QUOTE SHEET | Cosmos Close Out 2016 As Champions

It took 120 minutes of scoreless action and a penalty-kick shootout to decide, but the New York Cosmos retained their NASL crown with a win over Indy Eleven, 4-2 in penalties. Ryan Richter, who lost to the Cosmos in The Championship Final a year ago, got a chance at redemption and converted the game-winning spot kick. 

Coaches and players from both sides gave their thoughts after the game: 

New York Cosmos coach Giovanni Savarese on his team’s desire in 2016

“The guys always felt that they wanted to win a new championship. They didn’t want to defend the last one. I think that hungriness to win a new one showed, from the Fall Season all the way until now.”

New York defender on scoring the winning penalty to lift the Soccer Bowl Trophy

“I had a dream it was going to end like that because of the year that I had and all of the things that had to go right to get me here. I’m so glad I was able to help the boys achieve the goal of the season.”

New York captain and defender Carlos Mendes on repeating as champions

“The toughest thing in sports is to win back-to-back titles, everyone is coming after you.”

New York goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer on how 2016 played out

“This year was the toughest, craziest of years for the whole team. Winning it again is just amazing. It shows the strength from front to back of the team and the technical staff.”

Indy Eleven coach Tim Hankinson on moving on from the loss

“We put together a core in a very short period of time that proved its mettle. Even though we came up just a short with just the difference of the crossbar from winning the championship. This is a team that will be back, that will be better, and we’ll look for ways to improve in the next few months. We look forward to Indy Eleven coming back to a final next year.”

Indy captain Colin Falvey on the heartbreak of losing a second final in a row

“It’s a tough pill to swallow, as you could imagine. I wouldn’t wish upon my worst enemy – absolutely gutted right now. I like the positives, and I think we’re ahead of schedule with the club. One of the things that I spoke to Tim when I first came was that it ate away at me last year, the Final, and I wanted another shot at it.”