The New York Cosmos needed a win by two goals or more in order to finish ahead of Ottawa Fury FC in the North American Soccer League fall table, and with a 2-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Rowdies, will now be at home until the 2015 season comes to a close. The boys in green will host either the Rowdies or Fort Lauderdale Strikers next Saturday, at MCU Park in Brooklyn.
The first half was dominated by New York, but Matt Pickens and a stingy Rowdies defense did just enough to keep the 'Mos off the board (with a bit of help from the post). The second half saw the Cosmos break through, however, with Raul and Sebastian Guenzatti scoring in quick succession just short of the hour mark, and putting New York in position to take fewer risks for the remainder of the contest.
The two-goal victory means that Minnesota will travel to Ottawa next Sunday, a day after the Cosmos host their semifinal match. Should the 'Mos advance to the final, they'll host the winner of that match, a position they probably feel a bit fortunate to be in following a somewhat rough fall season.