(NASL Champ Final 2015) New York Cosmos 3v2 Ottawa Fury

Saturday 15th November 2015
Hofstra University, New York   Attendance -  10,166

There was to be a fairytale ending to the careers of Marcos Senna and Raul as the New York Cosmos lifted the Soccerbowl for the 2nd time since the reboot era. The unlikely hero was Gaston Cellerino, who hit a hat-trick, having only managed 2 goals in his 9 appearances for the Cosmos so far.

The Canadian side had only been beaten once since the start of May, but were deservefly beaten on the day.

 However Ottawa made the better start, pinning the Cosmos in their own half for most of the early exchanges, but the Cosmos dealt Ottawa an early blow with an early goal. It was a goal that had very little to do with skill and craft and everything to do with strength and determination.

Danny Szetela charged into 2 tackles and the ball looped to Gaston Cellerino. The striker was soon surrounded by 2 Ottawa players, but he bulldozed his way through them and off balance he managed to steer an effort past Peiser.

The goal took the wind out of Ottawa and it was the Cosmos who dominated the half from that point onwards. A deft touch from Raul gave Cellerino a good sight of goal in the 18th minute, but fired wastefully into the side netting.

With Ottawa failing to close New York down, the Cosmos continued to dictate the tempo of the match and the Fury were fortunate not to face a penalty after Roversio was manhandled to the ground in the area from a corner.

Ottawa continued to ride their luck in the 2nd half and within seconds Cellerino missed a golden opportunity to double the lead. Freeman sent a great ball to the dangerous Restrepo who cross fell invitingly for Cellerino. But only needing a tap in, the striker somehow sent the ball over the bar.

With a third of the game remaining Cosmos did manage to get the ball into the net from a corner, but the effort was chalked off as Peiser was fouled before Roversio headed in at the far post.

Seconds later and Fury was reduced to 10 men after Mason Trafford was sent off for a stamp on Guenzatti. The sending off sparked the game into life with 2 quick fire goals. Ottawa had offered little in attack with 11 men, but amazingly within seconds of being a man down they were level.

Wiederman's pass found Heinemann who had peeled off Mendes to go through on goal and he made no mistake to send the travelling Ottawa fans wild.

The Ottawa fans had not stopped celebrating when Cosmos regained the lead within seconds of the restart. Restrepo had been a constant threat and his cross looped over Peiser and as Ottawa defenders failed to hook the ball off the line, Cellerino was on hand to bundle the ball in.

Cellerino kept sniffing for goals and he forced a great fingertip save from Peiser with 10mins left as the Cosmos looked for a 3rd goal. New York did get the 3rd with 5mins remaining after a swift counter attack caught Ottawa short at the back. Raul sent Cellerino clear and he kept his nerve to complete his hat-trick and put Cosmos within touching distance of the trophy.

There was still time for a late twist as Ottawa pulled a goal back in stoppage time. Maurer saved a well struck Alves shot and the predatory Heinemann was on hand to convert the rebound.  Restrepo almost got his name on the scoresheet at the death as his shot rolled narrowly wide, but it mattered not as the final whistle blew on the match and the careers of Raul and Marcos Senna.

(NASL Champ Semi Final 2015) New York Cosmos 2v1 Fort Lauderdale Strikers

Saturday 7th November 2015
MCU Park, New York   Attendance -  5,061

A 2nd half strike from Raul ensured he and Marcos Senna would end their careers in the Soccerbowl following a come from behind 2v1 victory over Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the Championship semi finals.

Cosmos opened the door for the Strikers to reach the playoffs with a 2v0 win over Florida rivals Tampa Bay the previous week, but their assistance ended there as they ended Striker hopes of lifting the Soccerbowl.

Following a cagey start Raul had the first real chance of the game as he intercepted a loose Striker pass deep in their own half. But the Spanish striker failed to make the best of the opportunity as he fired straight at the keeper.

But it was the Strikers who drew first blood when PC drilled  shot through Ayoze's legs and just inside Maurer's far post to put the away side ahead.

Cosmos had failed to threaten the Strikers goal since going behind and almost went 2v0 down as PC took advantage of some sloppy play in the New York defence, but this time his well struck effort was turned round the post after a good save from Maurer.

With the Cosmos attack struggling, they needed a break and got one on 37mins to level the scores. Cosmos won a free kick on the left hand side and although Senna's dipping free kick was never likely to beat Meves in the Striker goal, the goalkeeper could only palm the ball into a crowd of players. The ball was palmed straight onto the legs of Gaston Cellerino and the ball rebounded back into the net for the equaliser.

The Cosmos striker had struggled for goals since his move to New York, but he had an opportunity to get another goal after a suicidal pass from Fort Lauderdale was latched onto, but his effort went off target.

In the 2nd half Cosmos continued to get their chances as a result of defensive errors by the away team as Cellerino caught Gray in possession and only a last ditch tackle from the Fort Lauderdale player saved a one on one with the keeper.

Just after the hour mark Cosmos took the lead through Raul. The midfielder made a perfectly timed run and got on the end of a deflected pass from the right hand side. His run split the defence open and he tucked the ball away past Meves to give the home side the lead.

New York should have been awarded a penalty soon after when Cellerino was caught chest height by a boot from an opposing player, only for the referee to amazingly wave away appeals for a spot kick.

Even with golden boot winner Stefano Pinho in attack Fort Lauderdale struggled to create anything of note and it was the Cosmos who came closest to scoring the next goal as Senna was denied by Meves after good work from the excellent Raul down the left wing.

The Strikers did manage to get the ball into the net in the 89th minute, only to have the effort ruled out for a marginal offside call.

But the Cosmos saw out the remaining minutes to clinch their Soccerbowl place against Fall season champions Ottawa Fury.

(NASL 2015 Fall) New York Cosmos 2v0 Tampa Bay Rowdies

Saturday 31st October 2015
Hofstra University, New York   Attendance -  5,171

Ottawa’s draw in Atlanta, Cosmos were handed an opportunity to clinch first seed in the playoffs, which required New York to beat rivals Tampa Bay by 2 goals. It was a chance that Cosmos seized with both hands as goals from Raul and Guenzatti earned the home side a 2v0 win, The win ultimately ended Tampa Bay hopes of joining New York in the playoffs, with Cosmos set to meet Fort Lauderdale in a bid to reach their 2nd Soccerbowl in the reboot era.

The first half was a Halloween horror show for Sebastian Guenzatti who wasted enough chances to clinch first seed for the Cosmos in the first half alone. The midfielder wasted a chance in the 19th minute when his shot went horribly wide after good work by Restrepo down the right wing and 10mins later Matt Pickens denied Guenzatti when put through on goal.

But Guenzatti had his best chance in the 31st minute when a clever chipped free kick found Guenzatti all alone in front of goal, only for the Cosmos player to get his volley all wrong and blast well over.

Just before half time and Guenzatti again wasted a golden chance to put Cosmos ahead. The ball fell to Guenzatti on the edge of the area from a Matt Pickens punch, but with Pickens scrambling to get to his feet, Guenzatti’s effort clipped the outside of the post for a Rowdies goal kick.

Early in the 2nd half Pickens pulled off a fantastic double save to deny first a Cellerino header from close range and then the follow up from Restrepo as the Rowdies keeper continued to frustrate the home side.

But Cosmos were not to be denied as Raul provided the breakthrough in the 54th minute. After being found by a Bover pass, Raul set himself up with an exquisite touch and fired the ball through the legs of Pickens and into the net. Having finally got the opening goal it took just 4mins to get the goal that clinched first seed in the playoffs.

Restrepo laid the ball off to Guenzatti who finally found the net to make it 2v0 to the Cosmos. There was never any chance of a response from the Rowdies, with the Cosmos not allowing Tampa any time on the ball and the Rowdies failed to muster a single shot on target all game.

(NASL 2015 Fall) San Antonio Scorpions 1v2 New York Cosmos

Sunday 25th October 2015
Toyota Field, San Antonio   Attendance -  7,500

A late free kick from Ayoze kept alive the Cosmos's chances of clinching first place in the overall standings after the Cosmos came from behind to win in San Antonio.

Even though the Scorpions were out of playoff contention they started the brighter of the 2 sides and Forbes threatened in the opening seconds as he threatened to walk through the Cosmos defence. The home side continued to look the sharper of the 2 sides, but lacked the final ball and failed to unduly trouble the Cosmos goal.

Cosmos started to work themselves into the game although San Antonio were still a threat and Freeman needed a last gasp sliding tackle to prevent Forbes from getting a strike in on goal. But New York were slowly gaining control of the game and produced their first meaningful effort on when Senna had a goalbound effort deflected over by Scorpions new signing Kris Tyrpak.

Fernandes almost broke the deadlock with an audacious long range effort after spotting the Scorpions keeper off his line. The effort was only marginally off target, to the relief of the Scorpions keeper.  Raul was next to come close as he managed to create a yard of space on the edge of the area before curling an effort narrowly wide.

But just before half time San Antonio scored against the run of play. A ball was lofted towards Billy Forbes was cut out by Hunter Freeman, but Freeman was caught dwelling on the ball and Forbes took full advantage by robbing the ball off the Cosmos defender and slotting past Maurer.

Cosmos needed 2 second half goals and Fernandes was presented with a chance early in the 2nd half, but could only produce a tame effort which was easily stopped by Fernandes in goal.

Cosmos pressure was rewarded on the hour mark when they were awarded a penalty after an infringement in the area as a Freeman cross came in from the right wing. Senna stepped up to tuck the spot kick away to level the scores.

There had been little from the hosts since their goal, but Forbes showed he was still dangerous as he again caused havoc in the Cosmos defence, but his shot lacked power and allowed Maurer an easy stop. As the game entered the final 15mins the Cosmos were desperately looking for a winner and they got one from the boot of Ayoze.

Former San Antonio winger Restrepo was brought down outside the area and Ayoze delivered an inch perfect free kick past Fernandes who was rooted to the spot. There were chances of further goals at both ends with both keepers pulling off good stops from Forbes and Leo Fernandes.

Flores came close to making the 3 points safe as his far post effort came off the inside of the post and deflected off the Scorpions Keeper to safety.

The win moves Cosmos to within 2pts of Ottawa in the combined standings with one game left to play.

(NASL 2015 Fall) New York Cosmos 3v0 FC Edmonton

Sunday 11th October 2015
Hofstra University, New York   Attendance -  4,286

Cosmos moved back to the top of the combined standings following a second successive 3v0 victory. Edmonton are battling for the last remaining place in the playoffs, but after going behind never looked like getting back into the game.

It was a cagey start to the game, with the only chance coming from the home side when Restrepo had a chance to cross for Cellerino, but his cross was behind the Argentine and he could not get any power on his effort which was easily saved.

New York broke the deadlock with Guenzatti's second goal in 2 games. Cellerino pounced on a loose ball in the midfield and sidestepped an Edmonton player before finding Guenzatti in space, who slotted the ball past Van Oekel in the Eddies goal. The goal gave Cosmos a spring in their step and the Eddies were pinned back in the their own half as Cosmos were dominated possession.

Senna came close to doubling the lead when a loose ball fell invitingly for the veteran on the edge of the area, but his well hit shot was deflected just over. But it was only a temporary reprieve as Cosmos made it 2v0 from the resulting corner.

Edmonton failed to defend the corner and allowed the ball to run to Raul at the far post who lashed it into the net. Edmonton tried to reduce the deficit in first half stoppage time, but Mendes blocked a goalbound effort to keep the score at 2v0.

There was no fightback from the visitors in the 2nd half as Cosmos thoroughly dominated proceedings.

Early in the 2nd half Van Oekel was forced into action from a well struck Szetela shot and Szetela should have added his name to the scoresheet soon after as he was picked out by a great ball from the right wing, but he failed to keep the effort down.

Cosmos continued to apply the pressure and with little threat from Edmonton the next goal was always going to go to the home side.

But Cosmos were forced to wait and it came from substitute Bover who netted the goal of the game shortly after coming on. It was poor defending again from Edmonton as a rushed clearance went straight to Bover. He was under pressure from an Edmonton player, but from a tight angle he produced a fantastic chip into the top corner.

Bover had a much easier chance soon after but somehow managed to divert the ball straight onto the arms of the Eddies keeper with an open goal to aim at. Raul almost got his second goal the game in stoppage time but Van Oekel got his fingertips to Raul's chip to deny the Spanish legend a brace.

(NASL 2015 Fall) Atlanta Silverbacks 1v1 New York Cosmos

Wednesday 7th October 2015

Atlanta Silverbacks Park, Atlanta   Attendance 3,469

Cosmos ended a 4 game winless run and dealt Atlanta a blow to their hopes of post season action after a 3v0 victory at Silverbacks Park. The game took on a similar pattern as the game played only 72 hours previously between the 2 sides, with Cosmos having the majority of possession, with the play braking down in the final third.

But the Silverbacks were undone in the 28th minute with Sebastian Guenzatti goal. It came from a long clearance by Maurer that was flicked on by Cellerino. Guenzatti did well to create half a yard of space for himself and his shot was fired through the legs of Mensing and beat Ceus at the near post to put New York ahead.

Atlanta had little success in attack up to that point, although they did have an opening just before half time when a free kick found an unmarked Chavez, but he could not direct his header on target.

Cosmos doubled their lead on 54 minutes after Cellerino took advantage of some sloppy play at the back. He latched onto a loose pass from Atlanta and set off for goal. His initial effort was saved by Ceus but he slotted home the rebound, although the goal should not have stood as he hauled down Atlanta's Klmura before slotting home as the Silverbacks man looked set to get to the ball before the Argentine striker.

Cosmos almost put the game out of reach of Atlanta soon after as a good move involving Freeman & Fernandes led to a chance for Cellerino, but his effort from close range was blocked.

Atlanta then enjoyed their best spell of the game and only a fantastic double save from Maurer prevented the Silverbacks from pulling a goal back.

Mendes rifled in an effort after a corner had only been partially cleared and although Maurer did well to stop the effort, the ball fell to McKenzie who looked set to tap home the ball, only for Maurer to react with an even better stop.

Cosmos survived the spell and came close to a third when an audacious long range effort from Restrepo had Ceus scrambling to tip the ball over. Cosmos added a third with 2mins left when after good work down the right Chirishian picked out Fernandes who made no mistake to end the scoring. Restrepo almost added another in the dying moments when a cross / shot struck the post.

(NASL 2015 Fall) New York Cosmos 1v1 Atlanta Silverbacks

Sunday 4th October 2015
Hofstra University, New York   Attendance -  3,326

New York's poor run of results continued with a disappointing draw at home to the league owned Atlanta Silverbacks. Once again the Cosmos conceded the first goal of the game, although at least on this occasion they could claim the goal was massively against the run of play.

With Cosmos again struggling to find the net it took an Atlanta own goal to level the scores and earn the home side a point.

Cosmos threatened from the opening minute as Raul had an effort on goal from a Restrepo cross. But New York should have taken the lead after 15mins when Silverbacks keeper Ceus made a ill advised dash out of his goal to collect a ball. Flores beat him to the ball and sent a looping cross towards goal, but under pressure Fernandes could only head against the bar of an unguarded net.

Cosmos continued to dominate and Flores was denied by a good save from Ceus but amazingly fell behind to Atlanta's one and only effort of the half. Junior Burgos sent a well delivered free kick into the Cosmos box and Mravec got his head to the cross. Maurer managed to get a good hand to the effort, but the ball trickled in off the post to the delight of the away side.

In the second half Cosmos were frustrated by the stingy Atlanta defence, but finally managed an effort on goal in the 69th minute when Atlanta's Simon Mensing flung himself in front of the effort to prevent a potential equaliser.

But Mensing would gift Cosmos an equaliser a minute later when he diverted a corner into his own net after he miscued a clearance. The home side went in search for a winner and Bover came close curling an effort narrowly wide.

Cellerino had a chance to produce a last gasp winner deep into stoppage time after a poor punch from Ceus, but the strikers backheel flew over the bat from close range.

The Cosmos now face an uphill struggle to clinch first place in the combined standings, which would guarantee home advantage in the Soccer Bowl.

(NASL 2015 Fall) FC Edmonton 2v1 New York Cosmos

Sunday 27th September 2015
Clarke Stadium, Edmonton, Canada   Attendance -  4,240

A scratch Cosmos side were again beaten by Canadian opposition as they fell 2v1 to FC Edmonton.

Following a midweek match and a lengthy trip to Edmonton the Cosmos decided to rest several players, with Maurer, Mendes and Raul the most notable absentees.

The home side took full advantage of the weakened side, with 2 goals in 3 minutes at the end of the first half which ultimately did the damage.

But the early signs were promising from the away side as Cosmos made a bright start and Senna bent a free kick narrowly wide after 5mins.

But it wasn't long before Edmonton started to threaten and a poor pass from Freeman led to an Edmonton counter attack and ended with a shot that went wide from Lance Laing. Fordyce came even closer to giving the home side the lead as his effort from a Cruz free kick was destines for the net, only for Zobeck to produce an outstanding save to keep the score at 0v0.

Correa squandered an opportunity as he fired off target after he got on the end of a knock down. Cosmos did manage to fashion an opportunity but Mkosana could not get a shot off thanks to a timely intervention from Roberts.

But it was at the other end where the best chance were and Mulligan prevented a goal after Laing looked set to head home from a dangerous Cruz cross. But Laing would not be denied soon after as he opened the scoring for the home side.

Laing took advantage as a deflection fell conveniently in his path and made no mistake as he opened the scoring.

Cosmos had not recovered when they found themselves 2v0 down. A great ball from Cruz split the Cosmos defence apart and Fordyce made it 2v0 at half time.

Eddies continued their dominance in the early stages of the second half but good handling from Zobeck ensured there would not be any further additions to the score. There was little sign of New York getting back into the game until they were gift wrapped a goal just before the hour mark.

 Eddies gave away a needless corner and from the corner Cosmos were awarded a penalty. Van Oekel failed to deal with the corner and Szetela's shot hit the outstretched arm of Watson.

Senna stepped up to tuck the penalty away to give Cosmos a lifeline. The goal triggered the best spell of the game for New York, but even then they failed to test the Eddies keeper with anything of note.

The closest Cosmos came to equalising came via another piece of sloppy play from Edmonton as Van Oekel almost allowed a long range Senna free kick to squirm out of his arms and underneath his legs, but managed to stop the ball from trickling over the line.

Even with the gift of the penalty earlier on, Cosmos never looked like getting an equaliser, and almost conceded a third when after good work down the right wing Ritchie Jones goalbound effort was cleared off the line by Szetela.

(NASL 2015 Fall) New York Cosmos 1v4 Ottawa Fury

Tuesday 22nd September 2015
Hofstra University, New York   Attendance -  3,438

The undefeated home record of the Cosmos came to a crashing end with a 4v1 defeat to high flying Ottawa, the joint biggest defeat for New York in the modern era.

The Cosmos had the bulk of the possession on the first half, but Ottawa just sat back and gave away nothing at the back. All the home side had to show for their efforts in the first half was an effort from new signing Gaston Cellerino, that was easily blocked.

Ottawa took the lead on the half hour mark when a Richie Ryan free kick was headed across the penalty area by Falvey and Paulo Junior was first to the ball to fire past Maurer.

The Cosmos attack had been shut out in the first half, but needed only 2 minutes of the 2nd half to level matters. Ayoze delivered a cross to Flores, who expertly guided a header into the net to bring the sides level.

It looked as if New York were headed for another come from behind victory when they pressed on in search of a second as Peiser was called upon to stop an effort from Ayoze. But Ottawa did not read the script and regained the lead when Paulo Junior struck again, scoring from a tight angle in the 56th minute.

Again, Cosmos pressed for an equaliser and Peiser denied a well struck effort from Raul and Fernandes  was also denied by the Ottawa keeper. Hopes of getting something out of this game were ended by 2 quick strikes in the 77th and 78th minute.

Cosmos were caught throwing men forward and Ottawa made the home side pay with a swift counter attack that left the home side short at the back. Captain Carlos Mendes was racing back to try and prevent a goal, but he could only divert Heinemann's shot into the goal to put Ottawa 3v1 up.

It got worse for the Cosmos a minute later as Ottawa struck again when Heinemann was put through and he finished decisively to complete an emphatic victory.

The defeat now leaves Cosmos in danger of losing their grip on first place in the combined standings and moves Ottawa closer to their quest of winning the Fall Championship.

(NASL 2015 Fall) Minnesota United 0v0 New York Cosmos

Saturday 18th September 2015

NSC Stadium, Minnesota   Attendance 9,418

The top 2 sides in the combined standings battled to a goalless draw extending Minnesota's winless run over the Cosmos. Both sides created chances on goal, but the goalkeepers of both sides put in brilliant performances to  keep the game scoreless.

But Minnesota can feel aggrieved not to come away with the 3 points after they had 2 goals incorrectly ruled out.

Cosmos started the match strong and almost raced into an early lead as United keeper Ndjock was forced to tip over a header from Lucky just seconds into the match. The home side held out against  the bright start from the visitors and went close themselves when a header from Pitchkolan went wide.

Both sides were committed to attack and Minnesota caused panic in the Cosmos area when a dangerous Kevin Venegas cross was whipped into the box, but the danger passed after Ramirez was penalised for handball.  The action went from end to end as Cosmos wasted a good chance to take the lead when a well worked  move ended in Restrepo blazing over from inside the area.

Minnesota ended the half the stronger of the 2 sides and the home side almost went ahead after 35mins when a good pass sent Davis down the left wing and his cross was only centimetres away from being touched in by Ramirez who was unmarked in front of goal.

The same 2 combined again before half time, this time Ramirez connected with the cross, but he failed to get a decent connection and Maurer was able to make the save.

The 2 sides continued to trade blows in the 2nd half with neither side capable of delivering the knockout blow.

Ndjock denied efforts from Raul and Flores that could easily have ended in the Minnesota net, while Ramirez continued to be a thorn in the side of the Cosmos and came close to breaking the deadlock on more than one occasion. 

But for in the last 25mins of the game it was the home side who  pressed for a winner and should have got it, only to have 2 'goals' incorrectly chalked off. A Venegas free kick was turned in by Ibson, only for the  referee to incorrectly rule that the Minnesota player had handled the ball prior to putting the ball into the net.

Seconds later Ramirez slotted the ball past Maurer, but the offside flag ruled the effort out, with replays showing he was marginally onside.

Undeterred Minnesota continued to search for a goal that would  earn a first ever win over the Cosmos and fired an  effort across the goal, but wide of the target. Flores had a chance to snatch victory in he 81st minute, but dragged a shot wide after a quickly taken free kick.

But Vela had the best chance to produce a winner after he was played in by Ramirez, only for Maurer to produce a fantastic stop from point blank range.

(NASL 2015 Fall) New York Cosmos 1v0 Jacksonville Armada

Wednesday 13th September 2015
Hofstra University, New York   Attendance -  5,089

Cosmos returned to winning ways to record a first ever win over Jacksonville Armada. It took until 40mins for the game to come to life after both sides struggled to create anything meaningful on goal in difficult conditions with heavy rain pouring down in New York.

But the Cosmos started to take control and after Armada were reduced to 10 men after the dismissal of Lucas Trejo it was all one way traffic. Raul made the breakthrough with 16mins left, which takes Cosmos within 3pts of Ottawa in the Fall Championship.

The Cosmos were forced into an early substitution with Adam Moffat forced off through injury, replaced by Marcos Senna. It took Cosmos over half an hour to create a chance when a Senna free kick fell to Raul, but it was awkward for the legendary striker and he could not get the effort on target.

But Jacksonville had the best chance of the half when a Nicklaw cross came through a crowd of players and to Tyler Williams, but with the goal gaping the Armada player sent it over the bar.

As the half drew to a close Cosmos suddenly kicked into gear. Restrepo almost caught out Armada keeper Sierra with a 30 yard effort which went narrowly over, and shortly after Lucky  had the home sides best chance as he was through on goal, but although his chipped effort beat Sierra, it went the wrong side of the post.

Lucky had another effort on goal as he connected with a Bover cross, but it did not have enough on the effort to provide the opener.

Early in the 2nd half Armada were reduced to 10 men after Lucas Trejo after he was shown a red card for a dangerously high challenge on Lucky. The dismissal changed the game as Cosmos went in search of a winner and Restrepo could only put an effort wide from a cross that Lucky could not quite connect with.

With 19mins left Senna had an effort that took a deflection and required Sierra to tip over and from the resulting corner Ayoze forced Sierra into another save.

With Cosmos firmly on the offensive, new signing Gaston Cellerinio was introduced to the action for his first appearance. The goal finally came shortly after some classy play from Raul. The Spanish legend controlled a hooked cross from Restrepo before dummying a shot which gave Raul the angle he needed to tuck the ball past Sierra for the breakthrough goal.

With Jacksonville in a long scoreless run and already down to 10 men, there was no coming back from that blow. Cosmos looked to make it safe with and Restrepo came close to making it 2v0, but Jacksonville managed to survive to keep their feint hopes alive.

in the games closing moments, it was the Cosmos threatening as Bover sent over a cross that almost went in and Gaston Cellerino missed an opportunity to mark his debut with a goal.

A miserable night for the Armada was completed when Scaglia was sent off after the final whistle.