The New York Cosmos held Jacksonville Armada FC to a 1-1 draw on Greek Heritage night at MCU Park.

 

The Cosmos' first chance to open the score came from a set piece in the 8th minute when midfielder, Javi Márquez, delivered to midfielder, Walter Restrepo, whose shot from the left side of the box forced Armada goalkeeper, Caleb Patterson-Sewell, into a save.

 

Things began heating up in the Cosmos box, but the back line did well to keep the Armada at bay.

 

New York worked quickly to counter in the 22nd minute through a solo run by Restrepo, resulting in Márquez's first goal of the season and ending Jacksonville's shutout series.

 

Cosmos forward, Eugene Starikov, who got his second start of the season, took advantage of a mistake by Armada Captain, Aaron Pitchkolan, in the 33rd minute, but Patterson-Sewell neutralized the effort.

 

Although Jacksonville had the lion's share of possession, they failed to get a single shot on target. The Cosmos were leading at the break for the first time this season. 

 

The next 45 minutes saw more chances from the Cosmos through Starikov, who threatened Jacksonville’s net time and again. The Armada had an opportunity to even things up in the 62nd minute through midfielder, Zach Steinberger, but his attempt flew just wide. Steinberger, eager to repeat his goal against the Cosmos from 2016 Fall Season, had another go in the 66th minute, but was cut short by Maurer.

 

Jacksonville’s equalizer came through forward, J.C. Banks, who sent a shot from outside the box past Maurer and into the net. Immediately after the equalizer, an emotional Armada Head Coach, Mark Lowry, found himself being ejected from the technical area.

 

New York kept pushing for the game-winner. Márquez forced the Armada keeper to jump in the air for a save in the 78th minute. The midfielder's exemplary play throughout the 90 minutes was rewarded with Fly Emirates Man of the Match honors. Yet neither a late corner nor a stoppage time effort from the subbed-in Cosmos forward, Khalif Alhassan, could alter the scoreboard.

 

The draw moves the Cosmos (1W-2D-1L) from sixth to fifth in the NASL standings, and despite the draw, Head Coach and Sporting Director Giovanni Savarese is encouraged by his team’s development.

 

“We are growing little by little. We need time and I think we are showing now that we are a different team,” he said. Tonight, we looked more balanced, dynamic and created more chances.”

 

New York are back on the road as they take on the San Francisco Deltas next Saturday, April 29 at 10:00 pm, EST at Kezar Stadium. The team will then head south to face Jacksonville Armada FC on Saturday, May 6 at 7:00pm at Hodges Stadium.

 

The Cosmos will return to MCU Park on Saturday, May 13 at 7:00 pm, as they host Puerto Rico FC. Tickets are on sale now, for more information click here.