The New York Cosmos finished their first year back in the NASL with a bang, claiming the 2013 Soccer Bowl with a 1-0 win over the Atlanta Silverbacks on Saturday night.
A week removed from being crowned fall season champions, the Cosmos rode their wave of momentum and a second-half Marcos Senna goal to secure the victory in front of 7,211 fans at Atlanta Silverbacks Park. Senna’s 50th minute title-winner was all class, as the veteran controlled a rebound from 18 yards out and volleyed past Silverbacks’ goalkeeper Joe Nasco’s outstretched hands.
New York’s goalkeeper, NASL Golden Glove winner and former Real Salt Lake backup Kyle Reynish, was forced into action several times on the night, including several fully extended saves.
This is the Cosmos' first championship in the modern era after returning to the professional ranks for the 2013 NASL fall season. They are coached by former MLS legends Giovanni Savarese, Alecko Eskandarian and Carlos Llamosa.
The Cosmos have one more stop on their schedule before the offseason, as they will be traveling to Spain as for a tribute match to Senna (above, center) vs. his former team, Villarreal, on November 13.
