Bledi Bardic and Ricardo Bocanegra both had reasons to celebrate goals. (Photo courtesy of the Cosmos)
NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – Second-half substitutes Bledi Bardic and Ricardo Bocanegra scored late goals seven minutes apart to lift the New York Cosmos to a 2-0 victory over New York Athletic Club in National Premier Soccer League action on Travers Island Sunday evening.
The Cosmos (7-0-0, 21 points), who lead the North Atlantic Conference, recorded their 17th consecutive regular-season win dating back to the start of the 2018 season. NYAC, which has given up only eight goals this season, fell to 1-4-1.
Bardic, who replaced Joey Sanchez in the 61st minute, powered a 28-yard shot into the upper right corner to snap a scoreless tie in the 79th minute off a Bocanegra pass.
Bocanegra, who scored his first goal as a Cosmos in the team’s 5-1 home triumph over Hartford City FC on Saturday night, connected for his second of the season in the 86th minute, drilling an Aaron Dennis feed home for a two-goal cushion.
Goalkeeper Santiago Castano recorded the shutout.
Cosmos head coach Carlos Mendes made nine changes to his Starting XI from Saturday night. Only left back Pedro Galvao and central midfielder Junior Burgos were the only players who started both matches.
The Cosmos will play three consecutive matches on the road at the Brooklyn Italians on June 8, at Boston City FC on June 15, and then at the Rhode Island Reds FC on June 16.
They return to Mitchel Athletic Complex in Uniondale, N.Y., to start a four-game homestand against the Greater Lowell Rough Diamonds on June 23 at 8 p.m.
