Cosmos come back to Draw with Forward Madison

Images courtesy of @eimemories081988

(Hinchliffe Stadium, Paterson, NJ)

The Cosmos returned to league action Sunday afternoon on a rainy day in Paterson in front of 931 spectators. The team was looking for another home victory after a two-week break.

The Cosmos started the match with three changes to the previous lineup. Tristan Stephani replaced Derrek Chan in goal, as Chan picked up a knee injury in training, while Davey Mason and Darren Sidoel, who picked up injuries during the last match, were replaced by Tino Puentes and Justin Milovanov. Both squads started the match in a 5-3-2 formation.  The match started with both teams getting a feel for each other, with the Cosmos getting the first big chance in the 11^th minute when Davide Galazzini found space on the right and fired a shot just wide. Forward Madison had a dangerous chance in the 15^th minute, but Tristan Stephani did well to parry the shot wide. After a few good chances by both sides, the breakthrough came in the 22^nd for Forward Madison as South African defender Geni Kanyane delivered a curling free kick which resulted in an Olimpico goal. Looking at the replay it looked like the Cosmos keeper could have done more on the play. Things would appear to change in the 32^nd minute when Ajmeer Spengler found Davide Galazzini in space, who was taken down by Kanyane as he was in on goal. The foul would result in a red card for the Forward Madison defender. The Cosmos joy would not last long, minutes later Ryan Carmichael would double the lead for the Wisconsin side, taking advantage of a careless pass by Stephani from outside the box, the Northern Irish native would intercept the pass and deliver a long-range strike into the back of the net, stunning the Cosmos faithful. The Cosmos had a good chance to cut the lead in the 36^th minute after a nice combination play which resulted in a Spengler shot being deflected wide. The Cosmos would go into the half down 0-2, but with a man advantage.

Things quickly changed in the second half, as the Cosmos started to apply pressure and dictate play. A ball over the top by Anderson Holt would find Ajmeer Spengler in the box, the midfielder would provide a subtle touch on the ball to get it past JT Harms for his fifth goal on the campaign, and cut Madison’s lead to one in the 49^th minute. A minute later, Sebastian Guenzatti would apply pressure on Harms, forcing him into a mistake, and intercept the pass and slot the ball into the back of the net in the 50^th minute to level the score at 2. The goal would be Guenzatti’s second of the campaign.

In the 58^th minute the Cosmos had a great chance to take the lead, Christian Koffi would find Jordan Chavez in the box, Harms would do well to save his header attempt. The Cosmos would continue to dictate play, but could not find another goal. In the 75^th minute the Cosmos would be forced to make their first sub as Tino Puentes would be injured on a challenge by Claudel N'goubou, resulting in a yellow card for the Ivorian attacker. Nestor Cabrera would enter the match for Puentes at an unfamiliar left back spot. The Cosmos would continue to dominate possession with Cabrera being involved in the build-up play.

The Cosmos would make one last substitution in the 81^st minute in hopes of a late winner, bringing in Julien Lacher for Galazinni. Lacher would have a good chance in the 89^th minute, but would be denied by Forward Madison.  After three minutes of injury time the match would end in a 2-2 draw.

Despite the second half comeback, the Cosmos would end the match thinking they could have taken all three points after quickly equalizing the match in the 50^th minute. Head Coach Davide Corti spoke of the first half errors that led to both goals, and the need for the team to not repeat those mistakes. He also indicated that Davey Mason is expected to return to practice during the week while Darren Sidoel is expected to take longer. The Cosmos will now focus on a USL Cup tilt on Saturday at 2pm at Hinchliffe against local rival Brooklyn FC.

New York Cosmos (5-3-2): Stephani; Puentes (76′ Cabrera), Holt, Chavez, Noecker, Galazzini (81′ Lacher); Mendonca, Milovanov, Spengler; Koffi, Guenzatti.

Subs: Morabito, Zielonka, Manzano, Materazzi, Backus, Guarino, Del Valle. Coach: Corti.

Forward Madison (5-3-2): Hams; Kenyane, McCamy, Carmichael, Humphry, Edwards; Castro (68′ Machasen), Torres, Gebhard (81′ Bolma) ; Carmichael (68′ N’goubou), Gyamfi (46′ Munjoma).

Subs: Toure, Manske, Romanshyn Jr. Coach: Matt Glaeser.

Goals: 22′ Kanyane (FM), 34′ Carmichael (FM), 49′ Spengler (C), 50′ Guenzatti (C).