NY Cosmos drop 2-1 decision to Santos Laguna

June 28, 2026 Hinchliffe Stadium, Paterson, NJ

Spengler and Sidoel. (photo courtesy of New York Cosmos)

Continuing their tradition of playing international opponents, the New York Cosmos faced Liga MX side Santos at Hinchliffe Stadium this Sunday, June 28 at 5:00 pm. The match marked the first time since 1973 that Cosmos would face a Mexican side. In a highly-competitive affair Santos Laguna managed a 2-1 victory over Cosmos as they continue their pre-season preparations.

The Cosmos started the match with mostly starters, with the exception of goalkeeper Tristan Stephani and newly signed Jamaican International Chevone Marsh. Santos Laguna also relied heavily on projected starters, led by Argentinian striker Lucas Di Yorio. After initially feeling each other out, Santos Laguna would open the scoring in the 8^th minute as newly acquired Paraguayan International Diego González would control a pass inside the box and get the ball past Stephani. The former Lazio player would get the Santos fans off their seats as they would celebrate the opening goal of the match. Santos would take the initiative in the match, with Cosmos defending intelligently. Cosmos striker Sebastian Guenzatti would have a good chance to level the match in the 34^th minute but his shot would go wide of the target. A minute later the Cosmos would bring in Davey Mason for Massimo Morabito, as it appeared Morabito had taken a knock. In the 40^th minute Spanish winger Fran Villalba would send a cross into the box which would be headed into the goal by Di Yorio to make it 2-0. In stoppage time, Lamine Jawneh would have a golden opportunity to score, finding himself in front of goal he would shoot straight into the arms of Hector Holguin, and the match would go into the break with the Mexican side up 2-0.

The Cosmos would start the second-half with only one change, Javier Garcia replacing Stephani in goal. The Cosmos would employ a high press in the second half, causing some difficulty for Santos. Marsh would have a good chance for Cosmos in the 57^th minute, shooting wide of the goal after a nice sequence. The Cosmos with only six players on the bench due to various injuries, would bring three players into the match in the 61^st minute. Puentes, Milovanov, and Chavez would come into the match in place of Sidoel, Mendonca and Noecker. The Cosmos would find themselves back in the match in the 64^th minute as Ajmeer Spengler would provide a ball over the top to Guenzatti who would put the ball in the back of the net and make it 2-1. Nick Zielonka would come into the match for Jawneh in the 69^th minute as Cosmos looked for the equalizer. In the 72^nd minute the dangerous Marsh would have a great opportunity to tie the match, with his shot going wide.  With the Cosmos employing a high-line as they looked for a goal, Chavez would turn the ball over, Garcia would do well to thwart the Santos attack which had three players in on goal. The match would end with Cosmos looking for a second goal that would not come. The match would end 2-1 for Santos, but with Cosmos showing they could compete with a top Mexican side.

Guenzatti celebrates the Cosmos goal. (photo courtesy of @505cinema)

Marsh battles Cosmos Laguna defender. (Image courtesy of Santos Laguna)

NEW YORK COSMOS (4-3-3): Stephani (46’ Garcia); Cabrera, Holt, Noecker (61’ Chavez), Morabito (35’ Mason); Mendonca (61’ Milovanov), Sidoel (61’ Puentes), Spengler, Jawneh (69’ Zielonka), Guenzatti, Marsh. Coach: Davide Corti.

Goals: 8′ Diego González (SAN), 40′ Lucas Di Yorio (SAN), 64’ Guenzatti (NYC).