(NASL 2016 Fall) Carolina Railhawks 0v2 New York Cosmos

Wednesday 28th September 2016
WakeMed Soccer Park, North Carolina   Attendance -  3,093

Two goals in the space of 2 minutes in the 2nd half saw Cosmos edge a dull encounter in North Carolina.

It was a first half devoid of goalmouth action at either end, despite their impressive home record the Railhawks were strangely subdued and Cosmos saw plenty of the ball without really testing the Railhawks keeper.

A defensive error almost let the Cosmos in as the visitors won the ball deep in the Carolina half, but with Orozco unmarked in front of goal, the pass was poor and the opportunity went begging.

Railhawks gradually grew into the game and produced the first real shot of note when Albadawi forced Maurer into a good save and Fondy sent a dangerous ball across the Cosmos goal, but Bravo could not get the vital touch to it.

Early in the 2nd half Flores looked set to give New York the lead, getting on the end of a low cross., but a vital block by Moses came to the home side's rescue. The action continued to pick up and Duk fired a shot wide as the Cosmos continued to look for an opener.

But the early action faded as the struggle to find the opener to the game continued.

With the game drifting towards a stalemate and both teams lacking creativity it would take a defensive error to break the deadlock when Cosmos were gifted a spot kick after a Carolina defensive mistake.

Under no pressure Carolina gave the ball away sloppily in their own half to Orozco. Orozco slipped the ball to Guenzatti in front of goal who delayed the shot but was then fouled in the area for a penalty.

Moffat stepped up to tuck the ball away and give Cosmos the lead. Before the Railhawks could respond they fell 2v0 behind as Cosmos won the ball from the restart and Bover produced a sublime finish from outside the area, leaving the Railhawks keeper rooted to the spot.

There was no fightback from the Railhawks as Cosmos saw out the win with no trouble, and should have added a third in stoppage time when Railhawks were caught on the break again, but Bover missed the golden chance.