SMI SPORTS / April 18, 2015

 

NEW YORK (SMI-WIRE,04.18.15) The New York Cosmos defeated the Tampay Bays Rowdies 2-0 in front a sell-out crowd of 12.558 & international striker "Raul " debut home opener @ James Shuart Stadium, Hofstra University.

While Cosmos legend Pelé provided a pregame buzz as part of an on-field ceremony with former teammates, many in the sellout crowd came out to see Spanish superstar Raúl, who played 90 minutes for the first time in a Cosmos uniform before being replaced by Lucky Mkosana playing in teh extra minutes of regulation game time.

“Today I felt very good,” Raúl said. “The last two, three weeks I [was limited] training with the team because I have a small problem with my hamstring. I hope next week to improve my performance for the team.”said Raul after the game.

Cosmos midfielder Marcos Senna opened the score on a penalty shot when Rowdies midfielder Darnell King handled a cross by Walter Restrepo at the back post.Senna forced Rowdies goalkeeper Kamil Contofalsky the wrong way before calmly recording his first goal of the season in the 11th minute.In the second half, Leo Fernandes struck in the 48th minute for his second goal in the young season for New York.Senna played the ball to Restrepo, who cut the ball across to an open Fernandes, and scoring the second goal for the Cosmos  from 12 yards away & sealing the victory for New York.

“It is definitely one of the greatest days of the new era,” Cosmos head coach Giovanni Savarese said. “We had a lot of energy. It wasn’t only the amount of people, but there was a lot of energy inside the place. The team performance as well helped. It was a great night to see so many fans".said Savarese after the game.

With the win, the Cosmos improved to 2-0-1 & took first place in the NASL standing.