It was a good to end on a high note.
The Cosmos closed out the 2017 North American Soccer League spring season with a much-needed 1–0 victory over FC Edmonton at Clarke Stadium on July 15.
New York picked up three crucial points with the win and, with 24 points, solidified third place in the league standings.
“It was a great win tonight,” Cosmos coach Giovanni Savarese said. “We fought hard, and feel content to close the spring season with a victory.”
The Cosmos came out firing on all cylinders from the opening whistle, applying pressure in the 12th minute as Javi Márquez found Eric Calvillo for a shot that sailed just wide of the net. It was more than enough to set the tone of the tilt.
Edmonton did its best to respond in the 37th minute, but Sabri Khattab’s header was saved with a one-handed effort by Cosmos keeper Jimmy Mauer. The home club tested Mauer again just four minutes later, but the veteran star denied Tomi Ameobi at point-blank range to preserve the shutout.
The Cosmos controlled the game’s rhythm in the second half and nearly padded their lead on several occasions. Eric Calvillo got behind the Edmonton defense for a scoring try in the 51st minute and Juan Guerra had a chance six minutes later. Although both shots were turned away, New York’s constant pressure kept the FC Edmonton squad on its heels throughout the matchup.
By the final whistle, New York outshot Edmonton 16-to-8 and posted a 46.2 percent shot accuracy rating.
New York finally got on the board in the 80th minute as Calvillo found the back of the net for his first goal of the season. The 19-year-old midfielder, in his fourth appearance for the Cosmos this year, sent the shot in from the six-yard box off an assist from Danny Szetela. The goal was disputed by Edmonton, which claimed New York was offsides, but the score was upheld.
“The most important thing is that the ball ended up going in the net after a very good play,” said Savarese. “The goal was very important for us in the second half.”
The Cosmos’ play has been up-and-down this spring, but the victorious finale was more than enough to give the club a measure of confidence heading into the fall schedule. New York returns to the field on July 29, hosting Miami FC at MCU Park in Coney Island.
