Comeback Cosmos win on Maurer’s Centennial

In a game that was originally supposed to be played last night, the Cosmos recorded their first home win of the season against PRFC. This game was filled with “firsts” New York. Each of the Cosmos’ scorers (Flores, Guerra, Richter, and Restrepo respectively) scored their first goal for the New York Cosmos this season.

The match started off with a bang, as Giuseppe Gentile and Emery Welshman scored in quick succession to give Puerto Rico an early two goal lead. Early on, the Cosmos especially struggled with Adrian Whitbread’s side’s pressing. Puerto Rico’s 3-5-2 suffocated the Cosmos’ midfield, and they weren’t able to keep the ball out of their own half. However, the game opened up after Yuma got a red card on a foul by Juan Guerra. The Cosmos scored their first goal when a low cross from Ledesma found Andres Flores. The Cosmos kept this momentum going by equalizing right before halftime. Juan Guerra headed home another cross from Ledesma in the last touch before the intermission.

New York wasted no time taking the lead in the second half when Ryan Richter scored off a corner kick in the 50^th minute. Walter Restrepo was able to double the lead when his feverous work rate payed off. The de facto striker pressed Puerto Rico’s defensive line and ran through to score. Puerto Rico almost found themselves back in the match when a Ryan Richter penalty was converted by Cristiano Penaldo Dias to put them within one. In his 100th Cosmos appearance, Jimmy Maurer was able to come up big with a key late save on a Puerto Rico free kick.

Man of the Match

As voted by our Twitter followers, today’s Man of the Match is Walter Restrpo for his first goal and mercurial performance. Emmanuel Ledesma should also be lauded for his two assist match; this guy has the potential to be a special player for the Cosmos. Plaudits should also be awarded to Khalif Alhassan whose powerful shot impressed off the bench. Dejan Jakovic, who had an assist today has also been improving throughout the season.

The win today marks New York’s first win at MCU park. However, this win was in front of a nearly empty stadium. The rain out caused the Cosmos to reschedule to Mother’s Day afternoon, making it hard for fans to switch their Sunday plans last minute. In addition, The Cosmos had to compete with the Yankees doubleheader, culminating with New York Legend Derek Jeter’s number retiring ceremony later tonight.

Once again, congratulations to Jimmy Maurer on his 100th appearance for the Cosmos! Maurer has really made his mark on the NASL, and is no doubt one of the Cosmos’ most important players of the reboot.

With the win, the New York Originals take sole possession of second place, trailing Miami FC by two points. The Cosmos will be in action next when they travel to Saudi Arabia for their friendly against Al-Hilal FC.