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Home-Field Advantage Can Continue To Be Key For New York Cosmos' Playoff Run

The club can move onto the NPSL National Semis with a win on Sunday
Published Jul 19, 2019
There is no place like home, especially during the postseason.
 
The New York Cosmos will second that notion, for sure.
 
They have made Mitchel Athletic Complex in Uniondale, N.Y., their own personal fortress this National Premier Soccer League season with a 7-0-1 record and surrendering only two goals entering Sunday's 6 p.m. Northeast Region Final against FC Baltimore Christos.
 
"For us, it's huge," center back Garrett Halfhill said. "That was something that was a goal of ours for the entire year, to go ahead and clinch that. It makes a difference, when you're sleeping in your own bed, everyone has their own routines."
 
It's all about keeping your routine during the most important part of the season.
 
"I know where I'm going," Aaron Dennis said. "I know I'm going to my locker. I know I'm going to get a massage before the game. I just have my routine. The routine is the same, mentally prepared."
 
Goalkeeper Paul Blanchette agreed.
 
"I get to keep my routine, eat my food and stay in my bed," he said. "It's priceless. We set that goal and we got it and it's giving us an advantage and we need to take advantage of it."
 
During the regular season, the Cosmos traveled to their North Atlantic Conference foes by bus, for the most part. There are many variables when you hit the road. 
 
"It's really important because we don't have to travel," center back Matt Lewis said. “We don't have to go through any of those kind of difficulties. Anything can arise when you go on the road. You want to eliminate all factors you can't control. So being at home, you can do that."
 
And then there are the fans. 
 
"We get to put on a show for our fans hopefully, give them something to cheer about, give them some excitement, and that's always big for the club, too," Lewis said. "It's what you play for."
 
Of course, the Cosmos can't just show up and expect another win. 
 
"On the day, we have to play, we have to perform on the field away or home," he said. "It's a big difference, but we have to play and show up to every game."
 
If Sunday's match is tied after 90 minutes, two 15-minute extra-time periods will be played. If the game is still deadlocked, a penalty-kick shootout will determine the winner.
 
The winner will qualify for the NPSL Semifinals. If the Cosmos prevail, they will host the fourth-seeded team in the semis at Mitchel on Saturday, July 27. The national final is set for Saturday, Aug. 3.