Carlos Mendes has scored twice against FC Edmonton during his NASL career. (Andy Mead/YCJ Photo)
This is a very important week for the Cosmos.
They host two games at MCU Park in Coney Island, Brooklyn, N.Y. within four days with six valuable points on the line.
On Wednesday the Cosmos welcome last-place FC Edmonton (2-6-1, 7 points) for a 7:30 p.m. encounter. On Saturday, they meet up with North Carolina FC, a team that they bested on the road Sunday, 1-0, for a 4 p.m. kickoff.
Win both and they will be on the heels of Miami FC (6-1-3, 21) Drop points and they could say goodbye to the North American Soccer League spring title.
The Cosmos (4-1-4, 16), who are tied for second place along with Jacksonville Armada FC, return home after a 1-0 victory at North Carolina FC Sunday. Midfielder Juan Guerra netted his second goal this season.
They enter the game on a seven-game unbeaten streak dating back to an April 1 home-opening defeat to Puerto Rico FC, 3-0. Since then they have managed to avoid the loss column.
FC Edmonton hopes to recover after a 3-0 loss on the road to Puerto Rico FC, as well as to move up from the bottom of the NASL standings. The Eddies have been unable to win any of their road games, drawing one and losing four. The team can pack a punch in the attack through forward Dustin Corea, who leads the Eddies in goals and assists (two each), as well as chances created (17).
New York defenders Carlos Mendes and Ayoze have done well against the Eddies. Mendes has scored twice against the Canadian club while Ayoze has two assists.
The Cosmos have scored twice as many goals (10) as the Eddies (5), finding the target 31 times to Edmonton’s 19.
Defensively, the visitors also are at a disadvantage. Edmonton has conceded 13 goals to the Cosmos’ 8. The team has kept one clean sheet in nine games, while New York has five. None of the Eddies’ three goalkeepers – Chris Konopka, Tyson Farago and Nathan Ingham – have faced New York.
Cosmos head coach Giovanni Savarese does not release his Starting XI prior to kickoff, so it was not known whether goalkeeper Brian Holt, who had clean sheets in the last two games will start.
New York midfielders Richard Menjívar and Andrés Flores and forward, Irvin Herrera will face their El Salvador national team teammate Corea.
The Cosmos will continue their three-game home stand against Puerto Rico FC Friday, June 16 at 7:30 p.m.
