2015 North American Soccer League season
Season | 2015 |
---|---|
Champions | New York Cosmos |
North American Supporters' Trophy | New York Cosmos |
Spring Champions | New York Cosmos |
Fall Champions | Ottawa Fury |
Matches played | 165 |
Goals scored | 453 (2.75 per match) |
Top goalscorer | Stefano Pinho (16) |
Biggest home win |
6 goals: FTL 7-1 IND (Aug 29) |
Biggest away win |
4 goals: JAX 0-4 CAR (May 30) |
Highest scoring |
8 goals: FTL 7-1 IND (Aug 29) |
Longest winning run |
5 games: Ottawa Fury (Jul 19 – Aug 8) |
Longest unbeaten run |
12 games: Ottawa Fury (May 9 – Aug 8) Ottawa Fury (Aug 26 – Oct 31) |
Longest winless run |
8 games: Atlanta Silverbacks (Apr 25 – Jul 4) Jacksonville Armada (May 16 – Jul 15) |
Longest losing run |
4 games: Atlanta Silverbacks (May 24 – Jul 4) Carolina RailHawks (Aug 12 – 30) Edmonton (Oct 4 – 17) |
Highest attendance |
16,167 JAX 3-1 FCE (Apr 4) |
Lowest attendance |
1,112 FCE 4-0 SAS (Jul 5) |
Total attendance | 975,558 |
Average attendance | 5,912 |
← 2014 2016 → |
The 2015 North American Soccer League season was the 48th season of Division II soccer in the United States and the fifth season of the North American Soccer League. It was contested by eleven teams including two from Canada. The NASL has been joined in 2015 by the Jacksonville Armada FC. The defending Soccer Bowl champions were the San Antonio Scorpions, while Minnesota United FC were the defending North American Supporters' Trophy winners. A split season format was used for the 2015 season.
Teams, stadiums, and personnel
Stadiums and locations
Personnel and sponsorship
Team | Head coach | Captain | Kit producer | Shirt sponsor |
---|---|---|---|---|
Atlanta Silverbacks | Gary Smith | Simon Mensing | Reto Sports | |
Carolina RailHawks | Colin Clarke | Connor Tobin | Adidas | Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC |
FC Edmonton | Colin Miller | Albert Watson | Adidas | The Fath Group |
Fort Lauderdale Strikers | Günter Kronsteiner | Iván Guerrero | Nike | Azul Airlines |
Indy Eleven | Tim Regan (interim) | Kristian Nicht | Diadora | Honda |
Jacksonville Armada FC | Eric Dade (interim) | Marcos Flores | Nike | Winn-Dixie |
Minnesota United FC | Manny Lagos | Aaron Pitchkolan | Inaria | Atomic Data / Mall of America |
New York Cosmos | Giovanni Savarese | Carlos Mendes | Nike | Emirates |
Ottawa Fury FC | Marc Dos Santos | Richie Ryan | Admiral | The Heart and Crown |
San Antonio Scorpions | Alen Marcina | Adrian Cann | Nike | Toyota |
Tampa Bay Rowdies | Stuart Campbell | Marcelo Saragosa | Nike | Hard Rock |
Managerial changes
Team | Outgoing manager | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Position in table | Incoming manager | Date of appointment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Atlanta Silverbacks | Alejandro Pombo | End of interim period | November 2, 2014 | Pre-Season | Gary Smith | December 23, 2014 |
Fort Lauderdale Strikers | Günter Kronsteiner | Not Returning | December 5, 2014 | Pre-Season | Marcelo Neveleff | January 19, 2015 |
Jacksonville Armada | Expansion team | Villarreal, José LuisJosé Luis Villarreal | June 14, 2014[1] | |||
Tampa Bay Rowdies | Hill, RickyRicky Hill | Fired | November 18, 2014 | Pre-Season | Rongen, ThomasThomas Rongen | December 3, 2014[2] |
Jacksonville Armada | Villarreal, José LuisJosé Luis Villarreal | Resigned | May 22, 2015 | 6th | Hoyos, Guillermo ÁngelGuillermo Ángel Hoyos | June 14, 2015[3] |
Indy Eleven | Sommer, JuergenJuergen Sommer | Fired | June 2, 2015 | 11th | Regan, TimTim Regan (interim) | June 2, 2015[4] |
Fort Lauderdale Strikers | Neveleff, MarceloMarcelo Neveleff | Resigned | June 7, 2015 | 10th | Guerrero, IvánIván Guerrero (interim) | June 7, 2015[5] |
Fort Lauderdale Strikers | Guerrero, IvánIván Guerrero (interim) | End of interim period | June 30, 2015 | 8th | Günter Kronsteiner | June 30, 2015[6] |
Tampa Bay Rowdies | Rongen, ThomasThomas Rongen | Fired | August 21, 2015 | 10th | Stuart Campbell | August 26, 2015[7] |
Jacksonville Armada | Hoyos, Guillermo ÁngelGuillermo Ángel Hoyos | Fired | September 21, 2015 | 11th | Eric Dade (interim) | September 21, 2015[8] |
Spring season
The Spring season began on April 4 and ended on June 13. The schedule featured a single round robin format with each team playing every other team in the league a single time. Each team hosted 5 home games and played 5 road games. The winner of the Spring season earned one of four berths in the playoffs, known as The Championship.[9]
Standings
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | New York Cosmos (C) | 10 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 18 | 9 | +9 | 20 | 2015 NASL Spring Season Winner |
2 | Tampa Bay Rowdies | 10 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 15 | 9 | +6 | 19 | |
3 | Carolina RailHawks | 10 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 15 | 10 | +5 | 14 | |
4 | Minnesota United | 10 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 15 | 13 | +2 | 14 | |
5 | Indy Eleven | 10 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 13 | 12 | +1 | 13 | |
6 | Jacksonville Armada | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 15 | 18 | −3 | 12 | |
7 | San Antonio Scorpions | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 11 | 15 | −4 | 12 | |
8 | Fort Lauderdale Strikers | 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 12 | 13 | −1 | 11 | |
9 | Ottawa Fury | 10 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 8 | −3 | 11 | |
10 | Edmonton | 10 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 16 | 22 | −6 | 9 | |
11 | Atlanta Silverbacks | 10 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 13 | −6 | 8 |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total goal differential; 3) total goals scored; 4) head-to-head record; 5) away goal differential; 6) away goals scored
(C) Champion.
Results
Home ╲ Away | ATL | CAR | FCE | FTL | IND | JAX | MNU | NYC | OTT | SAS | TBR |
Atlanta Silverbacks | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–0 | 1–1 | 0–1 | ||||||
Carolina RailHawks | 1–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | ||||||
Edmonton | 4–2 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 2–2 | 2–3 | ||||||
Fort Lauderdale Strikers | 0–0 | 0–1 | 1–2 | 2–1 | 0–1 | ||||||
Indy Eleven | 1–1 | 3–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–2 | ||||||
Jacksonville Armada | 0–4 | 3–1 | 1–0 | 0–0 | 2–1 | ||||||
Minnesota United | 1–0 | 2–3 | 3–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | ||||||
New York Cosmos | 4–2 | 3–3 | 1–0 | 3–0 | 2–0 | ||||||
Ottawa Fury | 0–0 | 1–3 | 1–0 | 1–0 | 0–0 | ||||||
San Antonio Scorpions | 1–0 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 0–0 | 1–3 | ||||||
Tampa Bay Rowdies | 3–0 | 2–1 | 1–0 | 3–2 | 0–0 |
Source:
1 ^ The home team is listed in the left-hand column.
Colours: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
Fall season
The Fall season began on July 4 and ended on November 1. The schedule featured each team playing every other team in the league once at home and once away. The winner of the Fall season earned one of four berths in The Championship.[10]
Standings
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ottawa Fury (C) | 20 | 13 | 6 | 1 | 37 | 15 | +22 | 45 | 2015 NASL Fall Season Winner |
2 | Minnesota United | 20 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 39 | 26 | +13 | 39 | |
3 | New York Cosmos | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 31 | 21 | +10 | 36 | |
4 | Fort Lauderdale Strikers | 20 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 37 | 27 | +10 | 30 | |
5 | Edmonton | 20 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 25 | 24 | +1 | 26 | |
6 | Atlanta Silverbacks | 20 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 24 | 27 | −3 | 25 | |
7 | Carolina RailHawks | 20 | 6 | 3 | 11 | 29 | 39 | −10 | 21 | |
8 | Tampa Bay Rowdies | 20 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 18 | 28 | −10 | 20 | |
9 | Indy Eleven | 20 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 23 | 36 | −13 | 20 | |
10 | San Antonio Scorpions | 20 | 4 | 7 | 9 | 30 | 37 | −7 | 19 | |
11 | Jacksonville Armada | 20 | 5 | 4 | 11 | 18 | 31 | −13 | 19 |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total goal differential; 3) total goals scored; 4) head-to-head record; 5) away goal differential; 6) away goals scored
(C) Champion.
Results
Home ╲ Away | ATL | CAR | FCE | FTL | IND | JAX | MNU | NYC | OTT | SAS | TBR |
Atlanta Silverbacks | 2–1 | 1–0 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 1–0 | 1–2 | 0–3 | 1–1 | 3–3 | 0–0 | |
Carolina RailHawks | 2–0 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 3–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 3–2 | 1–1 | |
Edmonton | 1–3 | 3–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 0–1 | 4–0 | 1–0 | |
Fort Lauderdale Strikers | 2–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 7–1 | 2–0 | 2–5 | 3–3 | 0–2 | 0–0 | 2–1 | |
Indy Eleven | 0–1 | 2–1 | 0–2 | 2–1 | 3–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–4 | 1–2 | 2–0 | |
Jacksonville Armada | 1–0 | 3–0 | 3–2 | 0–1 | 1–1 | 3–3 | 1–0 | 1–3 | 0–0 | 2–0 | |
Minnesota United | 1–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 1–0 | 4–0 | 0–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–0 | |
New York Cosmos | 1–1 | 3–2 | 3–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–0 | 2–1 | 1–4 | 2–1 | 2–0 | |
Ottawa Fury | 2–1 | 2–1 | 2–0 | 0–0 | 4–2 | 2–0 | 1–2 | 0–0 | 1–0 | 2–2 | |
San Antonio Scorpions | 3–3 | 3–3 | 2–2 | 2–4 | 2–0 | 1–0 | 3–4 | 1–2 | 0–1 | 3–0 | |
Tampa Bay Rowdies | 2–1 | 1–0 | 0–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 |
Source:
1 ^ The home team is listed in the left-hand column.
Colours: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
2015 NASL Playoffs
The Championship, culminating with Soccer Bowl 2015, was contested by the winners of the spring and fall seasons hosting the next best two teams in the full year regular season table. The half-season champions earned the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds, with the higher seed going to the team with the better full-season record. The two next-best teams earned the No. 3 and No. 4 seeds. The semi-finals had the No. 1 seed hosting the No. 4 seed and the No. 2 seed hosting the No. 3 seed. The winners met in the Soccer Bowl 2015 hosted by the team with the higher seed.[11]
Participants:
- New York Cosmos (2015 Spring season champion)
- Ottawa Fury (2015 Fall season champion)
- Minnesota United (Qualified)
- Fort Lauderdale Strikers (Qualified)
Combined Standings
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | New York Cosmos | 30 | 15 | 11 | 4 | 49 | 30 | +19 | 56 | North American Supporters' Trophy Winner 2015 NASL Spring Season Winner |
2 | Ottawa Fury | 30 | 15 | 11 | 4 | 42 | 23 | +19 | 56 | 2015 NASL Fall Season Winner |
3 | Minnesota United | 30 | 14 | 11 | 5 | 54 | 39 | +15 | 53 | Championship Qualifier |
4 | Fort Lauderdale Strikers | 30 | 11 | 8 | 11 | 49 | 40 | +9 | 41 | |
5 | Tampa Bay Rowdies | 30 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 33 | 37 | −4 | 39 | |
6 | Carolina RailHawks | 30 | 9 | 8 | 13 | 44 | 49 | −5 | 35 | |
7 | Edmonton | 30 | 9 | 8 | 13 | 41 | 46 | −5 | 35 | |
8 | Atlanta Silverbacks | 30 | 7 | 12 | 11 | 31 | 40 | −9 | 33 | |
9 | Indy Eleven | 30 | 8 | 9 | 13 | 36 | 48 | −12 | 33 | |
10 | San Antonio Scorpions | 30 | 7 | 10 | 13 | 41 | 52 | −11 | 31 | |
11 | Jacksonville Armada | 30 | 8 | 7 | 15 | 33 | 49 | −16 | 31 |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total goal differential; 3) total goals scored; 4) head-to-head record; 5) away goal differential; 6) away goals scored
The Championship
Semi-Finals
New York Cosmos | 2 – 1 | Fort Lauderdale Strikers |
---|---|---|
Cellerino 37' 74' Senna 58' Raúl 61' Szetela 71' |
Report Report |
PC 16' Thomas 33' |
Ottawa Fury | 2 – 1 (a.e.t.) | Minnesota United |
---|---|---|
Heinemann 9' 47', 108' Trafford 104' |
Report Report |
Calvano 2' Ramirez 7' (pen.) Ibson 45' Mendes 45+' Vicentini 100' Jordan 120+' |
Soccer Bowl 2015
New York Cosmos | 3 – 2 | Ottawa Fury |
---|---|---|
Cellerino 7' 8', 72', 85' Maurer 41' Guenzatti 60' |
Report Report Report |
Trafford 68' Heinemann 70', 90+2' Falvey 76' Ryan 76' |
Attendance
Club | GP | Total | High | Low | Average | Change |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Indy Eleven | 15 | 147,139 | 10,524 | 8,500 | 9,809 | -6.3% |
Minnesota United | 15 | 131,499 | 9,418 | 5,890 | 8,767 | 9.9% |
Jacksonville Armada | 15 | 118,905 | 16,164 | 5,652 | 7,927 | N/A |
San Antonio Scorpions | 15 | 101,043 | 8,053 | 4,105 | 6,736 | -0.3% |
Tampa Bay Rowdies | 15 | 84,739 | 7,010 | 4,219 | 5,649 | 24.2% |
Ottawa Fury | 15 | 77,464 | 6,899 | 3,023 | 5,164 | 24.5% |
New York Cosmos | 15 | 75,927 | 12,550 | 3,326 | 5,062 | 7.6% |
Carolina RailHawks | 15 | 68,080 | 7,217 | 3,055 | 4,539 | -0.1% |
Fort Lauderdale Strikers | 15 | 67,067 | 11,691 | 1,278 | 4,471 | 9.9% |
Atlanta Silverbacks | 15 | 60,366 | 5,511 | 2,302 | 4,024 | -0.7% |
Edmonton | 15 | 43,329 | 4,240 | 1,112 | 2,889 | -14.6% |
Total | 165 | 975,558 | 16,164 | 1,112 | 5,912 | 7.5% |
Source: NASL
Statistical leaders
Top scorers
Source:[12] |
Top assists
Source:[12] |
Clean sheets
Source: NASL |
Hat-tricks
|
Awards
Monthly awards
Month | NASL Player of the Month | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Player | Club | Stats | Ref | |
April | Jimmy Maurer | New York Cosmos | 12SV, 1GA | [13] |
May | Raúl | New York Cosmos | 3G | [14] |
June | Romuald Peiser | Ottawa Fury | 9SV, 0GA | [15] |
July | Christian Ramirez | Minnesota United | 4G, 2A | [16] |
August | Stefano Pinho | Fort Lauderdale Strikers | 6G, 1A | [17] |
September | Romuald Peiser | Ottawa Fury | 11SV, 2GA | [18] |
October | Stefano Pinho | Fort Lauderdale Strikers | 4G, 3A | [19] |
Weekly awards
League Awards
- Golden Ball (MVP): Stefano Pinho (Fort Lauderdale Strikers) [20]
- Golden Boot: Stefano Pinho (Fort Lauderdale Strikers) [21]
- Golden Glove: Romuald Peiser (Ottawa Fury) [22]
- Coach of the Year: Marc Dos Santos (Ottawa Fury) [23]
- Goal of the Year: Junior Burgos (Atlanta Silverbacks) [24]
- Young (U24) Player of the Year: Leo Fernandes (New York Cosmos) [25]
- Humanitarian of the Year: Drew Beckie (Ottawa Fury) [26]
- Fair Play Award: Ottawa Fury [27]
NASL Best XI[28] | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Position | Player | Team | ||||
Goalkeeper | Romuald Peiser | Ottawa Fury | ||||
Defense | Rafael Alves | Ottawa Fury | ||||
Defense | Justin Davis | Minnesota United | ||||
Defense | Carlos Mendes | New York Cosmos | ||||
Defense | Kevin Venegas | Minnesota United | ||||
Midfield | Richie Ryan | Ottawa Fury | ||||
Midfield | Lance Laing | Edmonton | ||||
Midfield | Ibson | Minnesota United | ||||
Midfield | James Marcelin | Fort Lauderdale Strikers | ||||
Forward | Stefano Pinho | Fort Lauderdale Strikers | ||||
Forward | Christian Ramirez | Minnesota United |
References
- ↑ "Jacksonville Armada FC Names José Luis Villarreal as Inaugural Head Coach". armadafc.com. June 14, 2014. Retrieved December 17, 2014.
- ↑ "Rowdies name Rongen new head coach". Tampa Bay Times. December 3, 2014. Retrieved December 17, 2014.
- ↑ "VILLARREAL TO DEPART ARMADA FC AT END OF NASL SPRING SEASON". Jacksonville Armada. May 22, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
- ↑ "Regan in as Interim Head Coach". Indy Eleven. June 2, 2015. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
- ↑ "Strikers announce technical staff changes". Fort Lauderdale Strikers. June 7, 2015. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
- ↑ "Strikers name gunter kronsteiner head coach". Fort Lauderdale Strikers. June 30, 2015. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
- ↑ "Rowdies Name Stuart Campbell Head Coach". rowdiessoccer.com. Retrieved November 1, 2015.
- ↑ "General Manager Dario Sala, Head Coach Guillermo Hoyos and Assistant Coaches Dismissed". armadafc.com. Retrieved November 1, 2015.
- ↑ "OOPS! SORRY, SOMETHING WENT WRONG". nasl.com. Retrieved November 1, 2015.
- ↑ "OOPS! SORRY, SOMETHING WENT WRONG". nasl.com. Retrieved November 1, 2015.
- ↑ "NASL Clubs To Compete For 'The Championship'". February 27, 2014. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
- 1 2 "2015 NASL statistics". Retrieved August 30, 2015.
- ↑ "Player of the Month New York Cosmos Goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer". North American Soccer League. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
- ↑ "Player of the Month New York Cosmos Forward Raúl". North American Soccer League. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
- ↑ "Player of the Month Ottawa Fury FC Goalkeeper Romuald Peiser". North American Soccer League. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
- ↑ "Player of the Month Minnesota United Forward Christian Ramirez". North American Soccer League. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
- ↑ "Player of the Month Fort Lauderdale Strikers Forward Stefano Pinho". North American Soccer League. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
- ↑ "Player of the Month Ottawa Fury FC Goalkeeper Romuald Peiser". North American Soccer League. Retrieved October 6, 2015.
- ↑ "PLAYER OF THE MONTH - FORT LAUDERDALE FORWARD STEFANO PINHO". North American Soccer League. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
- ↑ "Fort Lauderdale Strikers Forward Stefano Pinho Claims NASL Golden Ball". North American Soccer League. November 10, 2015. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
- ↑ "Fort Lauderdale Strikers Forward Stefano Pinho Wins NASL Golden Boot Award". North American Soccer League. November 10, 2015. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
- ↑ "Ottawa Fury FC Goalkeeper Romuald Peiser Claims NASL Golden Glove Award". North American Soccer League. November 10, 2015. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
- ↑ "Ottawa Fury FC Head Coach Marc Dos Santos Named NASL Coach of the Year". nasl.com. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
- ↑ "Fans Vote Atlanta Silverbacks Midfielder JuniorBurgos' Freekick As NASL Goal of the Year". nasl.com. Retrieved 12 November 2015.
- ↑ "New York Cosmos Midfielder Leo Fernandes Named NASL Young Player of the Year". nasl.com. Retrieved 12 November 2015.
- ↑ "Ottawa Fury FC Defender Drew Beckie Named NASL Humanitarian of the Year". North American Soccer League. November 12, 2015. Retrieved November 12, 2015.
- ↑ "Ottawa Fury FC Wins 2015 Fair Play Award". North American Soccer League. November 10, 2015. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
- ↑ "North American Soccer League Announces 2015 Best XI". nasl.com. Retrieved 13 November 2015.