One of last season's top performers for the Cosmos, Juan Arango, has returned to the club to provide more of the same for the 2017 NASL Fall Season. The experienced midfielder not only contributed to the Cosmos' victory in the 2016 Soccer Bowl, but also worked hard throughout the entire season, netting many vital goals for New York. He finished second in the NASL in goals (15) and assists (7), winning the league's prestigious Golden Ball award at the end of the season.

 

Arango's experience came into play in the Cosmos' season opener against the Ottawa Fury on April 3, 2016. The Venezuelan started in his debut, playing 77 minutes and bagging a brace in the Cosmos' 3-0 win. It took Arango two minutes to find the net twice, first with a one-touch finish off a Sebastián Guenzatti cross in the 36th minute, then on a Romuald Peiser error in the 38th.

 

 

The Cosmos midfielder continued his goal-scoring trend. He tallied four goals in back-to-back home games against North Carolina FC and Indy Eleven, respectively. Arango kicked off the Cosmos' scoring in a 6-1 thrashing of NCFC on August 27, a result that marked a Modern Era club record. Arango neutralized North Carolina's 6th minute opener, powering home an Andrés Flores pass inside the box. He chipped in a second goal in the 57th minute, capitalizing on the rebound after goalkeeper, Akira Fitzgerald's save.

 

Arango found the net twice in a 3-0 win over Indy Eleven on August 31, converting a 17th minute penalty and getting his head to a Rubén Bover cross in the 73rd minute.

 

A double by Arango against Jacksonville Armada FC on October 15, 2016 helped the Cosmos bounce back to win the game, as well as the Fall title. With the Armada ahead 2-1 in the last 11 minutes of regulation time, Arango slammed a free kick off the crossbar and into goal for the 83rd minute equalizer. Five minutes later, another free kick was in the net, as Arango fired a left-footed laser into the bottom right corner to give the Cosmos a 3-2 lead. New York went on to win the match 4-2, securing a Fall Season Championship in the process.

 

 

The Cosmos' post-season triumph would not be complete without the efforts of the 2016 NASL MVP. Arango headed in a 73rd minute equalizer against Rayo OKC in the Championship Semifinal, then set up Yohandry Orozco's 90th minute game-winner that sent the Cosmos to their second consecutive Championship Final. The 2016 NASL Golden Ball recipient then played 120 minutes in the Final against Indy Eleven, helping the Cosmos lift their third Soccer Bowl in the Modern Era.

 

The Cosmos will host Miami FC in the inaugural game of the 2017 NASL Fall Season at MCU Park on Saturday, July 29 at 7:00 pm. Tickets are on sale now. For more information, click here.