By DAN KARELL
Even with a different starting eleven, the New York Cosmos continue to win.
In a prelude to next week’s North American Soccer League Soccer Bowl match in Atlanta, a weakened Cosmos side defeated the Silverbacks, 1-0, at Atlanta Silverbacks Park. Cosmos forward Henry Lopez scored his second goal of the season as his team finished the 2013 NASL Fall Season with an 11-game unbeaten run.
Cosmos assistant coach Carlos Llamosa gave his starters from the week prior in San Antonio the weekend off, while giving starting debuts to multiple players including newly signed defender Jimmy Nealis, goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer, midfielder Edison Bilbao, and substitute debuts to David Diosa and Jemal Johnson.
During a first half where neither side could develop many chances on target, Lopez took advantage of maybe the only opportunity of the game. In the 34th minute, Joseph Nane spread the ball out wide to right back Korey Veeder. Veeder’s first touch controlled the pass and then he sent a curling cross into the box. Lopez did very well to take the ball down with his first touch and then on the second, volleyed home to give the Cosmos the lead.
The Cosmos attempted to add to their lead with positive substitutions in the second half, giving Johnson his first minutes of the season after he suffered a serious knee injury during preseason and bringing on regular starter Paulo Mendes late to look for an insurance goal. Alas, for either side, more goals weren’t on the menu as the game finished with a 1-0 scoreline to the Cosmos.
With the win, the Cosmos finish their first season back in professional soccer with a record of 9-4-1 and 31 points from 14 games. The Cosmos meet the Silverbacks next Saturday in the Soccer Bowl, which will decide the 2013 season champion.
Can someone explain to me how Cosmos can compete for their championship having only played 15 games where everyone else played 26 games. I’m sure it was all spelled out when they first entered the league. I honestly wasn’t paying attention then.
Because by definition there are two seasons, you win a spot in the Soccer Bowl by winning one of them. Don’t let the nerds in Tampa and Ft. Lauderdale get you worked up. Perhaps its strange, but the Cosmos played by the rules that were presented to them.
We had one shot, everyone else had two, and in the Woosnam Cup standings, we passed three clubs.
Translation… Everyone else sucked.
LOL! My day is now made!
You’re paying attention now though!! Go Cosmos!!
In more important news, the Carolina Railhawks won the true 2013 NASL Championship on Saturday by finishing the season with the most points. As best team in the league, they’ve earned a Woosnam Cup:
http://www.woosnamcup.com/
Oh, and there’s some sort of testimonial game on Nov 9th in honor of this most likely being the Silverbacks’ last season.
Well done… I will point out that if only your club had been motivated to win one of the FOUR key matches (ATL, RSL, SA and NYC) this year that would have put them in a position to pickup some real hardware.
Can’t wait to see the Cosmos match up against a MLS team in the U.S. Open Cup next year.
To see them lose to a reserve team?
I think there have been enough upsets of MLS “reserve” teams to make that comment moot.
Same here BSU SC, I’am100% behind te Cosmos. But it’s frustrating to see (or not see) anything on the so called “Sports network” about either the Nasl or Mls Playoffs?? why is there such disdain for soccer in the media?? It’s the Playoffs of a professional league!wake up guys!!
Bravo Cosmos!
Though not mentioned, the ‘Backs also fielded a watered down side, with 3 “regulars” on the pitch. Of concern is the ankle injury to starting center back and captain Lancaster which led to his removal early in the first half. The Cosmos did display nice possesion football. Next Saturday should be fun!