N.Y. Cosmos: Lost in San Francisco

From the desk of:  THE CONEY ISLAND SHIN KICKERS

SOCCER BOWL '17

N.Y. Cosmos    0

S.F. Deltas        2

New York Cosmos: Bid For Three-Peat Bogged Down By Deltas.

The New York Cosmos bid to win a third straight championship, and their fourth of the modern NASL era, ended in defeat Sunday night at San Francisco.

An improbable loss, considering the expansion San Francisco Deltas are now champions after their very first season of existence.  More so for Cosmos Country locals, considering the Cosmos finished the Spring session second in the league with 56 goals, then topped the Autumn session with 34 goals, yet fell to San Francisco two-nil.

They were made to play from behind early on.  San Francisco forward Tommy Heinemann converted a penalty kick at the 18:53 mark and the Deltas never looked back.  Frisco threatened again at the 59:40 mark when a centering pass was headed just wide/right of goal.  Then at 59:20, goalkeeper Jimmy Mauer made a huge stop from point blank range to keep the Cosmos within one.

New York forged ahead with fine chances inside the 76th and 77th minutes of play, but were ultimately turned away.

San Francisco sealed the victory with their second goal at the 4:38 mark of extra-time.  The game ending whistle sounded shortly thereafter.

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The modern era NASL is a Division-II soccer league which began play in 2011, and has no affiliation with the original North American Soccer League.  Their desire to be sanctioned as a Division-I circuit compelled the NASL into taking issue against US Soccer over anti-trust matters.  In turn, US Soccer is now threatening to no longer sanction their Division-II status.  Barring a last minute agreement, the NASL appears under threat of folding.