(NASL 2016 Fall) New York Cosmos 1v0 Minnesota United

Saturday 10th September 2016
Hofstra University, New York   Attendance -  3,318

A stunning volley from Bover was enough to continue the Cosmos dominant home form and extend their lead at the top of the Fall table for at least 24hrs. The visitors Minnesota United gave Cosmos a stern test, initially making it difficult for New York to break them down and after the goal, applying pressure on the Cosmos goal.

The MLS bound side kept plenty of men behind the ball in the early stages, resulting in the first 30mins of the game being a sterile, cagey affair. Cosmos only had a soft header from Diosa from a Moffat cross to show for their efforts. At the other end Maurer was equally as untroubled as Ramirez cut an isolated figure up front for United.

The game got a much needed goal after 32mins thanks to a wonder strike from David Diosa. Bover picked out Diosa with a long pass to the far post and the Colombian met the pass with an exquisite first time volley into the net that left Ndjock rooted to the spot.

United came out of their shell straight away as Lance Laing rattled the crossbar with a thunderous long range free-kick and Ramirez did not make the most of a good opportunity from close range as he got his back-heel all wrong.

But Cosmos could have gone in further ahead as Mkosana robbed the ball off a Minnesota defender, but with Moffat supporting him he was caught in 2 minds and let United off the hook with a soft effort at Ndjock.

Predictably Minnesota were much more attacking after the break and it needed Cosmos, and in particular Jimmy Maurer to produce some great defensive plays to keep them out.

Cosmos almost caught out in the opening few minutes of the half as Laing beat Jimmy Maurer to a through ball, but his touch took the ball out of play. Shortly after the same player fired a free-kick from a dangerous free-kick off target as Minnesota were increasing the pressure on the Cosmos goal.

It was proving to be a good spell for the visitors, Ramirez produced a bicycle kick that went over and Lance Laing had the best chance of the night so far as he went through 1 on 1 for the Loons.

Maurer was out well to get a hand to the effort, but Laing was able to pick up the rebound, only for Mulligan to slide in to block the shot.

Lance Laing was Minnesota's main threat and he ripped a well struck effort from long range which Maurer could not hold, but surprisingly was hooked off straight after to be replaced by a much more anonymous Sergio Pinho.

Cosmos rode out the spell and called Ndjock into action as Ayoze fired an effort at the Minnesota goal. As the game crept into the final 15mins there were great chances at both ends. An unmarked Ramirez looked set to fire Minnesota level as he unleashed a well struck shot at goal, only for Maurer to produce a fantastic save to deny the striker. Then Cosmos went down the other end and Flores did well to get to the bye line and cut it back, but Arango's soft effort was tipped wide.

Guenzatti had Ndjock stretching down to his near post to make a save and Ramirez was again denied by another great save by Maurer to guarantee his side the 3 points as Cosmos bunkered down for the last 10mins. Cosmos did have a chance to snatch a second goal in stoppage time as Flores went clear in stoppage time, but Ndjock did well to deny the midfielder.