Sports

Strikers lose to NY Cosmos 2-0

strikers vs cosmos

Fort Lauderdale – The Fort Lauderdale Strikers were shut out by the New York Cosmos by a final score of 2-0 in James M Shuart Stadium. The Strikers made a push in the second half, moving Darnell King forward, but in the end the visiting team was unable to find the back of the net.

The Strikers are currently in fourth place in the combined standings; that may or may not hold, depending on the result of later games. The Cosmos are safely in third place after the win.

The Strikers had to play the match without either starting forward as team scoring leader Fafa Picault and defender James Marcelin were with the Haiti National team, and forward Aly Alberto Hassan was serving a suspension due to a red card in the previous match.

The Cosmos opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Danny Mwanga received the ball at the top of the box and one-timed it toward the goal. The ball deflected off Strikers defender Rafael Alves and squeaked just past the goal line before Strikers goalkeeper Kamil Contofalsky swatted it away.  The official called it in and the Cosmos took the 1-0 lead.

In the 30th minute, a questionable handball was called on Alves inside the box and the Cosmos were given a penalty kick. Marcos Senna went on to bury the ball past Contofalsky to give the Cosmos the 2-0 lead.

The Strikers tried to shake things up in the second half by bringing in Stephane Guillaume in the 56th minute and moving the speedy King forward to try to pressure the Cosmos defense.  This marked Guillaume’s return to the pitch for the first time since having a season ending knee injury against the same Cosmos squad in September 2013. In that game, Guillaume tore his MCL and ACL and had been on the sidelines a total of 350 days.

The Strikers were able to create some chances after the change as King was able to create some chances.  His best opportunity came in the 71st minute when he used his speed to get past the Cosmos defender and forced Cosmos goalkeeper Maurer to make a diving save.

Just two minutes later, Mark Anderson split the Cosmos defense to get the ball to Martin Nuñez, but he was unable to score. In the 76th, King made a great cross inside the box to Anderson who tried to head the ball in, but Maurer came up with the save.

The Strikers are now 0-1-4 against their rivals since the Cosmos return in 2013.

Up next

Spring Champions Minnesota United FC host the Strikers on Saturday, September 13, at NSC Stadium in Blaine, MN. The Strikers next home game is September 20 at Lockhart Stadium against Indy Eleven.

South Florida Caribbean News

The SFLCN.com Team provides news and information for the Caribbean-American community in South Florida and beyond.

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