Cosmos down Ottawa in Brooklyn Debut

BROOKLYN, N.Y. -- The New York Cosmos defeated the Ottawa Fury 1-0 with the Coney Island Cyclone and rest of historic Coney Island in the background.

The game's only goal came in the 14th minute of the match off the foot of Lucky Mkosana. The Cosmos' forward was able to corral a pass from Leo Fernandes inside the penalty area and Mkosana put it past Fury keeper Romuald Peiser. Mkosana had several other chances throughout the game, but the ball never made its' way into the net.

"It was a great ball from Leo," Mkosana said about his goal. "All the credit to him. He saw me make a run and he just put a really good ball. It was tough ball, I had a defender behind me. He had to do it quick, so all the credit to Leo."

The 90 minute affair was one that leaned the Cosmos way most of the contest. New York controlled the possession 55-45 and outshot the Fury 8-6. Jimmy Maurer made four saves for the Cosmos, while Peiser made two for Ottawa.

Saturday's contest was held at MCU Park in Brooklyn. It was the first regular season NASL match in the reboot era that the Cosmos have held outside of their usual home, Shuart Stadium. It was also the Comsos first time playing in one of the five boroughs in four decades.

The Cosmos still remain without a permanent home, with their Belmont Stadium proposal still up in the air, but Brooklyn could be an intriguing alternate if things do not work out. Borough president Eric L. Adams openly said during a press event for Saturday's game that he would love for the Cosmos to call Brooklyn home.

"We want them here," he said on Tuesday according to Big Apple Soccer. "Soccer has grown so much in Brooklyn. On any given Saturday you can go to any neighborhood park and see our young people engaging in the sport. There’s an international appeal in the borough of Brooklyn; 47 percent of Brooklynites speak a language other than English at home. No other sport personifies this diversity and energy more than soccer."

Brooklyn has already scooped up the NBA's Nets from New Jersey and the NHL's New York Islanders from Long Island. Cosmos' head coach Gio Savarese enjoyed the evening spent at MCU Park and even said the turf in Brooklyn was preferable to the turf at Shuart.

"I like it better this turf," he said. "It moved the ball better. Of course you have the different areas of the field, but the space was very good and the turf was good for us to play."

The Cosmos return to Shuart Stadium for their next match on May 10 at 2 p.m.