(NASL 2015 Fall) Atlanta Silverbacks 1v1 New York Cosmos

Wednesday 7th October 2015

Atlanta Silverbacks Park, Atlanta   Attendance 3,469

Cosmos ended a 4 game winless run and dealt Atlanta a blow to their hopes of post season action after a 3v0 victory at Silverbacks Park. The game took on a similar pattern as the game played only 72 hours previously between the 2 sides, with Cosmos having the majority of possession, with the play braking down in the final third.

But the Silverbacks were undone in the 28th minute with Sebastian Guenzatti goal. It came from a long clearance by Maurer that was flicked on by Cellerino. Guenzatti did well to create half a yard of space for himself and his shot was fired through the legs of Mensing and beat Ceus at the near post to put New York ahead.

Atlanta had little success in attack up to that point, although they did have an opening just before half time when a free kick found an unmarked Chavez, but he could not direct his header on target.

Cosmos doubled their lead on 54 minutes after Cellerino took advantage of some sloppy play at the back. He latched onto a loose pass from Atlanta and set off for goal. His initial effort was saved by Ceus but he slotted home the rebound, although the goal should not have stood as he hauled down Atlanta's Klmura before slotting home as the Silverbacks man looked set to get to the ball before the Argentine striker.

Cosmos almost put the game out of reach of Atlanta soon after as a good move involving Freeman & Fernandes led to a chance for Cellerino, but his effort from close range was blocked.

Atlanta then enjoyed their best spell of the game and only a fantastic double save from Maurer prevented the Silverbacks from pulling a goal back.

Mendes rifled in an effort after a corner had only been partially cleared and although Maurer did well to stop the effort, the ball fell to McKenzie who looked set to tap home the ball, only for Maurer to react with an even better stop.

Cosmos survived the spell and came close to a third when an audacious long range effort from Restrepo had Ceus scrambling to tip the ball over. Cosmos added a third with 2mins left when after good work down the right Chirishian picked out Fernandes who made no mistake to end the scoring. Restrepo almost added another in the dying moments when a cross / shot struck the post.