RECAP | Cosmos 2, United 1

A late long-distance golazo by Hunter Freeman helped lift the New York Cosmos to a 2-1 win over Minnesota United on Wednesday night at Shuart Stadium.

It was Freeman’s second goal in as many games. While there was some doubt whether the fullback was going for goal on a ball served toward the back post in a 2-0 win over Fort Lauderdale on Sunday, there was no doubt what Freeman was doing in the 76th minute.

Freeman briefly settled an attempted clearance before unleashing a rocket from 25 yards inside the upper right corner of the net to put the Cosmos in front, 2-1.

Minnesota United raced in front in the eighth minute on Christian Ramirez’s seventh goal of the season, tallying for the fifth consecutive game. Following a short corner, Kalif Alhassan crossed the ball in front where Daniel Mendes flicked it on at the near post. Ramirez crashed the back post and tapped in to put the visitors ahead, 1-0.

The Cosmos leveled five minutes later on Restrepo’s third goal of the Fall Season. Leo Fernandes made a penetrating run before slipping a pass to Andrés Flores, who cut a ball back into the box. Restrepo didn’t get a lot on his attempt, but it was enough to elude Minnesota goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt.

Three minutes later, Flores put a shot on frame, but Hildebrandt did well to parry it over the crossbar for a Cosmos corner. The ‘keeper did the same to deny Carlos Mendes on a header inside the box in the 25th minute.

Daniel Mendes nearly put Minnesota United back in front, but the Brazilian forward put a sliding shot off the back post on the half hour. Ramirez had another golden opportunity when he was played behind the Cosmos defense, but Jimmy Maurer did well to make the save in the 36th minute.

The Cosmos continued to press for the go-ahead goal after halftime, but Hildebrandt made a tremendous diving save on a Lucky Mkosana toe-poke in the 50th minute and then got a piece of a Carlos Mendes header from the edge of the six-yard box in the 64th minute.

Finally, Freeman broke the deadlock with a brilliant strike to secure three points at home for a second consecutive game.

Raul nearly added an insurance goal in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time, but his clever chip was just over the crossbar.