GOALS CONTINUE TO FLOW FOR COSMOS B

New York Cosmos B had already won the NPSL North Atlantic Conference title, but there was no letting up as they put seven past Seacoast United Phantoms at Mitchel Field on Saturday.

Miguel Herlein hit four of them, and his initial treble was completely assisted by Ruben Bover, who was named Team MVP for the season and Man of the Match.

“Ruben is a special player, there’s no question about it,” said head coach Alecko Eskandarian. “He’s a guy that can change the match any time that he touches the ball. On top of him having such special talent, he’s the hardest-working player as well. He runs all over the place, moving for his team-mates, and he showed his class today. All the goals that he set up were individual brilliance, thinking quicker, being quicker, and showing great skill to get to the endline and whip in some great crosses.”

Not only was it the team’s eighth straight win, it was their fourth consecutive clean sheet, with two of the goals coming late from substitutes Ibrahim Diaby and Gonzalo Rodriguez in sweltering conditions.

Eskandarian was delighted with the day’s work.

“We’ve stressed that every minute of every match is a minute to improve and develop. I never want the guys to take their foot off the gas. It’s always about being a better player. It’s not about running up the score or anything like that, it’s just about playing well, taking advantage of our opportunities, and not taking any short cuts. I’m very pleased, especially with the second half, of how the guys moved the ball, defended, and put away some beautiful goals.”

It was actually the Phantoms who had the first effort of the game, Francisco Lozano heading over after seven minutes, but that was to be their only attempt, compared to the Cosmos’ 26. Travis Pittman headed straight at goalkeeper Ryan Carpenter in the 18th minute, before the deadlock was broken four minutes later, Herlein finishing at the back post after good work by Bover on the left.

Julian Stahler picked out Jenison Brito who tried to go around Carpenter but the keeper recovered, then in a flurry of goalmouth action, captain John Neeskens, Jenison and Stahler all had efforts but the Phantoms survived. Herlein was a menace, and Carpenter stopped one of his shots in the 37th minute, but could do nothing three minutes later when the Portuguese smashed in from Bover’s cutback. Stahler miskicked a great opportunity in front of goal from Daniel Evuy’s cross just before the half-time whistle.

The Phantoms replaced Carpenter with Andrew Pesci at the interval but he was soon picking the ball out of the net, and it was Herlein’s hat trick goal on 49 minutes, a simple finish after more great play by Bover. Herlein wasn’t finished there, and when his shot was well saved five minutes later, Jenison was on hand to add to his own treble from last weekend.

Herlein did get another of his own after 56 minutes, a beautiful curling shot from the edge of the box into the far corner. Bover was unable to get on the scoresheet though, and he was frustratingly denied by the impressive Pesci. The Cosmos had to wait until the 85th minute for their sixth goal, when substitute Ibrahim Diaby dribbled past two defenders and fired low into the net from the edge of the area. Another replacement, Gonzalo Rodriguez, wrapped up the scoring with the most spectacular goal of the day, a long-range shot that fizzed in off the frame with two minutes to go.

Cosmos B were presented with the conference trophy after the match, but Eskandarian is looking beyond that to the playoffs.

“It’s great. It’s a special feeling and I’m happy for the team because they earned it. They worked very hard and put together a great regular season. Obviously we still have one match left but to be undefeated thus far is definitely an accomplishment. It’s something we’re happy about, but that’s not our end goal. The playoffs are coming up and so that’s the focus right now. We don’t celebrate anything until we win the real thing.”

Cosmos B are straight back in action on Sunday, July 12 at 11 a.m. ET, this time at Hofstra Soccer Stadium. They will complete their regular season against Greater Lowell United, whom they beat 6-0 on the road last month.

“We’ll change a lot of the lineup and get some fresh legs in there,” said the coach. “The guys worked very hard and it was very hot today. It’ll be a tough game. I know Lowell have struggled this year, but they definitely have some talented players. The last match was a bit lopsided in our favour ,but it wasn’t indicative of their quality. They have some tough, big, physical guys, so it’s not going to be an easy match by any stretch, but we’ll get back at it tomorrow and try to get the job done.”