Cosmos Fall 2-1 to AC Boise

July 25, 2026 Hinchliffe Stadium, Paterson, NJ

Cosmos lineup versus AC Boise. (photo courtesy of NY Cosmos)

In front of a home crowd of 2,126 spectators, the Cosmos looked for a good result against a tough AC Boise squad. Despite a solid defensive performance in the first half, two costly mistakes in the second half would doom the Cosmos to a 2-1 loss.

Will Noecker, Lamin Jawneh and Chevone Marsh returned from injury, while players like Darren Sidoel and Nestor Cabrera were unable to suit up for the Cosmos for the weekend fixture. The first half of the match proved uneventful as both sides provided solid defensive performances in the early going. The Cosmos most dangerous opportunities would come off of the foot of Frankie Ljucovic, who would test Boise keeper Jonathan Kliewar on two shots from outside the box. The Cosmos would play the long ball out of the back on many occasions, something that appeared to displease Coach Corti, and Boise would easily thwart those attempts. Despite having more of the ball, Boise would not pose much threat for Cosmos and the match would go to the half tied at zero.

To start the second half the Cosmos would introduce the recently signed Michael Chilaka at right-back in place of Will Noecker. Chilaka, normally a center-back would acquit himself well defensively, as he looked to get acclimated to the team after having arrived a few days earlier. On a transition moment in the 52nd minute, Cosmos defender Jordan Chavez would be beaten by Thomas Amang. Chavez would commit a foul in the area on Amang and a penalty kick would be awarded to Boise. In the 54th minute on the ensuing PK, Blake Bodily would do well to fool Stephani and convert the penalty kick with a left footed shot to the bottom left corner. In the 60th minute Jonathan Ricketts would earn a free kick for Boise. The Cosmos would concede a headed goal from Jake Croll seconds later, as Stephani would misjudge the cross and have to scramble back to goal. The poor reaction would help Croll head the ball into the center of the goal and give Boise an important 2-0 lead.

The Cosmos would push forward in search of a goal, but nothing would come out of it. In the 69th minute Tino Puentes would enter the match in place of Massimo Morabito, in hopes of providing a spark. Recent newcomer, Frankie Ljucovic would start to gain control of the midfield as the Cosmos would start to generate attacks. In the 82nd minute the Cosmos would bring on Justin Milovanov and Nick Zielonka in place of Mendonca and Jawneh. The Cosmos would look to press for a goal without much luck, as the Boise defense would stay strong. Five minutes stoppage time would be awarded, and the Cosmos would get the breaktrough moments before the final whistle. On a sequence started by Ljucovic, who would find Spengler at the top of the box, Spengler would combine with Guenzatti on a give and go, and the resulting through ball would find Guenzatti in the center of the box. Guenzatti would finish off the play to make it 2-1. The match would end with another loss for Cosmos.

Despite a solid first half defensive performance against one of the top teams in USL League One, the Cosmos two costly errors in the second half would bite them in the end. The teams inability to open the scoring in the match was also once again another factor in the match. Despite creating more chances in the second half and having more of the ball the two crucial mistakes defined the outcome of the match.

At this point it is evident that the club is positioning itself for next season by acquiring more experienced players and testing them during the remainder of the 2026 season. The Cosmos will next return to action on Wednesday August 5th on the road, playing a struggling Richmond Kickers squad that is just one point ahead of Cosmos in the standings. It is important that the Cosmos provide a good performance in that match, and that the newly acquired players acclimate to the squad as they look towards the future.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNI01es-sa8

NEW YORK COSMOS 1-2 ATHLETIC CLUB BOISE

NEW YORK COSMOS (4-2-3-1): Stephani; Holt, Chavez, Noecker (46' Chilaka), Morabito (69' Puentes); Ljucovic, Mendonca (82' Milovanov); Marsh, Spengler, Jawneh (82' Zielonka); Guenzatti. Subs: Materazzi, Galazzini, Garcia. Coach: Davide Corti.

ATHLETIC CLUB BOISE (3-5-2): Kliever; Crull, Dengler, Yaro; Moon, Gasso, Maysaka, Moshobane, Ricketts; Bodily, Amang. Subs: Barea, Kostyshyn, Adams, Yehya, Ndiaye, Andema, Oyler. Coach: Nate Miller.

Goals: 54′ Bodily (pen.) (BOI), 60′ Crull (BOI), 90’+5 Guenzatti (C).

Bookings: 23′ Marsh (C), 52′ Chavez (C), 74′ Gasso (BOI).

Match Stats:

Possession: Cosmos 46.6% – Athletic Club Boise 53.4%

Shots: Cosmos 12 – Athletic Club Boise 9

Shots on Target: Cosmos 5 – Athletic Club Boise 3

Corners: Cosmos 1 – Athletic Club Boise 3

Saves: Cosmos 1 – Athletic Club Boise 4

Fouls: Cosmos 15 – Athletic Club Boise 13

Yellow Cards: Cosmos 2 – Athletic Club Boise 1