The New York Cosmos will play their ninth match of the NASL spring season on Saturday, and if everything goes their way, they'll finish the night guaranteed to be hosting a semifinal match in November. While clinching also requires the Tampa Bay Rowdies to drop points, the boys in green can do their part this evening by winning in Blaine.
Standing in their way are last season's spring champions, who finished with the highest point total in the NASL after 27 matches. While Minnesota United fans were clearly disappointed to be knockout out of the playoffs by the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, they had an excellent season, and returned the bulk of the squad that appeared to be the best in the league last season.
The loons had a rough start, following their announcement that they'd be joining MLS after the 2017 season. Three straight wins have them back in the mix, though, even if it's a virtual certainty that someone else will win the spring crown.
Gio Savarese will want to take care of business tonight, ahead of the club's trip to Cuba. Here's the lineup he has selected to face the Loons on their home turf:
Our XI & subs for tonight's match in Minnesota. It's #1 vs. #2 in the league standings. Don't miss it! #MNUvNYC pic.twitter.com/Q1bAY1aHVs
— New York Cosmos (@NYCosmos) May 30, 2015
Meanwhile, Minnesota will go with the following:
Loons Starting XI: Ndjock, Davis, Dias, Calvano, Venegas, Vicentini, Pitchkolan (c), Ibarra, Ibson, Mendes, Campos. pic.twitter.com/2xRCOOqKwm
— Minnesota United FC (@MNUnitedFC) May 30, 2015
As always, enjoy the match. Details of how to watch can be found here.