RECAP | Cosmos 4, Eddies 2
New York Cosmos returned to Shuart Stadium on Sunday afternoon and recorded their fourth win of the NASL Spring Season – 4-2 in a Mother’s Day Matinee against FC Edmonton.
"I think we keep on understanding each other more each game," Cosmos head coach Giovanni Savarese said. "We are making good decisions, and when we are aggressive we can cause some problems. Today we were able to get the goals at the right moments, and that allowed us to maintain control of the game. We are just starting to feel a little bit more comfortable. We know each other more and more every day."
The Cosmos struck first in the second minute of the match, as Raúl’s cross found Lucky Mkosana on the back post. The header would be denied by FC Edmonton’s Matt VanOekel, but could not be cleared. The bouncing ball found its way to the feet of Carlos Mendes, who made the most of his opportunity to give the Cosmos a 1-0 lead just moments into the match. His first goal of the season capped a banner week for the defender, who became a father on Thursday.
In the early going both teams made the most of their opportunities. Off a free kick in the 15th minute, FC Edmonton played a threatening ball in from the left flank. On the delivery, a foul in the box led to a penalty for the visitors.
Edmonton’s Tomi Ameobi stepped up and buried the equalizer. The goal was the first conceded by the Cosmos in 368 minutes of play.
Less than 10 minutes later, the Cosmos got an opportunity to get back in front off a Mkosana cross that found the head of Danny Szetela. His first effort hit the crossbar and came inches from going in. However, Szetela would clean up his own mess on a volley that would once again hit the cross bar. The third time was the charm, as Raúl buried the sitter to give the Cosmos a 2-1 lead after 23 minutes of play.
In the 36th minute, the Cosmos were looking to extend their lead once more. On the other side of midfield, Szetela received the ball and played it into the box. His searching ball found the head of Carlos Mendes, who tallied his second goal of the afternoon to put the Cosmos ahead 3-1.
Edmonton would have an opportunity to make it a one-goal game in the 42nd minute, but Sainey Nyassi’s volley went just wide of the near post. The Cosmos the entered locker room with a 3-1 lead after 45 minutes of play.
After the break, the Cosmos didn’t waste any time adding to their lead, as a masterful display of dribbling by Leo Fernandes set up Mkosana, who was one-on-one with the keeper in the 49th minute. The striker would complete the cool finish on a curling shot into the far post, making it 4-1 in New York's favor.
FC Edmonton showed signs of life in the 74th minute, when a ball from Ameobi found the feet of captain Ritchie Jones, who was alone in front of goal. Jones converted the chance to make it a two-goal game.
When the final whistle blew it was a four-goal effort that helped secure the green and white’s fourth victory of the Spring Season.
The Cosmos are back in action next Saturday when they travel to WakeMed Soccer Park to take on the Carolina RailHawks. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
