NASL Miami FC

The Miami FC Falls To The New York Cosmos 3-2

Published on July 9, 2016 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Miami FC News Release


MIAMI, Fla. - The Miami FC hosted the New York Cosmos, Saturday night, in the first home match of the fall season. In an end-to-end contest, the Miami FC would fall to the New York Cosmos in extra time, 3-2.

"We need to stay concentrated for the full 90 minutes," said head coach Alessandro Nesta. "I think we played good tonight. If we can maintain the same mentality for the entire game we would win more."

The Cosmos started out the match with much of the ball, but they had nothing to show for it. Their inefficiency on offense could be attributed to stout marking and blocking from the Miami FC back four.

In the 17th minute, Jaime Chavez broke through on goal but was denied a clear scoring chance when Cosmos goalkeeper Brian Holt took him down with a yellow-card foul just outside of the box. Subsequently, Dario Cvitanich curled a clever, low-driven free kick that needed great saving from Holt to be kept out of goal.

While the Cosmos relied heavily on long-distance shots, the Miami FC offense built up play from the midfield and linked up well in the opposition's half.

In the 39th minute, though, the Cosmos took a 1-0 lead on a Lucky Mkosana goal. Daniel Vega did his best to make Mkosana rethink his finish, but he calmly slotted it past him.

Vega, the league leader in saves, was outstanding for the entirety of the match and came up with 6 more saves. He was frequently in the right position to parry away a shot or fly high to grab a corner or cross. His heroics kept the match tight and his team in position to come away from the match with a point.

The second half started very even. Both teams were locked in the midfield as both teams pressured high at different points in the match and did not allow the other to impose their will.

In the 62nd minute, Kwadwo Poku nearly set up Jaime Chavez perfectly with a piercing through-ball after a solo run, but Holt came off his line to knock it away.  

That play gave the Miami FC plenty of confidence as they set up camp in the attacking third and continually threatened to come away from the game with points.  

That confidence was rewarded in the 73rd minute when Cvitanich instinctively picked out a streaking Poku and left him with a 1-on-1 with the goalie. Poku crossed Holt up and finessed his shot into the bottom left corner of the net. 

The Cosmos were able to get a go-ahead goal in the 81st minute after a clever pass and one-time shot by Yohandry Orozco.

But the Miami FC would not lay down, as Jaime Chavez won a rightful penalty in the 86th minute. Cvitanich coolly lifted his shot from the spot over an outstretched Holt to tie the game at 2-2.

Unfortunately, an unlucky bounce off of Vega's gloves and Mkosana's leg resulted in the ball trickling into the goal during stoppage time to give the Cosmos a 3-2 win. 

The Miami FC will take on Jacksonville Armada FC at home next Saturday, July 16 . 

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North American Soccer League Stories from July 9, 2016


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