CHARLESTON, S.C. (March 19, 2016) – The New York Cosmos dropped a 3-0 result to Charleston Battery Saturday evening at MUSC Health Stadium in the final preseason match for both teams before their respective regular seasons begin.

The contest began brightly for the Cosmos, who enjoyed the majority of possession in the opening 15 minutes and fired the first two shots on goal through right back Hunter Freeman. In the 24^th minute Cosmos midfielder Juan Arango tried to beat Battery goalkeeper Alex Tambakis from 30 yards, but the Venezuelan thumped his attempt inches high of the crossbar.

Charleston broke the scoreless deadlock in the 32^nd minute through forward Ricky Garbanzo. The 23-year-old headed in midfielder Maikel Chang’s service from the opposite end of the 18-yard box, putting the hosts up 1-0. That margin would hold through the halftime whistle.

The Battery added two more in the second half, with Garbanzo and Chang linking up a second time in the 73^rd minute and substitute midfielder Dante Marini volleying home off a deflection seven minutes later. New York earned consecutive corner kick opportunities beginning in the 86^th minute, but Charleston was able to clear the danger on both instances, and the game ended 3-0 in favor of the home side.

The Cosmos open their 2016 NASL Season on Sunday, April 3 at Hofstra's Shuart Stadium against Ottawa Fury FC. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. ET. For tickets, visit nycosmos.com/tickets.

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