa Bay Rowdies couldn't hold on to a lead against Minnesota United. That doesn't mean the season finale against Minnesota United has no meaning though, as the full season table will still come into play for playoff seeding, even if the Cosmos can't clinch a spot anytime soon.

Tonight will mark the first meeting between the Fury and the Cosmos, and could see New York move sisx points clear of fifth place (with a big advantage in goal differential) before the World Cup break. It would also be pretty nice to see a center forward have a big game on the night Giorgio Chinaglia's number nine is retired.

The Cosmos have been in good form recently, taking 13 points from their last 15. Ottawa have also picked up the pace lately, taking seven of their ten points this season in their last four matches.

Gio Savarese has chosen the following squad for today's match:

Starting eleven: Maurer; Freeman, Mendes, Ockford, Ayoze; Guenzatti, Szetela, Nane, Chirishian; Noselli, Stokkelien

Bench: Zobeck, Gorskie, Murphy, Denissen, Diosa, Johnson, Mendes

Here's hoping the Cosmos keep up their good form of late, and close the spring season with a win.