Cosmos Earn Dramatic 3-2 Victory Over Westchester SC
- Emilio Lopez
- May 16
- 3 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
May 15, 2026, The Stadium at Memorial Field, Mt. Vernon, NY
Two clubs looking to improve their fortunes this season met in Mt. Vernon, NY for the first time in a derby match titled the “Battle of New York”. Tensions were high between the Supporters groups as the crowd of 3,257 spectators provided a lively atmosphere.
The Cosmos looking to get back in the thick of things in the USL Cup came into the match with only 17 available players, as injuries and suspensions limited Davide Corti’s options. Newly acquired goalkeeper Javier Garcia Jr. would make his debut in goal for Cosmos, as the Cosmos returned to a familiar 4-3-3 formation. Will Noecker paired with Anderson Holt at center-back as the club was unable to count on Jordan Chavez who picked up an injury during the week. Nick Zielonka also returned to the lineup after weeks coming off the bench.
The match would start as a back-and-forth affair between both sides, although, in the early-going Westchester would have more of the ball. The Cosmos would have their first good chance of the match in the 12th minute on a shot from outside the area, but Westchester keeper Marinelli would do well to record a save. Westchester would look for the opening goal and take control of the ball for the next few minutes, however Cosmos was able to control the Westchester advances. When it looked like the sides would go into the half scoreless, in the 42nd minute Nick Zielonka would do well to find the playmaker Ajmeer Spengler in space, Spengler would dribble up the field and find Sebastian Guenzatti with a through ball, the Uruguayan sniper would fire his shot into the bottom left corner from just inside the box. Although at moments it looked like Westchester had controlled the match it would be the Cosmos which would take the 1-0 lead into the break.
Looking for a spark, Westchester would introduce Ermin Mackic into the match in place of Aleksie Armas. Inserting an attacker for a defensive midfielder would give a clear insight on coach George Gjokaj’s intentions. Westchester would equalize in the 47th minute, as Daniel Burko would provide a headed pass to Koen Blommestijn who would finish with a header from close range. For the next several minutes Cosmos would take the initiative in the match as they looked for a go- ahead goal. In the 65th minute Cosmos would bring in Tino Puentes for Davey Mason. However, in the 69th minute Westchester would take a 2-1 lead. Mackic would play a ball wide to Jonathan Jimenez, Jimenez would return the pass and Mackic would fire the ball from outside the box into the top right corner. Cosmos would insert attacker Patrick Bohui into the match in place of Zielonka in the 74th minute as the Cosmos would look to equalize. The substitute would pay off as in the 80th Minute Bohui would find Guenzatti in the center of the field, who would play Nick Mendonca into space with a headed pass, and the Miami native would pick out the bottom left corner of the net for the equalizer to the disappointment of the Westchester faithful. With the match looking like it would go into penalty kicks, Ajmeer Spengler would play Christian Koffi with looping ball over the top. Koffi would get behind the Westchester defense and slot the ball past Luca Marinelli for his first goal of the season, much to the excitement of the large contingent of Cosmos traveling supporters. The match would end 3-2 and the Cosmos would celebrate with their fans.
After the match coach Corti spoke of the teams resolve in getting this victory, despite all of the adversities the club faced. He also mentioned the team is more suited to play the 4-3-3 formation and that should be the expected formation. With the signing of Lamin Jawneh and other possible moves the team’s depth should improve and be able to fit into Corti’s preferred playing style.
WESTCHESTER SC (4-1-4-1): Marinelli; Pierre, Bouman, Powder, Jennings (71’ S. Powder); Armas (46’ Mackic); Guezen (59” Jimenez), McGlynn, Evans, Burko; Blommestijn (59’ Diaz).Subs: Dickerson, Timchenko, Santucci. Coach: George Gjokaj.
NEW YORK COSMOS (4-3-3): Garcia; Mason (65’ Puentes), Holt, Noecker, Morabito; Spengler, Mendonca, Milovanov; Koffi, Guenzatti, Zielonka (74’ Bohui). Subs: Guarino, Manzano, Backus, Stephani. Coach: Davide Corti.
Goals: 43′ Guenzatti (C), 47′ Blommestijn (WCH), 69′ Mackic (WCH), 81′ Mendonca (C), 90’+4 Koffi (C).
Bookings: 35′ Mendonca (C), 36′ Armas (WCH), 85′ Bohui (C), 85′ Jimenez (WCH), 89′ Bouman (WCH).
Match Stats:
Possession: Cosmos 50.1% – Westchester 49.9%
Shots: Cosmos 9 – Westchester 11
Shots on Target: Cosmos 6 – Westchester 4
Corners: Cosmos 3 – Westchester 5
Saves: Cosmos 2 – Westchester 3
Yellow Cards: Cosmos 2 – Westchester 3
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