(NASL 2013 Fall) San Antonio Scorpions 1v2 New York Cosmos

Saturday 26th October 2013

Toyota Field, San Antonio   Attendance 7,702

Cosmos clinched  berth at the Soccerbowl in Atlanta, following a come from behind win at Toyota Field against the San Antonio Scorpions. Two strikes, minutes apart early in the second half proved decisive, after an early Zahorski strike for the home side.

After a late equaliser the previous week put Cosmos celebrations on hold, Cosmos were keen to secure a place at Soccerbowl with a win, but suffered an early setback after falling behind after just 3 minutes.

San Antonio capitalised on a loose pass in the Cosmos midfield, and Zahorski punished the visitors with an accurate strike from the edge of the area past Reynish.

It was a disappointing 1st half performance from the away side, although they did have early chances to level the scores, the best of which ended in Nane blazing over following a defensive miscue on 20mins .

But the Scorpions could have doubled their lead with chances at the other end around the half hour mark as Cosmos had to scramble away chances for Saavedra and Rubiato, inbetween which Diaz came close for the Cosmos with a clean hit strike which hit the Scorpions post.

But Cosmos started the 2nd half much improved and substitute Guenzatti made an immediate impact as he laid the ball off to an unmarked Senna on the edge of the area, and given time and space, Senna delivered the usual result with a strike that nestled in the opposition net.

Scorpions hardly had time to recover when they found themselves behind. Following a burst from midfield from Diaz, Dimitrov took over possession of the ball and curled a wonderful effort past Vuolo in the San Antonio goal, for the strikers long awaited first goal of the season.

Diaz should have made it 3v1 after linking up with Pedro Mendes, but right in front of goal, with only a tap in needed, he inexplicably put the ball over the bar.

Seconds later Pedro Mendes struck the post as Cosmos looked to make the game safe.

But a harsh red card for substitute Dane Murphy reduced the Cosmos to 10 men and prompted a flurry of cards, but as Cosmos retreated behind the ball to defend their slender advantage, San Antonio were faced with a wall of bodies to navigate through, and the home sides lack of invention meant that the New York side could see out the remaining minutes without too much cause for concern.

The final whistle prompted celebration from the away side s they booked their place in the Soccer Bowl, but an injury to Senna which forced the Cosmos talisman off in the 2nd half will be of concern.