NEW YORK – The Cosmos are in the postseason for the fifth consecutive year and midfielder Emmanuel Ledesma played a big role in making sure that was the case.
Ledesma was voted as the North American Soccer League player of the month for October after coming up with several key performances during the home stretch of the fall season. The 5-11 midfielder recorded four goals and three assists in five October games, capping off the month with a hat-trick in the Cosmos’ 5-2 playoff-clinching victory over Puerto Rico FC.
A native of Quilmes, Argentina, Ledesma led a blistering attack in October. The Cosmos scored 13 goals over their final three games, and the former Middlesbrough midfielder had a direct role in five of those goals.
Ledesma’s string of standout performances within the last month started in Indianapolis, where he tallied a goal and an assist in a 2-2 draw against Indy Eleven Oct. 7. He picked up an assist in a wild 4-4 stalemate against Jacksonville Armada FC Oct. 22. On Oct. 28, Ledesma saved his best shift for last, scoring three goals in the span of 16 minutes in a 5-2 home victory over Puerto Rico. He also added an assist.
Ledesma finished in the top five in the league in goals and assists. The 29-year-old veteran also led the NASL in chances created, despite only playing in 19 of 32 games.
Ledesma joined the Cosmos in March after playing in some of the top leagues in Italy, England, Argentina and Greece.
The Cosmos will travel to South Florida to square off with Miami FC at Riccardo Silva Stadium Sunday at 5 p.m. ET. The game will be nationally-televised on beIN SPORTS (English), beIN SPORTS en Español (Spanish) and beIN SPORTS CONNECT (Digital).
