(NPSL Members Cup 2019) New York Cosmos B 1v0 Napa Valley 1839

Saturday 7th August 2019
Mitchel Athletic Complex, New York   Attendance - 

Napa Valley proved unexpectedly tricky opposition as Cosmos endured a frustrating evening, eventually recording a 1v0 win against their West Coast opponents.
A second half goal was enough to get the win, although Cosmos had to navigate most of the second half with just 10 men after Sembroni was sent off.
Napa Valley came to New York not having scored a goal and conceded an average of 4 goals a game in their Members Cup campaign, so a straightforward win was expected.
From the outset Napa Valley ensured they had virtually everyone camped out deep in their own half, meaning New York would have plenty of the ball but found space at a premium inside the Napa Valley half.
Despite this New York carved out a series of half chances, from a far post header, a Kevin Venegas drive from just outside the box and a Junior Burgos effort, all of which went off target.
 The best chance as created by Acuna, who robbed the ball off Napa in their own half and a neat turn allowed him a shot at goal which was smartly turned round the post by the keeper. 
Just before the half hour mark a well worked free-kick led to a chance for Sembroni whose shot was blocked and the Cosmos defender failed to connect well with the resulting corner as Napa Valley continued to defend their goal.
Cosmos keeper Jesse Corke was having a rare outing and was a virtual spectator right up until late in the first half when a speculative long range effort almost found the top corner, fortunately Corke was alert and tipped the ball over.
The mass ranks of the Napa Valley defence managed to see out the remainder of the half to ensure a surprising 0v0 half time scoreline, with Burgos going close in stoppage time after a neat cut back by Espinal.
Cosmos raised the tempo in the 2nd half and Junior Burgos had an opportunity early on but fired too close to the keeper and the keeper saved. At the other end Napa Valley created their first real opportunity on goal and it was a good one, but Napa Valley blazed well over to the relief of the home side.
Just before the hour mark Cosmos finally made the breakthrough. Espinal laid the ball off to Agolli who delivered a cross which looped over the Napa keeper and Acuna was on hand to nod the ball into the unguarded net. But Cosmos barely had time to celebrate before they were reduced to 10 men after Sembroni was shown a red card after an altercation with a Napa Valley player in the away teams half.
The away side sensed an opportunity to get an unlikely draw, but the game plan involved little more than launching hopeful long balls at the Cosmos defence, which only once threatened.
Cosmos still looked more likely to score and an effort from Espinal needed a smart save from the keeper and Diosa rattled the bar late on, but with time running out Cosmos were happy to run the clock out, something that did not seem likely coming into this fixture.