Cosmos, Edmonton play to scoreless draw in Coney Island

New York Moves Back into Final Playoff Spot

October 16, 2017 By Scott Enman Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Dejan Jakovic helped the Cosmos keep a clean sheet on Saturday during the team’s scoreless draw against Edmonton FC at MCU Park. Photos courtesy of the New York Cosmos

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With Miami FC and the San Francisco Deltas already securing postseason berths, the race is on for the third and fourth playoff spots.

Because Jacksonville secured a crucial point on Friday, New York entered Saturday’s match against Edmonton FC at MCU Park needing at least a draw to regain fourth place in the combined standings.

And with their backs against the wall, the Cosmos were able to do what the U.S. men’s national soccer team could not: In dire circumstances, they grinded out a game and picked up a point by any means necessary.

“I think we did everything the right way. I also think that we defended well,” said Cosmos head coach and Sporting Director Giovanni Savarese after his team’s 0-0 draw in front of 6,818 fans. “We created good chances, but their goalkeeper had a fantastic match.”

“At the end, I thought it was a very positive game for us,” he added. “But unfortunately, the only thing that was missing was the goal.”

Nearing MCU Park’s 7,000-person capacity, Cosmos fans came out in hordes and were loud throughout the match.

Despite outshooting the Eddies 14-9, New York was unable to find the back of the net in the team’s penultimate home match of the season.

Dejan Jakovic played determinedly throughout the match, making last-ditch tackles and leading the Cosmos’ back line. The Canadian completed 93.3 percent of his passes and won five out of six duels, which earned him Man of the Match honors.

Cosmos goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer, playing on his 29th birthday, made several key saves to preserve the clean sheet.

Following the match, Savarese made no attempt at hiding his frustration with the match official.

“Their goalkeeper had a fantastic match — and I think the referee was fantastic for them,” he said.

The Cosmos will head to the Sunshine State on Wednesday for a 7:30 p.m. matchup with Puerto Rico FC at Central Broward Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida. Puerto Rico FC is playing in Florida while recovery efforts are ongoing from Hurricane Maria.

The Cosmos return to MCU Park on Saturday, Oct. 28 for their home finale against Puerto Rico FC at 7 p.m.

Extra Time:

On Saturday, banners hung across MCU Park calling for the removal of U.S. Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati following the national team’s catastrophic loss to Trinidad and Tobago, which eliminated America from next summer’s World Cup in Russia.

In addition, Cosmos owner Rocco Commisso wrote a message to fans and the media last week personally calling for the immediate resignation of Gulati.

“Mr. Gulati should do what is necessary and appropriate: resign,” wrote Commisso. “Not only would that be the right thing to do, it would also allow new leadership to begin fixing the systemic problems that plague the beautiful game played and followed by tens of millions of Americans.”