Cosmos Held to 2-2 Draw by Rowdies

Published on October 26, 2014 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
New York Cosmos News Release


NEW YORK - The New York Cosmos were held to a 2-2 draw by the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Saturday night, following a 91st-minute equalizer from Rowdies winger Evans Frimpong.

The visitors struck first through Frimpong in the 25th minute, only to see the Cosmos equalize two minutes later through midfielder Hagop Chirishian. The next goal, which looked to be the match-winner, was a perfectly-placed free kick from Cosmos midfielder Marcos Senna, who took aim from 25 yards out and made no mistake with his curling effort in the 49th minute. The final say belonged to Tampa Bay, though, after Frimpong pounced on a rebound off Cosmos goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer in the 91st minute, and stole an important road point.

"I think we deserved more," said Cosmos head coach Giovanni Savarese following the match. "We want to try to win every game. Every game for us is important, and we wanted to get the win of course. But I was very content with our performance today. I think it was one of the best games we have played so far this year."

Both sides started the match on the front foot, and the Rowdies nearly had the game's opening goal. Tampa Bay forward Luciano OlguÃ-n latched onto a loose pass from Maurer, but saw his effort saved by Maurer in the end. The hosts then created a chance of their own at the other end, just two minutes later. Cosmos right back Jimmy Mulligan made a darting run down the right flank, which he continued into the box, but his cross could not be turned in by midfielder Sebastián Guenzatti.

The game continued to open up, and there were chances at both ends soon after. Cosmos defender/winger Ayoze ran through the midfield and forced Rowdies goalkeeper Matt Pickens into action in the 11th minute with a shot from the edge of the area. Tampa Bay answered with a sweeping counterattack through the midfield, which ended with a strike on goal by Frimpong in the 18th minute.

Frimpong remained a threat going forward for Tampa Bay, and he was soon on the score sheet following a Rowdies free kick in the 25th minute. Midfielder Darel Russell provided the service into the area, and Frimpong headed home to give Tampa Bay the 1-0 lead.

That lead was short-lived, though, thanks to Chirishian. He blocked an intended clearance by the Rowdies defense, and busted into box before firing past Pickens to level the score at 1-1 just two minutes after Tampa Bay's opener - much to the delight of Cosmos supporters on Fan Appreciation Day.

"It was amazing," said Mulligan on playing in front of the Cosmos faithful. "Those fans lift us up, and it was such a good crowd tonight. We really appreciate them coming to every single game, and they've been with us. They're definitely a part of this team."

The frenetic pace of the match continued until the halftime whistle, though neither side was able to muster another real chance at breaking the deadlock.

The Cosmos made a switch at the start of the second half, bringing on Mads Stokkelien for forward Danny Mwanga, and that move would pay off immediately for Savarese's side. The big Norwegian striker won a free kick 25 yards from the Tampa Bay goal, and up stepped Senna to deliver a moment of real magic. The Spaniard curled his effort over the wall, and past a diving Pickens to give the Cosmos a 2-1 lead in the 49th minute.

Stokkelien continued to have a growing influence on the match, and came close to giving the Cosmos a two-goal cushion in the 62nd minute. The forward managed to get a shot away in the Rowdies' box, but his effort was kept out by the post before rolling across the goal line and into the safe hands of Pickens.

Tampa Bay continued to push on. In the 91st minute, a long ball over the top by Rowdies defender Anthony Wallace eventually found Frimpong, who was on the spot to steal a point for the Rowdies at the death.

"I think we had a lot of good moments," Mulligan said after the match. "Some moments we could've been better in, but overall I think it was a pretty decent performance by us. I think we might've been the better team, but that's soccer sometimes. We just have to keep pushing forward."

The New York Cosmos will head to San Antonio for their final regular season match next Saturday, Nov. 1 against the Scorpions.

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North American Soccer League Stories from October 26, 2014


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