HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (July 20, 2016) – New York Cosmos B’s 2016 season came to an end Wednesday night, as they lost 1-0 to New Jersey Copa FC in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) Playoffs Northeast Region Semifinal at Hofstra Soccer Stadium.

“I thought it was a fairly even game,” Cosmos B Head Coach Fernando Barboto said. “I thought that we were a little bit better. I thought we had a couple of more chances than they did, but they took advantage of the one chance they got.”

The first half was defined by back and forth action, as neither team was able to convert any chances in the first 45 minutes.

Cosmos B had a chance to score in the 40^th minute as Matias Ruiz connected with Gaston Sanchez for what appeared to be the opening marker of the game. However, an offside call negated the goal, and the score was still knotted at 0-0. 

Cosmos B was also strong on the defensive end in the first half. In the 14^th minute, a ball was played into the box by Copa FC that threatened to open the scoring for the visitors, but midfielder Michael Holzer was there to clear the ball off the line.

Cosmos B goalkeeper Hector Guerrero demonstrated poise as he made two crucial saves in the last minute of the first half. The first save was made after Daniel Mendoza rocketed a shot that Guerrero had to tip over the net. The second save was on the ensuing corner, as he absorbed the full force of an Andres Berriel shot and preserved the 0-0 score heading into halftime.

“Our approach was to attack their one side that we felt was a little weaker and to play more diagonally, as opposed to vertically,” said Barboto. “Unfortunately it didn’t work out the way we wanted it to.”

More back and forth action was seen at the start of the second half, but the visitors would soon put up the only goal of the match.

In the 65^th minute, Copa FC’s Dennis Correia weaved through Cosmos B defenders in the box and knocked it past Guerrero to give his side the edge.

Cosmos B would pile on pressure to equalize throughout the rest of the second half, but good goalkeeping from Copa FC's Matthew Perrella kept the hosts off the scoreboard.

“I think it’s just going to fuel the group for next year,” Barboto said. “I think we were a better group than we showed today, and we’re going to remember that.” 

The Cosmos reserves finished their second NPSL season with an overall record of 12 wins, two draws and three defeats.