News
JUE 26.05.2016
Multi-sports stadium
Las Vegas's Sam Boyd Stadium was the setting for the second and last of SD Eibar's US LaLiga World tour fixtures. The arena, which was opened in 1971, is also home to American football teams, the UNLV Rebels - who compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association - and NFL outfit, the Las Vegas Locomotive. Every year the stadium also plays host to the USA Sevens rugby tournament, the largest of its kind across North America.
Mr. Untouchable
Jose Luis Mendilibar decided to make wholesale changes to the side that faced the Philadelphia Fury last time out. The Ameros' coach fielded 10 new outfield players, with Ander Capa the only man to retain his place in the starting XI.
Familiar faces
The New York Cosmos's lineup featured two LaLiga old boys in the shape of Roversio and Juan Arango. The Brazilian centre-back turned out for Real Betis and At. Osasuna, whilst the Venezuelan midfielder left a lasting impression during his time at RCD Mallorca. For Roversio this reunion with Spanish football was made all the more special by the fact that he was coached by Mendilibar during their respective stints at Osasuna.
Three goals in 12 minutes
It could hardly have been a more exciting start to the game. Gonzalo Escalante took just three minutes to break the deadlock with a volley, before Antonio Luna doubled Eibar's advantage in the ninth minute. A mere three minutes later, Yasmani Duk pulled one back for the Cosmos. Duk was on the scoresheet again in the second half, making it 2-2 to take the encounter to penalties, and the striker's contribution earned him the Man of the Match award, which he was presented with by Raul Gonzalez, LaLiga's country manager for the United States.
On the spot again
This was the third match in this year's LaLiga World post-season programme to go to a shoot-out. First Club Bolivar v RCD Espanyol was settled on penalties, followed by Houston Dynamo v Real Sociedad, and now 90 minutes weren't enough to separate the Cosmos and Eibar in Vegas. The New Yorkers ended up running out victorious from the spot, with David Diosa sealing the deal after Keko's kick had crashed off the crossbar and over.
© LALIGA - 2016