The New York Cosmos poor first half play was too much to overcome against PDL side Reading United AC, who held on to beat the professional side 3-2.
The Cosmos have always been a solid Open Cup team. Coming into their cup opener, everything was in place for them to make another decent run. The New York side even opted to play a starter heavy lineup. Everything seemed to be going according to plan when MLS and NASL veteran Kalif Alhassan opened the scoring just 11 minutes into the match. However, just 25 minutes after the opening goal, everything collapsed.
Six Minutes of Mayhem
While the Cosmos led the game, and were the better side on paper, defensive miscues proved to be too costly for the club. Coincidentally, all of Reading’s goals came from defensive errors within a six-minute span, just before halftime.
In the 38th minute, poor marking left Reading United player, Paul Marie, all alone against Cosmos goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer. Marie slipped his shot past the veteran ‘keeper to tie up the match. Moments later, Cosmos captain and leader Carlos Mendes missed a clearance, and Marco Micaletto took advantage, scoring from close range. Finally, Kenyan defender David Ochieng was caught on an island against the Reading high-press causing him to turn it over. The turnover left Maurer alone again, this time against Frantzdy Pierrot, who got the best of Maurer as well.
The Cosmos would go into the half down 3-1. Both Mendes and Ochieng were subbed off before the second half, and the defense held Reading off the board. Midfield veteran Danny Szetela got the Cosmos back within one with a goal in the 63rd minute, but the deficit proved too much for the Boys in Green.
Moving forward.
The Cosmos now head to Saudi Arabia to face champions Al-Hilal in an exhibition match on Saturday. New York currently sit third in the Spring Season standings behind Miami FC and SF Deltas, who both won in their cup openers. The club will move forward as they set their focus on winning their fourth league title in five seasons. While a deep cup run eludes them for one more year, it seems the NASL’s future is less uncertain and will stay around at least in the short-term.
While this year’s edition is built differently compared to years past, new owner Rocco Commisso could feel more inclined to increase the roster budget with a more certain future for his team. At the same time, a regular off-season could be the simple answer to getting the Cosmos back on track. The club has been linked with rumors for big name players like Italian defender Andrea Barzagli and Chilean attacker Jorge Valdiva. It remains to be seen what Commisso’s goals are for the team in the ever uncertain lower divisions of American soccer.