Cosmos Defeats Eibar on Penalties in Friendly

Published on May 26, 2016 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
New York Cosmos News Release


LAS VEGAS, NV - Ninety minutes weren't enough to separate the New York Cosmos from La Liga club SD Eibar Wednesday night at Sam Boyd Stadium. So this international friendly went straight to a penalty shootout, and the Cosmos prevailed.

"We certainly enjoyed playing this friendly match against Eibar," said Cosmos Head Coach Giovanni Savarese. "Both teams tried to play an open match and that allowed space to be creative. La Liga is one of the most competitive leagues in the world and exposing our players to this kind of opponent was a great experience for them."

Fullback David Diosa was the hero for New York, slotting the deciding penalty past Eibar goalkeeper Xabi Irureta to end the extra session at 7-6 Cosmos. Though they fell behind in the shootout early, the Cosmos climbed back in thanks to a Brian Holt save and coolness at the penalty spot provided by Andrés Flores and Lucky Mkosana.

New York also fell behind early in regulation. Eibar boasted a 2-0 advantage less than 10 minutes into the match. Gonzalo Escalante connected with a free kick sent to the far post in the third minute, and Antonio Luna executed a stunning strike from outside the left edge of the penalty area six minutes later.

But the Cosmos would find their footing thanks in large part to striker Yasmani Duk. The Bolivian international answered at the far post in the 12th minute, catching up to Sebastián Guenzatti's cross into the six-yard box and finishing with his head to make it 2-1.

Juan Arango nearly leveled the match in the 30th minute. The former RCD Mallorca star banged his long-distance blast off the crossbar, and Mkosana's attempt at the rebound sailed high and left.

Duk would continue outmuscling his defenders, creating one-on-one opportunities in the 40th and 47th minutes. The 28-year-old completed his brace in the 53rd minute, heading home again - this time at the near post after Jairo Arrieta's cross.

There was no extra time; the match went directly to a penalty shootout after the 2-2 stalemate in regulation. Holt followed up an Irureta save on Yohandry Orozco with a save of his own. In the end, Keko Gontán's attempt that dinged the crossbar opened the door for Diosa, who calmly put away the winner.

Cosmos center back Rovérsio wore the captain's armband for this friendly. Working his way back to full match fitness, the former La Liga stalwart was subbed off in the 63rd minute.

Cosmos B fullback Kyle McTurk got his first minutes with the first team when he replaced Duk in the 82nd minute.

Next, the Cosmos will quickly return to New York. NASL expansion side Rayo OKC visits Hofstra's James M. Shuart Stadium this Saturday, May 28 for a 7 p.m. ET kickoff. It will be the Cosmos' final home game of the NASL Spring Season.

About the Cosmos

The New York Cosmos are reigning champions of the North American Soccer League (NASL), having captured their second league title in three seasons and seventh overall on Nov. 15, 2015 with a 3-2 win over Ottawa Fury FC in The Championship Final at Hofstra University's James M. Shuart Stadium.

The Cosmos began play in 1971, spending 14 seasons in the NASL, winning five Soccer Bowl trophies and bringing some of the biggest names in world soccer to the USA. This included Pelé, Franz Beckenbauer, Giorgio Chinaglia and Carlos Alberto. It had been nearly 30 years since the Cosmos, an iconic global soccer club, played in a professional league. Yet throughout their absence, the club maintained a loyal and dedicated fan following.

On Aug. 3, 2013, the New York Cosmos returned to the NASL with a sellout win at Shuart Stadium, before embarking on a season that would see the Cosmos win the 2013 Soccer Bowl with a 1-0 victory against the Atlanta Silverbacks on Nov. 9, 2013 at Atlanta Silverbacks Park.

Raúl and Marcos Senna, legends at famed Spanish sides Real Madrid and Villarreal CF, each suited up in Cosmos colors for modern era championship runs, adding their names to the impressive list of global soccer stars to feature at the club.

The Cosmos submitted a privately-funded economic development proposal in 2013 to the State of New York to build a world-class 25,000-seat professional soccer stadium at Belmont Park. More information about the proposal and renderings can be found at newcosmosstadium.com.

For more information on the New York Cosmos, please visit nycosmos.com, join us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram (@NYCosmos). Tickets for the 2016 season are now available by calling 855-71-COSMOS or via the club's official website at nycosmos.com/tickets.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



North American Soccer League Stories from May 26, 2016


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central