News

Match Preview: Cosmos Begin Road Stretch Vs. Puerto Rico FC

Three crucial points on the line in rescheduled game
Published Oct 17, 2017

WHO

New York Cosmos vs. Puerto Rico FC

WHEN & WHERE

Wednesday, October 18 at 7:30 p.m. ET | Central Broward Stadium in Lauderhill, FL

FOLLOW

-Follow @NYCosmos and #PRFCvNYC on Twitter for updates

The New York Cosmos begin their final road trip of the regular season with the first of two games in Florida as they battle Puerto Rico FC on Wednesday, October 18 at 7:30 p.m. at Central Broward Stadium in Lauderhill, FL.

The match was scheduled to be a home fixture for Puerto Rico FC, but Hurricane Maria necessitated a change of venue to the neutral site in Florida, which was previously the home of the Fort Lauderdale Strikers for the 2016 season.

New York has dominated in its matchups with PRFC since the club joined the NASL in 2016. In six meetings, the Cosmos are 5-1-0 (W-D-L) and have outscored Puerto Rico 14-6. This season, the Cosmos are 3-1-0, having won each of the last three meetings, including a 1-0 win in the two teams’ most recent meeting on October 1 at MCU Park.

The Cosmos (8-14-7 Combined Standings) are coming off a scoreless draw against FC Edmonton on Saturday night in Brooklyn. The Cosmos outshot Edmonton 14-9, including 5-2 in shots on target, but neither side could find the decisive goal. In goal, Jimmy Maurer made a pair of saves to earn his sixth clean sheet of the season.

Puerto Rico (3-10-15 Combined Standings) is coming off a 3-0 road loss to the San Francisco Deltas on Saturday night. Despite outshooting the Deltas 8-7, Puerto Rico FC could not put a shot on target and lost for the fourth straight match. PRFC hasn’t won a game since a 2-1 decision over Jacksonville Armada FC on August 16. In eight games since their last win, Puerto Rico FC is 0-2-6 and has been outscored by 11-2.

Heading into Wednesday’s match, New York is tied with Jacksonville for the fourth and final playoff spot in the NASL with 38 points. The Cosmos are currently one goal ahead on goal differential against the Armada, putting them in a playoff position for the moment. Puerto Rico FC has had a rough season, as they sit in the bottom of the Combined Standings with 19 points. 

New York and Puerto Rico will meet again in the final game of the regular season at MCU Park on Saturday, October 28 at 7:00 p.m. To purchase tickets, click here.