(NASL 2017 Fall) Miami FC 3v3 New York Cosmos

Wednesday 6th September 2017
Riccardo Silva Stadium, Miami   Attendance -  1,529

The Cosmos managed a creditable draw in a match with a crazy ending against Spring Champions and Fall leaders Miami FC. Going into the game the form of the 2 sides could not be more different, with Miami on a 5 game winning streak and the Cosmos on an even longer winless streak.

There were changes to the line up with B side players brought in, with Zobeck in goal and Bardic in attack. Bardic took just 10mins to get on the scoresheet as Cosmos made a great start.

New York had won a corner after Szetela's curling effort was saved from Vega, and from the resulting set piece Jakovic won a header at the far post, nodding the ball across goal for Bardic to tap into an unguarded net.

Miami almost responded straight away as a cross was whipped in and with Zobeck showing some early nerves he failed to collect the ball and Bernstein headed against the bar.

Zobeck did better midway through the first half as Pinho cut in from the right and tried to curl the ball round the Cosmos keeper, but Zobeck made a good save. From the corner Martinez looked to have a clear opening, but the Cosmos defence regrouped and saw the danger out.

It would be an early night for Bardic whose encouraging performance was cut short due to injury, with Vranjican replacing him.

Cosmos were not looking like a team struggling for a win and Vranjican had a chance to make it 2v0 as he drove towards goal, but his curling effort was off target. But Cosmos could not hold onto their lead and Miami equalised just before half time.

Former Cosmos man Hunter Freeman played a free-kick into the area and the ball eventually fell to Chavez who was left with an easy finish.

Cosmos started the 2nd half well and had the ball in the Miami net from a Vranjican header, but the effort was chalked off as the Cosmos striker was adjudged to have fouled Trafford in the process of scoring.

Cosmos were having a good spell but against the run of play took the lead after some poor defending. Zobeck looked less than convincing again as he struggled with a Pinho effort and from the rebound Marquez completed fluffed his clearance and presented the ball to Chavez who needed no second invitation as he slammed the ball into the net.

Miami were threatening to move further ahead as Lahoud and Pinho had efforts on goal, but Cosmos survived and with 9mins left they found an equaliser. Marquez was the creator as he fired a ball across the Miami 6 yard box and Vranjican flicked a leg out and diverted the ball into the goal.

Cosmos went looking for a winner but it was Miami who looked like they had snatched the 3 points when Chavez was played in and produced a fine finish past Zobeck to complete a fine hat-trick.

But in true Cosmos style New York were not finished yet and in stoppage time Marquez collected the ball on the edge of the area and after creating himself a yard of space he unleashed a great curling effort past Vega as the ball flew through the smoke that the Miami supporters had just released in celebration of the Miami goal just moments earlier.