(NASL 2015 Fall) New York Cosmos 2v0 Fort Lauderdale Strikers

Sunday 2nd August 2015
Hofstra University, New York   Attendance -  4,503

Cosmos finally recorded their first win of the Fall season following a win against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. The Strikers had been unbeaten in the league since the return of popular coach Gunter Kronsteiner, but never looked like prolonging the winless streak against the Spring champions.

Cosmos almost got off to the perfect start in the first minute, but Raul's header from a Restrepo cross came off the bar. Cosmos were keeping the ball much the better of the 2 sides, although there was little goalmouth action of note from either side until just before the 20th minute when Fort Lauderdale survived another scare. Stefano had to clear the danger after Leo Fernandes failed to get a touch to the ball that could have provided the opener.

Shortly afterwards the Strikers produced a dangerous attack when PC countered down the right hand side, but there was no-one to finish the dangerous cross. The Strikers were just finding their feet in the game when they fell behind to a lucky effort from Freeman.

The full back overhit his right wing cross, but fortune was on the side of the home side as the ball looped over Ford who failed to stop the ball from entering the net. The Strikers tried to produce a reply with some efforts on the Cosmos goal, but Leo Fernandes doubled the lead before half time.

The Philadelphia Union loanee latched onto a ball from Raul and fired past Ford for a 2v0 lead at the half.

The Strikers came out in the 2nd half and tried to get the goal that would put them back in the game, but found a resolute Cosmos defence who were determined to keep a clean sheet.

Substitute Danny Szetela almost put the game beyond Fort Lauderdale seconds after coming on as sub, but his effort hit the woodwork and although Lucky put in the rebound he was flagged offside. Just seconds later and Strikers also had a goal disallowed, with Angulo's effort chalked off, although replays showed that Angulo was clearly onside.

In the closing minutes Bover went close with an effort that went into the side netting and Lucky was denied soon after. But there would be no further addition to the scoreline as the Cosmos' impressive record against Fort Lauderdale continues.