A Rough Night in Miami

Much like the movie set in Miami starring Scarlett Johansson, the Cosmos had a Rough Night. Unfortunately, It looks like the Cosmos no longer have a shot at the NASL Spring Season Championship. Despite going toe to toe with Miami, the Cosmos came up short and lost 2-1 to the club who will eventually win the Spring season. New York started the game very well, pressing Miami. Early on Irvin Hererra was able to press Miami’s back line and Ayoze played in some nice crosses. New York was able to strike first as star man Emmanuel Ledesma was able to find the back of the net again with a shot past Daniel Vega into the bottom right corner. Miami was able to get a few chances after conceding, one of the best coming from a weak back pass from David Ochieng to Jimmy Maurer. Ryan Richter and Juan Guerra found themselves in the ref’s book early with fouls a few minutes apart. Stephano Pinho equalized for Miami when his perfectly stricken shot deflected off Jakovic. Miami brought pressure in the second half, but a big save from Jimmy Maurer on a one on one with Blake Smith.

The Cosmos started the second half on the wrong foot. Off a corner kick in the forty-seventh minute, Jimmy Maurer was left hung out to dry at his near post as the league’s leading goal scorer Vincenzo Rennella was left wide open. The inexcusable mistake allowed Miami to take a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.Helped in part by a red card from Poku, The Cosmos threw everything they had at Miami, but unfortunately were not able to get the goals they needed as Miami handed the Cosmos their first road loss of the year.

I have to give credit where credit is due, Miami is doing a hell of a job this season. Building a squad from scratch is no easy task, and the ambition Miami’s ownership is showing is undoubtedly impressive. The are the deserved champions of the Spring Season and right now are the favorites for the Championship. Miami will represent the NASL in the US Open Cup later this week when they face off against Atlanta United.

Although they did not get the win there’s a lot to be excited about with this Cosmos team going forward. New York was able to match up very well with no doubt the best team in the NASL at the moment. Especially if you compare yesterday’s match to the Cosmos’ home opener, the improvement, especially in the attack has been paramount. If you look at last season as well, the Cosmos did not win in the Spring and despite losing Michael Lahoud and Niko Kranjcar and later on Hunter Freeman, the team was able to win the Fall Season and finish atop the Combined standings. There’s still plenty of time for this team.

The Cosmos take a week off and then return to Brooklyn for a match against Indy Eleven on July 4th.