- New York Cosmos (2010)
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This article is about the club formed in 2010. For the original team, active from 1971 to 1985, see New York Cosmos.
New York Cosmos 
Full name New York Cosmos Nickname(s) The Cosmos Founded August 1, 2010[note 1] Stadium See Stadium Owner New York Cosmos LLC[3] Honorary President Pelé[3] Director of Soccer Eric Cantona[3] Website Club home page 
Home colorsThe New York Cosmos (pronounced /ˈkɒzmoʊs/) are an American soccer club based in New York City. The team was formed in August 2010 by a consortium led by English businessman Paul Kemsley, and aspires to become a franchise of Major League Soccer, the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada. The Cosmos are named after and claim lineage from the original New York Cosmos club, which was active from 1971 to 1985.
The team's structure includes two players from the original team, Pelé and Giorgio Chinaglia, as honorary president and international ambassador respectively. Former France and Manchester United forward Eric Cantona became director of soccer in January 2011, with former United States international Cobi Jones as his deputy.
Contents
History
The original New York Cosmos club, active from 1971 to 1985, was the strongest franchise in the North American Soccer League (NASL), both financially and competitively. At its height, it featured in its line-ups some of the most famous players in the world, including the Brazilian star Pelé, but soon after his retirement in 1977 both the club and the league fell into decline. The NASL and the Cosmos were dissolved in 1984 and 1985 respectively.
After the Cosmos folded, the team's last general manager, G. Peppe Pinton, continued to run and operate the club's youth camps, which had started in 1977.[4] With the rise of Major League Soccer (MLS) during the late 1990s and 2000s, various New York City area entities approached Pinton about using the name for an MLS franchise. The existing franchise in New York, the MetroStars, made relevant enquires both before and after becoming the New York Red Bulls in 2006.[5] Pinton was reluctant to let the name be used by an MLS team, believing that the league was unwilling to respect the Cosmos' heritage;[6] however, after seeing MLS reintroduce historical NASL names, he changed his mind. The London Daily Mail reported in late August 2009 that Pinton had sold the name and image rights to Paul Kemsley, the former vice-chairman of English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur,[5][7][8] who headed a group intent on establishing a new Cosmos team in MLS. Pelé announced the club's return as the group's honorary president on August 1, 2010.[2]
Kemsley's group included English soccer businessman Terry Byrne as vice-chairman, as well as former Liverpool CEO Rick Parry.[3][9] Former Manchester United forward Eric Cantona was added as director of soccer in mid-January 2011,[10] with former United States player Cobi Jones as associate director. The original Cosmos' top goalscorer, Giorgio Chinaglia, was also included as an international ambassador.[3]
The Cosmos' first match was on August 5, 2011, when they played against Manchester United at Old Trafford in Paul Scholes's testimonial match. Cantona managed a team mixing members of the Cosmos under-23 team with guest players from around the world.[11][12][13]
The departure of Kemsley as chairman and CEO was announced by the Cosmos on October 26, 2011, with an official club statement saying that he wished "to pursue other interests and commitments". His replacement was not immediately announced – according to the press release, the new chairman and CEO "will be announced in the coming months".[14] A further press release on November 2 gave news of a company buyout, restructuring and various unspecified management changes within the organization. The statement also said that the goal of the club remained the same under its new, unidentified owners – "unequivocally" to become an MLS team.[15]
Stadium and potential Major League Soccer expansion
The Five Boroughs of New York City: 1: Manhattan 2: Brooklyn 3: Queens 4: The Bronx 5: Staten Island
At the time of the Cosmos' return in 2010, MLS was made up of 16 franchises, with three new teams set to join over the following two seasons: the Vancouver Whitecaps and Portland Timbers in 2011, and the Montreal Impact in 2012. The earliest a 20th franchise could potentially join MLS would be in 2013.[16] Newsday reported in late April 2011 that the league was committed to placing the next franchise in the New York borough of Queens if a deal could be reached.[17] According to Terry Byrne, speaking on July 28, 2011, the stadium is the biggest factor regarding the Cosmos' accession to MLS. "The league wants us to demonstrate that we are capable of taking a stadium [area] and building a stadium," he said. "We have to be fully prepared to pull the trigger on an all singing and dancing stadium."[18]
Working alongside New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the Cosmos are specifically seeking a location within New York City's boroughs rather than outside in a suburb (this would distinguish them from the Red Bulls, who play in Harrison, New Jersey). Over a dozen locations around Queens, The Bronx and Manhattan were marked out in March 2011,[18][19] narrowed down to four sites by the end of July; two in Queens and one each in Brooklyn and "uptown" Manhattan.[18]
Apart from the stadium, an issue regarding MLS membership is the franchise fee that the Cosmos would have to pay to the league. When the club first announced its intention to join, the price stood at $40 million, but by the end of July 2011 the fee for any expansion team playing in New York had risen to $70 million, a 57% rise from the entry price paid by Montreal. The club and league remain in negotiations, which include talks over perhaps starting play at a temporary home stadium for "two or three years".[20] Byrne told Goal.com on July 28 that he expected a decision from MLS commissioner Don Garber "within the next six to eight months".[18]
Supporters
The Cosmos' main supporters group is the Borough Boys Supporters Club, a group originally formed in 2007 to lobby for the creation of a professional soccer team based in New York City. The members first met in October 2007 and decided on the name "Borough Boys" on November 17, 2007, after holding a vote. The club's original motivation was simply the desire for professional soccer in the city, and to that end it held talks with city officials in early 2008. Soon after Kemsley's group bought the Cosmos rights in late 2009, the club wrote an open letter asking him to create an MLS franchise within the city; he reacted positively, leading the Borough Boys to pledge their support. The Borough Boys have since maintained a close relationship with the Cosmos.[19][21]
The supporters club is presently made up of around 1,000 members, and represents a broad spectrum of fans from many different backgrounds.[22] The Borough Boys' original logo used the colours of New York City – white, blue and orange – and was based around the arches of the Brooklyn Bridge; it also used the motto of Brooklyn, Eendraght Maeckt Maght, which translates from Dutch as "Unity makes strength".[22] After the club became affiliated with the Cosmos, it adopted a new emblem featuring a navy blue skull, seen in profile facing to the left, surrounded by green, yellow and blue "blades" similar to those on the Cosmos badge.[21][22]
Players
New York Cosmos players (in white) in August 2011 against Manchester UnitedRoster for inaugural game
The Cosmos roster for the team's first game, against Manchester United on August 5, 2011, was made up of twelve guest players and eight from the Cosmos' under-23 team.[23]
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
- Guest players
Players are retired or unsigned unless specified otherwise. Clubs given as of date of game, August 5, 2011
No. Position Player Nation 1 GK Brad Friedel (Tottenham Hotspur) 
United States2 DF Gary Neville 
England3 DF Wayne Bridge (Manchester City) England4 MF Patrick Vieira 
France5 DF Fabio Cannavaro 
Italy6 DF Sol Campbell England7 MF Robert Pirès France8 MF Nicky Butt England9 FW Dwight Yorke 
Trinidad and Tobago11 FW Robbie Keane (Tottenham Hotspur[note 2]) 
Ireland12 DF Míchel Salgado (Blackburn Rovers) 
Spain20 FW Brian McBride United States- Players from Cosmos U-23
No. Position Player Nation 13 GK Chad Calderone United States14 MF Ibrahim Diaby United States15 DF Yannick Reyering 
Germany16 FW Stefan Dimitrov 
Bulgaria17 MF Dane Murphy United States18 MF Marvin Iraheta 
El Salvador19 FW Moriken Sangary 
Liberia21 MF Armando Gaitan United StatesRetired numbers
The original Cosmos team retired Pelé's number 10 jersey in 1977.[25] On formation, the new club announced that it would continue this tradition.[23]
No. Position Player Nation Cosmos
career10 FW Pelé 
Brazil1975–77 Results
Inaugural Friendly
August 5, 2011 Manchester United 6 – 0[26] New York CosmosOld Trafford, England 14:30 EDT Scholes 
9'
Rooney 28' (pen.)
Anderson 50'
Welbeck 59'
Diouf 69', 74'Attendance: 74,731[27] Youth Academy
The club operates the Cosmos Academy, which it formed on foundation in August 2010. The academy, affiliated with Blau Weiss Gottschee and based in Queens, New York, is led by Giovanni Savarese and Ted Chronopoulos. It competes at various levels of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, fielding teams in the under-9 to under-18 age groups.[28] The US under-17 team's Spring 2011 roster included three players from the Cosmos Academy, more than any MLS team.[29][30]
A western division called Cosmos Academy West existed between August 2010 and August 2011, based in Pomona, California, about 27 miles (43 km) east of Los Angeles.[note 3] At the end of 2010, it was ranked by Soccer America as the third best boys' club in the United States and the top boys' club in California.[32][33] Six months after its original partnership with Los Angeles Futbol Club was terminated in February 2011,[31][32][34] Cosmos Academy West disbanded in August 2011, its operations folded into those of MLS club Chivas USA.[35] This was done so that the Cosmos would fit more closely the requirements of a potential MLS team based out of New York City.[36]
As part of the deal made with the Cosmos in 2010, Blau Weiss Gottschee were to receive payment from New York in January and August each year. After the first two bi-annual payments were made on time, an unspecified amount was still outstanding from the third three months after its due date on August 1, 2011, causing Blau Weiss Gottschee to file suit for non-payment against the Cosmos on November 8, 2011. Because of the lack of funding, Blau Weiss was forced to restore the tuition, transport and training fees which players had been required to pay before the 2010 deal, but which had been thereafter covered by the Cosmos sponsorship. The Blau Weiss statement did not reveal the court in which the claim will be pressed.[37]
Cosmos U-23
Main article: New York Cosmos U-23An under-23 Cosmos side has been accepted into the USL Premier Development League (PDL), the fourth tier of the United States soccer pyramid, and is expected to officially join for the 2012 season. During 2011, the under-23s' schedule is made up of exhibition matches against existing PDL clubs. The team plays its home matches at Monsignor Farrell High School, Staten Island, and is coached by Savarese.[38]
Ownership and team management
Pelé, pictured in June 2010, became honorary president of the revived Cosmos in August that year.Eric Cantona, the club's director of soccer, seen here in 2009, was appointed in January 2011.- As of November 10, 2011.[39]
Directors
- Honorary President: Pelé
- Chairman and CEO: Vacant
- International Ambassadors: Giorgio Chinaglia, Carlos Alberto, Shep Messing
Soccer structure
- Director of Soccer: Eric Cantona
- Associate Director of Soccer: Cobi Jones
- Academy Director: Giovanni Savarese
Management team
- Vice-chairman: Terry Byrne
- Communications Director: Theresa Tran
- Financial Controller: Kevin Kletz
- Marketing Manager: Sofia Sanchez
- Social Media Manager: Chris Thomas
- Executive Assistant: Greg Essakow
Footnotes
- ^ The club itself claims February 4, 1971, when the original Cosmos were formed, as its foundation date.[1] Regarding the two sides as separate entities, the contemporary team started on August 1, 2010.[2]
- ^ Robbie Keane played for Tottenham Hotspur at the time of his guest appearance for New York but moved to the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer on August 16, 2011.[24]
- ^ While Cosmos Academy West existed, the Cosmos Academy based in Queens was called Cosmos Academy East.[31]
References
- Bibliography
- Newsham, Gavin (2006). Once in a Lifetime: The Incredible Story of the New York Cosmos. New York City: Grove Press. ISBN 0-8021-4288-5. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=nZQh9FjdOfcC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_atb.
- Source notes
- ^ "The New York Cosmos Celebrates its 40th Birthday". New York City: New York Cosmos. 2011-02-05. http://www.nycosmos.com/news/the-new-york-cosmos-celebrates-its-40th-birthday/. Retrieved 2011-02-17.
- ^ a b Bell, Jack (2010-08-01 ). "Cosmos Begin Anew, With Eye Toward M.L.S ". The New York Times (New York City). http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/02/sports/soccer/02cosmos.html . Retrieved 2010-08-04 .
- ^ a b c d e "The Club". nycosmos.com. New York City: New York Cosmos. http://www.nycosmos.com/about/. Retrieved 2011-01-19.
- ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE; Fewer Kicks". The New York Times (New York City). 1986-08-01. http://www.nytimes.com/1986/08/01/sports/sports-people-fewer-kicks.html. Retrieved 2010-08-04.
- ^ a b Bell, Jack (2006-04-19). "Red Bulls May Be Mix of Former Cosmos". The New York Times (New York City). http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/19/sports/soccer/19soccer.html. Retrieved 2009-06-12.
- ^ Spangler, Adam (2009-05-04). "the cosmos, for free!". this is american soccer. http://www.thisisamericansoccer.com/news/the-cosmos-for-free/. Retrieved 2009-06-12.
- ^ Sale, Charles (2009-08-29). "Kemsley planning rebirth of New York Cosmos". Daily Mail (London: Associated Newspapers Ltd). http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/article-1209787/CHARLES-SALE-Former-Tottenham-director-Paul-Kemsley-planning-rebirth-New-York-Cosmos.html. Retrieved 2009-08-29.
- ^ Dyer, Kristian (2007-05-15). "Cosmos' legacy yet to be fully embraced by MLS". ESPNsoccernet. ESPN. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=429192&&cc=5901. Retrieved 2009-06-12.
- ^ Labidou, Alex. "Former Liverpool CEO Rick Parry Discusses Involvement With New York Cosmos". Goal.com. http://www.goal.com/en/news/1884/north-america/2010/10/22/2178774/exclusive-former-liverpool-ceo-rick-parry-discusses. Retrieved 2010-10-23.
- ^ "Eric Cantona takes New York Cosmos director job". BBC. 2011-01-19. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/9366577.stm. Retrieved 2011-01-19.
- ^ Batram, Steve (2011-06-11). "Scholes match announced". ManUtd.com (Manchester United). http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2011/Jun/scholes-testimonial-announced.aspx?pageNo=1. Retrieved 2011-06-10.
- ^ "Paul Scholes 'one of Manchester United's greatest' says Sir Alex Ferguson". BBC. 2011-08-05. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14417789.stm. Retrieved 2011-08-06.
- ^ Marshall, Adam (2011-08-05). "United 6 New York Cosmos 0". ManUtd.com (Manchester United). http://www.manutd.com/en/Fixtures-And-Results/Match-Reports/2011/Aug/manchester-united-v-ny-cosmos.aspx. Retrieved 2011-08-06.
- ^ "Paul Kemsley Steps Down as Chairman/CEO of The New York Cosmos". nycosmos.com. New York City: New York Cosmos. October 26, 2011. http://nycosmos.com/news/paul-kemsley-steps-down-chairmanceo-new-york-cosmos-0. Retrieved October 28, 2011.
- ^ "Management Update From The New York Cosmos". nycosmos.com. New York City: New York Cosmos. November 2, 2011. http://nycosmos.com/news/management-update-new-york-cosmos. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
- ^ Ogden, Mark (2011-01-19). "Eric Cantona's appointment at the New York Cosmos part of battle to restore football to heart of the Big Apple". The Daily Telegraph (London: Telegraph Media Group Ltd). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/8269887/Eric-Cantonas-appointment-at-the-New-York-Cosmos-part-of-battle-to-restore-football-to-heart-of-the-Big-Apple.html. Retrieved 2011-01-20.
- ^ Logan, Greg (2011-04-21). "Second MLS club for New York on horizon". Newsday (Melville, New York). http://www.newsday.com/sports/soccer/second-mls-club-for-new-york-on-horizon-1.2831971. Retrieved 2011-04-25.
- ^ a b c d Labidou, Alex (2011-07-28). "What's going on with the New York Cosmos?". Goal.com. http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1110/major-league-soccer/2011/07/28/2593700/whats-going-on-with-the-new-york-cosmos. Retrieved 2011-07-28.
- ^ a b Diaz, Cesar (2011-03-24). "Borough Boys SC Host Successful Q&A with the New York Cosmos Front Office". Latino Sports. Latino Sports Ventures. http://latinosports.com/featured/borough-boys-sc-host-successful-q-a-with-the-new-york-cosmos-front-office.html. Retrieved 2011-03-24. "In addition, they have looked into the Bronx, Manhattan, and Randall's Island as potential sites other than Queens."
- ^ "Cantona revelling in Cosmos role as United legend makes Old Trafford return". Daily Mail (London: Associated Newspapers Ltd). 2011-08-01. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2021016/Manchester-United-legend-Eric-Cantona-returns-Old-Trafford.html. Retrieved 2011-08-01.
- ^ a b Laveglia, Nick; Glickman, Leo. "The History of The Borough Boys". nycosmos.com. New York City: New York Cosmos. http://nycosmos.com/news/history-borough-boys. Retrieved 2011-08-03.
- ^ a b c Dobens, Chris. "Mission: A History of the Borough Boys". Borough Boys Supporters Club. http://boroughboysnyc.com/. Retrieved 2011-08-03.
- ^ a b "Players Added to Cosmos Squad for Manchester United match". nycosmos.com (New York City: New York Cosmos). 2011-07-22. http://nycosmos.com/news/players-added-cosmos-squad-manchester-united-match. Retrieved 2011-07-22.
- ^ "Spurs striker Robbie Keane joins MLS side LA Galaxy". BBC. 2011-08-16. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14525931.stm. Retrieved 2011-10-11.
- ^ "Heritage". nycosmos.com (New York City: New York Cosmos). http://nycosmos.com/heritage. Retrieved 2011-07-23.
- ^ "New York Cosmos 0-6 Manchester United". nycosmos.com (New York City: New York Cosmos). http://nycosmos.com/news/new-york-cosmos-0-6-manchester-united-0. Retrieved 2011-08-15.
- ^ "Entrevista con Cosmos U23 Jugador Marvin Iraheta". nycosmos.com (New York City: New York Cosmos). http://nycosmos.com/news/entrevista-con-cosmos-u23-jugador-marvin-iraheta. Retrieved 2011-08-15.
- ^ "Academy". nycosmos.com. New York City: New York Cosmos. http://www.nycosmos.com/academy/. Retrieved 2011-03-13.
- ^ Schaerlaeckens, Leander (2011-04-24). "Cantona's big plans for the Cosmos". ESPN.com. ESPN. http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/6192620/eric-cantona-big-plans-cosmos. Retrieved 2011-04-24.
- ^ "Spring 2011 Roster". United States Soccer Federation. http://www.ussoccer.com/Teams/Youth/US-Under17-Men/Residency-Roster/Spring-2011-Residency.aspx. Retrieved 2011-04-24.
- ^ a b "The New York Cosmos Goes Coast-to-Coast With Cosmos Academy". nycosmos.com. New York City: New York Cosmos. 2010-08-25. http://www.nycosmos.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Cosmos-Academy-Final-for-Website.pdf. Retrieved 2010-08-25.
- ^ a b "Cosmos Academy West continues membership in USSDA". nycosmos.com. New York City: New York Cosmos. 2011-02-07. http://www.nycosmos.com/featured/cosmos-academy-west-continues-membership-in-ussda-2/. Retrieved 2011-03-13.
- ^ Kennedy, Paul (2010-12-07). "2010 Soccer America's Best Boys Clubs". Soccer America. New York City. http://www.socceramerica.com/article/40678/2010-soccer-americas-best-boys-clubs.html. Retrieved 2011-03-13.
- ^ "Press Release - Los Angeles Futbol Club". lafcsoccer.com. Los Angeles, California: Los Angeles Futbol Club. http://www.lafcsoccer.com/home/495026.html. Retrieved 2011-02-13.
- ^ Eskilson, J. R. (2011-08-09). "Cosmos Academy West disbands; joins Chivas USA Academy". Goal.com. http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/2617/youth-soccer/2011/08/08/2611138/cosmos-academy-west-disbands-joins-chivas-usa-academy. Retrieved 2011-08-09.
- ^ "New York Cosmos Announce Closure of Cosmos Academy West". nycosmos.com. New York City: New York Cosmos. 2011-08-09. http://nycosmos.com/news/new-york-cosmos-announce-closure-cosmos-academy-west. Retrieved 2011-08-09.
- ^ Lewis, Michael (2011-11-08). "Gottschee club sues Cosmos". Big Apple Soccer. New York City: Sports Vue Interactive. http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/sections/youth2.php?article_id=29096. Retrieved 2011-11-10.
- ^ "New York Cosmos U23 Join PDL". USL Soccer Network. Tampa, Florida: United Soccer Leagues. 2011-05-04. http://pdl.uslsoccer.com/home/523306.html. Retrieved 2011-06-19.
- ^ "Management". nycosmos.com. New York City: New York Cosmos. http://nycosmos.com/management. Retrieved 2011-11-10.
External links
New York Cosmos Founded in 1971 • Based in New York City & East Rutherford, New JerseyOriginal Club Team • Seasons • Players (All-stars) • All articlesNew Club Team • U-23 teamStadiums Honors (12)NASL Regular Season (7) NASL Championship (5) Website: nycosmos.comSoccer in the United States Overview United States Soccer Federation · League system · History · Hall of Fame · Clubs · Champions · Venues (stadiums by capacity, SSS)Men's national teams Outdoor leagues Indoor leagues Cup competitions Men's college soccer Women's national teams Women's leagues Women's college soccer Defunct Categories:
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