New York Cosmos release 2016 NASL fall season schedule

The full 2016 North American Soccer League schedule has now been released by the league, and the New York Cosmos will kick off the fall season in July at home, against the same opponent they open the spring season against, and defeated to win the 2015 NASL title. The boys in green and white will host the Ottawa Fury on July 2, as the season's second half gets underway.

Here's the full Cosmos fall season schedule:

July 2, 2016 - New York Cosmos vs. Ottawa Fury FC

July 9, 2016 - Miami FC vs. New York Cosmos

July 13, 2016 - New York Cosmos vs Jacksonville Armada FC

July 16, 2016 - Rayo OKC vs. New York Cosmos

July 23, 2016 - Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. New York Cosmos

July 27, 2016 - FC Edmonton vs. New York Cosmos

July 30, 2016 - New York Cosmos vs. FC Puerto Rico

August 6, 2016 - New York Cosmos vs. Rayo OKC

August 13, 2016 - New York Cosmos vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies

August 20, 2016 - Puerto Rico FC vs. New York Cosmos

August 27, 2016 - New York Cosmos vs. Carolina RailHawks

August 31, 2016 - New York Cosmos vs. Indy Eleven

September 3, 2016 - Fort Lauderdale Strikers vs. New York Cosmos

September 10, 2016 - New York Cosmos vs. Minnesota United FC

September 17, 2016 - New York Cosmos vs. FC Edmonton

September 24, 2016 - Indy Eleven vs. New York Cosmos

September 28, 2016 - Carolina RailHawks vs. New York Cosmos

October 1, 2016 - New York Cosmos vs. Fort Lauderdale Strikers

October 8, 2016 - Ottawa Fury FC vs. New York Cosmos

October 15, 2016 - Jacksonville Armada FC vs. New York Cosmos

October 22, 2015 - New York Cosmos vs. Miami FC

October 29, 2016 - Minnesota United FC vs. New York Cosmos

Unlike the spring schedule, there aren't an odd number of clubs, as Puerto Rico FC will begin play in July. That means that most weekend rounds of play will feature six matches, instead of just five, though there will still be games in hand to worry about due to the way midweek matches have been scheduled. Typically, the league has opted for between one and three matches on Wednesday evenings, meaning that many clubs will have played a different number of matches until the final Wednesday game, on October 19.

Also of note, the Cosmos close their season on the road, against an opponent that's expected to be a contender. The final match could have major implications on the post-season, and if things don't go smoothly in Minnesota, could wind up being the final NASL match that they host, before joining MLS.

As with the spring, the fall champion will earn the right to host a semifinal match.