The New York Cosmos dominated possession and the game as a whole, but could not find the back of the net, dropping their second straight match Saturday night to the Carolina RailHawks, 1-0.
The Cosmos (2-2-0) outshot Carolina (2-1-1) 22-7, had seven corners to the RailHawks 2 and had a 69-31 edge in possession. But Carolina extended its home unbeaten streak to 18 matches courtesy of Ty Shipalane’s first goal of the NASL Spring Season in the 12th minute.
“We still have difficulty breaking down the defense,” Cosmos coach Giovanni Savarese said after the match. “They packed it in and it was difficult for us to find a goal. We outplayed them on the scoresheet, but it’s not the result we wanted.”
In search of an equalizer, the Cosmos were a bit predictable and not as patient as they needed to be. Jemal Johnson created chances with his pace, but was only able to put a sharp-angled attempt on target in the 29th minute.
Johnson sent a dangerous low cross in front of goal in the 67th minute, but the ball was cleared by the RailHawks.
“We need to be more patient, put better balls in, be a little more courageous to penetrate with the ball,” Savarese said. “It’s expected now teams will play a little more conservative against us. We have to figure out a way to break through.”
Compounding things for the Cosmos was that creative midfielder Marcos Senna left the match at halftime because of a hamstring injury.
“We don’t know yet,” Savarese said when asked of the severity of Senna’s injury. “We have to wait a bit to see how he’s going to recover, if he’s going to be fine for the next game. That’s the most important thing right now.”
The Cosmos also had to play the final 34 minutes with 10 men after Sebastian Guenzatti was issued a straight red card after being fouled by Kupono Low by the touchline at midfield.
Carolina was reduced to nine, though, when both Connor Tobin and Low were sent off for their second bookable offenses.
Still, New York couldn’t level. The best chance fell to Mads Stokkelien in the 77th minute, but the Norwegian was robbed by Carolina goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald in front of the goal.
“There’s no doubt frustration can play a part when you’re dominating teams and it doesn’t go your way,” Savarese said. “That’s when you have to stay your calmest. We just have to figure out how to break them down.”
The Cosmos will have some extra time to do so with their next match next Monday against red-hot Minnesota United FC. Manny Lagos’ team sits atop the table with maximum points from four matches.
“Hopefully we can recuperate the players because that game is going to be critical next week,” Savarese said. “That’s a final for sure. Minnesota is undefeated. That match is crucial for us if we have ambitions to win the Spring Season.”
