Cosmos fall in stoppage time, disappointing 2014 season comes to an early end

The Cosmos opened the scoring when Mads Stokkelien got on the end of an Ayoze cross. The Spaniard delivered a deft pass to the far post that the big center forward easily nodded home.

Unfortunately, the lead was short lived, as Castillo scored just three minutes after Mads opened the scoring. Jimmy Maurer did well to save the initial Scorpions' effort, but the rebound fell right into the path of the San Antonio midfielder, who made no mistake with his second crack at goal.

The remainder of the first half was an open, physical affair, but neither team managed to find the back of the net for a second time. Gio Savarese made a change at the break, bringing Sebastien Guenzatti on for Diomar DIaz, who had been relatively anonymous through the first half.

The Scorpions began to take control of the match as the second half wore on, having more and more of the ball, and forcing Jimmy Maurer into action on more than one occasion. The former Silverback was sensational on the evening though, and dealt with everything that was asked of him to keep the score knotted at one. Like the first semifinal match of the evening, 90 minutes wasn't enough to decide a winner tonight.

The first half of extra time saw very little action, but the final fifteen minutes of the contest started out in disastrous fashion for the boys in green. After Mads Stokkelien missed an opportunity when released one on one with the keeper, Walter Restrepo fired a shot off of Maurer that was turned into the net when it hit Carlos Mendes. The game would end 2-1 after the own goal, which somehow seems to be a pretty fitting end to a highly disappointing season.

Here are a few thoughts I had while watching Saturday's game:

• It was nice to see Mads Stokkelien finally score against the Scorpions, as the club hadn't done so yet in 2014. Fourth time's the charm, right?
• Maurer was spectacular in goal this evening. I had my doubts about how he'd play before the season began, but after a shaky first few games, he really put my fears to rest.
• Billy Forbes is a very good player. Hopefully San Antonio can keep him next season, as I'm sure there will be MLS sides with interest.
• Adding Raul is going to be awfully nice, but Gio Savarese really needs to go shopping for other attackers in addition to the center forward. For most of the season, the Comsos' attack has been toothless.
• The absence of Roversio for most of the second half of the season was probably the turning point (in the wrong direction) for the Cosmos. The club was notably shakier in the back after the Brazilian started having knee issues.
• PRO referees are just awful. Both MLS and the NASL need much better officiating going forward.
• It's going to be a long offseason. Hopefully New York comes back hungry next season after a horrible second half of the 2014 campaign.