Cosmic comeback
Rally from two goals down to beat NYCFC
Wednesday’s all local U. S. Open Cup match— the East River Derby — between New York City FC and the Cosmos promised all kinds of drama, and it delivered. The Cosmos fought back from two goals down in regulation, two scores down in the shootout, and gutted out a 22 ( 43) fourthround win.
The NASL Cosmos played the MLS Red Bulls without Thierry Henry in last year’s U. S. Open Cup, and eliminated them. And on Wednesday, they played NYCFC without David Villa, and claimed another local firstdivision victim in front of 11,446 at Shuart Stadium in Hempstead.
Now the Cosmos head to the round of 16, with the draw Thursday and the Red Bulls a possibility since U. S. Soccer prioritizes geography. NYCFC heads home wondering how they could have squandered a brace from Kwadwo Poku — who started up top with Villa resting. The Cosmos also wasted lead in the 90th minute, and a 31 cushion in penalty kicks.
NYCFC defender Chris Wingert opened the shootout by going right and scoring easily, but Mads Stokkelien leveled. Cosmos keeper Jimmy Mauer dove to his left to make a huge diving save and stone NYCFC midfielder Ned Grabavoty, but Eirik Johansen stopped Hunter Freeman to keep it even.
Mehdi Ballouchy calmly slotted the ball to his left, and the Cosmos’ Leonardo Fernandes badly sailed his attempt over the bar. Johansen guessed right, but NYCFC midfielder Mix Diskerud powered the ball under him for a 31 lead that appeared insurmountable. But appearances were wrong.
Lucky Mkosana — who scored the equalizer in the 90th minute off a Hunter Freeman cross to send the game into overtime — scored to keep the Cosmos alive at 32, and when Patrick Mullins missed the Cosmos still had a chance to tie, and Adam Moffat buried it. Maurer saved Shay Facey’s shot, and Hunter Gorskie put away the winner.
The Cosmos stayed undefeated this spring. In 10 NASL games, their friendly in Havana against the Cuban National Team, and now two U. S. Open Cup tilts, they have five draws and eight wins, none more exciting than Wednesday.
After suffering through an 11game winless streak, NYCFC had won backtoback games before blowing two leads.