(NASL 2014 Fall) Ottawa Fury 0v1 New York Cosmos

Sunday 20th July 2014
TD Place, Ottawa, Canada   Attendance -  14,593

A record crowd of 14,593 packed into TD Place to see Ottawa's first match in their new stadium, but it was the Cosmos who ran out winners thanks to a 1st half strike from Guenzatti.

Cosmos had the better of the first half and produced the first opportunity of the game after good work from Dennisen led to Johnson's low cross causing panic in the Ottawa defence, but Szetela's shot was blocked and the home side cleared the danger.

The home side lost Drew Beckie through injury and were faced with opposition who were gradually increasing the pressure as the first goal scored at TD Place looked increasingly likely from coming from the visitors.

But the Fury rode out the pressure and almost went ahead when a long free-kick travelled through a crowd of players and needed a save from Maurer.

Ottawa should have taken the lead as Heinemann had 2 golden opportunities in the space of 2 minutes just after the half-hour mark. The first chance came from good play from the striker as he beat Ockford, but his shot was well saved. The second came from hesitation in midfield from Dane Murphy which led to Heinemann being played in, but he again spurned the opportunity with a soft shot that was again saved.

Cosmos made the visitors pay as they broke the deadlock with Guenzatti getting the goal. A poor defensive clearance fell to Guenzatti who made space for himself well and produced a neat finish into the net.

Dennisen had a chance to double the Cosmos lead as he tried an audacious lob from long range, but although he cleared the Keeper, the effort was well wide.

Cosmos came within a whisker of  doubling their lead early in the 2nd half after a quick break. Stokkelien played an inch perfect cross to Dennisen who with the goal gaping struck the Ottawa bar with the Keeper well beaten.  Ottawa had a close call of their own as Donatelli had an effort cleared off the line as Ottawa went in search of their first goal at the new Stadium.

Ottawa's Vinny Dantas then came close for the home side as took a ball well on his chest before his shot rolled across the Cosmos goal and past the post. Just past the hour mark and Dennisen showed some skill to get past the Ottawa defence and laid the ball off to Ayoze, only for the Spaniard to lose his footing at the crucial moment.

With the game moving towards a conclusion the Cosmos took off the excellent Dennisen for midfield enforcer Nane in an effort to close the game down, but Ottawa still threatened and Heinemann went close with a well stuck volley. however there would be no equaliser for the record home crowd to cheer