(NASL 2016 Spring) Miami FC 0v3 New York Cosmos

Saturday 7th May 2016
Florida International University Stadium, Miami   Attendance -  3,432

Cosmos returned to the top of the table after struggling expansion side Miami FC were brushed aside in Florida.

Cosmos took the lead in the 18th minute after Juan Arango was allowed a free header in the Miami box. Cosmos took a short corner and when Freeman whipped in a dangerous cross there were 3 players left unmarked who could have converted it, with Arango being the one to get on the end of the cross.

The home side tried to level matters straight away after good work from Rezende down the left wing and found Blake Smith, who had an effort blocked.

Miami keeper Daniel Vega kept out an effort from Guenzatti in the 27th minute that almost caught the keeper out, but Cosmos increased the lead before half time thanks to another defensive error.

Lahoud played the ball to the right wing to Guenzatti who crossed the ball into the Miami box. The defensive clearance from Borrajo was poor one and went straight to Farfan on the edge of the box. The Cosmos man took a touch before guiding the ball into the corner to double the Cosmos lead.

Such was the domination of the away side, they ended the half with a whopping 71% of possession.

The game was effectively decided 5mins into the 2nd half as Cosmos extended their lead. Ayoze intercepted a Miami attack and with the Miami defence playing a dangerously high line and out of shape he played a ball into the vast space behind the home sides back line. Arrieta latched onto the pass and made no mistake to put Cosmos 3v0 up.

Cosmos came close to widening the gap between the 2 sides. Freeman sent a free-kick narrowly over and a corner kick hit the bar. Arrieta broke away again on 71mins and with Miami defenders chasing back he elected not to square the ball, but although he created space for the shot, Vega stopped the effort.

Cosmos should have made it 4v0 on 79mins after a link up involving Lucky and Guenzatti. Lucky won a flick on from Maurer which sent Guenzatti away. Faced with Vega he slid the ball back to Lucky, but the pass was slightly overhit and Lucky could not wrap his foot round the ball enough as his effort went wide.

But with Miami failing to register a single shot on goal, there was no need to add any further goals as Cosmos returned to 1st spot thanks to some favourable results in other games over the weekend.