We have drawn the winner of the Jersey Express and NYRB II. I am rooting for the Jersey Express because I don't think true II/B teams should be allowed in the US Open Cup. I believe it would be better to see more PDL/NPSL from distinct areas in there... clubs like the New Orleans Jesters, Rhode Island Reds, FC Buffalo, San Francisco Stompers, Cincinnati Saints, Lehigh Valley United and Baltimore Bohemians bring more to the table and it offers those clubs the opportunity to grow and perhaps attract investors. But enough on that, let's focus on the Cosmos. I think if we match up against Jersey as I hope, we can let our depth players have a great run out. I could see a lineup like this: Holt Mulligan - Gorskie - Caceras - Diosa Moffat - Szetela Guenzatti ———————— Chirishian Flores Mads Bench: Broome, Wright, Raul, Senna, Restrepo, Mendes, Ayoze If the game goes well, then Wright gets a nice run out for a half hour. If it doesn't then Raul, Senna and one of the others comes in to try to rescue us. If we are playing NYRB II, we probably need to mix in a few more starters: Maurer Gorskie - Mendes - Caceras - Ayoze Moffat - Szetela Restrepo ———————— Guenzatti Flores Lucky Bench: Holt, Wright, Raul, Senna, Fernandes, Freeman, Roversio Same idea there, if we are winning at 60 minutes by 2 or more goals, then Wright gets a 30 minute run out. If we need rescuing, Raul and Senna come in. Should be fun either way. We can't take this match for granted. I am hoping that we not only win it, but then are drawn against NYC FC in Yankee Stadium. I would love to go into their house and beat them.
NYCFC if we advance. We can not take Jersey Express for granted. The chance to trounce NYCFC is priceless. That will be the most important match of the year.
I like the first lineup you got for tomorrow's game, all those guys could use a run. Some might think it's a bit cocky to got out there with all subs (except for Szetela).The Cosmos went and signed a bunch of players this off season to gain depth. These guys are tested and experienced, we even have the luxury of having the Capitan of a national team starting tomorrow(possibly), guys like Guenzatti, Caceres, Moffat, Flores and Mads could start for any NASL team. On the other side of the coin I would love to see Hadji get a run tomorrow and show what he's got. If the game is anything like last year's against the BK Italians the atmosphere will be awesome.
For me, after tomorrow assuming we win, our ideal path thorough the Open Cup would take through first through NYCFC, then NYRB to prove we are the best team on the field in the NY metro area. Following that revenge on Philly for last year. Finally I would like us to beat the Galaxy in the final... Cosmos over Galaxy.
Cosmos vs Galaxy such a clash could destroy the fabric of space time! Would be nice to see a Sounders v Cosmos though First things first right...hope we beat Jersey Express.
It was nice to see Haji out there and he looked good. The boys did what needed doing tonight and now we get our match against NYCFC. Let's prove we are the best team in New York.
Terrible night for NASL teams. Carolina, Jacksonville, Tampa Bay, Fort Lauderdale all fall to USL teams. Embarrassing for the league. Minnesota drawing and San Antonio behind as I write this. Awful.
Yes sir! Nice to see him come on, he was aggressive from the get go. Unrelenting, after the penalty he almost scored on a long run. He got one ball in the middle of the field more or less, took on two guys and the third defender took the ball in a last ditch effort, if not for that Haji would have scored. The game was pretty much dominated by the Cosmos. I was surprised to see Senna out there even thought Maurer would get a rest. The crowd was small but loud. I think last year there was a bigger crowd, probably because we played a local team in BK Italians. Fun game though and it was nice to see Guenzati and Mads score. I wonder how NYCFC will approach the game against the Cosmos, Will they act like the RB last year and say it doesn't matter or will they be up front about wanting to win the game? Eigther way we know what the Cosmos are going to do! it should be fun. I wouldn't miss that game for anything.
Minnesota out, Atlanta survives (I was rooting for Chatanooga), and Indy about to lose as they give up 2 goals in extra time.
Please go far in the U.S. Open Cup and get some respect back to the NASL after the disaster that was the rest of the league in the U.S. Open Cup.
Big game today boys!!! I'll be going with a big group of people, and have talked to few others about going to the game. There's more intrest than usual from people that aren't die hards. Even so I'm not too sure what type of crowd we'll get, it's a week day and we don't usually do well in those. Then again We'll probably have a good amount of visiting fans. Eigther way it'll be a good game, if anything I've learned to trust that Gio will get the guys ready to go for the win, not half assing it like other coaches. One concern I have is Roversio and Senna yet again not 100% before a Open Cup game. If thosed two are out we got an uphill battle, I didn't like the defense one bit against Jacksonville. Hope Geo finds a better way to plug the holes. Let's Go COSMOS!!!!!
Just got home. One of the best sporting events I've ever been to, electric atmosphere in a packed stadium. Big time drama in a derby where pride was on the line. There's an edge to Cosmos vs NYCFC that's about them trying to co-opt our legacy and our rightful place in New York metro area soccer. If you are a Cosmos fan who wanted the team in MLS, there's a sense these guys stole our place. There's a need to prove we are better and that we are the real NY team and not some plastic brand extension like NYC FC and Red Bull. This was the type of match where you bite your nails and nervously watching the clock, waiting for that miracle to come before time runs out. The type of match where you start hugging your seat neighbors when Lucky scores that goal or Maurer comes up with that PK save. Unbelievable gutsy performance. Kudos to NYC FC and their fans for a great game and atmosphere. Bring on Red Bulls.