New York Cosmos came from behind their own collapsing lead to beat Richmond Kickers 3–2 at the death, with Philip Spengler striking twice — including a stoppage-time winner in the 90+5th minute — and Lamin Jawneh also finding the net. Zahir Vasquez and Sean Vinberg scored for Richmond in a second-half fightback that ultimately fell short.
The Cosmos started fast. Spengler opened the scoring in the 15th minute, and just six minutes later Jawneh doubled the advantage, finishing from a Christian Koffi delivery to make it 2–0. The home side looked comfortable, but Richmond pulled one back before halftime through Vasquez, who converted in the 32nd minute after a pass from Yann-Alexandre Fillion.
The second half was a fractious affair. Bookings piled up on both sides, with six yellow cards shown between the 60th and 74th minutes alone. Vinberg, cautioned in the 62nd minute, shrugged off that booking to equalize four minutes later, getting on the end of an Ali Sasankhah assist to level the match at 2–2.
Richmond sensed a result and pushed hard late on, with Harold Hanson picking up a yellow in the 89th minute. But it was the Cosmos who found the decisive moment deep into added time. Spengler popped up again in the 90+5th minute to complete his brace and snatch all three points, earning himself a yellow card moments later — presumably for his celebration.
The win gives the Cosmos a crucial three points in the USL League One standings as the regular season enters its final stretch.
USL League One