Saturday 11th October 2014
Hofstra University, New York Attendance - 4,411
A
last gasp goal from Hagop Chirishian earned the Cosmos a valuable win despite a
below par performance against Ottawa.
Ottawa
should have taken the lead after just 5mins as Omar Jarun could not direct his
header on target after a vicious free kick from Donatelli, and seconds later
Oliver tested Maurer after getting behind Hunter Freeman. Cosmos were on the
defensive again soon after, following a loose pass by Lade was almost
capitalised on, with Carlos Mendes throwing himself in the way to keep the
scores at 0v0.
The
Fury's momentum was interrupted with the loss of top scorer Oliver due to
injury, after just 10mins after a clash with Danny Szetela.
Cosmos
rode out the difficult start and threatened the Ottawa goal for the first time
on 22mins after a dangerous cross from the left wing led to efforts from Ayoze
and Diaz that were kept out. But Ottawa soon regained the upper hand and
thought they had taken the lead after Heinemann converted from close range,
only for the goal to be ruled out for an offside earlier in the move.
The
home side had rarely threatened, so it came as a surprise when the Cosmos took
the lead just before half time. Danny Szetela delivered a brilliant cross from
the left and Diaz nipped in front of the Ottawa defender who was slow to react
to head home from close range.
Cosmos
improved in the 2nd half, but Ottawa had the first real chance of the half,
with a scramble in the NY area ending in a goalbound shot being deflected over
the bar. The Canadian side got the equaliser they deserved just shy of the hour
mark. Heinemann had been a threat all night and he levelled the scores after
poking home a great first time cross from Poporvich after a swift attack.
Cosmos
almost regained the lead straight way as Szetela came close after latching onto
a Freeman pass that was aimed at Stokkelien, which the striker miscontrolled.
Hans Dennisen came on for the disappointing Mwanga and immediately made an
impact, finding Stokkelien, but the Norwegian was also having an off day and
shot well over.
As
the home side faced the prospect of seeing more points slip away, Coach Gio
Savarese was sent off and his night almost got worse as Ottawa sub Pattison
almost gave the away side the lead with
volley that went narrowly wide. In the final few minutes it was the
Cosmos who looked the hungrier for the 3 points, but there was little sign of a
winner, until the late introduction of Hagop Chirishian who came to the rescue.
Deep
into stoppage time Chirishian managed to get a vital touch on a cross whipped
in by Hunter Freeman.
A
furious Heinemann was ordered off after picking up his 2nd yellow card of the
evening in a frustrating night for Ottawa.
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