(NASL 2015 Spring) New York Cosmos 4v2 FC Edmonton

Saturday 10th May 2015
Hofstra University, New York   Attendance -  3,383

New York extended their lead to 5pts at the top of the Spring Championship following a 4v2 win over Edmonton. The Cosmos took full advantage of some results that went in their favour and now stand alone as the only unbeaten side in the NASL.

The Cosmos raced into an early lead after just 2mins when FC Edmonton failed to deal with a short corner from the right. The ball found Raul at the far post who sent the ball back across goal to Lucky. The Keeper pushed Lucky's header straight to the feet of Mendes who was left with a simple tap in to get the Cosmos off to a dream start.

Both sides exchanged chances after 10mins, for the Eddies, Ameobi failed to get a touch onto a chance, whole Leo Fernandes headed into the side netting at the other end from a fine Restrepo cross. The Eddies were handed a way back into the game when they were awarded a penalty after tugging in the area after a Laing cross.

Ameobi despatched the penalty which was only the second goal conceded by the Cosmos in 6 matches. But it didn't take long for the Cosmos to respond and again it was due to Edmonton's inability to clear the ball. Szetela was presented with a golden opportunity from a low Lucky cross, but struck the bar from close rage. The loose ball fell back to Szetela from a tighter angle, who struck the bar again. The ball fell to a Cosmos player again, this time Raul made no mistake.

The normally low scoring Cosmos were on fire and Mendes made it 3v1 from a header from an Ayoze ball as Van Oekel was caught in no mans land attempting to claim the cross. It capped off a memorable week for the skipper who also had a new born boy to celebrate only a few days earlier. Nyassi almost reduced the arrears just before half time s he fired narrowly wide from an Edward cross.

The Cosmos killed the game off early in the 2nd half as Lucky got his 2nd goal in 2 games as he made it 4v1. Leo Fernandes carried the ball well towards the Eddies box. Lucky had peeled off his marker and had plenty of time to pick his spot with the Eddies defence all over the place.

The Cosmos made a couple of changes with Raul and Restrepo brought off, but Edmonton were not finished yet as Ritchie Jones pulled a goal back for the Canadians from an Ameobi cutback. Van Oekel made a fantastic double save with 11mins left denying substitutes Flores and Guenzatti to prevent any further additions to the score.