News

Cosmos Host Unbeaten RailHawks

At the halfway point of the Spring Season, the Cosmos look to bounce back in a showdown with first-place Carolina.
Published Apr 28, 2016

WHO

  vs.  

WHEN & WHERE

Sunday, May 1 at 6 p.m. ET | James M. Shuart Stadium

  • New York Cosmos 2016 home and away kits by Under Armour will be available at Shuart Stadium for the first time! Pick yours up at the merchandise tent inside Gate C.
  • Donate to the 5 Points supporters section's Ecuador Relief Drive and receive five Club Cosmos points.

WATCH & FOLLOW

THE STAKES

The Cosmos enter the midpoint of the Spring Season looking to rebound from two straight heartbreaking defeats in their first two road matches of the year. After their dramatic 2-1 loss in Indianapolis two weekends ago, the Cosmos fell to a formidable Minnesota United FC side 1-0 on April 23 via a 90th-minute Christian Ramirez goal.

The Cosmos will return to Shuart Stadium for one match before embarking on another two-game road trip, and this home encounter promises to be a big one. Carolina is the only team in the NASL that has yet to earn anything less than three points in each of its four matches this season. The RailHawks’ latest result came against the Tampa Bay Rowdies, a 3-1 victory at Al Lang Stadium last Saturday night. Austin Da Luz and Tiyi Shipalane have led the way for Carolina, scoring three goals and two goals, respectively, in the first four matches.

At the halfway point of the season, this match holds plenty of weight. The Cosmos are looking to regroup and keep their home field advantage going. New York is 2-0-0 (W-D-L) in its two matches at home this year. In 2015 the Cosmos were buoyed by goals from Andrés Flores, Lucky Mkosana and Raúl in their season series with the RailHawks, staying undefeated against Carolina in three matches (2-1-0).

MATCHUP HISTORY

New York is 3-1-4 all time against the RailHawks. In 2015, the Cosmos showed their poise by bouncing back from a 2014 season in which they lost all three matches against Carolina. On Aug. 30, 2015 Lucky Mkosana scored a dramatic 85th-minute winner at Shuart Stadium as the Cosmos held off a Nazmi Albadawi brace and prevailed 3-2.

NOTES

  • Precise passing: In four matches this season, no one has been a more accurate passer for the Cosmos than Carlos Mendes. The captain has completed 86.5 percent of his passes (160 of 185).
  • Goals get results: The NASL leaderboards in goals scored and goal conversion rate are reflective of the Spring Season standings. The RailHawks are first with nine goals scored and a 26 percent conversion rate, while the Cosmos are third with six goals scored and a 17 percent conversion rate.
  • Durable defense: The defending foursome of Hunter Freeman, Carlos Mendes, Jimmy Ockford and Ayoze has proved to be a strong staple for the Cosmos. The four have combined for 49 clearances, eight blocks and 49 interceptions.