News

Cosmos come up short in Chattanooga

Published Sep 12, 2020

The New York Cosmos suffered their first loss of the National Independent Soccer Association fall season, dropping a 2-1 decision to Chattanooga FC at Finley Stadium on Saturday night.

Substitute Clayton Adams snapped a 1-1 deadlock in the 83rd minute for Chattanooga after Darwin Lom converted a penalty kick seven minutes prior. Geo Alves had given the Cosmos a 1-0 halftime lead.

Chattanooga FC (2-1-0, 6 points) moved past the Cosmos (1-1-2, 5) into second place in the Eastern Division behind first-place Michigan Stars FC (2-0-2, 8).

The kickoff was delayed for an hour by torrential rain and lightning.

Alves' first goal of the season lifted the Cosmos into a 1-0 lead in the 37th minute. Chattanooga FC goalkeeper Alec Redington spilled Charlie Ledula's right-wing cross that an alert Alves knocked into the net from close range at the far post.

New York's backline, team defense and goalkeeper Jesse Corke defended well in the opening half as Chattanooga attempted five corner kicks but couldn't convert any.

The hosts equalized in the 76th minute, after Lom was fouled in the box. He took the ensuing penalty that Corke saved. One of the assistant referees, however, ruled that Corke had moved before the kick and had Lom retake the attempt. On his second try, the Chattanooga midfielder fired a shot into the right corner as Corke dove the other way.

Adams tallied the decisive goal in the 83rd minute, firing home a shot from distance into the top left corner to give Chattanooga the comeback win.

Head coach Carlos Mendes decided to rest several regulars from the Starting XI, who played in the 0-0 home scoreless tie with Detroit City FC Wednesday night. That included captain and midfielder Danny Szetela, forward Bledi Bardic and center back Matt Lewis. Midfielder Ansi Agolli did not dress for the match.

Lewis was forced into action in the 10th minute when Andrew Lubahn suffered an injury. Bardic came on as a second-half substitute.

The Cosmos' next challenge will be the NISA Fall Tournament in Detroit, Mich., which will run from September 21 - October 2.