When it comes to effort in a match, contribution isn’t always measured in goals scored, passes completed or clean sheets posted. Coaches and fans alike can appreciate speed, passion and durability.

However, on top of the skill and heart usually provided by Lucky Mkosana, David Diosa and Andrés Flores, the three have been a statistically impressive bunch early in the NASL Fall Season.

The trio has a total of 12 league starts amongst them in 2016, racking up 1,205 minutes. But they’ve combined for five goals and four assists in the past three games, including Wednesday’s 3-0 win over the Jacksonville Armada.

Three of those five goals have come from the red-hot Mkosana, while Flores and Diosa both picked up their first goals of the season at Shuart Stadium on Wednesday. Mkosana and Flores each added an assist as well.

“In this match we were able to be clinical,” Cosmos Head Coach Giovanni Savarese said. “We were able to finish some opportunities that put us in a good situation in the match. That allowed us to be able to manage the game in a good way.”

Savarese said that, due to the busy NASL schedule in July, different players have been given more opportunities in order to keep the squad fresh. He has been pleased with the results, as the team has earned maximum points in the Fall Season and sits atop the standings.

“It’s a very difficult schedule, so we need everybody,” Savarese said. “Everybody can contribute in the match and that’s what we’ll be doing, making sure that we pull the guys we feel are fresher for each match.”

Diosa, Flores and Mkosana haven’t been consistent starters this year, but Savarese said he has not been surprised by their performances.

“[Lucky] was always an important player, and he had the chances to be able to come in,” said Savarese. “He’s taken advantage of the times he’s played, being able to score two goals the past game and working the way he did against Jacksonville. I think it’s just him being confident as a striker. Now he’s finding the goal.”

Savarese added that the young Diosa, 23, provides the team with versatility, as he can play as a fullback or an attack-minded winger.

“He was part of the academy of the Cosmos and now we can see all his virtues,” Savarese said. “He’s been waiting a long time to be able to contribute more, and he’s been able to do that. He’s really versatile and he’s very smart in the way he plays. He gives us something a little bit different.”

Named the Emirates Man of the Match against Armada FC, Flores said the team has been working to close out matches. Wednesday night’s outcome left him satisfied.

“I’m very happy with the goal and assist, as well as the result because I was very excited when I knew I was going to play,” Flores said. “Overall, I think the team had a very good game and we got the result. That’s the important thing.”

Flores started 11 games in 20 appearances during the 2015 NASL Season, contributing three goals and three assists. He said good showings are important to him, but it is a team mentality that overrides his desire for personal performance.

“It’s very important to me, for individual thinking, because we all want to be starters, but it’s just 11 players that play,” said Flores. “We have to understand that we’re part of a larger group of players, so we have to understand that sometimes the coaches know who’s better for one game and who’s better for another.”

Diosa, who started three games in six 2015 appearances, had one assist last year. He echoed Flores’ sentiment of valuing the team over the individual.

“I try to do as much as I can on the field, and I try to take advantage of my opportunities,” he said. “Right now I’m feeling really confident. There’s a lot of confidence and a lot of good players, but that’s good for the team.”

Diosa, Flores, Mkosana and the rest of the Cosmos will take that confidence into Miller Stadium Saturday night for their first away match against Rayo OKC. Kickoff is set for 9 p.m. ET.