Rayo OKC’s Yukon Stadium was supplemented with turf for their games.

Remember Rayo OKC’s turf last season? It is singularly owned by Mr. Sean Jones — minority owner of Rayo OKC — as Rayo Vallecano declined to pay for any portion of the cost. Jones has been paying for the 96 pallets of turf for about a year now. They’ve been in storage since the end of Rayo and NASL’s 2016 season. Towards the end of last season, there was speculation whether Cosmos were trying to purchase the turf. While there is still uncertainty around that, Soc Takes can confirm that at this very moment, that same turf is on its way to NYC for a trial.

This week, that turf was transported to Brooklyn to be tested on MCU park surface. If the turf is considered to be in good enough shape, it will be purchased (Update: see below) by NY Cosmos for use for the 2017 NASL season. The turf is expected to arrive today.

The turf will not be the only connection between Rayo OKC and NY Cosmos this year; Alberto Gallego has joined the team as Assistant coach to Gio Savarese along with midfielder Richard Menjivar (As first reported on twitter by James Poling of The Oklahoman). Gallego has experience with the turf – a Rayo source informs Soc Takes that Gallego, on occasion, laid the turf himself in the 2nd half of the NASL 2016 season. Whether or not that had any bearing on the decision to try out the turf is unknown.

NY Cosmos, in spite of a tumultuous off-season, are clearly taking incremental steps to prepare for the 2017 season. As for Jones, he will be glad to not have to set aside payments towards the turf; and be one step closer to putting the Rayo story behind him, as he focuses on Oklahoma City FC.

Update (February 25th): Soc Takes has learned that NY Cosmos will not be purchasing the turf out right. If they like the turf, they will lease it for one year, with no plans to buy it. Soc Takes understands that COO Erik Stover believes the option of leasing the turf allows the team to find a more appropriate long-term solution for their field.

Samaras and other Rayo OKC players go through their warm up drills.

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Photo credit: Alexander Wells/WellsIllustration.com

Wolverhampton Wanderers FC hosted bottom-dwellers Rotherham United FC in a must-win matchup at Molineux Stadium on Saturday. The home side had been without a win in their last seven attempts. Their last league win had been on Jan. 31 against Barnsley.

Since then, Wolves have been in an absolute free fall. The defense has refused to hold and WWFC found themselves one place out of the relegation zone when they woke up Saturday morning.

The dark side of pro/rel is the terror fans feel when they are helpless to turn things around for their club. Four of February’s five losses were played at home, so today’s points mean that much more for a team desperate to change its fate.

By all accounts, today’s performance was lacking for WWFC. Rotherham are the league’s worst side and have no way to alter their course. RUFC will not find themselves playing in the Championship in 2018. The 1-0 scoreline held (only just) and three points go to the table, but the victory wasn’t satisfying or comfortable.

With the win, the Wolves clawed their way to 20th with two games in hand on their competition above and below. They are separated by one point in either direction. Breathing room. Nothing more.

Gaffer says the result is the most important thing. Have played better than this recently and lost.

— Wolves (@Wolves) March 11, 2017

There is a quick turn around for a Tuesday away match at 14th place Brentford. The Wolverhampton unbeaten streak currently sits at two games.

Follow @AGunyon on Twitter for more on this #RelegationWatch.

Thumbnail photo credit: Wolverhampton Wanderers FC/Sky Bet Championship

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Photo credit: U.S. Soccer

It’s almost Open Cup time again!

The 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tournament kicks off this Tuesday, with the first day of the first round. We have 56 clubs entering in the first round, with 21 from the PDL, 18 from the NPSL and 17 through the local qualifier tournament. These numbers are up from last year, with a total of 99 teams involved in this year’s tournament. This is a new record for the Open Cup, growing from just 40 clubs 10 years ago.

The first round always brings with it the battle between the PDL and NPSL for unofficial fourth division supremacy, as well as the opportunity for upsets by local amateur teams. Let’s take a look at how both of those went down last year.

In the 2016 first round, we saw nine matches between NPSL and PDL clubs, five between NPSL and local clubs, and nine between PDL and local clubs. The PDL just barely edged out its rival league, winning 5-4.

But against local qualifiers, the PDL fared worse, winning three games and losing six against local opposition. Notably, PDL club Ventura County Fusion had to forfeit to the LA Wolves of USASA despite winning the match 2-1. After a protest and subsequent investigation, the Fusion were found to have fielded Gabriel Gonzales, who had also played for Cal FC in its qualifying matches. That’s a roster violation, and the Fusion’s win was stripped.

The NPSL clubs fared better against the local qualifiers, winning their matches 3-2, albeit with a forfeiture by NTX Rayados. NTX elected to sit out the 2016 spring season in its local league, and as a result had no registered players. That meant the team had no eligible players to contest the Open Cup, and the win went to Corinthians of San Antonio.

One week away from #USOC2017 kick-off. @RedForceFC09 & @SoFlaSurf stream live on @ussoccer May 9 at 8:30 P.M. ET – https://t.co/ET4ctGEvC9 pic.twitter.com/7abESU40j9

— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) May 2, 2017

This year, the first round has grown to 28 matches, featuring 11 between the fourth division leagues, seven between NPSL clubs and local qualifiers, and 10 between PDL clubs and local qualifiers And, both clubs who were disqualified last year are back! The NTX Rayados will be taking on the NPSL’s Houston Dutch Lions, and the Ventura County Fusion will be taking on the Moreno Valley Futbol Club.

Also of note this year, we’re guaranteed to have at least two first round clubs make it to the third round. The winners of Western Mass Pioneers vs. Boston City FC and GPS Portland Phoenix vs. GPS Omens will play in the second round, as well as the winners of Albion SC Pros vs. Chula Vista FC and LA Wolves FC vs. San Diego Zest.

Every other first round winner will face a team from either the USL or NASL. Last year, we saw two first round clubs advance all the way to the fourth round, against MLS opposition. La Maquina FC held the LA Galaxy to a 1-1 draw into added time, eventually losing 4-1, while the Kitsap Pumas were defeated by the Seattle Sounders with two second half goals.

To wrap things up, I’ll leave you with my favorite non-FC Dallas related Open Cup memory: the Cal FC story.

In 2012, Cal FC, a “fifth-tier” amateur team led by former USA international Eric Wynalda, won all three of its qualification games with a +11 goal differential. In the first round, Cal made quick work of the PDL’s Kitsap Pumas, winning 3-1. This brought the name Danny Barrera from obscurity right into the headlines, as he and his brother combined for two of Cal’s three goals.

In the second round, Cal FC took on the Wilmington Hammerheads of USL Pro and stunned us all with a commanding 4-0 win. Again, the Barrera brothers combined for two goals. Some may say that they got some help with Wilmington down to nine men in the second half, but all four goals were scored before Bryce Taylor received the first of Wilmington’s two red cards. With the win, Cal FC moved on to take on some MLS opposition, the Portland Timbers.

On May 30, 2012, in the final match of the third round, Cal FC moved from headline news to Open Cup legends. Things started off well for Cal, with a fingertip save from Jesus Gonzales the only thing keeping Troy Perkins off the scoresheet in the 6th minute. Yet the Timbers pressed harder, constantly getting crosses in and holding Cal scoreless. First half, no score. Second half went by, more of the same, even a penalty kick awarded to Portland. Still no score. On to added time.

It only took five minutes. Artur Aghasian took a clean pass right through the Timbers defense. He was onside. Into the box. A quick chip.

Darby Carrillo with more heroic work in goal. The final whistle blew.

And history was made:

Cal FC 1, Portland Timbers 0.

For the first time in years, an amateur team toppled a giant from MLS. Could it happen again this year? Here’s hoping.

You can follow John on Twitter @JohnMLTX.

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Miami FC are running away with the rankings at this point. Can anyone stop them? Miami are the outright leaders and sit 7 points clear of the Deltas and the Cosmos after 12 games. They have 27 points! They have the best offense (21 goals for), the best defense (8 goals allowed) and they are undefeated on the road. South Beach FC have the longest active unbeaten streak. There is no doubt that Nesta’s boys will make a postseason appearance in their second attempt. It appears they will be the first ones to punch their playoff ticket and hoist their first hardware at the same time. It’s just a question of when will they clinch the Spring?

There aren’t many surprises to be had in these rankings. The bottom half of the table is content to separate itself from the peleton and don’t show many signs of changing that around. The Eddies have two wins in their last five but they still have the leagues worst goal differential. Indy Eleven gathered themselves together for their first win after 11 tries, but they beat a tired North Carolina team that isn’t exactly burning up the charts right now. NCFC has four points over their last five matches. Puerto Rico FC and Indy do too.

Where can we find some conflict? We need something to argue about.

New York Cosmos haven’t had the hottest five game stretch. Their last four contests have been against bottom half teams. In a recent three game home stand, NYC’s only results came from a comeback win against PRFC and a draw against NCFC.

It is tempting to put Jacksonville ahead of Cosmos because the 3-0 victory at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco is worth a lot. That was a few games ago however. Since then, they have beaten Indy but they have been blanked by Miami…twice.

The Deltas have enjoyed tormenting the little guys. They beat Edmonton and Puerto Rico, but who hasn’t? Indy! Hey. That’s not nice.

You can follow Aaron on Twitter @AGunyon.

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Recently, rumors emerged that next season’s Indy Eleven kits will be sponsored by Adidas. While four independent sources informed Soc Takes that Adidas would indeed be next year’s kit sponsor, it turns out those reports were either premature or incorrect. Larry Linde, director of corporate partnerships at Indy Eleven, informed Soc Takes via email:

“I can go on the record and confirm that there is no signed, done deal with any kit manufacturer”

Credit: Indy Eleven

Adidas’ sports licensing division operates out of the east side of Indianapolis.

Under Armour is considered the other front runner to be Indy’s next kit manufacturer. Indy Eleven just completed a three-year partnership with Diadora and a partnership with global brands such as Adidas or UA would be a terrific optic for the upcoming visit from MLS.

Soc Takes can reveal that the club are in negotiations with another powerful, global brand as a kit sponsor (not manufacturer). If the deal goes through, this sponsor would confirm the marketability of Indy Eleven.

Soc Takes will update this story as more information emerges.

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Photo credit: Matt Schlotzhauer/Indy Eleven

Injuries continue to hamper the Indy Eleven roster. A familiar name returns to the report, but there are still options for head coach Tim Hankinson. The Soc Takes crew has carefully considered the available personnel for this weekend’s matchup vs. FC Edmonton. There is a problem though. The gang could not come to a consensus on the “best 11” or the best formation the Indy Eleven gaffer has at his disposal.

Let’s start with the injury report

The following players are out for round two vs. the Eddies of Edmonton: Eamon Zayed, Lovel Palmer, Craig Henderson and Don Smart. Adrian Ables is listed as questionable. Zayed has a cracked rib, Palmer is dealing with a lower leg pain (ankle) thing, Henderson has had a hamstring strain and Smart has been sidelined for much of the season. We expect both Zayed and Palmer to be available soon. It may be as early as next week. Henderson’s injury status is less certain.

A delicate attempt to point out Indy’s troubles without piling on: Even a practice player, Adrian Ables, has been unable to avoid the injury bug.

What will the team look like this weekend?

We’ve been informed that everyone other than the players listed above is available for selection. There are some tough choices to make based on form, performance and physical attributes. There are similarities. However, it is very hard to predict what Hankinson will do in these situations. He is wily. He is probably desperate for a win. And he is known to shake things up when he feels his hands are tied.

Neither Edmonton nor the Eleven are setting the world on fire right now. Both clubs are in a dire need of points to bring the season within reach. Indy Eleven captain Colin Falvey offered a sobering comment on the state of the season:

“Now it’s become a case of ‘forget about the spring, we need to get some points on the board to make sure we have a chance of playing in the postseason.’ It’s as simple as that.” – Colin Falvey

Get on with it

Here are three different potential looks for Indy. KJ is looking for Daniel Keller. Nipun is predicting a return to the 4-5-1 and I am looking for consistency.

Kevin Johnston’s projected starting XI:

Nipun Chopra’s projected starting XI:

My projected starting XI:

You can follow Aaron on Twitter @AGunyon.

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Photo credit: Butler men’s soccer

INDIANAPOLIS — After a decorated 2016 campaign that saw the team claim the Big East title, Butler entered this season with lofty expectations. The Bulldogs kicked off their season Saturday at the Sellick Bowl with an exhibition match against Michigan and showed flashes of brilliance, but on the whole displayed the typical rust often seen in preseason openers. The end result was a nil-nil draw.

Head coach Paul Snape’s Bulldogs came out in their usual free-flowing 4-5-1 setup, with sophomore midfielders Isaac Galliford and Lewis Suddick leading the attack.

The two clubs agreed to some unique circumstances in order to give their players extra coaching and rest. Channeling hockey, they opted for three 30-minute periods.

Suddick almost scored in the first period, but his headed effort past the goalkeeper was cleared off the line as it trickled toward the far post. Ditto for sophomore forward Brandon Guhl, whose late header bounced just wide of post.

The Wolverines, coming off a disappointing four-win 2016 season, including just one victory in Big Ten play, accounted themselves quite well and appear much improved this year.

Michigan midfielder Umar Farouk Osman posed sporadic problems for the hosts by interjecting his pace and showing off his slick dribbling ability. He started out on the left flank, then shifted to right midfielder in the second period.

Wolverines forward Mohammed Zakyi also made a difference for the visitors. After a bad giveaway by Galliford in the defensive third, Zakyi fired a shot on frame that forced Butler goalkeeper Eric Dick into a diving save.

Photo credit: Soc Takes

Butler looked sharper in the second period than in the first, and seemed to improve its cohesion — especially in the midfield — as the match wore on. In the third period, both coaches opted to roll out lineups featuring mostly backups to get their bench players some vital preseason minutes.

Overall both sides turned in slightly sloppy performances, but that’s precisely what exhibition matches are for — to shake off the cobwebs.

Butler will return to action Wednesday in Columbus for another exhibition clash with Ohio State.

***

You can follow Kevin on Twitter: @KJboxing.

Soc Takes is on Patreon. Get access to patron-only Soc Takes Pod episodes, exclusive written content and tier rewards. Click here to become a patron today.

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Louisville City FC’s official radio show on AM 790 KRD, Soccer City, invited our own Kevin Johnston on the program to preview today’s preseason match between LouCity and the Indy Eleven in Evansville.

The topics included what to expect in today’s final dress rehearsal and the growing rivalry between the two clubs despite being in different leagues. Listen:

Today’s game is the final preseason match for both teams as they prepare for the starts of the NASL and USL seasons next weekend. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. ET, 5 p.m. local time. Follow Indy Eleven’s live account for in-game updates.

Thumbnail photo credit: Louisville City FC/790 KRD

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Photo credit: Boca Raton FC

Snagging six points across two matches in the NPSL is hardly child’s play, even on a home stand. And when you’re the new kid on the block in an established league, doing so on the road is damn near cause for celebration.

Boca Raton FC did just that after dropping its first two matches of the season. One-goal losses to Miami United and Kraze United to start its inaugural NPSL campaign left the club feeling competitive and on the verge of turning the corner; it didn’t take long before the team did.

Back-to-back road wins at Beaches FC and Naples United quickly shot Boca Raton up to the middle of the table in the seven-team NPSL South Sunshine Conference Division. With both victories coming by two goals, the performances also improved the club’s goal differential to +2 through four matches.

Image credit: NPSL.com

But Boca Raton’s success shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. The club had already established a winning culture before making the jump to the NPSL. Its past success helped prepare the team for greener pastures.

“Boca Raton and our president Douglas Heizer had a very smart, slow growth plan,” Boca Raton FC director of communication Kartik Krishnaiyer said on the Soc Takes Pod. “Just play at kind of a grassroots level at first. Develop a little bit of a following in 2015. Play in a local league, APSL. We won that league in 2015. We won that league in 2016 (trophy pictured above). Now make the jump to NPSL.”

Athirson, a former Juventus player and head coach of Boca Raton FC, certainly has enough firepower to keep the team playing at a high level. Brazilian forward Bruno Militz, Aussie defender Justin Wilbanks and Colombian midfielder Shadi Harb have helped lead the club so far, with the latter fresh off a brace in the team’s 3-1 win over Naples.

For his brace yesterday Shadi Harb is the #BRFC player of the match! #BocaNation pic.twitter.com/UMUCJT1ebI

— Boca Raton FC (@BocaRatonFC) May 28, 2017

Consider it a jolly coincidence that an international city is stocked with ample international talent.

“Boca Raton is a beautiful city,” Krishnaiyer added. “It’s on the water. It’s about 20 miles north of Ft. Lauderdale International Airport where you get flights from Dubai, London and South America. Emirates flies from Ft. Lauderdale. British Airways flies from Ft. Lauderdale. So we are an international destination.”

Boca Raton FC will look to keep its fine NPSL form alive tonight on the road against the Jacksonville Armada U-23 side. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET at Patton Park Stadium Field and the match can be streamed live via SportsmeshTV.

You can follow Kevin on Twitter @KJboxing.

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Photo credit: Miami FC

The NASL playoffs are looming and the top seed is locked up. Miami FC will host the club’s first-ever postseason match on Nov. 5 at Ricardo Silva Stadium. That is done. Their opponent for that match is less clear, however.

There are currently two teams battling it out for the fourth and final spot. Those teams are Jacksonville Armada FC and the New York Cosmos who are currently tied on points but occupy the fourth and fifth spots, respectively.

While it is true that the No. 1 seed will face No. 4, it is not a guarantee that either the Armada or Cosmos are that seed. Neither one has a shot at the fall season’s automatic bid, but that doesn’t mean they are required to face the teal and tangerine in the semifinals. It is extremely unlikely that either one will play host in November. Both bubble teams can close on North Carolina FC in the combined standings, who find themselves in a fantastic opportunity to control their own destiny. The NASL’s split season format makes all of this complicated.

NASL combined standings as of Oct. 12. Image credit: NASL.com

There are three teams in legitimate position to claim the fall and nab hosting rights in the opening round of the playoffs. One of those is Miami. They already have the top seed on lock so the rest of the seeding would be fairly straightforward. It would all come down to combined standings at that point. Aforementioned NCFC can really throw a wrench in things for the San Francisco Deltas with the right playoff push and a fall season title, but if they falter now, they may wind up dropping to fourth place in the combined standings and visiting Miami in November … or worse.

Crystal clear! Let’s look at some scenarios:

Easiest

Either Miami FC or the SF Deltas claim the fall season. This would nail down the 1 and 2 seeds instantaneously. Since Miami have already clinched, there will be no change at the top. The remaining two or three spots would be awarded to the teams with the highest number of points in the combined standings.

The Deltas won’t be challenged for points in the combined standings. They cannot improve their position, only solidify it. However, there is still a chance that the Deltas end up the 3 seed. That is the worst they can do at this point. They would rather stay in that 2 spot and bring the playoffs to the Bay Area in their inaugural season. The most obvious opponent at this time is NCFC.

Possibility

NCFC wants the fall too. If they can close the two-point gap on the league leaders — Miami and Deltas — they will host the Deltas in November. Be careful what you wish for. San Francisco have only one away loss on the year. NCFC has three games remaining so they had better act quickly, but they are one of the hottest teams right now. They have taken 10 points in their last four games. This scenario would mean that only one of the Armada or Cosmos get a bonus game.

Crazier

The wheels fall of in North Carolina. Both NYC and JAX overtake them in the combined standings. Both are five points back, but they have a game in hand with four contests remaining. The two bubble teams have now become the 3 and 4 seeds and NCFC gets to watch the playoffs at home.

The New York Cosmos have taken six points in their last five matches. Jacksonville has taken five points in that same stretch. It is also possible that one of the two bubble teams slides past NCFC and forces the train birds to No. 4.

NCFC is unbeaten and has three wins in their last four. The wheels would really have to come off.

Puerto Rico is out. Edmonton is out. Indy is out, although not officially mathematically eliminated. The Eleven have the league’s worst defense and the worst goal differential that customarily goes with that. To consider them a longshot would be the kindest way of putting it.

The NASL is currently an eight-team league. Half of the participants will vie for the championship in November. Last year’s champs are a dark horse right now and last year’s runner-up is not even in the conversation.

Follow Aaron on Twitter: @AGunyon.

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