News

Cosmos Set Modern Era Club Record With 6-1 Win

New York nets six in a resounding home triumph over Carolina.
Published Aug 27, 2016

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (August 27, 2016) – The New York Cosmos set a Modern Era club record Saturday night, scoring six times in a victory against the Carolina RailHawks at Hofstra’s James M. Shuart Stadium.

The RailHawks opened the scoring through Matt Fondy in the sixth minute, but New York would go on to net six unanswered goals. Five of those goals came in the second half, another Modern Era club record.

"I think in the second half the team came with a different mentality," said Cosmos Head Coach Giovanni Savarese. "I'm very proud of the guys for the way they came to play. It was some quality play from the players and a good result for us."

Fondy’s strike was the result of a turnover forced by Carolina midfielder Nazmi Albadawi. His through ball found the feet of Fondy, who finished low past Cosmos goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer to give the visitors an early lead.

But the Cosmos equalized two minutes later when Andrés Flores found Juan Arango unmarked at the top of the 18-yard box. The Venezuelan powered his effort past the outstretched hand of RailHawks goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald, leveling the match. It would stay 1-1 until the halftime whistle, with both sides having goals nullified by the offside flag.

New York emerged from the locker room for the second half with intensity, building dangerous attacks that culminated in Arango’s second goal of the evening in the 58th minute. Winger Sebastián Guenzatti cut into the box and fired a shot that forced Fitzgerald into action. Though he made the initial save, he couldn’t stop Arango from chipping the rebound into the net.

Three minutes later Costa Rican forward Jairo Arrieta added a third for the Cosmos, his first of two goals in the game. This one was an inch-perfect blast from 25 yards, dinging the bottom of the crossbar and bouncing over the goal line.

"I was content with was the reaction of the team, making sure that we continued to play," Savarese said. "We didn't stop looking for another goal, and we kept confidence going forward."

Flores, who struck the match-winner for New York in Puerto Rico a weekend ago, was next to add to the tally. His effort from the top of the penalty area caromed off the leg of a defender and rolled in at the near post.

The Cosmos tacked on two more in the final minutes of the match, first through Arrieta again in the 82nd minute and finally Guenzatti seconds from the full time whistle.

This result places the Cosmos (7-2-2 Fall, 13-2-6 Overall) alone in first place for the Fall Season, a point clear of FC Edmonton, who plays on Sunday afternoon. New York is also now two points ahead of the Eddies in the Combined Season Standings.

It’ll be a short turnaround for the Cosmos, who host Indy Eleven this Wednesday, August 31. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET at Shuart Stadium. For tickets, call 855-71-COSMOS or visit nycosmos.com/tickets