The NASL Spring Season might seem to be over. Miami FC has clinched the title, and in doing so clinched their place in the playoff. But for the Cosmos, the season is far from over. The NASL always has a few twists left to keep fans on the edge of their seats.

 

The NASL has two seasons, the Spring Season, which wraps up this weekend, and the Fall Season, which starts on July 29 and ends on October 29. However, when these seasons end, the fun is just beginning. Four teams from the league will be selected to participate in The Championship, where the real battle will commence. The winner of The Championship will win the coveted Soccer Bowl, and be crowned as the best team of the year.

 

So how does a team reach The Championship? For Miami FC, their place is secured. The team that wins either the Spring or Fall Season automatically qualifies for The Championship. So, the Cosmos will definitely come out fighting at the beginning of the Fall Season.

 

But there are four playoff spots, and only two of those teams get qualification from winning a season. The other two teams are chosen based on their overall record from the Spring and Fall Season combined.

 

There is also a scenario where Miami FC wins both the Spring and Fall league. In that case, the best three teams, judging by their combined records, get into the playoffs. Although Miami FC already secured the Spring title, every point the Cosmos gets as they wind down the season could be crucially important when they reach the end of the tournament.

 

The Cosmos are also fighting for home field advantage in the post-season. Soccer is one of the sports where that factor is a definite bonus. The best possible record determines home field advantage, when taking into account. So, the game against FC Edmonton on Saturday has far reaching ramifications for the Cosmos, winner of the 2016 Soccer Bowl. As a team that is fully committed to win the championship, every game, regardless of the season and regardless of the standings, matters.

 

The Cosmos close out the 2017 NASL Spring Season with a road game against FC Edmonton. The action kicks off on Saturday, July 15 at 9:00 pm, EST. Tune in on ESPN3.