(NASL 2014 Spring) New York Cosmos 1v0 Minnesota United

Monday 12th May 2014
Hofstra University, New York   Attendance -  3,091

The Cosmos ended their 2 game losing steak and kept their hopes of winning the Spring Championship after ending Minnesota's 100 % record with a 1v0 win. The Cosmos were the better side, but once again lacked a cutting edge until Marcos Senna produced a moment of magic to finally break the deadlock.

There were few chances in a lifeless 1st half, but it was the home side who were the more ambitious, and produced the games first chance when Minnesota Keeper Van Oekel had to tip a smart Hunter Freeman volley round the post after a flick on from Nane.

Despite winning all 4 of their previous matches, there was little threat from Minnesota, and the only other chance of note in the half came from the Cosmos as Van Oekel kept out a Pedro Mendes effort.

Thankfully the second half was played at a higher tempo and Cosmos should have taken the lead just before the hour mark when Stokkelien sent an unchallenged header wide of the mark from close range with easily the best chance of the game so far.

But Minnesota's reprieve did not last long as Senna brought down a Hunter Freeman corner just outside the box and before United could close him down he sent a curling effort into the corer of a net in a fantastic show of technique.

The goal opened up the game as both side had chances to score, Stokkelien came close to connecting with a Jemal Johnson cross, while at the other end a dangerous cross fizzed across the Cosmos goal, with no-one able to provide a finish. As the game entered the final stages the chances came thick and fast, first Van Oekel and the Minnesota defence somehow scrambled the ball away after a Cosmos counter attack threatened to put the game beyond Minnesota's reach, then at the other end Cosmos hearts were in their mouths when Ramirez got in a shot on the turn from close range, but the effort was straight at Maurer.

Noselli should have made it 2v0 after being put through, but a heavy touch allowed Van Oekel to deny the Italian deep into stoppage time.