(NASL 2015 Fall) Tampa Bay Rowdies 2v0 New York Cosmos

Saturday 6th September 2015
Al Lang Stadium, St Petersburg   Attendance -  5,630

Tampa Bay inflicted a second defeat of the season on the Cosmos who in truth deserved little else from this match.

It was a confident start by Cosmos but Rowdies defended well and looked the more dangerous side on the counter and created the first chance as Mkandawire struck the outside of the post from a near post corner

Despite the visitors having more possession, Rowdies keeper Matt Pickens was not called into much action and at the other end Tampa continued to threaten and a dangerous ball across goal fell just out of reach of Santos.

Both sides were forced into early changes due to injury, with Roversio and Santos leaving the action due to injuries.

The Cosmos finally got a meaningful effort off, as Raul laid the ball off to Guenzatti, but the effort was blocked before it could reach the Rowdies goal.

But 5 mins before half time Rowdies took the lead. Hristov got to the bye line and crossed in for Hertzog who produced a smart finish to put his side ahead.

The goal stunned a lethargic Cosmos into action and straight from centre the Cosmos threatened an equaliser as Raul was played in, only to be brought down by the Rowdies keeper. But despite minor contact from Pickens on Raul, the Ref waived away penalty appeals and booked Raul for simulation.

Rowdies should have gone 2v0 ahead early in the 2nd half as Hristov and Hertzog linked up to good effect again. Hristov found Hertzog who created space for the shot, only to curl the ball wide with the goal gaping.

Cosmos were stepping up the pressure, but the Rowdies continued to create the better chances and Hristov was  in the thick of it as he crossed it to Gera, who produced a chip which had Maurer scrambling, but the effort went over.

Cosmos were lucky not to be reduced to 10 men as the Ref failed to spot a deliberate handball from Caceres which prevented a dangerous Rowdies break. Caceres had already been booked and would have been dismissed has another yellow been shown. Cosmos dodged another bullet as Maurer let a simple cross go through his arms, but Mendes was on hand to clear the danger and prevent a tap in for the Rowdies.

Rowdies got the goal they deserved  in the 76th minute as Shriver and Espinal swapped passes and Espinal tucked the ball away to make it 2v0.

It could have been worse for New York as only a sliding tackle from Caceres denied Shriver a tap in after Maurer failed to hold an effort  from Hristov as Cosmos slipped to their 2nd defeat of the season.