NYCosmos Match @NYCosmos_Match #NYCosmos starters vs. @AlshababClubUAE - Maurer; Freeman, Ockford, Roversio, Nealis; Senna, Szetela; Guenzatti, Dimitrov, Diaz; Stokkelien
NYCosmos Match @NYCosmos_Match 53m 11' - Szetela nearly connects from 25 yards out with a strike that bangs off the crossbar. First great scoring opportunity of the match. NYCosmos Match @NYCosmos_Match 54m Diaz and Guenzatti showing off their dribbling skills early in the midfield; Senna finding his teammates on the wings with good looks. NYCosmos Match @NYCosmos_Match 57m In the sixth minute, a shot squibs through the Cosmos defense and is cleared off the line by Maurer and Nealis. NYCosmos Match @NYCosmos_Match 59m Early on, @AlshababClubUAE showing a lot of respect to #NYCosmos defenders, giving them a lot of space to play with. NYCosmos Match @NYCosmos_Match 1h One minute in and the #NYCosmos draw @AlshababClubUAE offsides. NYCosmos Match @NYCosmos_Match 1h The whistle has blown and the #NYCosmos have officially kicked off their 2014 preseason.
NYCosmos Match @NYCosmos_Match 31m Freeman laces the corner into the box and finds Stokkelien's head off a deflection. Nearly in the back of the net, but defense clears it out NYCosmos Match @NYCosmos_Match 31m 33' - Senna finds Nealis blazing down the left wing and forces the right back to knock it out of bounds. Corner for #NYCosmos NYCosmos Match @NYCosmos_Match 35m Diaz pulls up short with some cramping in the 29th minute. Hagop Chirishian enters the game for him in his 1st appearance of the preseason. NYCosmos Match @NYCosmos_Match 37m Senna lines up a free kick from about 25 yards out in the 27th minute, but drills one into the wall. NYCosmos Match @NYCosmos_Match 42m Maurer makes his second save of the match during the 22nd minute. Looking poised so far. NYCosmos Match @NYCosmos_Match 47m 16' - Stokkelien w/a great touch to Szetela, who finds Dimitrov w/a sliding touch. Dimi nearly pots one but keeper stops it at top of box. NYCosmos Match @NYCosmos_Match 50m 13' - 1st corner of match goes to @AlshababClubUAE & Freeman clears it into space. Outer space. A 2nd corner results in goal kick for NYC.
NYCosmos Match @NYCosmos_Match 16m Cosmos earn a corner as time winds down. Guenzatti nearly gets a hold of it, but the ball is cleared and 1st half finishes. 1-0 to the hosts NYCosmos Match @NYCosmos_Match 23m 42' - Maurer snags a rocket out of mid-air to keep the match a one-goal difference. NYCosmos Match @NYCosmos_Match 25m 38' - Bruno makes run inside the box, gets a pass over the top and finishes from 5 yards out to Maurer's right side. 1-0 @AlshababClubUAE NYCosmos Match @NYCosmos_Match 28m 10 minutes to go in the first half. Cosmos with more chances, but Al Shabab bringing some pressure now.
Al Shabab 1 - NY Cosmos 0 at the half. NY with the majority of the possession and chances, but find themselves down in their first preseason match of the year.
2ND HALF CHANGES: NYCosmos Match @NYCosmos Entering the match for the #NYCosmos: Murphy, Nane, Johnson. Coming out for the 2nd half: Senna, Szetela, Dimitrov.
NYCosmos Match @NYCosmos_Match 4m 62' - Now entering the game, Paulo Mendes for Mads Stokkelien and trialist GK Kyle Zobeck for Jimmy Maurer. #NYCosmos
NYCosmos Match @NYCosmos No real scoring threats yet in the second half, but the physicality is picking up on both side.
NYCosmos Match @NYCosmos_Match 5m 69' - Lots of back-and-forth play in the midfield. Marosevic enters the game for Guenzatti. #NYCosmos Seems that without Senna and Szetela in midfield out effectiveness in midfield and attack has dropped significantly. The chances have not been as regular this half.
NYCosmos Match @NYCosmos_Match 31s 73' - Pablo Mendes strips an Al Shabab defender, Chirishian gives it right back with a pretty back heel and Mendes draws a foul on the edge of 18.
NYCosmos Match @NYCosmos_Match 1m Freeman runs over top the resulting free kick and Chirishian takes a crack at it, but his shot soars over the crossbar. #NYCosmos Ugh, wasted opportunity there. To bad Ayoze isnt in the game, or even dressed to play today. Have to think next to Senna he's our best set piece threat.
NYCosmos Match @NYCosmos_Match 1m Ockford steps up to interrupt another potential scoring threat, playing very strong in the back during his #NYCosmos preseason debut. The Seattle loanee seems to be having an impressive debut.
NYCosmos Match @NYCosmos_Match 5m And that'll do it from #Dubai. #NYCosmos drop their preseason opener to @AlshababClubUAE 1-0. Final Score: 1-0 Cosmos lose their first preseason match of the year to the 2nd place team in the UAE top flight. Cosmos looked dangerous with their first 11 in the first half, but much like last season struggled to covert possession and attacking chances into goals. Also like last year, gave a goal up against the run of play.
Very unique Training camp for an NASL club. Who else will they be matching up with during their stay??
NYCosmos Match @NYCosmos_Match #NYCosmos Starting XI vs. #AlWasl: Maurer; Freeman, Ockford, Roversio, Ayoze; Diaz, Szetela, Senna, Johnson; Noselli, Stokkelien Looks like a strong first XI today
NYCosmos Match @NYCosmos_Match 9m Two minutes into the match and Senna drives a shot from 30 yards out just wide of the right post and crossbar. #NYCosmos
GOAL!!!! Senna!! NYCosmos Match @NYCosmos_Match 6m 7' - Cosmos goal! @MarcosSenna19 strikes a @huntfree corner out of mid-air with nothing but laces. Beats the keeper just inside right post.
NYCosmos Match @NYCosmos_Match 2m 15' - #AlWasl's Saeed Al Katheeri rips a shot from just outside the center of the 18 and @JimsMaurer makes his first big stop of the match.
NYCosmos Match @NYCosmos_Match 19' - Ayoze breaks down three defenders and sends a lovely cross through the box to Jemal Johnson, but no luck converting.
NYCosmos Match @NYCosmos_Match 22' - Johnson creates corner. Ayoze puts it right on the forehead of Noselli, sending it across the 6, but Stokkelien just misses. #NYCosmos
Goal Al Wasd 1-1 NYCosmos Match @NYCosmos_Match 27' - #AlWasl's Katheeri creeps into a near offside position just outside the six and taps a low cross behind Maurer. 1-1. #NYCosmos
NYCosmos Match @NYCosmos_Match 31' - Ayoze nearly springs Stokkelien behind the #AlWasl defense at the edge of their box, but the ball is just out of reach.