(Fr) Ventura County Fusion 0v1 New York Cosmos

Wednesday 25th February 2014
Ventura College Sportsplex, Ventura, California   Attendance -  

A goal from new signing Adam Moffat gave the Cosmos a win in California against PDL Side Ventura County Fusion, who play in the 4th tier of US Soccer.  Despite the difference in levels between the 2 sides, the Fusion had chances to score in the first half, but the Cosmos did enough to record  a deserved victory.

Savarese fielded a mix of mainly squad players and new signings, and it was 2 of the new signings that linked to create the games first real chance in the 11th minute as a low cross from Fernandes found Restrepo who was denied by a smart save from the Ventura Keeper.

4 minutes later the Cosmos took the lead in what would be the games only goal. Moffat was allowed space on the edge of the Ventura penalty area and produced a well struck shot that the Keeper failed to keep out, despite getting a hand to the effort.

Ventura main tactic of playing balls over the Cosmos defence did bear fruit as the Fusion striker held off a challenge from Hunter Gorskie, only to produce a tame side footed effort at trialist Brian Holt in the Cosmos goal.

The same Fusion striker threatened again as he found his way past the makeshift Cosmos back line of Diosa, Mulligan, Gorskie and Caceres, but as he attempted to take the ball round Holt he ran out of pitch and failed to keep the ball in play.

Cosmos should have doubled their lead when Mkosana showed a turn of pace to get away from the Fusion defence and squared to Chirishian. Faced with an empty goal, the former Fusion player somehow contrived to hit the post, although an offside flag would have ruled a goal out anyway.

The Cosmos were increasing the tempo of a previously lethargic performance, but again the Fusion carved out an opportunity after a counter attack caught the Cosmos short of bodies at the back, but Castro wanted too much time on the ball and the chance went begging.

Cosmos started the second half much stronger and for the first 15mins the match was played almost exclusively in the Ventura half. Lucky had a series of chances, the best of which was a clear chance to double the lead after a neat turn to beat his marker, but faced with a one on one he could only skim the post as the sore remained 1v0.

Danny Berrera had Holt concerned with a well stuck drive following a rare Ventura attack, but the effort went over the bar. But it was at the other end where the action was continuing and substitute Guenzatti came close to making it 2v0 as he weaved his way round the Ventura defence only to slide the ball a yard wide at the end of his run.

A second goal looked inevitable, but just would not come. Moffat sent a great raking pass crossfield to Restrepo, but the former San Antonio player got his lob over the Keeper wrong and another chance went begging.

Raul was introduced to the action late on and had a chance in stoppage time to open his account from open play, but shot straight at the Keeper.

The next game v USL  Champions Sacramento Republic should prove a sterner test, given their recent 4v0 victory over Ventura only a matter of days previously.