Photo by New York Cosmos

By RYAN TOLMICH

CONEY ISLAND – Playing in historic Coney Island, a dominant New York Cosmos performance ensured that Saturday’s contest against Ottawa Fury FC wouldn’t provide as many ups and downs as the world-famous rides that illuminated the game’s backdrop.

In the team’s first home game outside Shuart Stadium, the Cosmos topped Fury FC, 1-0, at Coney Island’s MCU Park via a 14th minute strike from Lucky Mkosana.

After dominating the opening moments, the Cosmos picked up the early goal through the Zimbabwean forward, who was the beneficiary of some spectacular service from Leo Fernandes.

Stationed on the right side, Fernandes whipped a through-ball around the Fury back line and into the path of Mkosana, who took a touch before firing a shot past Fury FC goalkeeper Romuald Peiser to provide the lone goal necessary to snag all three points.

“It was a good ball from Leo, all credit to him,” Mkosana said of the goal. “He saw me make a run and he put in a really good ball. It was a tough ball with the defender behind me and I had to do it quick.

“I feel like I built off of last week. (Head coach Giovanni Savarese) said to go out and play your game and do whatever is on your mind. Just go out there and get them.”

In the moments following his goal, Mkosana remained a nuisance to the Fury FC back line with a series of intelligent runs while using his physicality to hold up play in the final third while firing three shots on target.

“He’s been practicing very well,” said head coach Giovanni Savarese. “I thought he also had a good game against Atlanta and then tonight, he found a lot of spaces, was strong and was clinical in his finish. He also helped out defensively. He worked very hard and he had a good game.”

Frequently joining Mkosana was Spanish star Raul, who directed play for a majority of the first half. Given freedom to roam, Raul resurfaced throughout the attacking third, serving as the Cosmos primary playmaker throughout the evening.

“I thought that we had a very, very good first half, but unfortunately we couldn’t show it more on the score,” Savarese said. “Then in the second half, with the wind, we had a little bit of trouble. They came a little bit at us and created some difficult situations.”

When Fury FC did get forward, it was generally through the play of Andrew Wiedeman, who provided looks for the visitors in both halves. The forward’s best opportunity came early in the second half, but his shot was tapped tamely into the hands of Cosmos goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer, who finished with four saves on the evening.

Maurer once again stood tall in the 78th minute, stopping a near post effort from Tom Heinemann, preserving the victory for the hosts.

With the Cosmos riding out the victory, the game’s tensest moments came in the 87th minute as a Cosmos goal was controversially ruled for offside. In the aftermath, both teams collided for a scrum, one that saw Ayoze and Peiser issued yellow card cautions.

With the victory, the Cosmos remain atop the NASL Spring Standings with 11 points through five games.

The Cosmos are back in action next Sunday at Shuart Stadium for a matchup with FC Edmonton while Fury FC return home the day prior to face the Tampa Bay Rowdies.