Cosmos clinch Championship berth with 2-0 win

The New York Cosmos are officially in the playoffs! They clinched a spot in the Soccer Bowl Championship with a win against the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers. The away side had a surprisingly good first half, but were not able to finish the opportunities they created.The goals from the Cosmos came from two of this season’s more underrated players. After a scoreless first half, Man of the Match Ruben Bover was the one to break the deadlock. The Spanish midfield scored in his second straight game by sneaking into the box with a late run to finish Juan Arango’s cross. The Cosmos killed off the game in the eighty sixth minute, when Andres Flores smoothly stroked a half volley past keeper Bruno to double the lead.

Before the game, the Cosmos honored Ayoze for playing in his one hundredth match. The left back is the second player to achieve this honor, along with Carlos Mendes. Congratulations to one of the Cosmos most consistent players over the years. Thanks for everything Ayoze!

After their loss to Indy Eleven, the Cosmos have returned to form with back to back wins this week. They sit comfortably atop the Fall and Combined standing and are in control of their own destiny in regards to seeding. They do have some challenging matchups ahead, playing Hunter Freeman’s Miami FC and Minnesota United (In their last game before joining the MLS). The Cosmos should enjoy clinching, but shouldn’t rest on their laurels; there’s still work to be done. The Cosmos play next in a rematch of last season’s Soccer Bowl Championship against the Ottawa Fury in TD place.