Cosmos Defeat FC Naples 1-0

July 8, 2026 Hinchliffe Stadium, Paterson, NJ

Chevone Marsh scores winning goal on his debut with Cosmos. (photo courtesy of Cosmos)

The Cosmos, looking to snap a seven match losing streak in league play, faced an FC Naples squad which was also looking to snap a five match losing streak. In a match played in front of a lively 1,501 spectators, the Cosmos would get a debut goal by new signing Chevone Marsh to record an important 1-0 victory.

The Cosmos began the match with two changes with regards to the previous match, Davey Mason returned to his familiar left back role in place of Nestor Cabrera, while recently signed Jamaican International Chevone Marsh began the match at right wing in place of Nick Zielonka. The match began as a back and forth affair with FC Naples controlling much of the possession, but with Cosmos creating the more clear cut chances. Lamine Jawneh began the match consistently getting by Julian Cisneros but unable to finalize his chances. In the 37th minute, Nick Mendonca had a clear opportunity to open the scoring for Cosmos after a nice sequence by Mason who delivered a pass to Mendonca in the box. Mendonca would miss the target and the match would remain scoreless. In the 40th minute the Cosmos would be forced to make an injury substitution, with Will Noecker appearing to suffer a hamstring injury, Massimo Morabito would enter the match at right back. Ajmeer Spengler would also provide some magic just before the break, after nutmegging a defender he would get by various Naples defenders and get into the box, unable to finish the quality sequence, the match would go into the break scoreless.

FC Naples would begin the second half showing initiative. In the 47th minute Julian Cisneros would hit the left post with a powerful right footed shot from the left side of the box. The Cosmos would respond in the 56th minute, Spengler would deliver a long through ball and find Chevone Marsh. The Jamaican would unleash a left footed shot from the left side of the box to the bottom right corner. Marsh would celebrate the goal by running to the bench area to hug coach Davide Corti. FC Naples would react to the goal by bringing in Marc Torellas and Taylor Gray in hopes of sparking the attack. Despite FC Naples controlling the majority of possession, the Cosmos defense would limit the visitors to just three shots on target. Marsh, not having played a league match since October 18, 2025 with Greenville Triumph, was replaced in the 75th minute by Nestor Cabrera. Davey Mason would also leave the match and be replaced by Nick Zielonka. The Cosmos would do well to thwart any danger by FC Naples, while trying to maintain some possession. With a victory looking like a strong possibility, the Cosmos would bring in Justin Milovanov and Tino Puentes in the 86th minute for Spengler and Jawneh. Javier Garcia would do well to command the back line and help the Cosmos secure a much needed victory. The Cosmos players would celebrate the victory with the excited supporters group that provided the energy throughout the match.

Javier Garcia records his first clean-sheet with Cosmos in a 1-0 victory over FC Naples. (photo courtesy of NY Cosmos)

After the match an emotional Chevone Marsh spoke of his appreciation of the Cosmos for sticking with him and eventually securing his signature. Marsh had been training with Cosmos since May, but a visa hold-up delayed his ability to sign with the club earlier. Marsh, who has been one of the better attackers in USL League One over the last several years, showed that he will be an instant impact player for Cosmos. The club was lacking a productive winger throughout the season, and with his ability to make plays and finalize them, Marsh can be an important player as the team looks to move up the standings.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rd60ADp8i7w

NEW YORK COSMOS (4-1-4-1): Garcia; Holt, Chavez, Noecker (40' Morabito), Mason (75' Zielonka); Sidoel; Marsh (75' Cabrera), Mendonca, Spengler (86' Milovanov), Jawneh (86' Puentes) ; Guenzatti. Subs: Galazzini, Materazzi, Stephani. Coach: Davide Corti.

FC NAPLES (4-4-2): Delgado; Cisneros, Yoder, Mastrantonio, Yearwood; Miglietti, O’Connor, Mesias, Garcia; Ferrín, Arevalo. Subs: Gray, Torrellas, Osorio, Rose, Ciss, Grant, Cerro. Coach: Matt Poland.

Goals: 56′ Marsh (C).

Bookings: 10′ Yearwood (NAP), 69′ Guenzatti (C), 82′ Osorio (NAP), 90’+3 Chavez (C).

Match Stats:

Possession: Cosmos 38% – FC Naples 62%

Shots: Cosmos 14 – FC Naples 13

Shots on Target: Cosmos 6 – FC Naples 3

Saves: Cosmos 3 – FC Naples 5

Fouls: Cosmos 19 – FC Naples 12

Accurate Passes: Cosmos 224 – FC Naples 414

Pass Accuracy: Cosmos 76% – FC Naples 86%

Tackles: Cosmos 11 – FC Naples 10

Clearances: Cosmos 29 – FC Naples 15

Blocked Shots: Cosmos 2 – FC Naples 4