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Preview: Cosmos Host Improved RailHawks

With first place in the league standings within reach, the Cosmos are set to welcome Carolina to New York on Saturday night.
Published Aug 25, 2016

WHO

  vs.  

WHEN & WHERE

Saturday, August 27 at 7 p.m. ET | Shuart Stadium at Hofstra University

WATCH & FOLLOW

THE STAKES

The Carolina RailHawks will travel north to take on the New York Cosmos on Saturday night. New York is coming off a classic “Cardiac Cosmos” performance after a comeback victory in Puerto Rico capped off by a 91st-minute winner from Andrés Flores.

Omar Bravo has been an impact signing since joining the RailHawks on July 12. The Mexican striker has found the net four times in five NASL appearances.

“I think they’re a team that has improved their level of play,” said Cosmos forward Jairo Arrieta, a goal scorer last weekend in Puerto Rico. “They’re looking stronger offensively. They like to run with the ball at their feet more.”

However, Jimmy Maurer and the Cosmos defense should be up to the task as the goalkeeper has seven shutouts this season while conceding only 15 goals.

Unbeaten in their last four, the Cosmos have now moved up to second place in the NASL Fall Season Standings and trail FC Edmonton by just one point in the Combined Season Standings.

MATCHUP HISTORY

These two clubs met at Shuart Stadium earlier this year on May 1. A 45th-minute goal from Yohandry Orozco was the difference as the Cosmos prevailed 1-0.

Both sides in the Cosmos-RailHawks matchup have tallied four wins in the all-time series. There was also one draw back on May 16, 2015, when New York found the back of the net twice in second half stoppage time to salvage a point at WakeMed Soccer Park. If there’s a winner on Saturday night, that team will grab the all-time series lead.

NOTES

Cardiac Cosmos: Andrés Flores’ 91st-minute winner against Puerto Rico FC last Saturday night was the eighth goal scored by the Cosmos after the 80th minute this year across all competitions.

Hunter Attacks: Hunter Freeman has attempted the most crosses (89) of any Cosmos player. The 31-year-old defender is also tied for the team lead in chances created (23) with attacking midfielder Juan Arango.

Multiple Threats: The Cosmos have shown this season they have a dynamic attack, having scored a league-leading 35 goals. Twenty-two of those have come from right-footed shots, 10 from left-footed shots and two from headers. Six of those goals have come from outside the box, including two set pieces.