(NASL 2013 Fall) New York Cosmos 4v3 Tampa Bay Rowdies

Sunday 29th September 2013
Hofstra University, New York   Attendance -  6,518

The Cosmos ended Rowdies unbeaten Fall Record after a thrilling come from behind victory to open up a 4pt lead at the Top of the Table.

2 mistakes from the usually reliable Kyle Reynish contributed to a 3v1 scoreline to the visitors at half time, but New York were dominant in the 2nd half and second half strikes from Paulo Mendes, Diaz and Senna were enough to gain a stunning victory.

The match pitted the Leagues best defence (Cosmos) against Tampa's Best Attack in the League, but it was a tight start with few clear cut opportunities, until Mulholland put the Rowdies ahead on the 20min mark.

It was  soft goal to concede as Mkosana laid the ball off to his team mate on the edge of the area, who had time and space to pick his spot past Reynish for the opener.

The lead did not last long as Marosevic levelled things just 3mins later. Rowdies did not deal with a Senna ball delivered into the box, Restrepo saved well from Ayoze, but could not stop Marosevic's effort from being bundled over the line.

But by half time Rowdies had built up a 3v1 led, with Reynish's decision flawed making contributing to both efforts.

A swift counter attack saw Hristov played in behind the Cosmos defence, but his job was made easier when Reynish made an ill advised dash out of goal, and the lethal striker made no mistake to put Tampa ahead.

Again, Cosmos came close to equalising straight away, but still seeking his first goal, Dimitrov wasted an opportunity as he headed wide.

It got better for the away side in first half stoppage time. There seemed little danger when Mkosana had the ball on the corner of the box, but with Reynish again caught in no mans land, Mkosana took advantage of the situation and lobbed the ball into the Cosmos net.

Restrepo was forced into action just before the half ended as he kept out a Senna effort, as Cosmos attempted to reduce the damage.

Despite the 3v1 scoreline, the half was fairly even, but the second half was dominated by Cosmos from the outset. Senna had an early opportunity to get his name on the scoresheet, but drove his effort straight at Restrepo, and soon after Ayoze's curling effort went just over as New York came out with all guns blazing.

Tampa's striker Hristov did not reappear for the 2nd half, due to injury, and it appeared to affect the visitors as they could not keep the ball, as Cosmos came at them with wave after wave of attacks.

Restrepo kept out an effort from Dimitrov, but the breakthrough had to come and Paulo Mendes got the goal, just past the hour mark.

Mendes was initially trying to play Diaz in, but found the ball played back to him after a poor clearance from Tampa Defender Gafa, and Mendes took full advantage by slotting the ball past Restrepo.

Cosmos continued to stream forward, but looked to be running out of time, as Tampa still held a one goal lead with just 10mins remaining.

But the Tampa defence buckled and Diaz easily beat Yamada, before producing a fine finish to set up a grandstand finish.

If there was going to be a winner, it was only going to come from one team, and the Cosmos fans did not have to wait much longer for the final goal of the game.

Tampa were still reeling from losing their lead, when Senna curled in a great free kick to leave Restrepo rooted to his line as the Cosmos players celebrated in numbers with the bench.

Tampa did try and get something out of the game when Yamada was denied by Reynish late on, but this victory felt like a psychological hammer blow to the Rowdies, as well as opening up a gap at the top.