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Cosmos draw 1-1 in rough match with Rayo OKC

Despite conceding within five minutes, the Cosmos draw with Rayo OKC in a physical match.

By Michael Chiara
Mason Gatewood

The Cosmos drop points for the first time at home this Fall Season as they split points with Rayo OKC. After the resignation of coach Alen Marcina, the away team did their best to impress new skipper Gerard Nus. The expansion side drew first blood when Celtic legend and former Cosmos trialist Georgios Samaras tapped in a far post cross from Billy Forbes. Despite conceding early, The Cosmos did not lose their cool and went toe to toe with Rayo in an end to end first half. In his first start of the Fall Season, the powerful Samaras gave the Cosmos’ defense headaches. He almost scored on a giveaway by Jimmy Maurer, but the Cosmos keeper made a spectacular save to atone for his mistake. New York finally broke through in the thirty-seventh minute, as Lucky Mkosana was brought down in the box for a penalty, which Adam Moffat converted to tie the match.

The cards began fly in the second half, as Ayoze picked the first of the game for a tackle on Samaras. Shortly after, Rayo defender Derek Boateng received a yellow (which could have easily been a red) for a heavy tackle in the fifty-seventh minute. In total, six yellow cards were given between the two teams and a total of twenty five fouls were conceded.

Jimmy Maurer makes an important first half save to keep the Cosmos in the match.
Mason Gatewood

In the second half, the Cosmos attack created many chances, but could not find the go-ahead goal. Despite bringing on attackers Jairo Arrieta and Andres Flores, the Cosmos were unable to put away any of their chances. The home team attacked aggressively, but in the end couldn’t break down Rayo’s steadfast defense.

The tie halted the Cosmos’ home winning streak at nine games. Ruben Bover had a solid game before being sacrificed for the more attack-minded Andres Flores in the sixty-second minute. Adam Moffat also had a standout performance and was voted the Emirates Man of the Match. Although he was disappointed t the clean sheet, Jimmy Maurer had another great performance in net. With the draw, the Cosmos drop to third place in the Fall and Combined Season standings, behind Indy Eleven and FC Edmonton. The Cosmos’ next match is against the Tampa Bay Rowdies at Shuart.

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