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PREVIEW: COSMOS KICK OFF SPRING SEASON AT PUERTO RICO FC

The Cosmos return to NASL action on Saturday night in second-ever match of NASL Modern Era at Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium
Published Mar 23, 2017

WHO

Puerto Rico FC vs. New York Cosmos

WHEN & WHERE 

Saturday, March 25 at 7:30 p.m. ET | Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium in Bayamón, Puerto Rico

WATCH & FOLLOW

  • Watch LIVE on BeIN Sports
  • Follow @NYCosmos_Match and #PRFCvNYC on Twitter for updates

THE STAKES

The NASL Spring Season kicks off on Saturday with three games scheduled across the league, including the PR/NY derby, with New York Cosmos on the road against Puerto Rico FC at Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium.

The Cosmos finished first in the Fall 2016 NASL season with a 14-5-3 (W-D-L) record and 47 points in 22 games, while PRFC finished 9th in their debut season with 24 points.

Puerto Rico FC are currently competing in the Caribbean Club Championship. They'll face Jamaica's Portmore United FC on Thursday before hosting the Cosmos in Week 1 of the NASL regular season on Saturday.

MATCHUP HISTORY

The New York Cosmos have become one of Puerto Rico FC's biggest rivals, earning the matchup derby status.

The Cosmos will play at Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium in Bayamón, Puerto Rico on Saturday for only the second time ever in the NASL Modern Era. They played their first match in 40 years at the venue last season, coming back from a one-goal deficit to win 2-1 thanks to a stoppage time goal by Andrés Flores.

NYC currently have an undefeated 2-0-0 (W-D-L) record against PRFC. 

NOTES

Familiar Faces: Two of the three goal scorers from last season's game at Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium return to action – PRFC forward Hector Ramos and Cosmos midfielder Andrés Flores.

Options All Over: Defender Dejan Jaković, midfielders Andrea Mancini and Juan Guerra, and forwards Irvin Herrera, Eugene Starikov, Amauri and Kalif Alhassan will all have the opportunity to start their first official match with the Cosmos.

Media Day: The Cosmos welcomed their business partners and local press to 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge on Tuesday for the 2017 Media Day. Former Cosmos goalkeeper Shep Messing, Cosmos Owner Rocco B. Commisso, and Head coach and Sporting Director Giovanni Savarese addressed the media and made themselves available for a Q&A. The day's events also included the announcement of a new partnership with new kit sponsors Inaria, followed by a presentation of the 2017 New York Cosmos kits.