The New York Cosmos’ NPSL Members’ Cup home opener was spoiled by the Milwaukee Torrent, which scored two late goals to record a 2-2 draw in a physical game on a hot and humid Saturday night at Mitchel Athletic Complex.

 

The Cosmos (1-0-1, 4 points) and Torrent (1-0-1, 4) are tied for first place.

 

Aly Hassan snapped a scoreless tie in the 49th minute with his first goal of the Members Cup season. Pedro Galvao started the scoring sequence with a throw-in to the forward in the penalty area. Hassan turned and then drilled a 15-yard bullet into the upper left corner past former Cosmos goalkeeper Kevin Tenjo for a 1-0 lead.

 

Junior Burgos gave the hosts some breathing room in the 66th minute, latching onto a poor clearance by the Milwaukee defense and firing home a 25-yard blast that was deflected by a Torrent defender past Tenjo for a two-goal margin.

 

The Torrent pulled one back in the 88^th minute on a play started by Tenjo, who booted a long goal kick that bounced once on the right side of the attacking zone. Jordan Gorman raced onto the ball and chipped goalkeeper Santiago Castano from atop the box to slice the lead to 2-1.

 

Two minutes into stoppage time, Milwaukee stunned the Cosmos by knotting things up at 2-2 as Anthony Coalizi headed home a play started by a throw-in.

 

The Cosmos dominated the first half but had nothing to show on the scoreboard for their efforts.

 

That could be attributed to the solid goalkeeping of Tenjo, who was up to the task, making four saves. He stopped Aaron Dennis in the seventh and 13th minutes after the striker stripped a Milwaukee player of the ball in the attacking half. Tenjo had an easy time gathering in Hassan's roller in the 41st minute before denying Galvao's point-blank attempt on the right side a minute later.

 

After a week off, the Cosmos return to action at the Michigan Stars on Saturday, August 31. They return home to host Napa Valley 1839 FC at Mitchel on Saturday, September 7, at 7 p.m.