(NASL 2014 Fall) New York Cosmos 2v0 Fort Lauderdale Strikers

Saturday 6th September 2014
Hofstra University, New York   Attendance -  3,626

2 first half strikes brought a much needed home win for the Cosmos in a 2v0 win over Fort Lauderdale Strikers. The Cosmos entered the Fall Season in a strong position of making the playoffs, thanks to the points accumulated in the Spring Season, but just 2 wins in 9 matches in the Fall Season so far had seen the margin of comfort eroded, but this win against one of their playoff contenders helped matters.

The Cosmos started brightly and pressed the ball high up the pitch, not allowing the Strikers to settle on the ball. The Strikers were coming into the game on a run of form that has only seen them beaten once since the last meeting between the 2 sides, but were on the back foot from the start of the match.

Carlos Mendes should have given Cosmos the led on 11mins after a Freeman free kick fell at the feet of the centre back, but he could not get enough on the ball and Contofalsky made a good save to keep the game scoreless.

But 6mins later New York got the breakthrough and it came via Mwanga's first goal for the Cosmos. Mendes was involved again, and headed  Freeman free kick back across goal and although Mwanga's shot was partially blocked by a defender, it still had enough to creep over the line before Contofalsky could scoop it out.

Fort Lauderdale did respond and started to threaten, and Maurer had to be smartly off his line to prevent Pecka from equalising.

 But on the half hour Cosmos doubled their lead after the Referee gave a handball against Alves after Mwanga attempted to hook the ball across goal. Senna converted the penalty to double the lead. Cosmos could have put the game out of reach before half time as Szetela came close to making it 3v0 as his well struck shot curled inches past the post and on the stroke of half time and Mwanga came close with a header from a Freeman cross.

It was  quiet start to the second half, the first chance of note again fell to the Cosmos and Stokkelien should have done better with a free header from a good ball from Lade.

Fort Lauderdale appeared to have a decent penalty shout turned down after a Connor Lade challenge in the area . As the game wore on Fort Lauderdale had their best spell of the game and Maurer was forced into action, but the Cosmos defence remained firm and ensured there would be no repeat of the Cosmos blowing  2 goal lead like the previous week.