RECAP | Cosmos 3, RailHawks 2

The Carolina RailHawks lost a close match to the New York Cosmos, 3-2, on Sunday afternoon at Shuart Stadium.

Looking to redeem themselves against the Cosmos in a very important game, Akira Fitzgerald and the RailHawks had a stellar first half. A quick goal in the second minute of the game from Cosmos midfielder Andrés Flores didn’t deter the RailHawks, as the team was up 2-1 by the end of the first half.

The RailHawks’ first retaliation came from Nazmi Albadawi in the 24th minute, after two corner kicks and continued minutes of RailHawks pressure, the midfielder charged into the box and put away Tiyi Shipalane’s cross.

After an extended exchange of opportunities, the RailHawks struck again with Albadawi’s second goal of the game in the 42nd minute, the midfielder ripped one from inside the box. It would be the Raleigh native’s first two goals of the season as well as the first time Albadawi has scored twice in a match.

After much back and forth between the two teams in the beginning of the second half, the Cosmos were awarded a penalty kick in the 61st minute as Austin da Luz appeared to have possibly tripped up Mkosana. Raúl Gonzalez took the kick in which Fitzgerald guessed the correct direction, but barely missed blocking the shot, evening up the score at 2-2.
 
RailHawks captain Daniel Scott was sent off with a straight red card in the 66th minute, after fouling Lucky Mkosana.

Raúl had a chance to score from a second penalty kick in the 80th minute, but his effort came off the post. The Cosmos, however, would find their winner In the 85th minute. Mkosana fired home after U.S. youth international Haji Wright laid the ball off to the Zimbabwean forward.