News

Brilliant finish earns Ledesma NASL Play of the Week

Star performance in debut start
Published May 3, 2017

Emmanuel Ledesma made his mark for the Cosmos’ on his club debut with a stellar game-winning goal in the 69th minute. Picture perfect from start to finish, began deep in their own half from a goal kick by Jimmy Maurer as eight Cosmos players had a touch on the ball as they moved up the field. Danny Szetela made a short pass to Javi Márquez who swiftly turned and passed the ball to Ledesma who took care of the rest. A perfectly weighted chip over San Francisco’s goalkeeper Romuald Peiser left him watching as the ball dipped into the net.

The goal was named NASL Play of the Week as the Cosmos earned an important road victory in San Francisco. Ledesma feels very happy and honored to be selected for the NASL Play of the Week and stressed the importance of his teammates who set up the opportunity for him to find the back of the net.

“I’m the one mentioned in the news having actually scored the goal but the play came from a collective team effort,” said Ledesma. “I feel very happy, above all, not because it was the play of the week but because it was a true team performance.”

The 28-year-old midfielder joined the club in March, after spending most of his professional career in Italy, England, Argentina and Greece. He played 64 matches for English side Middlesbrough, tallying nine goals and six assists.

While moving to America can be a big adjustment, Ledesma is having an easier transition with the Cosmos and the United States. “I feel the club is like a family because we all support each other. It’s been an easy adjustment because the team has really incorporated and welcomed me into the group.”

Ledesma was also named in this week’s NASL Team of the Week, another accomplishment the Argentine will remember. The midfielder feels very close to Head Coach and Sporting Director, Giovanni Savarese, saying “he is an amazing person and a friend, someone who will always be there for the players.”  

Savarese also had plenty of praise for the Argentine midfielder after he scored the game winner. “It was a fantastic goal; with great class. The way he saw the position of the goalkeeper and the space he had which allowed him to chip the ball behind him was perfect,” said Savarese.

Ledesma and the rest of the team are back to training as they prepare for their upcoming match against league leaders Jacksonville Armada FC, on May 6, at 7:00 pm.