The New York Cosmos continue their race for the NASL playoffs, taking on the San Francisco Deltas on Wednesday, September 20 at 7:30 pm. Set pieces powered the Deltas past the Cosmos when the teams last met on August 5, ending the night in a 2-1 loss for New York. The Cosmos have improved since then, losing just one of their last six games. Wednesday's game will be a test for New York, who have scored many a goal in the final 15 minutes of play. The Deltas have conceded three goals in that time frame, the fewest of any NASL club in 2017.

San Francisco bring a sturdy defense with them to Brooklyn:
 

Goalkeeper: Romuald Peiser

One of the NASL's top keepers this year, Peiser has been consistent between the pipes. He is second in the league in clean sheets (9), saving 50 of 75 shots and making 20 clearances in the 2017 Regular Season.

In the matchup debut on April 29, Peiser allowed a 69th minute goal from Emmanuel Ledesma that turned out to be the game-winner for New York. The Deltas shot-stopper kept the Cosmos from making it a runaway, saving three of four shots throughout the game. Peiser had little work to do during the teams' last meeting at MCU Park on May 27, thanks to San Francisco's back line, which kept the Cosmos from getting any shots on target.

In the teams' last meeting on August 5, Peiser conceded a third minute, close-range effort by Pablo Vranjicán, but did well to deny the Cosmos after, saving three of four shots in the Deltas' 2-1 home win.

Peiser hasn't conceded more than one goal against the Cosmos since July 2016. Back then, the shot-stopper was playing for the Ottawa Fury.

Defender: Patrick Hopkins

With 56 clearances in 11 games and superb passing in his own half of the field, Patrick Hopkins continues to keep the Deltas' back line secure.

Hopkins had a game-changing role in the teams' last meeting. The center back scored the Deltas' first goal against the Cosmos in matchup history, drilling in Dagoberto's 36th minute free kick into the upper 90 to level the game. The Deltas went on to win 2-1.

Benched in San Francisco's other two games against New York, Hopkins has been a starter in the Deltas' last seven games, scoring twice in that time frame. The Cosmos are likely to face the six-foot two-inch defender again on Wednesday.

Midfielder: Cristian Portilla

Portilla has the most minutes of any midfielder for the Deltas this year, tallying two goals and tied for most assists on the team, with three. The midfielder was effective in passing the ball when the teams last played at MCU Park, completing 36 of his 42 passes. He won seven of 10 duels and two of three tackles, making three interceptions throughout 90 minutes of play.

Portilla was just as effective in the matchup debut on April 29. He saw a lot of the ball, getting 87 touches in 90 minutes. The central midfielder delivered 60 of 69 passes, won five of eight duels, and made four interceptions to keep the Cosmos from increasing their one-goal lead.

Forward: Tommy Heinemann

The team's top scorer with six goals, Heinemann has been a reliable option for the Deltas up front. The forward often finds opportunities to test the opposing back line, producing 44 shots this season, good for second in his team.

Heinemann knows the Cosmos well, scoring four goals in 11 games against New York. He converted the Deltas' game-winning penalty in the teams' last meeting, netting in the spot kick in first half stoppage time.

The Cosmos will look to stop Heinemann and co. in their tracks at MCU Park on Wednesday, September 20 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are on sale now. For more information, click here.