TSF FC WINS SECOND STRAIGHT

On Saturday night, TSF FC defeated New York Cosmos B by a score of 1-0 at DePaul Catholic High School in Wayne, NJ. TSF looks to picking up momentum as they host a series of consecutive home matches.

Apart from a shot by Pable Vranjican of the Cosmos that was saved by TSF’s Mateo Zabala in the opening minutes, both teams took a few minutes to ease into this game. The action really kicked off in the 10th minute of the game when TSF’s Luis Mendoz fouled a Cosmos player about 30 yards from goal. Antonio Matarazzo to the kick but it was blocked by Lucas Terci, leading to a Cosmos corner. This came to nothing, as did a shot from Vranjican several minutes later.

Next it was TSF FC’s turn to attack as they earned corners in the 18th and 24th minutes. They couldn’t capitalize nor could a shot by Luis Mendoza fired wide. In the 31st minutes, Kevin Santamaria of TSF FC earned a yellow card for slowing a Cosmos player about to break away from this. The Cosmos followed this up with an Alexis Velela cross that missed a group of players in front of goal and went out for a goal kick. TSF nearly broke the deadlock in the 35th minute as Tyler Pinho took a through ball from Steve Zamudio but could not beat the keeper.

The game’s first substitution came in the 41st minute as TSF FC swapped Andrew Nino in for Lucas Terci. This was followed shortly by a Tyler Pinho shot just over the crossbar. Two more attacking opportunities came from TSF prior to the half, but nothing came of their corner kick and shot on goal.

The second half started with TSF FC firmly in control of the still-scoreless game. They earned corners in the 47th and 50th minutes but couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net. Shots from Steve Zamudio and Luis Mendoza missed their marks as well. This flurry of attacking was met by a series of New York substitutions in the 59th minute. This had perhaps an adverse effect as a TSF player was fouled in shooting range. Luis Mendoza stood over the ball and curled a beautiful free kick into the far corner from just under 30 yards out.

Over the next few minute, two Cosmos players earned yellow cards as they attempted to gain a foothold in the game. In the 66th minute following the second of the Cosmos yellow cards, Luis Mendoza again stood over a free kick. He struck it well but the Cosmos keeper was able to knock the ball away. Finally, New York responded, and put together a series of attacks. They could not equalize off of a corner kick and a shot, but caused TSF’s Almir Batista Jr. to pick a yellow card in the 70th minute. Tyer Pinho picked another TSF yellow card up in the 76th minute. The ensuing free kick was taken by Jose Najera, but Mateo Zabala matched the effort with a save.

In an effort to strengthen defensively, TSF brought Ken Santos on for JP Gonzales in the 78th minute. Still, New York came on the attack with Bljedi Bardic firing a shot just over the bar. Cosmos earned a free kick in the 85th minute, but Bardic’s shot was deflected wide of goal and the ensuing corner came to nothing. The came ended with TSF killing the clock with a number of substitution and both teams exchanging unsuccessful corner kicks.

The 1-0 victory was TSF FC’s second win in a row in front of a strong home following. They look to extend next Saturday as they host Seacoast United, a team the have already defeated this season.