(NPSL 2015 National Final) Chattanooga FC 2v3 New York Cosmos B (aet)

Saturday 8th August 2015
Finley Stadium, Chattanooga   Attendance - 18,227

Cosmos B lifted the NPSL Championship after a hard fought victory over Tennessee's Chattanooga FC  after extra time. Although the Cosmos were due to have home advantage for the clash the game was switched to Chattanooga's ground where a NPSL record 18,000+ crowd was in attendance.

Cosmos dominated possession in the early stages with some slick passing, but unlike many of the opponents the Cosmos have come up against Chattanooga held firm, dropping deep and putting plenty of players behind the ball to prevent any gaps for the Cosmos to exploit.

But after initially being pinned in their own half the home side started to look dangerous and their pacy forwards almost went clean through on 12mins, only for a last ditch tackle to prevent a chance on goal. A minute later and Chattanooga threatened again, capitalising on hesitation between Zobeck and the Cosmos defence, but the ball was scrambled away for a corner.

For all the pretty passing from the Cosmos, it was Chattanooga's direct style that was proving to be more productive and more sloppy play from the Cosmos led to another shot from the home side, which went wide.

Zobeck had to stretch to make another save after the half hour, although Cosmos did finally manage to get an effort on goal soon after.

But as the half moved into the latter stages the Cosmos improved and broke the deadlock just before half time. Chirishian's free kick was saved by the Chattanooga keeper, but after a scramble Diaby converted the rebound to give Cosmos the lead.

Chattanooga almost responded straight away, only for Chattanooga's Chris Ochieng to be denied by an offside flag.

The Cosmos carried on their good play in the 2nd half, but again there was a lack of clear cut chances. Chattanooga came close to equalising when Samuel Goni intercepted a sloppy pass and raced through, only to see his shot come off the far post.

Chattanooga saw another golden chance go begging as Chris Ochieng saw an effort go wide of the post. Cosmos did manage to create a chance with a third of the game remaining as a dangerously whipped cross from Jenison was met by a diving header, but the effort went off target. A minute later and the home side were level after Cosmos were caught out by a quickly taken free kick.

The Cosmos defence were still arguing with the ref when the home side played the ball. With the Cosmos defence all over the place the ball fell to Ochieng, who slotted the ball past Zobeck for the equaliser to send the home crowd wild.

There would be no more clear chances of a winner in normal time, despite a late effort from the Cosmos.

But just seconds into extra time Cosmos regained the lead through a fantastic Diaby strike. The player unleashed a vicious curling effort from the edge of the box that left the Chattanooga keeper rooted to the spot, producing a fine goal to grace any game.

Again Chattanooga looked for a quick response and a first time effort went narrowly over Zobeck's bar in the next attack. But just before the end of the first half of extra time Cosmos edged closer to the Championship after scoring a third. A fantastic through ball put Etuk through clear of the Chattanooga defence. After drawing the keeper, Etuk unselfishly squared it for Stahler who slotted the ball into the net, to give Cosmos a 3v1 lead.

But Chattanooga were not finished and almost pulled a goal back early in the 2nd half following a free kick. The ball was floated into the box and a Chattanooga player beat Zobeck to the ball, only to see the effort bounce off the post and the ball was cleared to safety.

With the game slipping away from the home side Chattanooga launched a series of attacks and Zobeck came out of his box to try and prevent an attack by the home side, and although Chattanooga's Michael Brooks got a shot off, the attack was delayed sufficiently for a Cosmos defender to clear the ball away.

Chattanooga gave themselves a lifeline after pulling a goal back after Zobeck somehow allowed a Samuel Gomi effort to go past him with 5mins of extra time remaining.

But Zobeck made amends right at the death when Goni went clear, only for the keeper to pull off a good save to deny the home side a dramatic equaliser, ensuring it was Cosmos B who lifted the Championship in their debut season.