Cardiac Cosmos shock Puerto Rico with 2-1 Comeback

In their first trip to Puerto Rico in the modern era, The Cosmos came back to defeat Puerto Rico FC 2-1. In the first half, both teams had a decent amount of chances, but New York was dominated possession. The Cosmos had success attacking down Puerto Rico’s right flank, with Sebastian Guenzatti and Jimmy Mulligan starting plays out wide. Despite playing the inexperienced combination of David Ochieng and Jimmy Ockford, the Cosmos looked comfortable starting attacking moves from the back. However, Puerto Rico scored the game’s first goal against the run of play. Puerto Rico’s prolific striker Hector “Pito” Ramos snuck past the Cosmos’ defense and finished low to break the deadlock. PRFC’s star man almost scored a second by chipping Jimmy Maurer, but his effort was inches wide.

The Cosmos equalized in the fifty second minute, when Jairo Arrieta scored a scrappy, hard fought goal after Puerto Rico’s keeper David Meves fumbled the ball. After the equalizer, both teams had chances to take the lead, but neither was able to capitalize. In the seventy third minute, Jimmy Maurer bravely came off his line to save a chance from a Puerto Rico corner. The Cosmos had a few opportunities later on from Juan Arango free kicks, but were not able to convert. Towards the end of the game, New York brought on attackers David Diosa and Yasmani Duk in an attempt to find a winner. However, it would be a player already on the field who would break the stalemate. In extra time, unsung hero Andres Flores blasted the winner into the bottom left corner with a kick so hard that it would have even made Conor McGregor proud. The Cardiac Cosmos strike again!

Saturday’s win was only the Cosmos’ second away from home this Fall Season. With the win, New York sweeps PRFC in the season series. After eight weeks of the NASL fall season, the Cosmos are second in the Fall and Combined standings, only behind FC Edmonton. Much to the delight of Cosmos fans, defender Roversio returned from injury and was subbed on in the seventy sixth minute. Hopefully the experienced center back will be able to stay fit and feature more for the team for the rest of the season. In their next match, the Cosmos play the Carolina Railhawks this Saturday at Shuart Stadium.