New York Cosmos Held by FC Edmonton to Scoreless Draw

Published on August 7, 2014 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
New York Cosmos News Release


NEW YORK (August 6, 2014) - The New York Cosmos were held by FC Edmonton to a scoreless draw on Wednesday night at Hofstra's Shuart Stadium.

The Cosmos (1-2-2) had 15 of their 19 shot attempts in the second half and midfielder Marcos Senna also missed a penalty kick in the 51st minute.

Cosmos head coach Giovanni Savarese said he believed his team created the better of the scoring chances.

"Today we did everything," he said after the match. "We did everything except get the goal."

Injuries have been an issue as of late for the team, but the return of Senna and defender Rovérsio galvanized the Cosmos lineup during the first half.

The Cosmos earned a penalty kick in the 50th minute after Edmonton goalkeeper John Smits fumbled a ball lofted into the box. His attempted recovery brought midfielder Jemal Johnson to the ground. Senna, who made his first start for the Cosmos since May 24 of this year, took the penalty kick but sent the shot high over the crossbar, keeping the game scoreless in the 51st minute.

Senna did not use lack of fitness as an excuse for missing the goal.

"I've been well-trained," he said. "It just happens in football. This is my first (miss) and hopefully it will be my last."

Savarese brought on forward Mads Stokkelien as a substitute in the 58th minute for Stefan Dimitrov as the Cosmos continued to press for a goal. In the 69th minute, Senna came close on a free kick 22 yards away from goal, with his shot grazing the top of the crossbar.

Edmonton forward Tomi Ameobi was issued a red card for a late sliding tackle on Cosmos midfielder Danny Szetela in the 74th minute. Up a man, the Cosmos kept applying pressure with fullback Ayoze forcing a fine save by Smits on another free kick. Deep into stoppage time, Senna had one final chance and struck a free kick that left Smits beaten but went narrowly wide.

Edmonton only had one clear chance in the first half =2D a 3-on-1 counter attack in the 45th minute - but Cosmos goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer came up big by leaping to his left and blocking the shot attempt by Edmonton defender Lance Laing.

"Confidence is always a factor, but at the same time none of our guys' heads are down," Maurer said of the result. "We are not in a terrible state. I think everyone has their heads up and is working hard."

"It's important for us to keep it positive," Savarese said. "We saw character and determination (tonight). We saw the team from last year. We can build on that."

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