(NPSL Members Cup 2019) New York Cosmos B 2v0 Michigan Stars





Saturday 14th September 2019
Mitchel Athletic Complex, New York   Attendance - 

Cosmos came close to a breakthrough within seconds of kick off as a great delivery by Agolli found Acuna whose header needed a save from the Michigan keeper to prevent an early goal. Agolli was looking dangerous early down the Cosmos left and the Michigan goal came under threat mid-way through the half with long range efforts from Burgos, Szetela and Acuna. It was no surprise where the breakthrough came from as Agolli curled the ball into the box and Acuna timed his run to perfection to diver the ball into the net.
The same 2 combined soon after with another fine Agolli ball finding Acuna, this time the striker got his finish all wrong to let Michigan off the hook.
Cosmos continued to press forward and Burgos did well to twist and turn his marker to create some space before testing the Michigan keeper who made the save. A swift attack saw Agolli burst through soon after, but again the Michigan keeper did well to prevent a second.
The Michigan keeper had been largely responsible for keeping his side in the game thusfar, but early in the 2nd half he almost cost his team a goal. He completely missed an attempt to punch a looping ball into the box, but after the ensuing scramble in the box he recovered in time to save an effort by Acuna. 
But the visitors were more ambitious in the 2nd half and had Cosmos reeling after a short spell of pressure. Michigan came desperately close to snatching an unlikely equaliser after Cosmos failed to deal with a cross from the right and the ball fell to a Michigan player in front of ball who failed to connect cleanly as the ball came off the Cosmos bar.
Michigan made it an uncomfortable 2nd half for New York as the Cosmos regretted their inability to have made the most of their 1st half domination.
It was with relief that Cosmos finally made the game safe late in the game. Agolli sent over a deep cross and somehow Acuna was left all alone in the box and he expertly took the ball down and fired it into the net.
The win sets up a top of the table shoot-out with Detroit FC next week, with Detroit boasting a 100% record going into the game.



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