Cosmos fall 4-0 to AV Alta

May 23, 2026 (Lancaster, California)

Cosmos battle AV Alta FC. (image courtesy of NY Cosmos)

The Cosmos returned to league action on Saturday night as they faced AV Alta FC at Lancaster Municipal Stadium in Lancaster, California. The Cosmos were looking to continue the good vibes after their come-from-behind victory over Westchester SC the previous week. However, the Cosmos put forth a disappointing performance, which resulted in a 4-0 loss to the California side.

The Cosmos made three lineup Changes from the previous match. Nestor Cabrera made his debut as a starter replacing an injured Davey Mason at left-back, with Jordan Chavez returning to the lineup Will Noecker moved to right-back in place of Massimo Morabito, while Lamin Jawneh made his club debut in place of Nick Zielonka. The Cosmos hoped to avoid a let-down after making the 800-mile trek across the country facing an in-form AV Alta side.

Things got off to bad start for Cosmos, in the 8^th minute Cosmos keeper Javier Garcia had a goal kick from outside his box which he struck directly to Godwin Antwi. The Ghanaian attacker did not think twice and shot the ball from distance into goal, with Garcia scrambling back to get into position. The costly early mistake seemed to dictate how the match would go for the next few minutes. AV Alta continued to possess the ball despite not creating much danger. Soon after, the Cosmos wingers Koffi and Jawneh would have some dangerous opportunities, but the AV Alta defenders would do well to thwart the danger. Ajmeer Spengler had a chance to level the match in the 40^th minute but did not take advantage of a turnover by AV Alta in their penalty area, sailing a shot wide. AV Alta would double the lead in the 43^rd minute as Adam Aoumaich would beat Jordan Chavez, get inside the box and fire a shot past Garcia; Cosmos would claim offsides, but the goal would stand. In a first half where Cosmos created various attacking sequences, but were unable to get a breakthrough, it would be AV Alta which would capitalize on their two chances and convert.

Godwin Antwi celebrates the first goal of the match. (photo courtesy of AV Alta FC)

The Cosmos would start the second half with one change, bringing on defender Massimo Morabito for Will Noecker.  In the 55^th minute Aoumaich would strike again; this time he would dribble past a few Cosmos defenders into the box and shoot past Garcia for a 3 – 0 lead. AV Alta would strike one last time in the 71^st minute, Santa Ana, California native Santiago Higerada would score his first professional goal. The local kid would take the ball in space and blast a shot from outside the area to make it 4-0 for the home side. With the match decided, the Cosmos would bring in three players in the 72^nd minute. Zielonka, Galazinni, and Bohui would enter for Guenzatti, Milovanov and Jawneh. Leo Guarino would also enter in the 75^th minute for Spengler. The team would push numbers forward looking for a goal that would not come. The match would end with another difficult road loss for Cosmos.

Adam Aoumaich celebrates one of his two goals of the match. (photo courtesy of AV Alta FC)

Cosmos will now need to regroup and bounce back as they play a difficult Union Omaha side on Wednesday. Anderson Holt’s former club is one of the top teams in the league and Cosmos will need a better effort if they want to take points from the match. It is evident that the absence of Darren Sidoel is affecting the Cosmos, improved midfield play will be a key if the team is to change its fortunes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4yKrTD5KmU

AV ALTA FC (4-2-3-1): Smith (75’ Doumbia); Ceja, Pehlivanov, Alfredo Ortiz (46’ Relford), Christian Ortiz; Villalobos, Lay; Aoumaich (77’ Jahng), Ibarra (66’ Anderson), Antwi (66’ Higerada); Bahena Jr. Subs: Desdunes, Pajaro. Coach: Brian Kleiban.

NEW YORK COSMOS (4-3-3): Garcia; Holt, Chavez, Cabrera, Noecker (46’ Morabito); Spengler (75’ Guarino), Milovanov (71’ Galazzini), Mendonca; Koffi, Guenzatti (71’ Zielonka), Jawneh (71’ Bohui). Subs: Puentes, Chan. Coach: Davide Corti.

Goals: 8′ Antwi (AVA), 43′ Aoumaich (AVA), 55′ Aoumaich (AVA), 71′ Higerada (AVA).

Bookings: 57′ Guenzatti (C), 60′ Aoumaich (AVA), 79′ Christian Ortiz (AVA), 83′ Mendonca (C), 88′ Bohui (C).

Match Stats:Possession: Cosmos 38.6% – AV Alta 61.4%

Shots:  Cosmos 15 – AV Alta 8

Shots on Target:  Cosmos 1 – AV Alta 4

Corners:  Cosmos 7 – AV Alta 1

Saves:  Cosmos 0 – AV Alta 1

Yellow Cards:  Cosmos 3 – AV Alta 2