A solid back line makes all the difference for any team. Cosmos center back, Darrius Barnes, has been one of the main ingredients to New York's defense. The Raleigh, North Carolina native spent eight seasons with MLS’ New England Revolution before making the move to NASL. He was the only field player in MLS to compete in every minute of the 2009 season, and is seeing more and more playing time in the NASL.

 

Barnes has started all 10 of his games for the Cosmos this season, bringing plenty of value to the center back role. The Cosmos have lost just two of those games and one home game with Barnes in tow.

 

The experienced center back has made 38 clearances so far this year, good for second on the team. He has won six of his eight tackles and has registered an 83.1% passing accuracy.

 

Barnes played the full 90 minutes in the Cosmos' 1-1 draw against FC Edmonton last Friday, combining well with fellow center back, Dejan Jaković. He won eight of his nine duels, completing 51 of his 60 passes. An impressive performance against the Eddies earned the six-foot one-inch defender an NASL Team of the Week award.

 

The Cosmos' last home game against Indy Eleven saw a lot of action from Barnes, who helped hold the 2016 NASL runners-up to a 1-1 draw on July 4. He won four of six duels and made three interceptions to keep the opponent at bay. Barnes completed 39 of 45 passes, keeping Indy's forwards from seeing the ball by linking up with David Ochieng and Jimmy Mulligan.

 

Barnes and the rest of the Cosmos will host Indy Eleven at MCU Park on Saturday, August 19 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are on sale now. For more information, click here.