(NASL 2015 Fall) New York Cosmos 2v1 Minnesota United

Wednesday 5th August 2015
Hofstra University, New York   Attendance -  3,607

A 76th minute thunderbolt from the foot of Hunter Freeman gave Cosmos a 2nd successive victory and lifted the side back to the top of the combined standings. The Cosmos had to come from behind as Ramirez gave Minnesota and early lead, a strike that was soon cancelled out by another goal from Walter Restrepo.

The visiting Minnesota United started the game fast, pinning the Cosmos in their own half for the first 10mins of the game and were rewarded with the opening goal.

Mendes flicked on a corner kick to the far post where Ramirez was lurking to apply the finish. The goal stirred Cosmos into action and they equalised soon after. A driving run from Leo Fernandes was followed by a cross from Flores which found Restrepo. The wingers finish was not the most powerful strike, but it still managed to evade Minnesota keeper Hildebrandt who should have done better.

The Minnesota keeper did better with efforts from Flores and a header from Carlos Mendes as Cosmos went on search of the go ahead goal. But Minnesota were looking dangerous at the other end and struck the woodwork twice before half time.

Alhassan's free-kick hit the post and the woodwork came to the home sides rescue again when Ayoze almost put the ball into his own net, only for the ball to hit the post. Maurer was also forced to make a good stop from Ramirez 10mins before half time after a well worked move from the visitors.

As the half came to a close the Cosmos had opportunities to go in at half time ahead. Moffat had a chance just before half time as he was played in behind the Minnesota defence, but a heavy touch took away the opportunity to shoot and his pass was intercepted.

Soon after the Cosmos pressurised the Minnesota defence who gave up the ball deep in their own half but Mkosana could not keep his shot on target.

Both sides had created good chances in the first 45mins, but the second half was dominated by the Cosmos. The home side could have gone ahead in the opening minutes of the 2nd period but Hilderbrandt saved well from Mkosana. The Minnesota keeper denied Cosmos again after the hour mark when he did well to keep out a Mendes header from a Raul cross.

The chances continued to come, Mkosana stretched to reach a dangerous ball in the Loons area, but he could not direct the effort on target. But the breakthrough came in the 75th minute when Hunter Freeman collected a clearance from 40 yards out and unleashed an unstoppable half volley into the top corner of the net.

Even after going ahead Cosmos continued to create chances and should have made it 3v1 as Raul went through in stoppage time, only for his chip to go over the bar.