By Wilson Sy

As the starting goalkeeper for the New York Cosmos, Jimmy Maurer has tasted success with the squad throughout the the first seven weeks of the 2015 NASL Season. The Player of the Month in April has allowed five goals in league play, which works out to a formidable goals against average of 0.71. 

The club is off to its best start in the modern era, but the Georgia native maintains a balanced perspective.

“We’re still in first place and we’ve been winning at home,” Maurer told NYCosmos.com on Wednesday. “A few ties on the road, and we obviously always want three points. Coming out of the last game I felt we could’ve played better overall. But, fighting, battling and getting the point is always good on the road.”

Despite trailing the Carolina RailHawks by two goals late in the game last weekend, the Cosmos managed to fight back and draw even in stoppage time. 

“We just showed a lot of heart,” Maurer said. “We showed that belief and that fight for the whole ninety minutes. When you do that you’re always going to make it tough for the other team. That’s all you can ask for.”

According to Maurer, competitive preseason fixtures in California, El Salvador and Hong Kong helped prepare the Cosmos for road competition in the league. Last weekend’s result was even reminiscent of January’s Lunar New Year Cup win on penalties, down to midfielder Andrés Flores' equalizer late in the match. 

“Playing in different environments - tough environments - and playing against very good teams in preseason is always going to help you deal with the challenges of the regular season,” said Maurer.

Outside of their league competition, the Cosmos also have U.S. Open Cup play and a trip to Havana, Cuba on the horizon. Though he’s excited for what’s ahead, Maurer says he has not lost focus of what’s immediately in front of him and his team.

“We have a busy little stretch coming up these next couple of weeks with the Open Cup and Cuba,” he said. “We just have to try to take it one game at the time, and we have to focus on San Antonio this weekend.

“When the Open Cup comes, it’s always an interesting challenge. I’m excited for Cuba, too. It should be a fun trip. It’s always enjoyable getting to play teams outside of our league and seeing where the chips fall. But we’ve got to get through this weekend first.”

New York has three games remaining this Spring Season and will look maintain first place in the league standings. The Cosmos will return home to Stuart Stadium this Saturday to take on a consistently challenging opponent. The San Antonio Scorpions defeated New York in all four encounters last year, including a 2-1 win in the postseason semifinals. They are the reigning postseason champions.

“San Antonio is a good team”, Maurer said. “Last year they really made it tough for us. Definitely looking forward to playing them again. We’ve got to come out and be ready for them from the first whistle.”

When asked to describe his teammates this season in one word, Maurer settled on an attribute that has kept the Cosmos undefeated and atop the NASL.

“Competitors,” Maurer stated after pausing to think. “We’ve been fighting and getting results, whether it’s coming back to tie games or playing well enough and getting that goal to win them. If we keep competing like we have, things will continue to go well for us.”