Sunday 8th November 2014
Toyota Field, San Antonio Attendance - 6,548
Cosmos
hopes of retaining the Soccerbowl were extinguished after an extra time defeat
in San Antonio.
After
a tight start to the game Cosmos drew blood first when Stokkelien put the
Cosmos ahead after 17mins. It was a well worked move from the visitors which
ended up with a cross from Ayoze to the far post which found the Cosmos forward
for a relatively straightforward header.
But
it didn't take long for the Scorpions to level matters after the Cosmos
switched off. Stephen DeRoux was allowed to run at the Cosmos defence and
slipped the ball to an unmarked Rafael Castillo. Although Maurer stopped the
first effort, the rebound fell to Castillo who didn't make a mistake second
time around.
The
Cosmos defence did not learn their lesson as Forbes almost capitalised on the
space that Ayoze had vacated as he raced clear of the Cosmos defence, but could
only fire wide from a narrow angle.
But
most of the first half was cagey with Cosmos creating very little, but just
before half time Chirishian wasted a glorious chance when the ball fell to him
only yards from the Scorpions goal, but under pressure he could only scoop the
ball well over.
The
Scorpions created the first chance of the 2nd half which required Maurer to
save a header from a corner to prevent the home side taking the lead. But the
second half was a continuation of the first, with little separating the 2 sides
and the home side had to survive a scary moment when Senna and Ayoze had
efforts on goal, but the Scorpions managed to get bodies in the way.
As
news filtered through that Fort Lauderdale had edged Minnesota in the other
semi final, the match took on more importance, with the winners set to host the
Soccerbowl. Forbes tried to make sure it was San Antonio who would progress,
twice forcing Maurer into action, but again Maurer was equal to the efforts.
Castillo also threatened as he curled a
free kick against the bar as the home side went in search of a winner.
With
no further score the match moved into extra time where the pattern continued,
with the Scorpions looking the most likely side to make the breakthrough.
7mins
into extra time Maurer was caught in no mans land as he failed to connect with
a cross, but Paulo Mendes' header looped over. Scorpions were getting closer
and Castillo fired narrowly wide as they broke with pace soon after.
The
Scorpions got the goal they deserved, 10mins from the end of extra time through
a scrappy effort. Walter Restrepo turned his man and although his shot was
saved by Maurer the ball rebounded off cosmos Captain Carlos Mendes and into
the net to send the Scorpions into wild celebrations.
The
Cosmos went in search of an equaliser, but the closest they came was a
Guenzatti header that went wide after good work from Freeman and Senna free
kick at the death that was turned over.
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