Saturday 5th November 2016
Hofstra University, New York Attendance - 5,023
2
goals from Venezuelans powered the Cosmos to a 3rd Soccer Bowl in 4 seasons
after a victory against Rayo OKC in the Championship semi-finals. Rayo had
qualified as 4th seed, but entered the playoffs on a 10 match unbeaten streak
and having won their last 5 games. In the end it took all of the reserves of
the home side to see them off, coming from behind to win, with the winner from
Orozco being scored in injury time in true Cardiac Cosmos style.
Both
sides were playing offensive football in an entertaining start to the game.
Maurer was forced into the first save of note, from his own player as facing
his own goal, Ayoze diverted a cross towards his own goal, requiring his keeper
to tip the ball over.
At
the other end Flores found Richter, who had make a dangerous overlapping run,
but the former Ottawa defender was stretching to reach the ball and Rayo's
keeper Fernandes made a comfortable intervention. Just past the half hour mark
saw the first real chance and it went to the home side. Arango got his head to
a Moffat cross and Fernandes did well to tip it onto the bar and it then came
off the post before it was cleared to safety.
But
it would be Rayo OKC who would break the deadlock after poor play from Maurer,
who allowed a Danso header to travel past him into the net following a
free-kick from Michel. Rayo survived a couple of scares before half time as
Cosmos looked for a quick response. After good work from Orozco, Flores'
goalbound header was deflected away by Danso and Fernandes needed to be alert
to clear danger from the resulting corner kick.
Rayo
were looking comfortable at the start of the 2nd half, but on the hour mark
almost grabbled an equaliser. Ayoze beat his man down the left and whipped in a
dangerous low cross which came off a Rayo man, but fortunately for the visitors
the ball fell straight into the path of Fernandes to prevent an own goal.
But
soon after Rayo had the chance to put one foot into the final when Velasquez
was presented with a good chance. But the Rayo man pulled his shot wide of
Maurer's post letting the Cosmos off the hook.
The
chances were now coming at an increasingly frequent pace as Rayo had to survive
a goalmouth scramble in the box, with Danso again on hand to put the ball to
safety.
Rayo
were finally undone in the 73rd minute when 'Arangoal' rose to head in an Ayoze
corner to level the scores. As the game moved closer and closer to the end of
90mins it was the Cosmos who were looking the only side capable of nicking a
late winner, with Rayo having taken off Samaras and Forbes earlier in the game.
And
so it proved as Orozco grabbed the all important goal just seconds into injury
time. Ayoze played an intelligent ball to find Arango who pulled the ball back
to Orozco in space, whose shot went in off the inside of the post.
The
win means Cosmos will meet Spring Champions Indy Eleven for the trophy at
Belson Stadium next week.
No comments:
Post a Comment