The North American Soccer League is looking for volunteers.

Specifically, ones on this side of the border willing to bring another Canadian franchise into the league.

With the NASL full speed ahead towards its goal of expanding to 20 teams and with just two of the existing 11 teams representing Canadian cities, there appears to be little interest from markets flying the maple leaf.

What gives, eh?

Though Hamilton and Winnipeg had previously been touted as potential locations for Canadian NASL clubs, that appears to no longer be the case and, according to league commissioner Bill Peterson, there aren't any other immediate options.

"There are no hot leads at this time," Peterson said following Fury's scoreless draw against the New York Cosmos at TD Place on Wednesday night.

"I would like to see some people raise their hand and say they're interested. I don't know if that's a (matter) of us spending some time, maybe in some different cities, or maybe doing some more media to get the word out, but we're not seeing enough interest in my mind."

It's a bit surprising there isn't a bit more -- or any, apparently -- interest in joining the NASL. It's an affordable option to bring professional soccer to a new city and a good barometer of soccer interest for cities exploring the possibility of a future MLS bid, worth considerably more.

Peterson cautioned people not "read anything into" the lack of Canadian interest, saying he didn't think there was a specific reason for it. But the commissioner does seem genuinely supportive of adding at least a third NASL franchise to join Ottawa and Edmonton.

"We do want to see some more teams (in Canada) and we're going to have to work towards it," Peterson said.

As for Hamilton and Winnipeg, there doesn't seem to have been much to those rumours.

"That was a wish-list," Peterson said. "Somebody asked what cities could you see playing; you could see Calgary, you could see Winnipeg, you could see Hamilton, but we just haven't entered into the level of discussion that we have in some other places.

The league will grow in 2016, with Puerto Rico and Miami fielding teams.

Fury wary of "dangerous" Rowdies

Since the last time Fury and the Tampa Bay Rowdies met this year, the Rowdies fired head coach Thomas Rongen and promoted assistant coach Stuart Campbell to fill the vacancy.

The Rowdies also sit last on the fall table and are clinging to fourth spot in the combined standings and on paper shouldn't pose much difficulty for the fall table-leading Fury.

Don't tell that to the coaches or players on the Ottawa side, though. They see the Rowdies as very dangerous because of the recent turmoil.

"There was a change in the coach, there's an emotional factor when it comes to that," Fury coach Marc Dos Santos said Friday. "Guys who ... weren't playing too much with the first coach, now they want to prove to the second coach (that they should play). There's the playoff race, they know it's a six-point game with us. There's the fact that they lost three in a row."

The Rowdies "have a lot of quality," said Dos Santos.

"If you're fighting against a wounded cat, it's not the same thing as a wounded lion," he said. "They have a lot of dangerous players and they know it's life or death for them.

Defender Colin Falvey echoed his coach's words.

"Very dangerous," he said. "They're obviously a very talented squad. I expect a reaction (to the coaching change) from them, but we have to do our own job, we can't worry too much about them."

Minor tinkering

While forward Andrew Wiedeman will miss his second-straight game with injury, midfielders Sinisa Ubiparipovic and Julian de Guzman are expected to dress and be options off the bench against Tampa. Defender Drew Beckie, who has seen limited action in the fall season, was with the expected starting 11 towards the end of training. With the back four playing big minutes, Beckie will likely be called upon at some point against Tampa, though it's expected the go-to quartet of Ryan Richter, Rafael Alves, Colin Falvey and Mason Trafford will start. After generating a few chances as a second-half substitution, it appears forward Ugur Albayrak will make his first start Saturday, lining up behind striker Tommy Heinemann, with Carl Haworth moving out to the wing.

Falvey said playing a second game in three days shouldn't be an issue for Ottawa.

"The next 24 hours will do us some good, but we'll be ready," he said.

Ottawa Fury FC vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies

7 p.m, TD Place

Rogers 22, OttawaFuryFC.com (live stream), TSN 1200, Unique 94.5

Storyline

After picking up just one of six available points through the first two games of this three-game run at home, Fury wants to head out on the road on a winning note. Fury will be up against a Tampa Bay side that has struggled mightily so far in the falls season, though the club still holds down the fourth position on the combined table after a strong spring campaign. Ottawa wants to close the gap with New York, with the Cosmos holding a five-point lead in the overall standings.

History

Fury and the Rowdies have met only once this year, a scoreless draw during the spring season when Ottawa was still looking for its scoring touch. While Fury's last game also ended in a pair of goose eggs, Ottawa has score plenty since its last meeting with the Rowdies. Tampa and Ottawa split the season series last year, with each team picking up 2-0 road results to go along with a 1-1 draw at TD Place.

Scouting report

Ottawa: Fury shook of a last-minute loss to Minnesota to turn in a spirited effort against the Cosmos on Wednesday night. While the game ended without any goals, Ottawa had the bulk of the chances and came close to taking the lead on several occasions in the second half. Scoring should be easier against a Tampa team that is coming into the game sitting last on the fall season table and barely clinging to life in the NASL playoff race.

Tampa Bay: Though Fury will look to take advantage of a Rowdies side that is having all sorts of issues on the pitch and (reportedly) off it as well, those issues could also make Tampa Bay a dangerous opponent if Ottawa doesn't give them enough respect. The Rowdies have just two wins through nine games this season and are a point behind the Carolina RailHawks for last on the fall season table.

Key matchup

Ottawa's Rafael Alves vs. Tampa Bay's Maicon Santos

The Fury centre back was in top form Wednesday in helping Ottawa pick up another clean sheet. He and partner Colin Falvey will have their hands full with the likes of Santos on Saturday, with the forward one of few bright spots for the Rowdies this year, coming into the game with seven goals and an assist in 13 appearances.

On the hot seat

Ryan Richter, Ottawa

The American right back might be one of Fury's most underrated players. Since coming over on loan from Toronto FC last year - and ultimately signing with Fury in the off-season - Richter has been one of Ottawa's most consistent players. He's rarely made mistakes and hasn't missed a minute of action this season. At least two of Ottawa's scoring chances against New York were set up by Richter and it seems only a matter of time before one of his well-placed crosses ends up leading to a goal.

Tamika Mkandawire, Tampa Bay

After breaking a scoreless drought to kick off the fall season, Ottawa has had little trouble finding the back of the net. With goals in short supply for the Rowdies, players like Mkandawire will be expected to be in top form to shut down the Fury attack and give themselves a chance against an Ottawa team that will make opposing teams pay for their mistakes.

What to expect

On paper, this should be a win for Ottawa. If Fury plays the way it did against a tough New York side, the home team should have no trouble handling a Tampa Bay team that has fallen apart over the last couple months. The Rowdies have fired their coach and are surrounded by uncertainty going forward, while Ottawa continues it's run towards a post-season appearance. Expect more goals than the zero on display against the Cosmos.