Let’s Do The Time Warp Again

Thomas Reeves witnessed the rebirth of an American legend in the unlikely setting of Brisbane Road.

Leyton Orient stepped back in time as they welcomed New York Cosmos to the Matchroom stadium.

In the mid seventies, Cosmos were once one of the most-recognized sides in the world, with the likes of Franz Beckenbauer, Carlos Alberto and the legendary Pelé in their ranks. They somehow managed to be football’s answer to both the Harlem Globetrotters and Saturday Night Fever.

Marcos Senna, the 37-year-old star of the current Cosmos line-up, was one of the few players on the pitch who had even been born when the original club was dissolved in 1985 amid dwindling attendances and a lack of interest from US television networks.

The Cosmos travelled from East Coast to East London, 10 days before resuming their career in the North American Soccer League, the second tier of the American system. Goals from David Mooney and Kevin Lisbie earned Leyton Orient a 2-1 victory against the reborn side.

But there were positives for Cosmos. Away fans will be hoping Sebastian Guenzatti can build upon his 74th minute strike and that Senna can continue to show, as he did in this clash, that the years haven’t marred his ability.

Jemal Johnson evoked the spirit of his seventies forebears by trying his luck from 20 yards in the 8th minute.

But it was Orient who opened the scoring in a far from flashy fashion on 23 minutes. Mathieu Baudry cushioned a Lloyd James corner down to David Mooney, who was deemed to have poked the ball over the goal line by referee Mr Stuart Attwell, in spite of the away side’s protests.

Cosmos almost drew level on 36 minutes, as an Ayoze corner was powered onto the crossbar by Joseph Nane before substitute Alessandro Noselli struck the post with the rebound.

Kevin Lisbie doubled Orient’s advantage from the penalty spot in the 58th minute after Hunter Gorskie dragged down Baudry.

The Cosmos were offered a route back into the game with 16 minutes remaining. Not surprisingly, it came from another long-range effort – Noselli’s drive inexplicably eluding the grasp of Jamie Jones.

New York Cosmos made plenty of friends in East London. But they are unlikely to match the feat of winning America’s top soccer  league five times in a decade if they remain so heavily dependent on shooting from outside the penalty box.

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