(NASL 2017 Champ, Final) San Francisco Deltas 2v0 New York Cosmos

Sunday 12th November 2017
Kezar Stadium, San Francisco   Attendance -  9,691

A fourth NASL Championship in the reboot era evaded the Cosmos as they fell 2v0 to San Francisco Deltas. Despite the championship the Deltas will fold after just one season in the NASL, with the future for the troubled League itself in severe doubt.

 The Cosmos got the game’s first chance in the eighth minute. Off a corner, Javi Márquez got a foot on a cross to send the ball toward goal. San Francisco goalkeeper, Romuald Peiser, could only partially clear the effort, but it was sent back towards goal but Peiser was on hand to stop the effort.

Cosmos threatened again from a set piece, this time from a free-kick which was dangerously flicked on but went wide of the target.

But it was the Deltas who made the breakthrough from the penalty spot which had an element of fortune to it. A Cosmos clearance struck a team-mate in the face and back towards the Cosmos goal. Delta's Jackson was quickest to react and Jimmy Maurer was adjusged to have brought him down in the area for a penalty. Tommy Heinemann had been beaten by the Cosmos in a previous final converted the penalty for the home side.

Deltas tried pushed for a second goal and Stephens curled a shot wide of Maurer's goal and Heinemann went closer as he forced Maurer into a save following a scramble in the area in the 40th minute.

In the second half a first time effort from Heinemann went well over and he managed another effort from a right wing cross whuch he headed wide shortly before the hour mark. Seconds later and Heinemann again went close as Cosmos lost the ball deep in their own half and a cross fell to an unmarked Heinemann who was denied by Maurer who was quick out to the feet of the Deltas striker.

At the other end Peiser was denied by a Ledesma effort, but later in the half went closer when a Lucky cross fell to Starikov, who under pressure, could not direct it on target.

Deep into stoppage time Deltas scored a second to ensure victory. A ball was slipped inside the Cosmos defence and as Maurer collided with the attacker the loose ball fell to Devon Sandoval who rolled the ball into the empty net.

(NASL 2017 Champ. Semi-Final) Miami FC 0v0 New York Cosmos (aet - 5v6 on pens)

Sunday 5th November 2017
Riccardo Silva Stadium, Miami   Attendance -  7,115

Jimmy Maurer was the hero as an inspired performance in Miami led the Cosmos to a 3rd successive Soccerbowl appearance after pipping Miami on penalties following a goalless 120mins. Miami had the clearer chances in the game but could find no way past Maurer and New York kept their nerve from the spot when the match went to penalties.

Events off the field overshadowed the match with the League losing their appeal for an injunction to hold onto the status of 2nd Division, leaving a serious question mark over the Leagues ability to continue next season.

But as far as events of the pitch went the home side showed some early signs of promise as Dylan Mares was found with a great cross field ball but with Pinho well placed for a tap in, Mares could not direct his nod down well enough and the chance went begging.

Miami should have taken the lead after 15mins after Miami carved open the Cosmos defence. Rennella beat the offside trap and with Miami forward racing through he found Pinho unmarked but the strikers effort bounced off the top of the net, letting New York off.

Cosmos saw out the spell of pressure and started to see more of the ball although their play continually broke down around the edge of the area. But Miami had another dangerous spell just before half time which left Cosmos hanging on. Miami forced Cosmos to lose possession in their own half and Mares sprinted clear, but Maurer came to the rescue with a save to keep the scores level at the half.

Miami had another great chance to take the lead early in the 2nd half after a couple of mistakes at the back by New York. Jakovic should have dealt with a rabona pass from Chavez easily, but a miscontrol let in Rennella, but the Miami man's toe poked effort rolled narrowly wide of the post. Seconds later and a heavy touch from Maurer from a back pass allowed Chavez to close in on the keeper. Maurer slid in and clattered into Chavez, but fortunately for the away side the referee did not deem it a foul.

But Cosmos had a better 2nd half without really looking like scoring. The closest they came was a well struck effort from Flores forced Vega into a save and Ledesma went close with another effort from outside of the box. Miami were no longer dominating but still had the clear chances and Pinho was denied by another great Maurer stop after 73mins after being left unmarked in the box.

Cosmos continued to grow into the game as the semi final moved into the first half of extra time and Starikov came as close as anyone to breaking the deadlock, linking up well with sub Lucky Mkosana before striking the inside of the post with an effort. Soon after and Maurer was in action again as Blake Smith fashioned a chance but Maurer was there again to deny Miami, this time saving with his legs.

The 2nd half of extra time saw Miami pinned back in their own half for long periods, but Cosmos could not find a winner although they should have had a penalty when a Starikov cross struck the arm of Freeman, but again no penalty was awarded.

The 2 sides had to be separated by penalties to see who would play in the final.

Michel had been brought on in the last minute of extra time for his effectiveness from the penalty spot, but it backfired as Maurer saved his spot-kick which was the first of the shoot-out. 

After 4 more successful efforts from each team Guerra had the opportunity to send New York into the final. But an overconfident Guerra went for a panenka finish which did not fool Vega who stood his ground to keep his side in it. After 2 more successful penalties Maurer saved from Mason Trafford giving Cosmos another chance to finish the tie and Starikov did not need a second invitation as he fired Cosmos into a 4th Soccerbowl final in the reboot era. 

(NASL 2017 Fall) Puerto Rico FC 2v5 New York Cosmos

Saturday 29th October 2017
MCU Park, New York   Attendance -  5,929

Cosmos sealed a place in the playoffs mainly thanks to a 2nd half hat-trick from Emmanuel Ledesma. After a goalless first half the game came alive as Puerto Rico briefly took the lead, but from there on it was all Cosmos as Ledesma fired a 16mim hat-trick to put Cosmos 3v1 up and well on their way to victory.

New York came into the game in a strong position to secure the final spot in the playoffs, knowing that a draw would probably be enough against a side Cosmos had already beaten 4 times in 2017. Even with Puerto Rico having to play all games away from home since their island had been struck by Hurricane damage, Puerto Rico were on a 2 game winning run.

Even though the game was officially an away game, the game was played at the home of the Cosmos, MCU Park.

The early exchanges were evenly matched with few opportunities, but Cosmos slowly started to gain the upper hand and midway through the first half the first chance fell to Starikov whose pace took him past the Puerto Rico defence, but as he went through on goal the keeper stood up well and made a good save to deny the Ukrainian.

 But Puerto Rico were looking lively in attack and a spectacular Welshman overhead kick was deflected over for a corner, which was met by a free header which sailed wide. Soon after it took a last ditch tackle by Carlos Mendes in his last game in New York to deny Puerto Rico a clear opportunity.

Later in the half Marquez attempted a delicate chip from the edge of the box which had the keeper scrambling, but the ball went wide.

Cosmos had to endure some nervy moments as Puerto Rico enjoyed a good spell but Cosmos were given a chance to break the deadlock in stoppage time after a swift counter attack, but Ledesma's shot allowed the keeper to make a comfortable save as a cagey half ended 0v0.

A cagey game came to life in the early stages of the 2nd half with a flurry of goals.

Poor play from New York led to Puerto Rico taking the lead after Guerra was given a dangerous pass deep inside his own half. Guerra was dispossessed and Welshman skipped past Jakovic and slotted the ball past Maurer. Straight from kickoff Starikov almost responded immediately but his effort drifted wide.

But New York were not to be denied and on the next attack Ledesma unleashed an unstoppable effort from outside the box to draw level.

Cosmos were in full flow now and Mulligan sent Ledesma away after the Cosmos man got in behind his marker  and kept his nerve to put New York ahead. The goal was a welcome relief with news coming through that Jacksonville had taken the lead in San Francisco, indicating that Cosmos would have to get a result here to progress to the playoffs.

Events in San Francisco were looking increasingly irrelevant as Ledesma completed a hat-trick midway through the 2nd half. There looked little danger as Ledesma looked second favourite to get to a Starikov flick on, but he outmuscled his defender and produced another fine finish to give Cosmos one foot in the playoffs.

Ledesma turned provider for the fourth goal swinging in a dangerous cross at the near post and on his final home appearance Mendes slid in to direct the ball into the net.

The game should have bee done and dusted but the New York defence switched off and allowed Puerto Rico to find Welshman in acres of space to fire a second goal with minutes remaining. Seconds later and Puerto Rico almost grabbed another as Maurer was forced into a diving save from a corner.

But Cosmos regained their composure and Marquez tried an audacious effort from the halfway line as he spotted the keeper off his line, forcing the keeper into conceding a corner.

Mendes was substituted in stoppage time and given a standing ovation by the Cosmos faithful, but there was still time for another goal as with the last kick of the game Lucky finished a swift counter attack to wrap up a successful evening.

(NASL 2017 Fall) Jacksonville Armada 4v4 New York Cosmos

Sunday 22nd October 2017
Hodges Stadium, Jacksonville   Attendance -  7,611

Cardiac Cosmos were at it again as New York came back from 3v1 down at half time to eventually gain a crucial point against fellow playoff hopefuls Jacksonville.

The Cosmos traveled to Jacksonville knowing a win would guarentee New York the final playoff spot while Armada needed a win to give themselves a fighting chance of making the playoffs for the first time.

Armada came out fired up in front of a sold out Hodges Stadium and struck early after Blake floated in a pass behind the Cosmos defence to Gerbhart and cut back to Steinberg who produced a fine finish.

Cosmos wasted no time in leveling things with the goal coming from an unlikely source. Centre back Ochieng somehow popped up in the centre forward position and was played in on goal and slotted the ball into the net.

The game then swung back in the favour of the home side as Drew Beckie put Armada ahead midway through the first half. A dangerous free-kick was swung into the box and Maurer was beaten to the ball, only for the header to come off the post, but Beckie reacted first to head into an empty net.

It got worse for Cosmos as from an almost identical set piece Blake whipped in another ball and Armada were again first to the ball as Ryden steered the ball in.

Cosmos failed to trouble Jacksonville for the remainder fo the half, leaving themselves needing another cardiac Cosmos comeback needed to get anything out of the game.

It was a much more motivated Cosmos that came out for the 2nd half and forced Armada onto the back foot.

On the hour mark Cosmos pulled a goal back after a well worked move as Ledesma and Marquez linked up on the edge of the area and Marquez found an unmarked Starikov who fired into the net.

Smelling blood Cosmos continued to push forward for an equaliser and Starikov had another chance on goal which brought a good save from Patterson-Sewell in the Armada goal.

Mkosana had been introduced to the action in the 2nd half and didn't take long to make his mark as he put Cosmos level with a third of the game remaining. Flores ran at the Armada defensive line and slipped the ball to Lucky, who nipped past Beckie and place the ball past Patterson-Sewell.

It was Armada who now needed a goal and substitute Elondou went close after another dangerous Blake free-kick was whipped in. But Cosmos amazingly would stake the lead as Mulligan let fly with a long range effort that found the corner of the net.

The game was not over yet as Jacksonville responded immediately as the Cosmos defence switched off and Eloundou was allowed in on goal and hammered the ball past Maurer. Elondou was causing Cosmos problems and was allowed a free header soon after which crept narrowly wide.

In the dying seconds Cosmos hearts were in mouths as Pitchkolan fired a volley goalward deep into stoppage time, but Maurer was on hand to tip the effort wide for a corner.

The Jacksonville keeper came up for the corner but the ball was cleared and Cosmos raced through on an unguarded goal, only for the ref to blow for time, causing an angry mob of Cosmos players to confront the referee.

The draw leaves the last playoff place unclaimed, although with Cosmos holding a clear advantage going into the final game of the regular season.

(NASL 2017 Fall) Puerto Rico 1v4 New York Cosmos

Wednesday 18th October 2017
Central Broward Regional Park, Lauderhill, Florida   Attendance -  

Cosmos racked up another win over Puerto Rico to move 2 points ahead of Jacksonville in the race for the final spot in the NASL playoffs. It was the 5th win over the Islanders in the 2017 campaign, a remarkable statistic considering Cosmos have only managed 9 wins in the league in total.

With Puerto Rico still recovering from Hurricane damage the match was played at the former home of Fort Lauderdale Strikers, with the Cosmos fielding a few surprises in the line up which saw Richter, Ledesma and Marquez dropped to the bench.

New York created a couple of openings early on with a Starikov effort at the near post and Ayoze heading narrowly over from a Calvillo cross. Mulligan was given a start over Richter and he came close to opening the scoring midway through the half as his shot from the edge of the box was tipped onto the bar.

Cosmos took control of the match with 2 goals in a 6 minute spell at the end of the first half. The first came from the left foot of Ayoze as he delivered a trademark curling free-kick over the wall and into the net. Starikov had come close to adding a second but did not have to wait long for his goal as he made it 2v0 in spectacular fashion with an improvised bicycle kick. Guerra had shown great skill down the right wing to fashion a crossing opportunity and as the ball bobbled up in a crowded box Starikov went airborne to put Cosmos 2 up.

Puerto Rico came out strong in the early stages of the 2nd half but Cosmos were still threatening and Guerra came close to poking the ball in after a scramble in the area in the just before the hour mark. Jimmy Maurer came to his sides rescue soon after as Puerto Rico went through with the Cosmos defence appealing for offside.

The latter part of the game saw heavy rain come down but the Cosmos did not seem affected and made the game safe. Winning the ball in the opposition half the ball Starikov played the ball to former PR player Bardic who evaded a sliding challenge and slotted the ball past the keeper to make it 3v0.

Starikov was having a productive game and he outpaced the Puerto Rico defence late on to go through on goal, only to be upended in the box with Ayoze stepping up to score the penalty.

The 'home' side did manage a late consolation as Rivera rose well at the far post to crash home a header, but it was a night for Cosmos to celebrate, with the added bonus of Jacksonville dropping points in the race for the playoffs.

(NASL 2017 Fall) New York Cosmos 0v0 FC Edmonton

Saturday 14th October 2017
MCU Park, New York   Attendance -  6,818

(NASL 2017 Fall) Indy Eleven 2v2 New York Cosmos

Saturday 7th October 2017

Michael A Carroll Stadium, Indianapolis   Attendance -  8,998

Draws have blighted the Cosmos season this capaign, but given the fact that New York have never won at the Mike another draw was not the worst result as Cosmos and Indy Eleven fought out a 2v2 draw.

The first 20mins passed without incident but then the Cosmos started to threaten and they felt they should have had a penalty when Vranjican hit the deck in the area after a pass from Ledesma, but the referee ordered play to continue.

Cosmos saw a couple of efforts go narrowly wide but it was Indy who took the lead when Don SMart unleashed a rocket which flew past Maurer at the near post to give the home side the lead. But Cosmos did not panic and got back on level terms through Ledesma. Busch was at fault as he could only push out a well struck Marquez effort and as it bounced dangerously in front of goal Ledesma was first to react as he shot into the net. New York had a chance to take the lead as Vranjican was allowed far too much room down the right wing and he played a ball across goal to Mkosana, but Lucky could not connect with it, with Gio Savarese claiming the striker was fouled.

Zayed forced a save out of Maurer as the half wore on, but the header lacked the power to beat the Cosmos keeper. The Indy striker had a better opportunity later after a pinpoint cross picked hin out, but a poor first touch saw the chance go begging.

Cosmos came out in the 2nd half the better side and Marquez produced another great long range effort which forced Busch to tip the ball wide. But Indy were still a threat and Maurer made a similar save from closer in at the other end.

Cosmos looked the side most likely to get the next goal, but against the run of play Indy took the lead after a swift counter attack saw Don Smart slide the ball across goal to Zayed, whose effort just about beat Maurer. New York almost equalised straight away as a dangerous cross from Ledesma was almost headed into his own net by Keller. Indy again failed to hold onto the lead as Marquez was left unmarked and fired past Busch to level it again.

Indy pushed for a winner and came close when Smart struck an effort that thundered off the bar. Indy continued to give New York some hairy moments in the closing stages, but Cosmos held on for a draw.