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Mkosana bags brace in historic Cosmos victory in Cuba

Cosmos vs Ottawa0299

By RYAN TOLMICH

In a matchup billed a historic event, the New York Cosmos put on a performance to match the occasion.

Led by a Lucky Mkosana brace, the Cosmos defeated the Cuban national team, 4-1, Tuesday evening in Havana, becoming the first American professional sports team to play in the country in 16 years.

It took just nine minutes for Mkosana to find his first goal of the evening, as the Cosmos took full advantage of some miscommunication from the Cuban backline.

An errant pass from the back was intercepted by Leo Fernandes, who ended up leaving the game with an injury in the 26th minute. After a pass to Raul, the ball found its way to Mkosana at the top of the box, and the Cosmos forward rocketed a shot from just inside the 18-yard markers to give the Cosmos an early lead.

Mkosana’s second tally came just three minutes before halftime, jumping on a cross from Sebastian Guenzatti and smacking a right-footed volley.

Guenzatti himself found a finish in the 33rd minute on a goal that saw Raul once again serve as the focal point.

With the defense’s gazes fixed upon a leaping Raul, the Spanish forward headed a pass straight to Guenzatti, who tapped in for the Cosmos’ third of the day.

The fourth would come just three minutes later from the foot of Hagop Chirishian on a sequence that also featured Hunter Freeman and substitute David Diosa.

It was Freeman who played in the original cross that found Diosa at the backpost. Diosa headed the ball down right to Chirishian for what turned out to be an easy tap-in from close range.

The Cosmos’ lone blemish came in the 51st minute, as Cuba’s Andy Vaquero took advantage of a Cosmos giveaway in the box to give the home fans a consolation goal.

Following the victory, the Cosmos will now have a weekend of rest and could clinch the NASL Spring Season title as soon as Saturday with losses or draws from Minnesota United and the Tampa Bay Rowdies this weekend.

Comments

  1. NY Cosmos, for the foreseeable future, are going to stay in NASL. They enjoy the freedom of not having the restrictions of the single-entity system. MLS and the Cosmos both mutually agree that the Cosmos would not be a good fit for MLS. There is no animosity, or rejection, or hard-feelings. These are professionals and business men, and although there are egos involved, they have different goals. There is nothing wrong with that.

    Even though Minnesota is leaving, there is a new team in Miami FC starting next year. Hartford, CT sounds like they are close to pulling the trigger, and I know for a fact there is another team on the West Coast that is in final talks, getting their collective ducks in a row. Virginia Calvary looks like a dead deal, and Oklahoma FC might be dead after the USL beat them to the punch for the market (similar to what Miami FC did to Team Beckham).

    If you are a fan of soccer and American, you should want all these teams to be successful and work together to build all divisions of soccer up. The NY Cosmos, as much as it pains me as a SA Scorpions fan to say, are playing some dang good soccer, probably on par with many of the MLS teams. They have the budget to compete for MLS Journeyman and aging Euro stars.

    The Open Cup was a concern for NASL fans. Although the Cosmos and Atlanta progressed, the 7 teams facing USL lost. NASL teams played a lot of bench players, but they need to understand they aren’t on the level where they can dismiss the talent on USL rosters. However, I do not think it would be good if USL is awarded 2nd div status over NASL. Simply put, a 2nd div league should have better players and be playing a higher level than reserve players from MLS teams on USL squads. It would not be good for US Soccer if reserve teams are in the 2nd division. Look at every other tiered federation, reserve teams play in 3rd div or below. In my opinion, this is not USL’s fault; NASL needs to up their game. NASL is the one who needs to push themselves closer to MLS level, a la Cosmos, Minn United (current pre-MLS squad), the Scorpions (years past. Man alive, it has been a rough year).

    Years into the future, after MLS owners have gotten ROI and the rules continue to be relaxed through CBAs, there might be a time where promotion/relegation is seriously considered. For now, this is what we got folks. USSF arbitrarily says who belongs where and this is how things are done. The fans are forced to swallow it whether they like it or not. Let’s continue to support our local clubs, and hopefully, we can have a structure in the future where if the Cosmos where good enough to be in MLS, they could earn promotion, and teams like Chivas-of-old and Montreal would be relegated if they aren’t up to snuff. However we are far from that, and patience is required.

    Reply
    • You’re dead wrong. Patience gets you nothing with business men. If you want them to change their business practices you either have to pressure them financially or legally. That’s a fact and feel free to check the history of American sports business – or any American business actually.

      If you want to see strong independent soccer clubs and pro/rel in the U.S. then you have to look somewhere other than MLS – don’t kid yourself.

      Reply
      • So… The only part you (OpenCupFan) disagree with is the patience part. I can accept that. I am not saying there shouldn’t be pressure; it is only pressure that causes cracks in the strongest of structures. I am saying it is not going to happen soon. There are a lot of steps to take before pro/rel occurs in the US. Not that I agree with the resistance to pro/rel, but it is going to take a while. I just hope it happens while I am still young enough to enjoy the games.

      • What’s missing? If you open the pyramid with a true first division, investment would follow. This is not conjecture on my part, just look at USL. As soon they started pushing the idea it was the path to MLS, their membership increased.

        Look also at the LAFC bidding process, reportedly something like 100 groups (may be an exaggeration) bid for that franchise. That’s a large number of groups that wanted to enter the market but were then frozen out. If there was a true pyramid at least some of those bidders would take their money and invest anyway in other clubs.

        There is no proof of this of course, but given the amount of interest it is a reasonable conclusion to draw. Not sure what is missing here as it is, pretty much have enough for three divisions of 20 teams right now. (Don’t forget, without franchise leagues there would be no limitation on the number of teams in large markets either).

        Unfortunately, until USSF stops funding MLS, there is no reason for it to change. And you will have to look elsewhere for pro/rel if that is your goal.

  2. Cosmos in MLS is a no brainer and garber will never admit he needs cosmos in MLS.
    As long as cosmos keep making more money than the usual MLS team, they will be happy and stay in NASL but their stadium location will hurt them.
    Then if we talk serious, we gotta admit NYC are the new cosmos and they will be the new cosmos of MLS. As for red bull, they sure need a rebrand and for those who cry about history, cosmos has the most history in soccer in New York.
    NYC is new
    Red bull has ten years or MARKETING in MLS
    Cosmos has history of the old days but good enough to make a come back but will NASL take them to the promise land, I don’t think so. Cosmos are wasting their time in NASL.

    Reply
  3. The Cosmos are still pursuing the goals that they had in the 70s — to be a big-spending, “world-class” club unencumbered by things like salary caps and single-entity rules. (As stated many times, I think the MLS salary cap is wise at this juncture, but that the single-entity structure, and particulary the byzantine roster rules it seems to require, should be abandoned.)

    The problem with the Cosmos plan, as admirable as it may be, is that it entails all the same risks as it demonstrably entailed forty years ago — especially the risk that the rest of the league won’t, or can’t, follow the same path. And even for the Cosmos, the economics are just not there. Last fall they averaged under 5,000 in attendance, the league averaged about 5,500, and there were three teams under 4,000. Those numbers ar not likely to improve much. MLS may not be the Premier League, but it is big enough, in terms of markets and coverage, that there is very little room for another league to experience dramatic growth. So even if you buy into the Cosmos vision as more attractive than the MLS model, it looks like it just ain’t happening any time soon.

    Reply
    • It didn’t work in Seattle. Seattle shunned MLS too. Oki ( owner ) didn’t like the ownership model.

      I hope they make it. I would love to have two big leagues. With different visions, ideals, etc. Sure beat the heck ouf of LaLiga, as cool as that is, with two teams.

      BUT I just don’t see it happening. The Cosmos are running away with the league already. IF they are a lock to win, how many show up in Tulsa? We already know that answer….not enough to run a league.

      Reply
      • Seattle would have been on an island alone at that time, wonder what they would do in this climate. Curious.

      • Incidentally, this parity is such a nonsense argument it is unbelievable.

        Boxing has parity now and nobody cares. But when Mike Tyson was knocking heads in 30 seconds it must have been less popular then it is now right? Because everybody loves parity, right? Except they don’t.

        The golden years of baseball had parity right? No, they had the Yankees whooping everybody’s butt.

        The rise of the NBA in the 80s was all about parity right? Oh that’s right, no it wasn’t, it was about the Celtics and Lakers cleaning house coast to coast. Parity loses again.

        You know who else loves parity, La Liga! Oh wait, no it doesn’t. 2-3 teams dominate that league, it must be going out of business, when is the funeral for La Liga? Maybe they can simulcast it on MLS website.

        You know who loves parity? Billionaire team owners like Donald Sterling.

        That parity argument is such a garbage argument. Doesn’t even work anywhere else in life either. Do you go to the average coffee shop, average dentist, or even the average stapler? No, you want the best one you can get your hands on – unless MLS fans are different than other humans. Parity doesn’t work in life and is only pushed by billionaire sports owners running franchise leagues.

      • You forgot the MJ Bulls. Even when there is no Evil Empire, people have to invent one to rail against.

        And as far as I can tell, LA has won the last 3 out of 4 MLS Cups. But maybe there is parity because most of the teams make the playoffs.

  4. Just because some fans of NASL hate and want MLS to die, doesn’t mean MLS fans should be snobs.

    Those fans are as annoying as anything, so they are definitely annoying enough that we don’t need more of them.

    Long live US soccer.

    Reply
  5. I’am just speaking about the teams I follow. (along with the Redbulls) The Cosmos are playing better soccer than all three N.Y. teams. Not saying they would beat the Bulls or NYCfc consistently, but right now they’re playing wel, and better than both, (especially NYCfc). And Senna is still injured. Now the missing piece of the puzzle is that freaking stadium!!! You’ll see how quickly they’ll fill it up.
    Let’s get it done already!! But please!!! anywhere but Jersey!!!!

    Reply
  6. Cosmos = Independent Club Soccer

    That simple, not hard to understand. You know what else, they don’t want to join MLS, and increasingly they are not alone. The longer they and NASL survive, the more changes you will see in U.S. Soccer.

    Damn, didn’t Haji Wright look good too? Future looks bright.

    #clubbeforeleague
    #greentideworldwide

    Reply
    • The greatest obstacle they are going to face is the league itself.

      The Cosmos will be fine, but the NASL can seem pretty fragile sometimes.
      They need other good owners, committed to independent clubs to help stabilize the league. Indy & San Antonio look good, but they would probably sell to MLS

      Reply
      • They’re in a war – them and the entire league – for survival. They’re aware of it. Not sure how it will end, the odds are definitely against them as long as USSF continues to financially support MLS. This isn’t news, and like you said they need like minded and financially capable ownership – but again, this is pretty common knowledge at this point.

        But the longer the league can survive the better their chances of more clubs joining their side. And more clubs should mean more stability. Not everyone wants to be single entity and not everyone wants to be a minor league affiliate.

    • You know Wright is leaving as soon as he’s 18 right? Unless his aspirations are to play in a minor league in front of 3k in a college stadium. I’m assuming he has loftier goals.

      Reply
      • Typical MLS jargon, mention the field, minor league labels, etc – everything but the product on the field. Remember your product isn’t so good you can be looking down on others.

        As for Haji Wright, Hopefully he goes somewhere good for him when he turns 18, it is a freedom he would not have in MLS. Remember, he signed with the Cosmos instead of MLS for a reason.

        You can on with your MLS press release regurgitations all you want, but plenty of people around the country want to see independent clubs thrive.

        #clubbeforeleague

    • “#clubbeforeleague”

      That nicely sums up the Cosmos world view. I sometimes think that if they could, the Cosmos’ fans would prefer to see them as a sort of uber-barnstorming team, taking on all comers and not having to bother with annoyances like an actual league.

      Reply
      • You prefer the franchise model of MLS where Landon Donovan gets traded for nothing to help out a larger market team? That isn’t competition, sorry but that’s a scam.

  7. Just watched the first 30 minutes or so, but I came away fairly impressed with the Cosmos. The first goal from Mkosana was class. Showed patience and poise in the box, and left the keeper with no chance on the shot. Cuba looked really poor, and their GK was at fault for the other goals, but I give the Cosmos a lot of credit, they dominated this match. I don’t think they would have any trouble competing in MLS.

    Reply
  8. Awesome game! History had been made!!
    If it was an MLS team? Pretty sure they had to ask daddy first…if they can play. Lol.
    Raúl played gooood!!!
    Before u complain about the Cosmos.. tell me? So what team you like??? Then u can say whatever BS u lady’s want!!

    Reply
  9. Cuba is veeeery weird as a national team. One day it’s one of the strongest caribbean sides and the next they’re soft as puppy sh1t.

    Reply
  10. Even if you take the “historic” matches, the big name signings, their history, and the media fascination with them all into account ultimately the Cosmos are still a team in the second tier of the U.S. soccer pyramid. Not that there is anything wrong with a team in the second tier earning support, teams in second tiers around the world do it all the time. But Garber has already said NYC won’t get a third team and barring some extraordinary circumstance like Redbull selling the team to the Cosmos ownership I don’t see this changing anytime soon. So I have to ask what the endgame is? Stay relevant until NYC can support 3 teams? Try to help NASL dethrone MLS? Being in second tier they’ll never get the exposure and chances for success that teams in the top league do. They’ll always just be a big fish in a small pond. Don’t mean to take anything away from the Cosmos. Really just fascinated by this outlier status they have in U.S. Soccer

    Reply
    • +1 This has got to be the longest-running outstanding question in the history of SBI, and I still have yet to hear a convincing explanation of the actual endgame. As you’ve said, it’s fascinating. Somehow, one of these guys has to be Keyser Soze.

      Reply
    • As my “best guess” though, I’d say that the NYRB avenue is the most likely (among unlikely) scenarios. It really doesn’t have to be a pure case of Cosmos ownership raising the money internally. All that needs to happen is for (1) NYRB ownership to decide to sell, which would almost certainly trigger a welcome rebrand and (2) some deep-pocketed investor (anyone really) deciding that there is no brand better positioned to compete with NYCFC for the NY/NJ market than the Cosmos.

      From there, they could easily spend a few more bucks to buy and merge the Cosmos (also acquiring any valuable player, coaching, or development contracts). Really, it could all be done in a year or less, if that’s what somebody wanted. But right now, NYRB ownership seem happy to hang on to the team, so that’s that.

      Reply
      • If you had ANY understanding of recent Cosmos history, you know that the only reason NYCFC exists is because the Cosmos already REJECTED MLS.

        The end game is a D1 league that isn’t strangled by single entity and salary caps, plain and simple.

        If you’re too closed minded to understand that, then go ahead and keep typing your nonsense…

      • There is no Cosmos history other than recent history.

        Either way, the concern is that another economic downturn or general lack of interest in soccer might result in NASL folding quickly. It is great that they have expanded and attendance has increased but that doesn’t make the league viable.

      • Nice revisionist history – MLS rejected Cosmos, not the other way around. Meanwhile, MLS just took two more NASL markets – Atlanta and Minnesota. The league’s flagship team plays in a college stadium on Long Island in front of 4k a game (on a good day).

      • My comment (not that you finished reading it) does not assume the decision would be made by current Cosmos ownership. They would have to be bought first. And yes, everybody has a price.

      • Yes it was and I agree that people who claim Cosmos rejected MLS are practicing revisionist history. But has anyone really thought about what would happen if they said they wanted to join MLS? The NASL would collapse giving them no leverage in negotiations, if the Redbull becomes Cosmos thing ever happened it would collapse the NASL and therefore would require an agreement for NASL to integrate into the current MLS / USL structure before anything became public

      • Maybe although Cosmos are middle/bottom of the pack in attendance in NASL and it’s not like they are really bringing in a ton of revenue for the league. They pay to have ESPN3 stream their games so it’s not like TV rights would suffer.

    • According to the revisionist history of Hempstead fanboys, Cosmos rejected MLS because they are so big and important in the global football landscape that they can’t be subject to MLS rules.

      Reply
      • What the hell? Have I actually lived long enough to have both Euro and MLS snobs? Jesus, Ripley, take a look in the mirror. Believe it or not (get it young buck?) USA soccer sucks. Support all of it at every level, period.

    • Saying there’s no reason to support minor league soccer (or MLS) because it’s not the best league in the world is like saying college basketball has no value because NBA teams are better.

      Reply
    • I only clicked on this link cos I was certain there would be a bunch of people talking insane smack over this relatively minor story. No disappointment here.

      God bless the Cosmos…. always a good source of spontaneous rage.

      Reply
    • Disagree. This type of attitude is a direct reflection of NASL (and especially Cosmos) fans acting like their league is better than MLS or pretending that they rejected MLS. NASL is a minor league and no one should pretend otherwise.

      Have to love the clown who just states “USA soccer sucks.” Does anything better reflect the inferiority complex some US soccer fans suffer from?

      Reply
      • AMEN to the inferiority complex. I can see people not being soccer smart enough 5-10 years ago, but is just dumb at this point.

        (All the English players in the premier league are great though.
        Their nat team can’t beat CONCACAF competition, but they have excuses for that)

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