News

Notes: Cellerino Scores, Szetela's Bobblehead

News and notes from the team before this Sunday's fixture against FC Edmonton at Shuart Stadium.
Published Oct 9, 2015

The bearded bobblehead: Fan’s choice bobblehead night is nearly upon us, and it will feature Danny Szetela. The Polish-American midfielder spoke to NYCosmos.com on Friday about being honored in bobblehead form.

“It feels great,” he said. “It’s pretty cool. We've had other bobblehead nights for Senna, Raúl, Chinaglia and Pelé. Being able to have my own is pretty exciting.”

The first 3,000 fans to arrive at this Sunday’s matchup with FC Edmonton will each receive the collectible. Szetela credited the fans for making it happen.

“The fans have been great supporting us all year round. The Five Points have been great,” he said. “They come out to every game to support us and they’re loud. Not only did the fans help voting for the bobblehead, but they also help us playing on the field.”

A particular trait of the bobblehead sticks out: the beard.

“I actually started growing [my beard] out after winning the Spring Season,” said Szetela. “I’m a big hockey fan and a big football fan, so I’m pretty into growing playoff beards. In soccer, if I waited until November it would be a week or two weeks. I’m starting to like it, so I might keep it.”

Asked about his teammates’ reactions to Sunday’s giveaway at Shuart Stadium, the New Jersey native revealed there has been some talk about it in the locker room.

“[My teammates] are actually pretty excited to see it too,” he said. “They’ve had some fun with it, but they’re just jealous they don’t have their own.”

Cellerino opens his Cosmos account: Target forward Gastón Cellerino made his second Cosmos start and scored his first goal with the club in the midweek road victory over Atlanta. He came to New York from South America this past August, having last played for Chilean first division side Santiago Wanderers.

“I was really happy to score,” Cellerino said. “I’ve been working hard since I got here and it paid off. But the whole team was impressive in Atlanta. The way we all worked together, I think we deserved that result.”

His power and determination set up a 54th-minute score, the second of three from New York that evening at Silverbacks Park. The 6-foot-1 Argentine was persistent and physical in his pressure of Simon Mensing, Paul Black and the rest of the Silverbacks back line.

It paid off when he pounced on an errant pass into Atlanta’s half. Cellerino rolled through a gap in the defense and fired at goalkeeper Steward Ceus, who made a diving stop. But Cellerino followed his shot, rumbling in to collect the rebound near the right endline and finish the job at the far post.

If we can continue with the high-level play and attitude we displayed in Atlanta, I feel like good results will keep coming,” Cellerino said. “We just need to maintain it and focus on improving in each game.”

He’s been on U.S. soil for about two months, but Cellerino is already starting to get used to his new home.

“My family and I have grown comfortable with the lifestyle here quickly,” he said. “The people have been very accommodating, and it’s getting better day by day on and off the pitch.”

Practice update: Friday’s practice featured a series of competitive small-sided matches on a shortened field.

Recently-promoted Cosmos B captain John Neeskens showed off some finishing skill, converting on a pair of low blasts from the left edge to lead his team to a win.

Another central defender, Rovérsio, made a handful of key stops in the shortened final third. He switched sides for the last game, lending his defensive talents to a team that included David Diosa and Marcos Senna.