Brooklyn Boro

Cosmos exact revenge, earn first win of season

April 10, 2017 By Scott Enman Brooklyn Daily Eagle
A series of brilliant saves from goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer allowed the Cosmos to earn their first win of the season, exacting revenge on Miami FC, who had beaten them 3-0 the week before. Photos courtesy of Miami FC
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Like LeBron James once did, the Cosmos brought their talents to South Beach.

Exactly one week after Miami FC spoiled New York’s home opener in Coney Island, the Cosmos returned the favor at Riccardo Silva Stadium.

Following a 3-0 trouncing at MCU Park, Saturday’s match appeared to be heading in a similar direction, but Pele’s former team squeaked out a 2-0 win thanks to brilliant goalkeeping from Jimmy Maurer, some fortunate bounces and an impact from all three substitutes.

“We need time to continue to work,” head coach Giovanni Savarese said after last week’s loss. “We need time to be able to keep on building … We must keep our head up and continue growing. It’s early in the season and there is still a lot of work to do.”

Although the Cosmos were outplayed for much of the game and saw two Miami shots hit woodwork, progress was made for the “New York Originals.”

After failing to record a shot on target in their first two games, forward Eugene Starikov, making his first start for the club, forced Miami keeper Daniel Vega into a one-handed save in the ninth minute.

Kwadwo Poku, who had been a thorn in the Cosmos’ side a week before, was shut down by New York’s defense in front of an announced crowd of 9,515.

The Cosmos looked dangerous early and often, but their spirited play subsided as they were put on their back heels for much of the game.

With captain Carlos Mendes out with a groin injury and Jimmy Mulligan out for yellow card accumulation, Savarese implemented an unconventional 3-5-2 formation.

Savarese demanded more effort from his players after the last match, saying, “Some players need to push themselves a little bit more.”

After heading into halftime scoreless, the first goal came against the run of play in the 58th minute, courtesy of New Jersey native Daniel Szetela. Three minutes after coming on as a substitute, Ryan Richter provided a curling cross from the right sideline that saw a diving header from Szetela redirect the ball into the far post.

The icing on the cake came courtesy of another substitute in the 93rd minute as Walter Restrepo earned a penalty kick after he was taken down in the box following a nimble cut back.

After some commotion, the Spaniard Ayoze coolly placed the ball in the upper left corner to cement the victory for the visitors.

Final substitute Irvin Herrera brought some much-needed energy to the team, as well.

As in their last meeting, tempers flared on the pitch, but couldn’t taint the electric atmosphere leading up to the Cosmos’ first win of the season.  

A total of 30 fouls occurred, three more than last week, which saw a bench-clearing brawl.

The win placed the Cosmos in second place, tied with Miami and the San Francisco Deltas with four points.

Although the Cosmos were outshot 22-4 and out-possessed 65 to 35 percent, the three points will leave Cosmos Country in good spirits as their team — which came into the season with new ownership, a new roster and new expectations — showed character, professionalism and grit to grind out a win on the road.

Come November, this game could be viewed as a turning point in the season for the two-time defending North American Soccer League champions, who head into the bye week with their confidence high.  

The Cosmos return to Brooklyn April 22 against first-place Jacksonville Armada FC.

 

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