Open Cup goal in club history against the Brooklyn Italians, then added two more in the NASL campaign. He and fellow defender Alexis Velela enjoyed a weeklong training stint with Spain’s Málaga CF this offseason, which Diosa called, “a tremendous learning experience.” JIMMY OCKFORD #23īack for his second Cosmos loan spell from Seattle Sounders FC, Jimmy Ockford made preseason appearances in central defense during the team's trip to Florida. He slotted into the forward position on youth sides, but Diosa has found a niche with the first team at outside back.
Groomed by coach Savarese on the Cosmos’ former U-18 and U-23 teams, 2016 marks his sixth year as part of the club. He’s only 23 years old, but so far David Diosa is a Cosmos lifer. Expect another productive season at left back from the 30-year-old Spaniard. He trails only Carlos Mendes in career appearances, starts and minutes for the club since the reboot. To earn that distinction in the final season for both Raúl and Marcos Senna is no small feat. Quick, skilled on the ball and tenacious both pushing forward and tracking back, Ayoze was rewarded for three quality years in New York by being recognized as Emirates Cosmos Player of the Year in 2015. In the meantime, his temporary move to an injured reserve position on the roster allowed the Cosmos to sign Croatian midfielder Niko KranjÄar for the Spring Season. Like Freeman in 2015, he’ll have the option of seeing competitive time with Cosmos B before a full-fledged return to the first team.
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The former La Liga stalwart has been unlucky with injuries, though, and the most recent knock has him focused solely on regaining full fitness. In three seasons Rovérsio has proven himself as not only one of the NASL’s best center backs, but also one of the best plying his trade in the United States. Mendes will aim to pilot the squad to a third league title in four seasons. Now 35 years old, he’s experienced a late-career renaissance in green and white, often positioned in the right place to clear a final ball in the box or make a strong challenge. The captain has more appearances, starts and minutes than any other player to wear the Cosmos shirt in the reboot era. With Rovérsio set to miss time in the Spring Season due to injury, Ochieng could see his role in the heart of the Cosmos defense expand quickly. The 23-year-old stands 6-foot-2 and boasts senior national team experience with Kenya, making multiple appearances in 2018 World Cup Qualifiers. Powerful center back David Ochieng made his first preseason start for New York against the Charleston Battery on March 19. With talented attack-minded players like Gabriel Farfán, David Diosa and Alexis Velela seeing preseason minutes at fullback, we could see Freeman showcase his versatility more during the regular season. Head coach Giovanni Savarese has deployed his 31-year-old defender centrally and out wide on the back line this preseason.
5 Freeman struck a match-winning screamer against Minnesota United and didn’t look back, assuming his starting spot at right back for the Fall Season and postseason run to a championship.
Reserve side Cosmos B was vital, giving him meaningful minutes while he worked his way back to full fitness. The Texan was absent for most of the first team’s NASL Spring Season recovering from a foot injury. But 2015 came with considerable early hardship for Freeman. The 2014 Emirates Cosmos Player of the Year was a model for consistency two seasons ago, making a team-high 26 starts and logging 2,340 minutes on the field. LOANS: Jimmy Mulligan (Swope Park Rangers) HUNTER FREEMAN #2 Read the goalkeepers preview here.ĪRRIVALS: David Ochieng, Jimmy Ockford, Gabriel FarfánĭEPARTURES: Samuel Cáceres, Hunter Gorskie, John Neeskens This installment focuses on the defense, which will see an influx of young talent alongside a proven core. Leading up to the start of the 2016 NASL season, will provide a player-by-player look at the Cosmos roster by position.