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STATS CORNER | Cosmos' Attack Firing On All Cylinders

New York recently posted six goals in a game and leads the league in most goals scored
Matthew Levine (@NASLInsider} | Aug 31, 2016

Photo credit: New York Cosmos

The New York Cosmos have had an impressive attack throughout 2016 and recently scored six goals in a big win over the Carolina RailHawks. While the Cosmos continued their attacking form, FC Edmonton's excellent defensive run continued in a draw with Puerto Rico FC.

Here are some key statistics ahead of Week 10 of the Fall Season: 

Shooting Sixes

The Cosmos climbed to the top of the Fall Season and Combined Standings and they did it with firepower. The club scored six goals against the Carolina RailHawks in a 6-1 win last Saturday. It was the first time in 2016 that a team has scored six goals in a game and the largest win margin of the year as well. The Fort Lauderdale Strikers were the last team to score at least six goals, which occurred back on Aug. 29, 2015 in a 7-1 win over Indy Eleven. The six goals for the Cosmos was the first time they've scored that many in the league's Modern Era. The last time New York scored six times was in 1983 in a 6-3 win over the Toronto Blizzard.

During the six-goal outburst, Andrés Flores picked up his sixth assist of the year. It was the second time in 2016 that a player created three chances and recorded an assist on each one (Miami FC’s Johnny Borrajo in a 4-0 win over Minnesota United on Aug. 6.

Attacking Intent

New York scored six goals in one game, but 2016 has been a banner year so far for the attack as a whole. The club has scored a total of 41 goals (26 in the Fall Season to date). Indy Eleven, the next highest-scoring team has 33. In 2015, Minnesota United led the league with 54 goals.

During the club’s big win over Carolina, the Cosmos created 17 chances. It was the fourth time New York created that many chances in a game. The Cosmos have the most assists (26) and are one behind in most chances created (217) in 2016 – the Tampa Bay Rowdies have created 218.  

Big Names, Big Games

Juan Arango and Joe Cole have had noteworthy careers and both, once again, provided a lift to their teams. With New York trailing by a goal, Arango scored the game’s next two goals. Cole shook off an early missed penalty kick to score two goals of his own Week 9 – the Rowdies were 2-0 winners against Rayo OKC. Arango was tied for most chances created (five) with Minnesota’s Ben Speas, while Cole had four. Neither player recorded an assist, though. Cole completed 44 of 47 passes (93.62 percent passing accuracy) as Arango completed 41 of 51 (80.39 percent).     

Record Chasing

Ottawa Fury FC goalkeeper Romuald Peiser broke a host of records last year en route to earning the Golden Glove award. He had 14 clean sheets, 15 wins, posted a 0.76 goals against average (tied a record) as the team kept opponents scoreless for 648 minutes.

This year it’s another goalkeeper for a Canadian side that is set to smash them. FC Edmonton’s Matt VanOekel has 11 clean sheets and has 12 more games to better Peiser’s record from 2015. VanOekel has been the ‘keeper in all 12 of Edmonton’s victories and has posted a goals against average of 0.50 through 20 games. As a team, the Eddies have held opponents scoreless for 534 minutes, which includes five straight shutouts, since allowing a goal to the New York Cosmos in a 2-1 win on July 27.

Other Notes

FC Edmonton defender Adam Eckersley had the most touches (112) and most successful passes (72) in Week 9. Puerto Rico FC ended the Eddies’ home winning streak with a strong defensive performance. The team had the most clearances (26) and was second in interceptions (20). Three of the team’s players had six clearances (Cristiano Dias, Rudy Dawson, and Chris Nurse). Rayo OKC leads in clearances (472) and blocks (73), while Indy Eleven has the most interceptions (400) in 2016. 

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