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Just when you thought it couldn’t get anymore crazy from the New York Cosmos. Three goals in a span of 11 minutes from Javi Márquez, Eugene Starikov, and Juan Guerra give the Cosmos a point in an epic comeback event.
Starters
STARTING XI
— New York Cosmos (@NYCosmos) September 17, 2017
THE NEW YORK COSMOS.
ZOBECK
AYOZE
MENDES
OCHIENG
JAKOVIĆ
RICHTER
MÁRQUEZ
FLORES
SZETELA
CALVILLO
HERRERA#NYCvJAX pic.twitter.com/4faCY5iC5R
Game Recap
The Cosmos have been known for their poor starts as of late. The trend continued in this one with a 13 minute goal for Jacksonville striker Ciaran Kilduff. Cosmos goalkeeper Kyle Zobeck missed an attempt to punch the cross away, allowing Kilduff to fight off a defender and tuck it home.
At the 41st minute, Danny Szetela lost possession in midfield which sent in Kilduff this time. Kilduff squeezed it past a lurking Zobeck for the 2-0 lead.
David Ochieng was not good in this one. It was a poor excuse of a tackle that led to NASL Player of the Month Jack Blake burying the penalty attempt to make it 3-0 Jacksonville. Ochieng was subbed off about five minutes later for Juan Guerra.
Just when fans think the dagger is already planted in the Cosmos, Javi Márquez got sent in beautifully by Juan Arango. Márquez made no mistake sending the ball into the back of the net.
79' Márquez pulls one back for the Cosmos with a cool finish... Ten minutes left on the clock...
— New York Cosmos (@NYCosmos) September 17, 2017
1-3 | #NYCvJAX pic.twitter.com/GjlBdeJAVy
Ten minutes later, Ayoze sent in a cross towards a wave of Cosmos players. Luckily, Eugene Starikov got on the receiving end of it and sent a powerful header past Jacksonville goalkeeper Caleb Patterson-Sewell. 3-2 Jacksonville lead.
89' Starikov gives the Cosmos a lifeline right at the death - COME ON COSMOS!
— New York Cosmos (@NYCosmos) September 17, 2017
2-3 | #NYCvJAX pic.twitter.com/Vq0JY4wbBd
When the game reached stoppage time you’d have to think it was done and dusted for the Originals. But Juan Guerra, who was brought on for David Ochieng, delivered an outstanding strike from distance to tie the game up. You have to watch this:
90 + 4' Juan Guerra scores an absolute peach of a goal to level the game. An incredible finish here at MCU Park!
— New York Cosmos (@NYCosmos) September 17, 2017
3-3 | #NYCvJAX pic.twitter.com/gybUKWK3UK
Final: 3-3 Draw
There’s a lot of mixed emotions from this contest. The first half really showed Jacksonville exploiting the Cosmos’ weakness which is the defence. The backline was all out of sort for most of this one. I also can’t see why Jimmy Maurer didn’t get the nod over Kyle Zobeck.
New York needs to get off to better starts, because the comeback really showed that they had it in them. The trend of falling behind early and coming back late has to stop, even if it was brilliant to watch.
The Cosmos currently sit in seventh place on the NASL table. It might be too late to make a push for the playoffs, but after today, who knows. New York’s home stretch continues on Sept. 20 as they take on the San Francisco Deltas. Get your coverage for that match right here on Twice A Cosmo.