Cosmos draw 1-1 Jacksonville Armada FC
The New York Cosmos draw 1-1 on the road against Jacksonville Armada FC in their second meeting of the season.
“We obtained a very important point on the road,” said Cosmos Head Coach and Sporting Director, Giovanni Savarese. “More than anhything, we are very proud of the work the team did tonight.”
The hosts enjoyed some early possession and a few approaches to the Cosmos net, but it was New York that opened the scoring. A 24th minute free kick gave the Cosmos the lead, as midfielder, Javi Márquez, curled his shot over the wall past Armada goalkeeper, Caleb Patterson-Sewell.
The goal set off a series of chances for New York. Cosmos midfielder, Walter Restrepo, tried to go one on one against the Armada defense, but was blocked by center backs, Drew Beckie and Mechak Jérôme. Midfielder, Danny Szetela, who wore the captain’s armband for the second straight game, tested the Armada keeper from outside the box, forcing Patterson-Sewell into a one-handed save towards the end of the first half.
Jacksonville was eager to equalize from the start of the next 45, as forward, Derek Gebhard, sent the ball against the side netting. The likes of defender, Devon Fisher, and forward, J.C. Banks, put pressure on the Cosmos defense. Goalkeeper, Jimmy Maurer, was called into action, punching out a long ball. New York narrowly avoided an equalizer when a dangerous free kick by Jérôme sailed above the crossbar.
Substitutions slowly began to pay dividends. Cosmos forward, Irvin Herrera, who came on for midfielder, Emmanuel Ledesma, sent a good attempt from outside the box towards the bottom left corner, but was denied by Patterson-Sewell. The Armada answered with a ball from midfielder, Zach Steinberger, that was knocked away by Maurer.
The hosts turned possession into chances, as a late header by Beckie bounced high off the pitch, sending Maurer into a one-handed save. Armada forward, Jonathan Glenn, missed an excellent chance in front of the net. Defender, Michael O’Sullivan, also saw his header denied by Maurer.
Stoppage time turned things around for Jacksonville. A perfect cross from forward, Jemal Johnson, gave Steinberger the one-touch finish to draw the game and maintain his team’s unbeaten record. New York tally nine points after the draw and are fourth in the NASL standings, two points below Miami FC.
The Cosmos will return to MCU Park on Saturday, May 13 at 7:00 pm, as they host Puerto Rico FC. Tickets are on sale now, for more information click here.
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