The Cosmos Join the NASL: Press Roundup

On July 12th, the New York Cosmos were delighted to announce that they were joining the North American Soccer League. We were humbled by all of the positivity generated from this announcement. Therefore, we collected some of our favorite articles and tweets as a testament to the excitement our return to the NASL caused. 

NASL Commissioner David Downs called the addition a “perfect fit,” that “the history of the Cosmos and soccer in the New York City area are intertwined,” and and that the Cosmos would be key to “enhancing the quality of our league both on and off the field.”

Aaron Davidson, the Chairman of the NASL Board of Governors, focused on this history of both the Cosmos franchise and the NASL and what implications it would have for the future of soccer in the U.S. “The team owners are thrilled to welcome the Cosmos back to their birthplace and home, the NASL. The Cosmos ownership group’s decision to join the NASL is the ultimate validation of our efforts to bring back the league which laid the foundation for soccer in North America. We look forward to respectfully honoring the legacy of the NASL and Cosmos of the 1970’s – 1980’s as we grow today’s NASL and play our role in driving the further development and maturation of soccer in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean,” he said.

Other NASL teams were ecstatic about the news of a New York-based club joining their league. “We’re excited. It’s a wonderful brand. Probably within the context of the history of the NASL, the most important brand there was. Everything about New York City is exciting for us. Our players will be excited to play there,” FC Edmonton general manager Tom Leip told the Edmonton Journal.

"I remember as a kid growing up in New York, going to Cosmos games in Giants Stadium. To have the rivalry again of the Fort Lauderdale Strikers and the New York Cosmos is nothing but great things for our league," Fort Lauderdale Strikers coach Daryl Shore told the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

MLS Commissioner Don Garber said that “We welcome the Cosmos’ entrance to the NASL. Having a vibrant second division is important to the overall growth and popularity of soccer in North America, and we are pleased to see the NASL add a new franchise.”

In an interview with Cosmos chairman, Seamus O'Brien, Sport's Illustrated's chief soccer writer, Grant Wahl, said that the Cosmos "have provided a more realistic approach to reviving the most famous soccer team in U.S. history."

Former NASL beat writer and current writer for bigapplesoccer.com, Michael Lewis also got the chance to sit down with Seamus O'Brien, where O'Brien said that ""We're starting out again. We're going to put down some deep foundations. You can build a big house. That's what I hope to do." 

At NBCSports.com, Noah Davis emphasized the history of the Cosmos, stating that they “have a sense of legitimacy.” On their expansion to the NASL, Davis writes, “Simply put, soccer in North America is better if the Cosmos are involved.” 

Simon Evans at Reuters reports on the enticing historic matchups that the Cosmos will face in the NASL, seeing “familiar names from the past with the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Fort Lauderdale Strikers both featuring in the league which was created in 2009 taking the name of the old competition which ran from 1968 to 1984.”

The Associated Press emphatically stated that “The New York Cosmos are back.” MLS Talk proclaimed that “the most well-known club name in US soccer history has joined the North American Soccer League” while Gothamist reported, “...the New York Cosmos will finally return to what they were most known for: playing soccer.” Meanwhile, Ives Galarcep at foxsoccer.com writes, "many have longed to see the return of those iconic uniforms and that unforgettable logo to a field again. On Thursday, those people received the news perhaps they thought they would never hear. The Cosmos are coming back.”

Clive Toye, the Cosmos’ first general manager was elated by the news, telling the New York Post, “...the first moves made are those that I would’ve made myself had I managed to persuade Peppe Pinton to sell to me over the years; so I start out with positive thoughts in my head for the Cosmos and for the NASL, and long may they remain so.’’

Cesar Diaz at ThisIsCosmosCountry.com, a blog faithfully devoted to “bringing a top flight soccer club to New York City” since 2007 offered his unbridled joy at finally achieving success. “Wow, the Cosmos are in the NASL! I watched them as a kid and finally, I will see them play in the same league my love for soccer started. Amazing! The Cosmos are in the NASL…. they’re in the NASL! Yes! Yes! Yes!” He added, “It’s also a fantastic opportunity to for the organization to reconnect with the community in from a grassroots level. Knowing the history and name behind the Cosmos, it’ll sure attract sponsors and investors.”

Most have reported on the prestige of the Cosmos name. At SB Nation, Jeremiah Oshan wrote that "The New York Cosmos, still arguably the most recognizable brand in American soccer despite a nearly 30-year absence will be returning to the NASL in 2013." Brian Quarstad at IMSoccer called the team “an iconic global soccer brand,” and The Sports Network said “The Cosmos were the most famous team in the original NASL." 

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