(NASL 2013 Fall) Fort Lauderdale Strikers 0v2 New York Cosmos

Sunday 21st September 2013

Lockhart Stadium, Fort Lauderdale   Attendance 7,653

Two goals from Diomar Diaz was enough to see off the Fort Lauderdale Strikers as the Cosmos maintained their lead at the top of the League. Going into the game, the Florida side were boasting a 5 game unbeaten run, but created very little, and were punished for defensive lapses in the first half.

Cosmos took the lead with their first effort on goal, after Diaz was left unmarked at the far post as he headed in an Ayoze cross.

Alves went close for the Strikers with a header in the 25th minute in a game where both teams were struggling to generate anything of significance in the final third of the pitch.

In 33rd minute, the Fort Lauderdale defence switched off again, and again the Venezuelan Diaz took full advantage.

Fort Lauderdale were caught short of numbers at the back, leaving Guenzatti unmarked. Fort Lauderdale Keeper Richard Sanchez looked to have come to his sides rescue with  fine save to deny Guenzatti, only for Diaz to hammer the loose ball into the net from the rebound.

With a 2 goal lead behind them Cosmos were happy to keep their shape at the back, and given the home sides lack of cutting edge, were looking comfortable.

Towards the end of the half Cosmos could have extended their lead, but Paulo Mendes shot weakly wide after being given an opportunity from a Danny Szetela pass. In first half stoppage time a goalbound Marcos Senna header needed heading away to prevent the Cosmos going three clear of the home side.

 The 2nd half saw Cosmos continue to threaten and Sanchez was forced into another good save, after good work from Dimitrov down the right wing.

With the game slipping away from the home side, Fort Lauderdale started to put the visitors under pressure, and had the ball in the Cosmos net, as Salazar swept the ball past Reynish, only for the Assistant Referee's flag to rule the goal out for offside.

But the home side failed to build any sustained momentum and the away sides lead was rarely under threat, indeed Cosmos should have extended their lead, but were denied by a combination of poor finishing and another fine save from Sanchez.

The only blot on an otherwise successful trip for the Cosmos was another sending off, as Guenzatti picked up a needless 2nd yellow card in stoppage time, ruling him out of next weeks top of the table clash with the unbeaten Rowdies.