Cosmos Fall 2-1 to San Antonio in NASL Semifinals

Published on November 9, 2014 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
New York Cosmos News Release


SAN ANTONIO - In their second matchup in consecutive weeks, the New York Cosmos fell 2-1 to the San Antonio Scorpions in extra time of a North American Soccer League postseason semifinal Saturday night at Toyota Field in San Antonio.

New York charged out in front via a 16th-minute far-post header from striker Mads Stokkelien, but Scorpions midfielder Rafael Castillo equalized less than three minutes later. San Antonio netted the match-winner in the 110th minute through a shot from midfielder Walter Restrepo that ricocheted off Cosmos captain Carlos Mendes and into the back of the net.

"Everybody put in a great effort," said Cosmos head coach Giovanni Savarese after the match. "At the end we still had some chances and tried to get back into the game, but it was unfortunate how it ended."

The Cosmos threatened early in the match. Stokkelien earned a free kick in the 10th minute, which would lead to a corner kick opportunity for right back Hunter Freeman. Scorpions goalkeeper Josh Saunders was able to make a play on a teasing ball from left back Ayoze, ending a chance for the Cosmos.

But Stokkelien nodded home six minutes later from the far post to make it 1-0 Cosmos. Ayoze notched the assist, charging into the box from the left side and chipping the ball over Saunders.

San Antonio drew even just three minutes later through Castillo. Cosmos goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer saved the initial shot from the left side of the Cosmos' box, but Castillo found the ball again for a rebound goal. He put his second attempt past Maurer, and Ayoze narrowly missed clearing the ball off the line.

Scorpions captain and center back Adrian Cann went down on the pitch in the 29th minute, and was taken off the field a few minutes later. Josue Soto replaced him in the XI.

Scorpions forward César Elizondo broke free inside the right edge of the box and crossed left early in the second half, but Maurer made a leaping save to stop the ball and eliminate the threat.

Ayoze orchestrated the Cosmos' offense in the 65th minute, getting into a dangerous area and leaving the ball for Hagop Chirishian. The winger found central midfielder Marcos Senna, whose shot was blocked, and Saunders stopped a rebound chance for Ayoze.

Mendes fouled substitute Scorpions forward Giuseppe Gentile a step outside the right edge of the 18-yard box in the 76th minute. Castillo's ensuing free kick grazed off the crossbar and went out of play for a Cosmos goal kick.

"It was a battle," Maurer said in the locker room after the match. "It was a back and forth game. Congratulations to San Antonio - they had a great season."

Both sides battled for possession near midfield as time wound down in regulation, but neither was able to mount a significant attack to end the match. Substitute midfielder Sebastián Guenzatti earned a throw-in for the Cosmos deep in the Scorpions' half with time nearly expired. The Scorpions defense turned away Senna's ensuing attempt to cross, and the second half finished 1-1.

From there it went to two 15-minute periods of extra time. Stokkelien had a golden chance at putting the Cosmos up 2-1 to start the second period, but he was whistled for a hand ball as he attempted to bring the ball down in the box.

Restrepo found the Scorpions' winning goal in the 110th minute. Maurer made the initial save on his attempt, but the ball then ricocheted off Mendes' chest, past Maurer and into goal. That score gave San Antonio a 2-1 lead.

New York was the aggressor for the final minutes of the match. Ayoze drew a foul on Scorpions forward Billy Forbes five yards outside the box, setting up Senna for a free kick in the 119th minute. His strike was on frame, but tipped high of goal by Saunders. Freeman's ensuing corner couldn't find a Cosmos player and rolled out of play.

"It was a tough angle," Savarese said of Senna's free kick. "The ball came into the middle, and Saunders tapped it outside. Senna gave it his all."

The Cosmos earned one last corner kick, but Freeman's attempt was headed away and the whistle sounded.

The Cosmos' season ended just one game short of The Championship Final.

"We had the confidence and belief we could be in the final," said Savarese. "But we have to start looking to the next season and keep working. I'm very proud of the guys and their effort."

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North American Soccer League Stories from November 9, 2014


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