Preview: New York Cosmos vs. Puerto Rico FC

New York Cosmos (4th in NASL, 4-5-2, 17 points)

vs.

Puerto Rico FC (7th in NASL, 1-4-6, 7 points)

Miami FC continue their reign at the top of the Spring Season standings with 24 points. At the moment, it doesn’t look like they’re going to stop either. In their last five league matches, they have four wins and a draw, accumulating to 13 points. The Cosmos have to start responding with some wins, and it can start with this upcoming fixture against PRFC.

The Originals have done well against Puerto Rico this season. The two teams played out a draw in the first match of the Spring Season while the Cosmos took the second meeting, 4-3. New York has taken three out of the four meetings all time against Puerto Rico, outscoring them 9-4.

Currently, PRFC sit in seventh place on the Spring table. We should be able to get the 3 points especially considering our history against them, right? Well, I think I learned my lesson after watching the craziness against FC Edmonton. With two red cards to their name, the Cosmos dropped four straight goals to the Eddies, who sat in last place at the time. After that, we could see anything here.

It’s the Cosmos last match of their three-game home stretch before they hit the road against Miami. Keep an eye out for Ryan Richter in this one. He has featured in all eleven games for New York this season. Richter has won 13 tackles and holds 14 interceptions this season. Richter and the rest of the defence will have to keep PRFC away from the box, particularly attackers Emery Welshman and Giuseppe Gentile. The both of them have four goals combined, all of which have been scored in the box.

The Cosmos have to start winning consecutively. It hasn’t been that way as of late, but I believe it can start here. I expect the Cosmos to push the back line forward to apply pressure to PRFC. If they can contain the counter attack, we could see this one through.

Match Prediction: 2-1 Cosmos win

Coverage for the fixture will be provided by the MSG Networks and ESPN3. It will take place at MCU Park on Friday, June 16 at 7:30 p.m. ET.