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With their 4-2 win against reigning NPSL Champions Elm City Express, the Cosmos move on to the next round and face off against the Brooklyn Italians in the North Atlantic Conference Championship.
In the previous round, the Cosmos needed extra time to get past the Express. Despite Elm City scoring first, Bledi Bardic matched the reigning champion’s 2 goals in the first half. After a scoreless second half, the two clubs entered extra time where Wojciech Wojcik and Zaire Bartley scored to advance New York.
On to the next game for @NYCosmosB, but getting past the defending @NPSLSoccer Champions, @elmcityexpress, certainly felt good for the squad. #NPSL pic.twitter.com/8xgJZpkbkh
— New York Cosmos (@NYCosmos) July 12, 2018
sick to see @TimWeah giving love to @zaire_bartley on his Instagram. Zaire has been killing it with his minutes for Cosmos, notching a goal in extra time Saturday. Hope to see him (and many others) in the shirt in 2019. pic.twitter.com/YhtmuOrG1C
— Patrick Infurna (@pinfurna_) July 13, 2018
In their previous match, the Brooklyn Italians defeated Hartford City FC 3-0 thanks to a hat trick from James Thirstino.
From @FrontRowSoccer: They're already in: @NYCosmosB has reached regional @NPSLSoccer playoff bracket, thanks to Northeast Region rules - https://t.co/vi3SReP5UN #NYCosmosB #NYCosmos #NPSL #NPSLSoccer
— Michael Lewis (@Soccerwriter) July 12, 2018
As pointed out by Front Row Soccer, regardless of the outcome of this match, New York would advance to the National Playoffs in the NPSL. Thanks to their undefeated and untied regular season, a loss to Brooklyn would see the Cosmos advancing as a wildcard, the Northeast Conference finalist with the highest points for game average.
Despite the threat of elimination disappearing, the Cosmos still have a bone to pick with Brooklyn this season for causing their early elimination from the US Open Cup. The Cosmos would definitely be all for eliminating a strong team as the Italians from NPSL title contention.
Cosmos B and the Italians kick off at 7:30 at Commisso Stadium and will be streamed on Youtube as well.