Twice a Cosmo - 2014 New York Cosmos PreviewReshaping the American soccer landscape since 1971https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52616/tac_fav.png2014-04-12T13:59:41-04:00http://www.twiceacosmo.com/rss/stream/53647912014-04-12T13:59:41-04:002014-04-12T13:59:41-04:00Predicting the NASL spring season table
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<figcaption>Bruce Bennett</figcaption>
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<p>Here goes nothing, I suppose</p> <p>It's just over five hours from the kickoff of the 2014 NASL season, so it's probably time to take a shot at predicting what the table will look like. I'm generally terrible at this sort of thing, and with the spring season consisting of just nine games for each club, this probably won't look anything like the table when June rolls around. Regardless, here's how I think the table will shape up this spring:</p>
<h5>1) New York Cosmos</h5>
<p>The Cosmos finished atop the standings last fall by a fairly wide margin before winning the Soccer Bowl in Atlanta. Kyle Reynish was the only player of note to leave this winter, and the additions to the squad should help the offense improve greatly on their inconsistent 2013 fall showing. I think this will be a popular pick.</p>
<h5>2) San Antonio Scorpions</h5>
<p>I like what the Scorpions did during the winter, and really think that they've put together a squad that can push the Cosmos to the limit. That said, the spring season is short, and there was a lot of turnover in San Antonio which could lead to some inconsistency early on that prevents them from pushing them too hard this spring.</p>
<h5>3) Minnesota United</h5>
<p>I don't know if Minnesota will be able to consistently score enough to push the league's top teams after the injury to Pablo Campos, but I fully expect them to boast one of the better defensive units around. They should be very tough to score against, and over a nine game spring season, many clubs might not have developed the sort of chemistry in the attack necessary to break them down.</p>
<h5>4) Carolina RailHawks</h5>
<p>Everything I said about Minnesota can be repeated for the RailHawks, though I don't think they'll be quite as good defensively as the team picked just above them. If they hadn't lost Brian Shriver this winter, I'd have probably picked them to finish the spring season one spot higher.</p>
<h5>5) Tampa Bay Rowdies</h5>
<p>The Rowdies probably have the league's best attack, as well as the best keeper in the league. What they don't have is a strong defense, or a midfield strong enough to take control of most games. That sort of team is tough to predict, as a run of good form could easily see them top of the table, while struggles offensively could easily see them right at the bottom. I'll play it safe and pick them to finish fifth.</p>
<h5>6) Ottawa Fury</h5>
<p>One of the league's two new sides, this one is hard to predict. I like the squad they've assembled, but have doubts about whether or not they'll be cohesive enough to contend early on. Sixth seems like a relatively safe prediction here, though seeing them as high as third or fourth wouldn't surprise me at all.</p>
<h5>7) Indy Eleven</h5>
<p>I was very tempted to pick Indy to finish lower than this, but I feel they'll probably punch above their weight class early on. They seem to have built a pretty fantastic core group of fans, and with very few opposing managers knowing what to expect from them, I can see an experienced talent like Jose Kleberson causing havoc.</p>
<h5>8) Fort Lauderdale Strikers</h5>
<p>This isn't the least talented squad in the league, but at the same time, I don't think they have anywhere near the quality necessary to seriously push for a playoff spot. I feel like mid-table is probably the ceiling for this group, and a run of poor results in the winnable games could have them bringing up the rear.</p>
<h5>9) FC Edmonton</h5>
<p>In my opinion, this group should probably finish at the bottom based on the squad they've assembled. They'll likely play the same sort of defense-first style that they did in 2013 though, and could nick enough points against teams lacking a cutting edge to finish above a club or two.</p>
<h5>10) Atlanta Silverbacks</h5>
<p>Atlanta had a ton of departures this winter, they've got a new coach that's only with the squad when his job at FOX allows for it, and most of the players they've brought in are untested at this level. They'll be better during the fall than they will during the spring, but I think they'll be glued to the bottom of the table until it resets after the first nine matches.</p>
https://www.twiceacosmo.com/2014/4/12/5607996/nasl-2014-spring-season-table-predictionsStephen Schmidt2014-04-11T16:15:20-04:002014-04-11T16:15:20-04:002014 Cosmos Preview: The Contenders
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<figcaption>Andy Marlin</figcaption>
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<p>Four returning NASL rivals will probably be fighting with New York and Ottawa for the four playoff places in 2014</p> <p>We've looked closely at what the Cosmos will look like in 2014, and concluded that they'll likely be among the better teams in the NASL again this season. We examined the two expansion clubs, and predicted that on will be quite good, while one is likely to struggle. After looking at the new clubs, we identified three rivals that we expect to struggle this year, leaving just four teams left to look at. Here are the four clubs we think could challenge New York and Ottawa for playoff spots this season:</p>
<h4>Carolina RailHawks</h4>
<p>Carolina were one of the more consistent clubs in the league last season. They finished one point behind Atlanta during the spring season before finishing second again in the fall, this time to New York. Had the new playoff format been in place last season, Carolina would have comfortably qualified for a semifinal. They should be in the thick of the hunt again.</p>
<p>The RailHawks didn't do anything too flashy this winter, though they certainly did enough to think they'll be a better side than they were last season. Top scorer Brian Shriver has left the club, but they added Conor Tobin and Jun Davidson to help solidify the midfield and defense. They'll be counting on a healthy <span>Nick Zimmerman</span> to replace some of Shriver's production, and if he's able to return to the sort of form he showed in 2012, the RailHawks should be a very good team.</p>
<p>With the additions of Tobin and Davidson, I fully expect Carolina to push New York for the lowest goals against total during the 2014 campaign. Like the Cosmos last season though, where they ultimately finish will likely come down to whether or not they can constantly find enough goals to turn one point into three. If they can, this team is a playoff lock.</p>
<h4>San Antonio Scorpions</h4>
<p>The Scorpions made lots of noise over this past winter, both by complaining about other clubs spending money and bringing in loads of new talent themselves. They've assembled a very good squad though, as both MLS sides in Texas can attest after struggling against them during the preseason. After managing a draw with <a href="https://www.bigdsoccer.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">FC Dallas</a>, the Scorpions beat the <a href="https://www.dynamotheory.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Dynamo</a> 2-0. Ultimately those friendly results mean nothing, but they're still and encouraging sign for the fanbase.</p>
<p>The winter started with San Antonio losing their best forward to an NASL rival, just as it did the winter before. This time, it was Hans Denissen leaving the club to join the New York Cosmos, while in 2013 it was Pablo Campos leaving for Minnesota. Club president Howard Cornfield was very vocal in his complaints about the spending of the Cosmos, though ultimately, his club wound up going on a shopping spree of their own.</p>
<p>The club ended up replacing Denissen with former designated player <span>Eric Hassli</span>, who provides a player in the Campos mold that they did not have last season. They also brought in Daniel Barrera, Richard Menjivar, Walter Restrepo, and Shaun Saiko from NASL rivals, as well as forward Sainey Touray, who is a high-upside lottery ticket. All told, this San Antonio squad looks to be considerably stronger than they were in 2013.</p>
<p>Last season, San Antonio started out looking like a contender. They finished tied with Carolina on points during the spring season, one point behind Atlanta. Their fall season was dreadful though, and they finished the 14-game campaign with just ten points. If they can find some sort of consistency in 2014, they have enough talent to make a deep run in the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/us-open-golf" class="sbn-auto-link">U.S. Open</a> Cup as well as pushing for an NASL title.</p>
<h4>Minnesota United</h4>
<p>Minnesota are a tough team to really evaluate heading into the new season. They didn't do a whole lot over the winter to change to makeup of the squad, but had enough talent last season that they probably should have produced better results.</p>
<p>The defense looks fantastic, and will be anchored by Brazilians Tiago and Cristiano Dias. That pair have played so well this spring that it looks as if NASL Best XI center back Aaron Pitchkolan will start the season on the bench. They also signed fullback Tyler Pollack, who was once a Generation Adidas signing.</p>
<p>The midfield was a boom or bust unit, largely due to the boom or bust nature of Miguel Ibarra. After a dreadful start to the season that made many wonder how he was making the 18-man squad, a brilliant second half of the season saw him named to the league's Best XI. A full season of solid play from Ibarra would go a long way toward helping them contend.</p>
<p>Jamie Watson and Christian Ramirez are both new signings that impressed in USL Pro last season, and the latter in particular will have a lot to say about whether or not Minnesota can contend. He'll have to replace the club's top scorer, Pablo Campos, who suffered a serious knee injury and will be out of action for most of the season. Ultimately, the club's success this season will depend on replacing Campos and getting consistent production from Ibarra. If they struggle with either, they'll likely become a pretender in very short order.</p>
<h4>Tampa Bay Rowdies</h4>
<p>How different could 2013 have looked if the Cosmos hadn't come back from 3-1 down at home against Tampa Bay? That incredible comeback by the Cosmos ended up being the defining moment of their fall season, while it began a dreadful close to the season for Tampa Bay. Every result is important with the split season format, and no team knows this better than the Rowdies.</p>
<p>The Rowdies had some work to do this winter, as <span>Luke Mulholland</span> left the club to test himself in MLS. The club made a few big signings to replace him though, and should be pushing San Antonio and New York for the top spot in the table.</p>
<p>Brian Shriver was the league's top goalscorer last year, and when the club brought him in from Carolina to pair with the league's top assist maker Georgi Hristov, they might have put together an even more dynamic offense than they had in 2013. They added three former MLS players in <span>Darel Russell</span>, <span>Anthony Wallace</span>, and <span>Matt Pickens</span>, with Pickens being one of the top goalkeepers in the United States.</p>
<p>Tampa is going to score this season, and they're going to score a lot. Whether or not they turn that scoring into contention will depend on whether or not they can keep their opponents from scoring at a reasonable rate though, as we saw during the fall campaign. Pickens should help, but probably isn't enough to fix their problem conceding on his own. If they can play some better defense, the Cosmos might need to sign Raul this summer just to stay above the Rowdies in the table. If not, Tampa could find themselves on the outside looking in for a second season in a row when the postseason begins.</p>
https://www.twiceacosmo.com/2014/4/11/5605408/2014-nasl-new-york-cosmos-preview-the-contendersStephen Schmidt2014-04-11T10:07:00-04:002014-04-11T10:07:00-04:002014 Cosmos Preview: The Pretenders
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<figcaption>Andy Marlin</figcaption>
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<p>While every club is tied atop the NASL standings at the moment, there are three clubs who I don't believe will remain there for long</p> <p>The 2014 NASL season kicks off for most of the league on Saturday, so today we're taking a look at what the rest of the league has to offer. Earlier today we looked at the league's two expansion teams, and our second installment will see us take a look at some of the clubs I believe will fail to contend this season.</p>
<p>Overall, the quality of the NASL looks to have made a significant jump this winter. Ottawa Fury FC have joined the league and look to have one of the best rosters around, while several decent sides from last season appear to have improved considerably. There are three returning sides didn't do enough this winter to convince me that they'll be in the playoff hunt though, and I think we'll see these three struggle in 2014.</p>
<h4>Atlanta Silverbacks</h4>
<p>Atlanta reached the Soccer Bowl last season on the strength of a great spring, but struggled enough during the fall season that they let their manager go despite playing for a title. Honestly, I felt that last season's success was largely built on smoke and mirrors, and that a hot stretch early on helped them take advantage of the split season format to earn a Soccer Bowl berth.</p>
<p>Since the end of last season, the SIlverbacks have seen their best overall player leave for San Antonio, while both of their top scorers have departed the club as well. The only significant addition to the squad appears to be 26-year old Deon McCaulay, who has done little of not in his professional career but was excellent for Belize during their <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-cup-2014">World Cup</a> qualifying campaign.</p>
<p>To manage the squad, Atlanta settled on FOX analyst Eric Wynalda. Given that Wynalda is still splitting time between his two jobs, it's hard to imagine this being an ideal situation. On the plus side, many of the players he's recruited have worked with him before, even if most fans have never heard of them. Wynalda also brings name recognition to the club, something they won't be getting from their roster.</p>
<p>In the end, Atlanta's roster appears to be among the least formidable in the league, and I can't imagine this arrangement with Wynalda ends up working on the pitch. It's hard to find any reason to believe they won't be closer to the bottom than the top, especially over the course of 27 games.</p>
<h4>FC Edmonton</h4>
<p>Edmonton were a very consistent team in 2013, finishing fifth out of seven teams in the spring, while finishing sixth out of eight in the fall. Excluding the Cosmos, Edmonton finished with the lowest goals against total in both the spring and fall seasons individually, allowing a total of just 26 goals in 26 games. Unfortunately, they only scored 26 goals last season, the worst total in the NASL.</p>
<p>While the club did add three players that should improve their attack in Ritchie Jones, Frank Jonke, and Tomi Ameobi, they'll need to drastically alter their approach in order to best utilize that trio. Edmonton sent most of 2013 playing ten men behind the ball, looking to attack only when the opportunity presented itself. This probably made the defensive unit look better than it actually was, while making the offense look terrible.</p>
<p>While this team could surprise a bit and possibly push for the fourth spot, I'd be very surprised to see them finish far above Atlanta and Indy. Their conservative approach last season just makes it hard to predict how they'll look if they open up a bit, and if they continue to play the same defensive style they utilised last season, they just won't secure enough wins to push the league's better teams.</p>
<h4>Fort Lauderdale Strikers</h4>
<p>The Strikers struggled last year, winning only seven times over the course of the two seasons combined. They were only marginally better than FC Edmonton at finding the net, scoring just 28 goals in their 26 games. Unlike the Canadian side, the Strikers were much, much better during the fall, leaving fans a glimmer of hope that they'll be competitive in 2014.</p>
<p>The winter saw Fort Lauderdale tread water to some extent. Their best player, Walter Restrepo, left the club to join San Antonio. I really like the addition of Marius Ebbers though, and feel he could more than make up for the loss of Restrepo. Chris Nurse is also a nice addition.</p>
<p>While the Strikers showed enough improvement during the fall season for fans to be hopeful, most of the teams that finished above them seemed to have done more this winter to improve their rosters. I feel like this club has a better chance to impress than any of Indy, Edmonton, or Atlanta, but I still believe they'll fall well short of a serious playoff push.</p>
https://www.twiceacosmo.com/2014/4/11/5604322/2014-new-york-cosmos-preview-the-pretendersStephen Schmidt2014-04-11T08:27:41-04:002014-04-11T08:27:41-04:002014 Cosmos Preview: The New Rivals
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<figcaption>Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Two new clubs have joined the NASL for the 2014 season</p> <p>The NASL expanded to eight teams last fall with the addition of the New York Cosmos, and will make the jump to ten clubs participating this spring. Ottawa Fury FC and Indy Eleven will both be kicking off their 2014 season on Saturday, but have taken somewhat different paths in constructing their rosters.</p>
<h4>Indy Eleven</h4>
<p>Indy made a big name signing, adding former Manchester United midfielder Jose Kleberson to the squad. Walter Ramirez was a shrewd addition, and 18-year old Ben Spencer is an extremely exciting young American talent. Outside of that trio though, there might not be too much for neutral fans to get excited about, as the roster features a bunch of guys that have failed to make a real name for themselves professionally.</p>
<p>The scoring burden will likely fall on Mike Ambersley and Pedro Mendes, though Spencer will be relied upon to contribute as well. The defensive unit Juergen Sommer has at his disposal looks questionable at best, and given the short amount of time they've been together this spring, it's not hard to imagine this club hemorrhaging goals early on. Fortunately, goalkeeper Kristian Nicht is a fairly reliable player, and shouldn't make the potential defensive issues any worse.</p>
<p>I have a hard time picturing Indy finishing anywhere but at the bottom of the table, especially over the course of the combined campaign. With so many unknowns involved, a good run to start the nine-game spring season is probably their best hope of qualifying for the playoffs.</p>
<h4>Ottawa Fury</h4>
<p>Ottawa brings the number of Canadian team in the NASL up to two, and on paper, they look like a very strong squad. Unlike Indy, Ottawa has opted for multiple players with MLS and European experience, and if they form a cohesive unit, could be a legitimate contender for a playoff spot in 2014.</p>
<p>The Canadian club's approach actually reminds me quite a bit of the route the Cosmos went last season, opting for an experienced outfield unit and a young, high-ceilinged goalkeeper. Former MLS players <span>Tom Heinemann</span> and <span>Sinisa Ubiparipovic</span> are the most recognizable names of the bunch, with Ubiparipovic in particular being one that most New Yorkers will know from his time with that club in New Jersey.</p>
<p>Richie Ryan, Tony Donatelli, and Nicki Patterson will join Sinisa in what should be a very formidable midfield, and Heinemann will have some support from Brazilian Vini Dantas up front. The defenders Marc Dos Santos has at his disposal should form a solid (if unspectacular) group, and I'm intrigued by Marcel del Bellis in goal.</p>
<p>It's always tough to tell how players will adapt to a new league, new teammates, and a new manager, and its even more difficult t predict how an expansion club will gel. That said, this is a very solid group on paper, and will likely get stronger as the season progresses. I wouldn't be surprised to see this group in the middle of the pack at the end of the spring, but challenging for the fall title and a top four finish in the combined table.</p>
https://www.twiceacosmo.com/2014/4/11/5604068/2014-new-york-cosmos-preview-the-new-rivalsStephen Schmidt2014-04-10T16:17:12-04:002014-04-10T16:17:12-04:002014 Cosmos Preview: The Attackers
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<figcaption>Andy Marlin</figcaption>
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<p>There were additions to the Cosmos' attack, which was the area that needed the most help last season</p> <p>The Cosmos were the most difficult team in the North American Soccer League to score against in 2013, but spent a large portion of the season trying to find a consistent goal scorer. While they managed to find just enough goals to win the fall championship before defeating Atlanta in the Soccer Bowl, the club was clearly looking to add more consistent production to the forward ranks in 2014.</p>
<p>Unsurprisingly, the biggest rumor surrounding the club since the conclusion of last season has been their pursuit of Raul, one of the all-time great European goalscorers. That rumor has not slowed down even with the additions of a pair of strikers, though there is no chance of the player joining before the conclusion of the spring season (if the club can make the finances work at all).</p>
<p>The club did add a pair of talented forwards to the ranks, signing Mads Stokkelien from overseas while poaching Hans Denissen from the San Antonio Scorpions. Both of that pair should dramatically improve the Cosmos attack, though Denissen is dealing with a knee injury that will see his season get off to a later start then he would probably like. The club started last season using Stefan Dimitrov as their center forward, and he'll return for the 2014 season as well. Alessandro Noselli will also be back after proving valuable depth during the fall campaign.</p>
<p>Diomar Diaz and Sebastian Guenzatti saw the bulk of the minutes on the wings, and both did an admirable job. Diaz in particular chipped in some timely goals last fall, and now the pair will be returning for a second season in green and white. Rounding out the attacking unit will be <span>Peri Marosevic</span>, David Diosa, and Jemal Johnson. Marosevic saw a fair amount of action in a reserve role last season, while Diosa and Johnson were limited to just a handful of minutes each. Johnson was unavailable for most of last season due to injury.</p>
<p>The club made improving the attack their primary focus this winter, and whether or not that happens will likely determine just how well the 2014 season goes. New York already boasts the league's best defense and a midfield that could compete with the best units in MLS, but until they're able to count on their forwards to consistently find the net, there are going to be an awful lot of nervous finishes.</p>
https://www.twiceacosmo.com/2014/4/10/5602128/2014-new-york-cosmos-preview-the-attackers-naslStephen Schmidt2014-04-10T11:11:20-04:002014-04-10T11:11:20-04:002014 Cosmos Preview: The Midfield
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<figcaption>Mike Zarrilli</figcaption>
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<p>While the defense was an elite unit in 2013, the midfield was the engine of the club</p> <p>When the Cosmos signed Marcos Senna last summer, I think most fans immediately expected the midfield to be a strength. Even in the twilight of his exceptional career, there was little reason to doubt that the former Spanish national would be the best player in the league. It really shouldn't have surprised anyone, then, when Senna was named to the North American Soccer League's Best XI, despite the Cosmos missing out on the entire spring campaign.</p>
<p>Senna was typically partnered in the central midfield by one of two players. Joseph Nane opened the season as his primary partner, offering size, strength, and defensive ability which allowed Senna to be relatively free of any positional shackles. Danny Szetela took over as the Spaniards primary partner midway through the campaign, and an area of strength quickly became an absolutely dominant pairing. Hagop Chirishian also saw some time alongside Senna during the fall season, performing well enough when called upon.</p>
<p>Gio Savarese alternated between using a trio of attack minded players in front of that pairing, and using two strikers with a pair of wider midfield players. Paulo Mendes was particularly useful when the manager went with two forwards, while Dane Murphy was often an available option as well.</p>
<p>2014 will likely look awfully similar to last fall, as the same six-man unit is returning intact. The club didn't feel the need to add competition to that group, and it's hard to complain too much about that based on the way they performed down the stretch.</p>
<p>Szetela and Senna will likely make this unit as formidable as they were last season, but with 27 regular season games to be played in addition to a <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/us-open-golf" class="sbn-auto-link">U.S. Open</a> Cup campaign, keeping players fresh and healthy will be a major key to repeating as champions. Senna's minutes will need to be managed, Szetela will need to stay healthy, and Nane will need to control his aggressive style and avoid picking up too many cards. If they do just that, there's little reason to believe this won't be the strongest midfield unit in the NASL.</p>
https://www.twiceacosmo.com/2014/4/10/5600790/2014-new-york-cosmos-preview-the-midfieldStephen Schmidt2014-04-09T10:00:39-04:002014-04-09T10:00:39-04:002014 Cosmos Preview: The Defense
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<figcaption>Mike Stobe</figcaption>
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<p>The league's strongest defense will return intact for 2014</p> <p>The foundation of the 2013 Cosmos was built upon the league's strongest defense. A disciplined, organized unit allowed Gio Savarese's side to play a possession based style, and even when the club were struggling mightily to find the back of the opposition's net, they were still managing to accumulate points because they were so difficult to score against.</p>
<p>When the books closed on the 2013 campaign, New York had allowed just 12 goals in 15 total contests. They were even better when the pressure was on, allowing just a pair of goals in their final six fixtures, including a clean sheet in the Soccer Bowl. This excellent play is one of the main reasons most fans seem comfortable with Kyle Reynish's departure, as Jimmy Maurer won't likely be fed to the wolves when he steps into the starting lineup.</p>
<p>The strength of the Cosmos defense began in the center. <span>Carlos Mendes</span> captained the club, and was about as good as we could have expected in 2013. He spent the bulk of the season partnering Roversio, though some paperwork issues caused his debut to be delayed. Roversio was exceptional in 2013, and was probably the best center back in the league once he finally got on the pitch.</p>
<p>The right back position was a strength from the from the opening whistle, as <span>Hunter Freeman</span> was as good as anyone in the league during the fall campaign. The left back spot didn't make me quite as comfortable early on, but when Ayoze was asked to move from the midfield to left back in the middle of the season, the Cosmos really started to click as a team and the defense began to look like an elite unit.</p>
<p>For 2014, the Cosmos have brought back the entire first choice unit, and that group should be even better now that they've had a bit longer to gel. Hunter Gorskie will return as well, he was the team's primary defensive backup last fall. The versatile 22-year old started the season partnering Carlos Mendes, but also saw time at fullback after the arrival of Roversio. Also returning is James Nealis, who started the regular season finale at right back.</p>
<p>The club has only made one defensive addition before the season, but he's one that has raised eyebrows this spring. <span>Jimmy Ockford</span> was selected in the second round of the MLS draft by the <a href="https://www.sounderatheart.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Seattle Sounders</a>, and after signing a contract with the northwestern club, he was sent on loan to the Cosmos. Savarese has used Ockford quite a bit during the preseason, and the defender has reportedly been solid defensively while contributing several goals from set pieces. While passing judgement based on preseason play is never a great idea, Ockford has been solid enough that I really want to see him get some action during the NASL season.</p>
<p>With the league's best starting defense returning intact, and looking to have added an interesting piece, it's hard not to get excited about their prospects for 2014. This unit was the foundation of a Championship side in their first season together, and there's little reason to believe they aren't capable of anchoring another title push in 2014. As long as this group stays healthy, it should be the best unit in the league again.</p>
https://www.twiceacosmo.com/2014/4/9/5597018/2014-new-york-cosmos-season-preview-defenseStephen Schmidt2014-04-08T09:31:38-04:002014-04-08T09:31:38-04:002014 Cosmos Preview: The Goalkeepers
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<figcaption>Mike Zarrilli</figcaption>
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<p>Hopefully the Cosmos get the same sort of quality in goal this season as they did during the 2013 fall campaign</p> <p><span>Kyle Reynish</span> was fantastic for the Cosmos in 2013, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nycosmos.com/article/uuid/1tclxli2evayd1rtpk4lzohcok/kyle-reynish-wins-2013-nasl-golden-glove-award">winning the Golden Glove award</a> for posting the lowest goals against average in the league. The fact that the Cosmos only played the fall half of the campaign probably prevented him from earning NASL Best XI honors, but his fine work didn't go unnoticed by MLS sides. Reynish wound up signing with the <a href="https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Fire</a> this winter, and with <span>Sean Johnson</span> widely expected to push for a move to Europe at some point in the near future, impressing in training and while Johnson is away at the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-cup-2014" class="sbn-auto-link">World Cup</a> could lead to a starting job.</p>
<p>The departure of Reynish left the Cosmos with a problem, as the departed keeper had started 14 of the club's 15 total games. Backup Jimmy Maurer looked relatively solid in his lone appearance of the season, though, and must have looked relatively impressive in training as well. When Reynish departed for Chicago, Maurer was installed as the club's new starting goalkeeper.</p>
<p>Maurer was a collegiate standout at South Carolina, and was selected 4th overall in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft by that team playing in New Jersey. He didn't make the team, however, and wound up signing with the Atlanta Silverbacks just before the NASL season got underway. He made 18 appearances that season for Atlanta, before trying his luck in Chile during the 2012 season. That didn't seem to go particularly well, and Maurer latched on with the Cosmos before the reboot last fall.</p>
<p>How Jimmy performs in 2014 will be one of the keys to the season for the club. Gio Savarese played a possession based system during the 2013 campaign, and a strong defense combined with the league's best midfield left Reynish without too much work to do. If they can perform at the same sort of level in 2014, there's little reason to think Maurer will have much trouble at all.</p>
<p>With the promotion of Maurer, Gio Savarese was left in need of goalkeeping depth. Several players with MLS experience trialed with the club this spring before we eventually signed Kyle Zobeck to a contract. Zobeck spent last season with <a href="https://www.bigdsoccer.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">FC Dallas</a>, after being taken with the 26th pick of the 2013 draft. He didn't see any MLS action last season and was limited to a few reserve matches. He impressed the Cosmos enough to earn a contract though, and will be our only backup option for Jimmy Maurer when the season kicks off.</p>
<p>More than any other position on the pitch, the goalkeeping is a big question mark to start the spring season. There is obvious talent there, but as yet, it hasn't translated into sustained success at the professional level. If the relatively inexperienced Maurer struggles, his backup is even more of an unknown commodity. I guess we'll all have to cross our fingers and hope for the best.</p>
https://www.twiceacosmo.com/2014/4/8/5593226/2014-new-york-cosmos-preview-goalkeepersStephen Schmidt