Andrés Flores of the NY Cosmos is Named NASL Player of the Week
Andrés Flores of the New York Cosmos is voted NASL Player of the Week following a 6-1 rout over the Carolina RailHawks on Saturday. Flores tallied three assists and recorded one goal to boost the Cosmos to the top of the Fall Season and Combined Standings. The Cosmos will look to continue their five-game unbeaten streak on Wednesday versus Indy Eleven at Shuart Stadium.
NASL Soccer News: The New York Cosmos put on one of the most decisive attacking displays in the second half against the Carolina RailHawks on Saturday night as Andrés Flores pulled the strings in midfield. His performance earned him North American Soccer League (NASL) Player of the Week honors.
The Salvadoran international scored and assisted three others en route to the Cosmos’ 6-1 win that vaulted the club to the top of the Fall Season and Combined Standings. The attacking outburst was the first time the Cosmos scored six goals in the NASL Modern Era.
“I am very happy to be named NASL Player of the Week,” Flores said. “It feels great to have a solid performance, but it feels even better to contribute to the overall performance of the team. We are working very hard to find our best form and this kind of achievement certainly helps us stay motivated moving forward.”
New York trailed early against the RailHawks when Flores turned the ball over in midfield to Nazmi Albadawi who set up Matt Fondy’s opening tally in the sixth minute. The Cosmos and Flores, 25, bounced back two minutes later. Flores laid the ball off to Juan Arango for the equalizer and then continued his stellar play throughout the second half.
Arango scored his second before Flores added his second assist of the game when Jairo Arrieta’s chip hit the cross bar and crossed the goal line. Flores would find the back of the net in the 79th minute when Arrieta flicked a ball towards the midfielder who sent a half volley from the top of the 18-yard box into the bottom right corner. After Arrieta added a second, Flores provided his third assist of the game when he latched onto a long ball before centering for Sebastían Guenzatti.
“Andrés has done a fantastic job throughout the season and his hard work is paying off,” Cosmos coach Giovanni Saverese said. “He had a strong game against Carolina and totally deserves this award. Andrés has shown not only consistency, but also that he is a team player whose main priority is help the Cosmos succeed.
The six goals for the Cosmos increased their league-leading total to 41 for 2016. In the Fall Season, New York now has a goal differential of plus-11 to lift it over FC Edmonton, which is tied on 23 points in the standings.
With the win, the Cosmos extended their home unbeaten streak to 14 games. New York is also unbeaten in its last five overall, winning three of those games. The side will now look to extend its unbeaten run on Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. ET when Spring Season Champion Indy Eleven visits Shuart Stadium.
Source/Photo Credit: North American Soccer League
