Cosmos Handed First Loss of Fall Season

Published on July 17, 2016 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
New York Cosmos News Release


YUKON, OK (July 16, 2016) - The New York Cosmos first-ever trip to Miller Stadium ended in despair as the Cosmos fell to Rayo OKC by a score of 3-0. The result marked the team's first loss of the NASL Fall Season.

OKC had its first true opportunity of the game in the 19th minute, when Devon Sandoval's strike from about fifteen yards out sailed wide right.

In the 25th minute, Cosmos midfielder Yohandry Orozco made a run down the right sideline, but his cross sailed through the 6-yard box past several Cosmos attackers, including midfielder Danny Szetela.

Cosmos goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer made his second start of the Fall Season, and he came out strong. Maurer showed off his agility when he blocked and then grabbed OKC forward Robbie Findley's breakaway chip attempt in the 33rd minute.

Minutes into the second half, the referee awarded a penalty kick to OKC after Jimmy Ockford took down Rayo defender Futty Danso inside the box. Michel stepped up to the penalty spot and nailed the ball into the top right corner to earn a 1-0 lead.

In the 53rd minute, Cosmos midfielder Juan Arango sailed a free kick over the wall of players at the top of the box and into the arms of OKC goalkeeper Daniel Fernandes from about 40 yards out. Minutes later, Arango had another opportunity from the top-center of the box, but sent the ball well over the net.

After Cosmos midfielder David Diosa tripped Michel at the top of the box, OKC capitalized and the Brazilian scored on a free kick in the 65th minute to extend OKC's lead to 2-0. Michel's second goal came as he shot the ball past the left side of the Cosmos defensive wall and went untouched into the back of the net.

The Cosmos pressured OKC in the 77th minute when Cosmos forward Jairo Arrieta passed to substitute Lucky Mkosana, whose shot was pushed out wide left by Fernandes for a Cosmos corner kick. The corner kick was headed over the end line for a second consecutive corner kick, but that chance for the Cosmos was spoiled quickly.

In stoppage time, Rayo added another goal courtesy of Greek international forward Georgios Samaras who put the ball into the top right of the net. Samaras entered the game as a substitute in the 84th minute.

The Cosmos still have sole ownership of first place in the North American Soccer League Fall and Combined Season standings. After four games in the fall season, New York has 9 points with three wins and one loss. The Cosmos also have control of the combined league standings with a record of 9-0-5 (W-D-L).

The Cosmos will hit the road again for their second of three road games when they visit the Tampa Bay Rowdies next Saturday, July 23 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

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North American Soccer League Stories from July 17, 2016


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