(NASL 2016 Fall) Ottawa Fury 1v1 New York Cosmos

Sunday 9th October 2016
TD Place, Ottawa, Canada, Attendance -  4,400

A late Arango header earned Cosmos an away point after Cosmos gifted Ottawa the lead following a defensive error.

It was an even half with both sides having attacking intent, but all too often the final ball for both sides was lacking and an opening goal rarely looked like coming.

It was Jimmy Maurer who had to make the first move saving from Stewart  after 11mins after a swift Ottawa move, which was the best chance of the half.

Cosmos had to wait a further 10mins before a meaningful effort on goal but from the edge of the area Orozco dragged his effort well wide. The even start continued but a mistake by Maurer almost provided the first goal as he let a Williams cross squirm through his hands, but luckily there was no-one from the visitors on hand to capitalise on the error.

The Cosmos were forced into a change just before the half, losing Guenzatti to what looked like a serious injury.

The home side had a chance to break the deadlock early in the 2nd half when Williams sent in a dangerous free-kick across the Cosmos goal but under pressure, Alves could not get to the ball to divert it in.

Ottawa got the breakthrough after poor play from the Cosmos Keeper and defence. Maurer played an ill-advised ball out to Bover who immediately was closed down by Williams.

The Cosmos midfielder had a bad touch and was robbed of the ball and Williams closed in on goal and slipped the ball past Maurer for the opener.

Cosmos stepped up their play, but Peiser had still to be forced into making a save as the game entered the final 20mins. As happens so often New York found a goal from nothing to level matters. After a rare good move a Flores cross found Moffat at the far post. The midfielder got his volley all wrong but was allowed to nod the ball across goal where the otherwise anonymous Arango powered in a header past Peiser.

Having drawn level more poor defending almost allowed another goal as poor defending let Williams have a chance, but his header went narrowly wide.

With momentum the Cosmos went in search of a  winner but there was not enough time on the clock left and when Arango fired a stoppage time free-kick wide , New York settled for a useful point.