MATCH REPORT
The New York Cosmos earned a 1-1 draw against Union Omaha on Friday night at Morrison Stadium.
Omaha opened the scoring in the ninth minute through Marlon Vargas, putting the Cosmos behind early. New York responded by settling into the match and creating opportunities through Sebastián Guenzatti, Ajmeer Spengler and Lamin Jawneh. The Cosmos found the equalizer in the 35th minute when Guenzatti found the back of the net to bring the match level at 1-1. The remainder of the half stayed competitive, with Ozzie Ramos booked in the 43rd minute as both sides battled for control in midfield. Union Omaha carried more possession, but the Cosmos remained organized and entered halftime level.
The second half saw both teams make multiple changes while searching for the decisive goal. Darren Sidoel replaced Ramos in the 65th minute, followed by Tino Puentes for Néstor Cabrera in the 66th. Nick Zielonka entered for Shamit Shome in the 74th minute before Patrick Bohui and Jordan Chavez came on in the closing stages.
Union Omaha continued to control more of the ball, finishing with 56 percent possession, but the Cosmos produced the greater attacking volume with 13 shots compared to Omaha’s six. Javier Garcia made two saves as the Cosmos defense held firm throughout the second half. Neither side was able to find a winner, and the final whistle confirmed a 1-1 draw and a point on the road for New York.
MATCH DETAILS
UNION OMAHA 1-1 NEW YORK COSMOS
NEW YORK COSMOS (4-2-3-1): Garcia; Cabrera, Holt, Chilaka, Milovanov; Ramos, Shome; Ljucovic, Spengler, Jawneh; Guenzatti. Subs: Sidoel (65′ Ramos), Tino Puentes (66′ Cabrera), Zielonka (74′ Shome), Patrick Bohui (82′ Jawneh), Jordan Chavez (82′ Milovanov). Unused Subs: Stephani, Mendonca. Coach: Davide Corti.
UNION OMAHA (4-2-3-1): Nuhu; Jiba, Kallman, Owusu, Lawrence; Guediri, Wootton; Gutiérrez, Vargas, Ors Navarro; Gómez. Subs: Botello-Faz (45′ Gómez), Gavilanes (45′ Gutiérrez), Cabral (61′ Wootton), Tekiela (61′ Vargas), Malone (70′ Lawrence). Unused Subs: Jensen, Billhardt.
Goals: 9′ Vargas (OMA), 35′ Guenzatti (COS).
Booked: 24′ Wootton (OMA), 40′ Kallman (OMA), 43′ Ramos (COS), 45’+1 Lawrence (OMA), 60′ Owusu (OMA), 90’+4 Guediri (OMA).
MATCH STATS
Possession: Union Omaha 56% – Cosmos 44%
Shots on Target: Union Omaha 3 – Cosmos 3
Shots Off Target: Union Omaha 3 – Cosmos 10
Passes: Union Omaha 498 – Cosmos 386
Accurate Passes: Union Omaha 422 – Cosmos 325
Corners: Union Omaha 3 – Cosmos 2
Clearances: Union Omaha 10 – Cosmos 17
Saves: Union Omaha 2 – Cosmos 2
Fouls: Union Omaha 11 – Cosmos 15
Venue: Morrison Stadium, Papillion, Nebraska
Attendance: 2,851
Referee: José Lara
