With a 4-1 shot advantage through the 32nd minute, the Chattanooga Football Club looked excellent against the National Premier Soccer League runner-up New York Cosmos.
While a press installed by assistant coach Peter Fuller worked wonders for CFC in creating opportunities, it did not result in a goal.
Déja vu struck with a one-score differential going New York’s way in a 1-0 match Saturday night in the opener to the NPSL Members Cup in front of 3,500 at Finley Stadium.
“In the end it really came down to free kicks,” veteran CFC coach Bill Elliott said. “We had a dangerous one in the first half in a good area, and we hit the crossbar. New York got one in a very similar area, and they scored it with an absolutely top-shelf kick.”
The Cosmos’ goal was beamed to the top right of the net by Junior Burgos in the 83rd minute soon after a penalty lined up a free kick at the top right side just outside the 18-yard box.