WHO

  vs.  

WHEN & WHERE

Wednesday, August 31 at 7:30 p.m. ET | Shuart Stadium at Hofstra University

WATCH & FOLLOW

• Watch LIVE on ONE World Sports and ONEWorldSports.com
• Listen on WRHU Hofstra Radio (88.7 FM)
• Follow @NYCosmos_Match and #NYCvIND on Twitter

THE STAKES

The New York Cosmos are on top of the NASL after achieving their largest margin of victory since the reboot, a resounding 6-1 home win Saturday night against the Carolina RailHawks. The Cosmos (7-2-2 Fall, 13-2-6 Combined) are one point clear of FC Edmonton in the Combined Season Standings and even on points with the Eddies in the Fall Season Standings, holding the tiebreaker of goal differential.

Indy Eleven (6-2-3 Fall, 10-8-3 Combined) aren’t far off the Cosmos’ pace. The 2016 Spring Season champions sit three points behind in both standings at the midpoint of the Fall Season. Wednesday’s game could go a long way in determining the Fall Season title race and, in turn, postseason contenders.

MATCHUP HISTORY

Indy and New York had tied all six of their previous encounters before this past April, when Indy scored twice in second half stoppage time to take all three points against the Cosmos at home. The Cosmos have an opportunity to even the all-time series Wednesday night on their home turf.

NOTES

Clash of Champions: The Cosmos and Indy Eleven are the NASL’s last two Spring Season champions. The Cosmos won the title in 2015, but Indy captured the first piece of hardware in club history by edging out New York on tiebreakers this past Spring Season.

Home Cooking: Saturday’s 6-1 triumph over the Carolina RailHawks was the Cosmos’ 10^th home win in 11 tries this NASL Season. New York has yet to lose at Shuart Stadium in 2016; only Rayo OKC held the Cosmos to a draw back on August 7.

Rolling: The Cosmos are riding a three-match winning streak and are unbeaten in their last five matches. They’ve scored 15 goals in those five games.

Number Juan: Cosmos midfielder Juan Arango continues to spearhead the Cosmos attack. The Venezuela international leads the team in goals (9) and is second in assists (4). He is the third-highest goal scorer in the league, trailing only Indy Eleven forward Éamon Zayed and Minnesota United FC forward Christian Ramirez.