News

Game Guide: Cosmos Host Rayo OKC Tonight

The first-ever matchup between the two clubs comes at a crucial juncture in the Spring Season.
Published May 26, 2016

WHO

  vs.  

WHEN & WHERE

Saturday, May 28 at 7 p.m. ET | James M. Shuart Stadium at Hofstra University

It's Superhero Night at the Cosmos match this Saturday, May 28! That means your favorite masked men and women will be on hand to defend Shuart Stadium in the West Plaza (and pose for photos) while the team defends its home field against Rayo OKC.

This weekend's #ForeverGreen gameday selfie contest gives you chances to win both Copa America Centenario Quarterfinal tickets and gear from the Under Armour SuperHero collection. The Copa America Trophy itself will also be inside the gates.

Get ready to celebrate Greek heritage Saturday night, too. We'll honor local Greek-American soccer clubs before the match, and Greek dancers will entertain at halftime. Before the Cosmos and Rayo OKC square off, local Greek sides NY Pancyprian Freedoms and NY Salamina SC will match up. All that plus Greek food and the chance to see former Greek national team star Georgios Samaras and Rayo OKC duel Juan Arango, Jimmy Maurer and the New York Cosmos.

WATCH & FOLLOW

THE STAKES

The Cosmos are looking to improve to 5-0-0 (W-D-L) at James M. Shuart Stadium this year as they play their final home match of the NASL Spring Season. With two games remaining, including Saturday’s match against Rayo OKC, every point matters to remain atop the standings.

Last Saturday’s 2-1 home win against the Tampa Bay Rowdies pushed the Cosmos back to the top of the Spring Season Standings with 15 points earned. Trailing the Cosmos are FC Edmonton and Minnesota, with 14 and 13 points, respectively. First-half goals from Yasmani Duk and Ruben Bover were enough to negate a Tom Heinemann strike on Saturday. The big target forward’s tally was the first goal an opposing player has scored at Hofstra this season.

Rayo OKC (2-2-3) is coming off a 2-1 home loss to the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. The expansion club is winless at home, managing just one draw and three losses, but has collected two wins and a draw from three road fixtures. With eight points through seven games, a win would bolster Rayo’s chances at a postseason run. While the Spring Season title is likely out of reach, every point counts in the buildup to The Championship, the league’s four-team postseason tournament.

NOTES

Too close to call: While the Cosmos have a slight goal differential lead on third-place Minnesota (+7 to +5), Minnesota has a game in hand. The Cosmos have one spring match remaining after Rayo OKC, as well as a U.S. Open Cup match on June 1 against Jersey Express. 

Flashy feet: New York Cosmos midfielder Ruben Bover claimed the NASL Play of the Week title with his game-winning goal against the Rowdies last weekend. Bover, who was returning from injury, slipped the ball past Tampa Bay goalkeeper Matt Pickens with a sliding volley to put his team on top. Eight different Cosmos players have scored goals in the Spring Season.

More Thunder from OKC: Rayo OKC boasts the NASL’s leading goal scorer in midfielder and team captain Michel. In the team’s 2-1 loss against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers last weekend, Michel scored his fifth goal of the Spring Season. Cosmos midfielder Juan Arango is tied for third in the NASL with three goals.

On the back end: Jimmy Maurer still leads the NASL in fewest goals allowed (4) through at least seven league starts. In comparison, Rayo OKC goalkeeper Daniel Fernandes has conceded 10 goals in seven matches. Maurer also boasts four clean sheets, while Fernandes has two. The Cosmos defense has conceded only six goals through eight matches.