September 25, 2020: New York Cosmos vs Chattanooga FC

September 25, 2020
2020 NISA Fall Tournament Group Stage, Game Seven
Keyworth Stadium, Hamtramck, MI

New York Cosmos 0, Chattanooga FC 0

Yellow Cards:
Juan Hernandez (CFC) 11′
Mattia Cella (NYC) 24′
Kyle Carr (CFC) 33′
Brian Bement (CRC) 47′
Giuseppe Barone (NYC) 50′
David Koloko (CFC) 64′
Ryan Marcano (CRC) 80′

Chattanooga won its opening match against the Los Angeles Force, and after losing 2-0 to Cal United, the Cosmos were in a must-win situation to keep their hopes of advancing alive. This had the promise of being a good match.

Chattanooga made four changes to the starting line-up from the Los Angeles Force match.  In were Cameron Woodfin, David Koloko, Kyle Carr, and Brian Bement for Richard Dixon, Darwin Lom, Jowayne Laidley, and Sean Hoffstatter.

STARTING XI

Chattanooga FC
Alec Redington – Keeper
Wilfred Williams – Defender
Nick Speilman – Defender
Shaun Russell – Defender
Cameron Woodfin – Defender
David Koloko – Defender
Juan Hernandez – Midfielder
Kyle Carr – Midfielder
Ian McGrath – Midfielder
Jose Ferraz – Forward
Brian Bement – Forward

The Cosmos made three changes to the starting eleven from their match against Cal United.  Charlie Ledula, Leandro Geo Alves, and Aly Hassan made way for Giuseppe Barone, Beldi Bardic, and Issac Acuna.

STARTING XI

New York Cosmos
Jesse Corke – Keeper
Pedro Galvao – Defender
Matt Lewis – Defender
Ansi Agolli – Defender
Konrad Plewa – Defender
Danny Szetela – Midfielder
Mattia Cella – Midfielder
Giuseppe Barone – Midfielder
Bledi Bardic – Forward
Shavon John-Brown – Forward
Isaac Acuna – Forward

Both teams generated chances, and the referee dealt out cards as if working a shift at the Motor City Casino.  Chattanooga subbed in Ryan Marcano for Wilfred Williams to begin the second half.  Darwin Lom replaced Ian McGrath in the 64th, Erik Panzer for Shaun Russell in the 74th, and Christopher Marshall for Cameron Woodfin in the 81st minute.  For the Cosmos, John Denis entered the match for Giuseppe Barone in the 61st minute, Charlie Ledula for Bledi Bardic in the 70th, and Aly Hassan for Isaac Acuna in the 88th.  However, no one could find the back of the net, resulting in a nil-nil draw.  Fortunately, the game provided some action to shoot on this beautiful Friday evening.  

The draw put Chattanooga on top of the group and pulled the Cosmos out of the basement.

Chattanooga FC 1-1-0 4 pts +2 goal differential
Cal United Strikers 1-0-0 3 pts +2 goal differential
New York Cosmos 0-1-1 1 pts -2 goal differential
Los Angeles Force 0-0-1 0 pts -2 goal differential

All the games of the tournament can be found HERE.