Junior Burgos recorded a first-half hat-trick. (Photo courtesy of the Cosmos)

NAPA, Calif. — The New York Cosmos closed out their NPSL Members Cup season in style Saturday night, recording a 7-0 victory over Napa Valley 1839 FC at Dodd Stadium.

Midfielder Junior Burgos led the Cosmos assault with a first-half hat-trick. New York, which entered the match with 15 goals, lit up the scoreboard for a season-high seven goals.

The Cosmos (7-1-2, 23 points) finished second to Detroit City FC (8-1-1, 25). Last-place Napa Valley 1839 FC (1-8-0, 3) will visit Michigan Stars FC to complete its season on Saturday, Oct. 26.

The visitors scored early and often, building up a 5-0 halftime advantage.

Goals by David Diosa and Aly Hassan gave the Cosmos a 2-0 lead by the 16th minute before Burgos took center stage.

The El Salvadoran international struck in the 32nd, 38th and 41st minutes for the Cosmos’ only hat-trick of the Members Cup season.

The Cosmos continued to fill the net in the second half as Kevin Venegas tallied in the 61st minute, and substitute Aaron Dennis, fresh off his Concacaf Nations League stint with the U.S. Virgin Islands, extended the lead to 7-0 in the 69th minute.

Goalkeeper Paul Blanchette recorded the clean sheet.

The Cosmos did not play with two of their most accomplished and experienced players as left back-midfielder Ansi Agolli and team captain and midfielder Danny Szetela did not make the trip.

 

end it

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.