RECAP | COSMOS 1, SILVERBACKS 1
Both teams earned a hard-fought point in New York
The New York Cosmos fell behind but rallied to equalize on an own goal, finishing with a 1-1 draw against the Atlanta Silverbacks in a Fall Season match at Shuart Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Cosmos moved into sole possession of third place in the Fall Season Standings and remain third in the Combined Standings, four behind first-place Ottawa.
"I think today we found space, moved the ball well, and we were able to create chances," Cosmos head coach Giovanni Savarese said. "We just need to be a little more aggressive. We need to get in at the near post and do a little more. We need to be able to predict things in the box to get those chances. But I thought overall, it was a very good performance."
The Silverbacks, who were outshot 15-3, went in front on their first shot of the game in the 38th minute. Junior Burgos played a free kick deep into the box where Michal Mravec leapt up and headed in off Jimmy Maurer’s hand from nine yards out.
“We know now teams are going to come and look for a set piece, while defending the entire match,” Savarese said. “But I thought today we were much better than we’ve been. We created chances. It was very positive today.”
Cosmos midfielder Andrés Flores added: “I think now they are realizing that’s the way to play against us because that’s how they’re getting results. But we have to keep improving what we have done during the year. We’ve played good games. They've just found the goals we haven’t.”
The Cosmos rallied to level in the 70th minute on an Atlanta own goal, as Ayoze’s deep and low corner deflected in off defender Simon Mensing. It came five minutes after another Ayoze corner went through a maze of players before Atlanta goalkeeper Steward Ceus got a piece.
Ayoze troubled Ceus with a stoppage-time free kick that the goalkeeper was able to punch away. Second-half substitute Gastón Cellerino pounced on the rebound and put a back heel over the crossbar.
The Cosmos attacked from the opening kickoff and nearly scored the game’s first goal in the second minute, but Ceus dove to his left to get a hand on a low Raúl shot from 14 yards out.
In the 15th minute, Leo Fernandes latched onto a Flores cross and stared at an open net after Ceus was out of position. But Fernandes put his header off the crossbar.
Five minutes later, Flores nearly caught Ceus leaning the wrong way, but the Haitian goalkeeper recovered in time to make a diving stop for one of his four first-half saves.
“Right now it’s tough, but there’s a lot of positives,” Cosmos forward Lucky Mkosana said. “Sometimes that’s just the game of football. We have to continue being positive and working hard. The goals are going to come.”
Raúl, who was replaced by Ruben Bover in the 53rd minute, left the match after rolling his right ankle.
“He’s hurting. When he steps and makes a movement, he feels pain there,” Savarese said of the Spanish legend. “That’s why he couldn’t continue in the game. We’ll have to analyze tomorrow exactly what he has, but it doesn’t seem to be something very serious.”
The Cosmos moved into sole possession of third place in the Fall Season Standings and remain third in the Combined Standings, four behind first-place Ottawa.
"I think today we found space, moved the ball well, and we were able to create chances," Cosmos head coach Giovanni Savarese said. "We just need to be a little more aggressive. We need to get in at the near post and do a little more. We need to be able to predict things in the box to get those chances. But I thought overall, it was a very good performance."
The Silverbacks, who were outshot 15-3, went in front on their first shot of the game in the 38th minute. Junior Burgos played a free kick deep into the box where Michal Mravec leapt up and headed in off Jimmy Maurer’s hand from nine yards out.
“We know now teams are going to come and look for a set piece, while defending the entire match,” Savarese said. “But I thought today we were much better than we’ve been. We created chances. It was very positive today.”
Cosmos midfielder Andrés Flores added: “I think now they are realizing that’s the way to play against us because that’s how they’re getting results. But we have to keep improving what we have done during the year. We’ve played good games. They've just found the goals we haven’t.”
The Cosmos rallied to level in the 70th minute on an Atlanta own goal, as Ayoze’s deep and low corner deflected in off defender Simon Mensing. It came five minutes after another Ayoze corner went through a maze of players before Atlanta goalkeeper Steward Ceus got a piece.
Ayoze troubled Ceus with a stoppage-time free kick that the goalkeeper was able to punch away. Second-half substitute Gastón Cellerino pounced on the rebound and put a back heel over the crossbar.
The Cosmos attacked from the opening kickoff and nearly scored the game’s first goal in the second minute, but Ceus dove to his left to get a hand on a low Raúl shot from 14 yards out.
In the 15th minute, Leo Fernandes latched onto a Flores cross and stared at an open net after Ceus was out of position. But Fernandes put his header off the crossbar.
Five minutes later, Flores nearly caught Ceus leaning the wrong way, but the Haitian goalkeeper recovered in time to make a diving stop for one of his four first-half saves.
“Right now it’s tough, but there’s a lot of positives,” Cosmos forward Lucky Mkosana said. “Sometimes that’s just the game of football. We have to continue being positive and working hard. The goals are going to come.”
Raúl, who was replaced by Ruben Bover in the 53rd minute, left the match after rolling his right ankle.
“He’s hurting. When he steps and makes a movement, he feels pain there,” Savarese said of the Spanish legend. “That’s why he couldn’t continue in the game. We’ll have to analyze tomorrow exactly what he has, but it doesn’t seem to be something very serious.”
RECAP | FURY FC 2, EDDIES 0
Sinisa Ubiparipovic's double leads Ottawa past Canadian rival
FC Edmonton suffered its first defeat in five matches in the Fall Season, dropping a 2-0 decision to Ottawa Fury FC. Ottawa sealed a postseason spot with the Sunday win in front of 6,050 fans at TD Place.
Fury FC midfielder Siniša Ubiparipovic scored a goal in each half to seal the win, while goalkeeper Romuald Peiser made two crucial saves off of Edmonton free kicks to maintain the clean sheet.
FC Edmonton had the first shot on target of the match on 18 minutes, when midfielder Dustin Corea worked a powerful free kick over the wall, but Peiser stood strong to stop the early opportunity.
Five minutes later, Ottawa’s first chance on target resulted in the first goal of the match. Paulo Jr. got past a sliding Allan Zebie on the left wing to find a wide-open Ubiparipovic, who finished past Eddies ‘keeper Matt VanOekel for the 1-0 lead.
The Eddies’ second clear-cut chance of the half also came through a set piece on 36 minutes. Free-kick specialist Lance Laing placed a low and powerful attempt towards the corner of the net, but Peiser stretched and saved Laing’s attempt to maintain the 1-0 lead.
The teams would head into the break with Ottawa holding a 1-0 advantage.
After a promising looking chance from Edmonton defender Eddie Edward just minutes prior, Ottawa would extend its lead to 2-0. Ubiparipovic received the ball on the edge of the six-yard box from Ryan Richter and after Edward blocked his first attempt, Ubiparipovic’s second shot from the edge of the box found the back of the Edmonton net.
Eddies midfielder Thiago de Freitas entered the match on 76 minutes after missing the last five matches due to injury. Seven minutes later, the Brazilian midfielder nearly cut Ottawa’s lead in half, but his blistering shot hit the post from the corner of the Ottawa area.
The Eddies were unable to break through Fury FC’s solid defense in the remaining 10 minutes as Ottawa would maintain their two-goal lead through to the final whistle.
“Congratulations to Ottawa for qualifying for the postseason, it is thoroughly deserved,” FC Edmonton head coach Colin Miller said following the match. “I didn’t think there was too much between the two teams today. There are still four games to play and we will just have to be better against the New York Cosmos next week.”
Fury FC midfielder Siniša Ubiparipovic scored a goal in each half to seal the win, while goalkeeper Romuald Peiser made two crucial saves off of Edmonton free kicks to maintain the clean sheet.
FC Edmonton had the first shot on target of the match on 18 minutes, when midfielder Dustin Corea worked a powerful free kick over the wall, but Peiser stood strong to stop the early opportunity.
Five minutes later, Ottawa’s first chance on target resulted in the first goal of the match. Paulo Jr. got past a sliding Allan Zebie on the left wing to find a wide-open Ubiparipovic, who finished past Eddies ‘keeper Matt VanOekel for the 1-0 lead.
The Eddies’ second clear-cut chance of the half also came through a set piece on 36 minutes. Free-kick specialist Lance Laing placed a low and powerful attempt towards the corner of the net, but Peiser stretched and saved Laing’s attempt to maintain the 1-0 lead.
The teams would head into the break with Ottawa holding a 1-0 advantage.
After a promising looking chance from Edmonton defender Eddie Edward just minutes prior, Ottawa would extend its lead to 2-0. Ubiparipovic received the ball on the edge of the six-yard box from Ryan Richter and after Edward blocked his first attempt, Ubiparipovic’s second shot from the edge of the box found the back of the Edmonton net.
Eddies midfielder Thiago de Freitas entered the match on 76 minutes after missing the last five matches due to injury. Seven minutes later, the Brazilian midfielder nearly cut Ottawa’s lead in half, but his blistering shot hit the post from the corner of the Ottawa area.
The Eddies were unable to break through Fury FC’s solid defense in the remaining 10 minutes as Ottawa would maintain their two-goal lead through to the final whistle.
“Congratulations to Ottawa for qualifying for the postseason, it is thoroughly deserved,” FC Edmonton head coach Colin Miller said following the match. “I didn’t think there was too much between the two teams today. There are still four games to play and we will just have to be better against the New York Cosmos next week.”
WEEK 14 RECAP | OTTAWA CLINCHES POSTSEASON BERTH WITH WIN OVER CANADIAN RIVAL
Minnesota and Fort Lauderdale earn key wins in the race for The Championship
Ottawa Fury FC clinched a postseason spot, but its final seeding is yet to be determined after besting Canadian rival FC Edmonton, 2-0, on Sunday afternoon. Sinisa Ubiparipovic scored in each half to push Fury FC back in front in the Combined Standings, and further the club’s gap at the top of the Fall Season Standings.
Minnesota United FC’s unbeaten streak hit double digits when the Loons defeated 10-man Tampa Bay, 1-0, at NSC Stadium in Blaine, Minn., on Saturday night. The goal by Christian Ramirez, his 11th of the year, puts the Loons only two points back of Fury FC in the Combined Standings.
In San Antonio, Texas, Fort Lauderdale rode three first-half goals and then held off the Scorpions to end a two-game losing streak. The victory, on the strength of a hat trick by the league’s leading goalscorer Stefano Pinho (15), puts the Strikers right back in the thick of the race for a berth in The Championship, the league’s four-team postseason tournament.
The Strikers are now level on points (34) with FC Edmonton and the Rowdies. The New York Cosmos, who face visiting Atlanta on Sunday evening, have already claimed a postseason berth by virtue of winning the Spring Season title. Both Ottawa and Minnesota seem headed to The Championship, with both capable of winning the Fall Season title and/or finishing first in the Combined Standings.
Ten-man Jacksonville, wearing attractive pink and dark blue jerseys in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, was on its way to its second consecutive victory until Brian Brown knotted the match and Indy Eleven grabbed a point in its second straight 1-1 draw of the week in Florida.
The New York Cosmos and Atlanta Silverbacks settled for a point on Sunday evening at Shuart Stadium. Michal Mravec gave the visitors the lead late in the first half, but a Simon Mensing own goal in the second stanza pulled the Cosmos level. While New York ramped up pressure in the final minutes, the home side couldn’t find a winner as the score finished at 1-1.
Jacksonville Armada FC 1, Indy Eleven 1
Jaime Castrillón scored his third goal of the Fall Season, in the 29th minute, to give Jacksonville (4W-3D-8L, 15 points Fall; 7-6-12, 27 Combined) a 1-0 lead before 6,734 at Community First Park in Jacksonville, Fla. It was an impressive buildup by the Armada FC, made all the more so because Castrillon was fouled and knocked to the ground during the play, but Jacksonville maintained possession and referee Juan Guzmán allowed play to continue. The ball found its way to Pascal Millien for a cross from the left to Castrillón, who had bounced back into the play. He skied to head it past Indy Eleven (3-5-8, 14 Fall; 6-9-11, 27 Combined) goalkeeper Keith Cardona. Jacksonville, which has lost only once at home (7-4-1) in its inaugural season, played a man down from the 63rd minute after Mechack Jérôme was shown a straight red card. Indy Eleven broke through when second-half substitute Brian Brown first-timed a looping pass from Wojciech Wojcik past Jacksonville goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo. The tie was the second this week for Indy after Wednesday’s match at Tampa Bay, also a 1-1 draw.
Minnesota United FC 1, Tampa Bay Rowdies 0
Playing a man up after Tampa Bay (4-3-9, 15 Fall; 9-7-10, 34 Combined) defender Ben Sweat was ejected, Minnesota (9-5-2, 32 Fall; 12-10-4, 46 Combined) took a 1-0 lead in the 44th minute in front of 8,932 at NSC Stadium in Blaine, Minn. Kevin Venegas’ cross from the right caused confusion in the Rowdies’ defense and the ball fell to Christian Ramirez. He tucked it into the net for his 11th goal of the year. The Loons extended their unbeaten streak to 10 games and are unbeaten in nine games against the Rowdies: five wins and four draws.
Fort Lauderdale Strikers 4, San Antonio Scorpions 2
Fort Lauderdale (6-5-4, 23 Fall; 9-7-9, 34 Combined) took a 1-0 lead in the 10th minute when Stefano Pinho opened the scoring before 7,832 at Toyota Field in San Antonio, Tex. The big striker from Brazil controlled the ball and split two San Antonio (3-5-7, 14 Fall; 6-8-11, 26 Combined) defenders before scoring his 13th goal of the year with a left-footed shot past goalkeeper Daniel Fernandes. The Strikers doubled the lead minutes later on a goal by Marlon Freitas. San Antonio squandered a chance to pull back a goal when Rafael Castillo sent a penalty kick wide of the goal in the 20th minute. It was Pinho scoring again, his 14th, in the 40th when he put a shot inside the near post. San Antonio’s new signing Kris Tyrpak scored a stunning goal in his debut for the club. He controlled the ball with his chest and then hit a looping volley that froze Strikers goalkeeper Lionel Brown, who could only watch the ball spin in under the bar. Fort Lauderdale’s lead melted to a single goal in the 79th minute when Stephen DeRoux scored in his 70th appearance for the club. Pinho completed his hat trick with his 15th of the season when a pass from Shawn Chin found him at the far post for an easy tap-in.
Ottawa Fury FC 2, FC Edmonton 0
Ottawa (11-4-1, 37; 13-9-4, 38 Combined) clinched a spot in The Championship as the club still chases the Fall Season title and the No. 1 seed by virtue of finishing atop the Combined Standings. After a blistering road trip where Fury FC took all nine points on offer, Sinsia Ubiparipovic provided the offensive touch to lead the way against the Eddies. The Bosnian midfielder was free at the back post in the 23rd minute and finished off Paulo Jr.’s low cross. In the second half, Ubipariovic added his second of the match when his initial shot was blocked, but he was able to corral the ball and fired his shot into the top corner. FC Edmonton (7-4-5, 25 Fall, 9-7-10, 34 Combined) is tied on points with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, but ceded control of its destiny after the loss. The Strikers lead in goal differential and have a game in hand over the Eddies.
New York Cosmos 1, Atlanta Silverbacks 1
The Silverbacks (6-5-5, 23 Fall; 7-10-9, 31 Combined) earned a hard-fought point on the road against the Cosmos. Michal Mravec scored his first goal for the Silverbacks when he nodded in Junior Burgos’ free kick in the 38th minute. New York (6-6-4, 24 Fall; 11-11-4, 44 Combined) would level the score with a little bit of fortune. After Atlanta defender Simon Mensing made a key block, the ensuing corner from Ayoze caromed off the Englishman and in for an own goal in the 70th minute, as the score would remain at 1-1 for the remainder of the match.
FULL TABLE
Minnesota United FC’s unbeaten streak hit double digits when the Loons defeated 10-man Tampa Bay, 1-0, at NSC Stadium in Blaine, Minn., on Saturday night. The goal by Christian Ramirez, his 11th of the year, puts the Loons only two points back of Fury FC in the Combined Standings.
In San Antonio, Texas, Fort Lauderdale rode three first-half goals and then held off the Scorpions to end a two-game losing streak. The victory, on the strength of a hat trick by the league’s leading goalscorer Stefano Pinho (15), puts the Strikers right back in the thick of the race for a berth in The Championship, the league’s four-team postseason tournament.
The Strikers are now level on points (34) with FC Edmonton and the Rowdies. The New York Cosmos, who face visiting Atlanta on Sunday evening, have already claimed a postseason berth by virtue of winning the Spring Season title. Both Ottawa and Minnesota seem headed to The Championship, with both capable of winning the Fall Season title and/or finishing first in the Combined Standings.
Ten-man Jacksonville, wearing attractive pink and dark blue jerseys in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, was on its way to its second consecutive victory until Brian Brown knotted the match and Indy Eleven grabbed a point in its second straight 1-1 draw of the week in Florida.
The New York Cosmos and Atlanta Silverbacks settled for a point on Sunday evening at Shuart Stadium. Michal Mravec gave the visitors the lead late in the first half, but a Simon Mensing own goal in the second stanza pulled the Cosmos level. While New York ramped up pressure in the final minutes, the home side couldn’t find a winner as the score finished at 1-1.
Jacksonville Armada FC 1, Indy Eleven 1
Jaime Castrillón scored his third goal of the Fall Season, in the 29th minute, to give Jacksonville (4W-3D-8L, 15 points Fall; 7-6-12, 27 Combined) a 1-0 lead before 6,734 at Community First Park in Jacksonville, Fla. It was an impressive buildup by the Armada FC, made all the more so because Castrillon was fouled and knocked to the ground during the play, but Jacksonville maintained possession and referee Juan Guzmán allowed play to continue. The ball found its way to Pascal Millien for a cross from the left to Castrillón, who had bounced back into the play. He skied to head it past Indy Eleven (3-5-8, 14 Fall; 6-9-11, 27 Combined) goalkeeper Keith Cardona. Jacksonville, which has lost only once at home (7-4-1) in its inaugural season, played a man down from the 63rd minute after Mechack Jérôme was shown a straight red card. Indy Eleven broke through when second-half substitute Brian Brown first-timed a looping pass from Wojciech Wojcik past Jacksonville goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo. The tie was the second this week for Indy after Wednesday’s match at Tampa Bay, also a 1-1 draw.
Minnesota United FC 1, Tampa Bay Rowdies 0
Playing a man up after Tampa Bay (4-3-9, 15 Fall; 9-7-10, 34 Combined) defender Ben Sweat was ejected, Minnesota (9-5-2, 32 Fall; 12-10-4, 46 Combined) took a 1-0 lead in the 44th minute in front of 8,932 at NSC Stadium in Blaine, Minn. Kevin Venegas’ cross from the right caused confusion in the Rowdies’ defense and the ball fell to Christian Ramirez. He tucked it into the net for his 11th goal of the year. The Loons extended their unbeaten streak to 10 games and are unbeaten in nine games against the Rowdies: five wins and four draws.
Fort Lauderdale Strikers 4, San Antonio Scorpions 2
Fort Lauderdale (6-5-4, 23 Fall; 9-7-9, 34 Combined) took a 1-0 lead in the 10th minute when Stefano Pinho opened the scoring before 7,832 at Toyota Field in San Antonio, Tex. The big striker from Brazil controlled the ball and split two San Antonio (3-5-7, 14 Fall; 6-8-11, 26 Combined) defenders before scoring his 13th goal of the year with a left-footed shot past goalkeeper Daniel Fernandes. The Strikers doubled the lead minutes later on a goal by Marlon Freitas. San Antonio squandered a chance to pull back a goal when Rafael Castillo sent a penalty kick wide of the goal in the 20th minute. It was Pinho scoring again, his 14th, in the 40th when he put a shot inside the near post. San Antonio’s new signing Kris Tyrpak scored a stunning goal in his debut for the club. He controlled the ball with his chest and then hit a looping volley that froze Strikers goalkeeper Lionel Brown, who could only watch the ball spin in under the bar. Fort Lauderdale’s lead melted to a single goal in the 79th minute when Stephen DeRoux scored in his 70th appearance for the club. Pinho completed his hat trick with his 15th of the season when a pass from Shawn Chin found him at the far post for an easy tap-in.
Ottawa Fury FC 2, FC Edmonton 0
Ottawa (11-4-1, 37; 13-9-4, 38 Combined) clinched a spot in The Championship as the club still chases the Fall Season title and the No. 1 seed by virtue of finishing atop the Combined Standings. After a blistering road trip where Fury FC took all nine points on offer, Sinsia Ubiparipovic provided the offensive touch to lead the way against the Eddies. The Bosnian midfielder was free at the back post in the 23rd minute and finished off Paulo Jr.’s low cross. In the second half, Ubipariovic added his second of the match when his initial shot was blocked, but he was able to corral the ball and fired his shot into the top corner. FC Edmonton (7-4-5, 25 Fall, 9-7-10, 34 Combined) is tied on points with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, but ceded control of its destiny after the loss. The Strikers lead in goal differential and have a game in hand over the Eddies.
New York Cosmos 1, Atlanta Silverbacks 1
The Silverbacks (6-5-5, 23 Fall; 7-10-9, 31 Combined) earned a hard-fought point on the road against the Cosmos. Michal Mravec scored his first goal for the Silverbacks when he nodded in Junior Burgos’ free kick in the 38th minute. New York (6-6-4, 24 Fall; 11-11-4, 44 Combined) would level the score with a little bit of fortune. After Atlanta defender Simon Mensing made a key block, the ensuing corner from Ayoze caromed off the Englishman and in for an own goal in the 70th minute, as the score would remain at 1-1 for the remainder of the match.
STANDINGS
| P | Team | Pld | Pts |
| 1 | Ottawa Fury FC | 16 | 37 |
| 2 | Minnesota United FC | 16 | 32 |
| 3 | FC Edmonton | 16 | 25 |
| 4 | New York Cosmos | 16 | 24 |
| 5 | Fort Lauderdale Strikers | 15 | 23 |
| 6 | Atlanta Silverbacks | 16 | 23 |
| 7 | Jacksonville Armada FC | 15 | 15 |
| 8 | Tampa Bay Rowdies | 16 | 15 |
| 9 | San Antonio Scorpions | 15 | 14 |
| 10 | Indy Eleven | 16 | 14 |
| 11 | Carolina RailHawks | 15 | 12 |
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário