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Cosmos Road Trip Ends in Defeat vs. Edmonton
EDMONTON, Alberta (July 27, 2016) – Playing the last of three consecutive road matches, the New York Cosmos fell 2-1 to FC Edmonton Wednesday night at Clarke Field.
The Cosmos (3-1-2 Fall, 9-1-6 Overall) opened the scoring in the sixth minute through brilliant combination play from their trio of South American attackers. Bolivian striker Yasmani Duk led Venezuelan midfielder Yohandry Orozco with a pass toward the top of the 18-yard box. Orozco picked out Juan Arango making a run behind the defense, and the longtime Venezuelan national team captain placed his shot past Eddies goalkeeper Matt VanOekel.
New York continued to mount pressure through its demonstrated advantage in the midfield. VanOekel was forced to tip Ruben Bover’s rising shot over the crossbar in the 18th minute.
Midfielder Sebastián Guenzatti nearly doubled the Cosmos advantage on two occasions in the first half, as VanOekel had to make diving saves in the 37th minute and in first-half stoppage time.
The hosts would find their footing in the second half, first by forcing a turnover in the midfield and, subsequently, a save from Cosmos goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer in the 54th minute.
Duk broke away from his marker in the 78th minute, creating a 1-on-1 situation with VanOekel. But the Edmonton goalkeeper made himself big and prevented Duk from rounding him for a clean look at the net.
A minute later Nik Ledgerwood found the Eddies’ equalizer, depositing a rebound off the far post to make it 1-1.
The end-to-end action didn’t stop there. Cosmos forward Lucky Mkosana subbed on for Duk and made an instant impact, nearly striking the go-ahead goal in the 81st minute. Mkosana beat VanOekel and fired on frame, but his shot was cleared mere feet from the goal line.
Edmonton forward Tomi Ameobi, who replaced an injured Sainey Nyassi in the first half, created a chance in second-half stoppage time that ended in the match-winning goal. Maurer made an outstretched save on Ameobi’s shot a minute into stoppage time, but Daryl Fordyce charged into the box to power home the rebound.
New York will return to Hofstra’s Shuart Stadium this Saturday, July 30, beginning a stretch of three straight home games. The Cosmos host Puerto Rico FC for the first time at 7:30 p.m. ET.
