February 1st, 2011 - When it comes to the history of The New York Cosmos, Giorgio Chinaglia’s name is inescapable. In his 9 years with the team he became the NASL’s all-time leading scorer with 243 goals and was inducted in the U.S. National Soccer Hall of Fame.

To celebrate his recent birthday, we got a chance to sit down and ask him a few questions about his experience as a soccer legend. In this exclusive Q&A, Chinaglia opens up about his passion for the game, his memories of the Cosmos glory days, and the future of American soccer.

NYC: Tell us about Italy and about growing up there. Was soccer a big part of your life even back then?

GC: I grew up in a town called Carrara, in Tuscany. It’s where white marble comes from. It’s the only place where you can get white marble, from Carrara. That’s what it’s famous for. When I was 3 or 4 years of age, I emigrated to Wales and went to Cardiff. My father was working in iron and steel works, and we were very poor. It was a hard life. My father worked night shifts to put money away. He went to culinary school and became a chef. After two years as a chef, he bought his own restaurant and that is when my life more or less changed.

NYC: How did you get your start in soccer?


GC: When I went to school in Cardiff and played for Cardiff boys’ team. At 15, I was “drafted” (as you say in the United States) by a team called Swansea, which is now in the Championship League. I was a professional at 15 years of age and that’s how my career started.

NYC: Tell us a story from The New York Cosmos locker room that no one has heard before.


GC: It was kind of a rough locker room because you’re with 15 different nationalities and cultures, and that presents different situations. I think the funniest moment was when Bogicevic and Beckenbauer almost came to blows. They really wanted to fight each other, and the way it happened was really funny. No offense, but it was like two women trying to fight. I said, “Hey, if you’re going to fight, give a punch! I mean, come on, what are you doing?” They stopped and we all started laughing.

NYC: Tell us a story from outside The New York Cosmos locker room that no one has heard before.


GC: One year, I had to go on vacation with Mick Jagger. We went to Barbados on a private jet because Steve Ross said “You’ve got to go to Barbados and keep an eye on Mick Jagger.” Keep an eye on Mick Jagger? I’m like, Come on! So we were playing football on the beach, and he went down with hives all over his face. I thought I had killed him. Oh my God, I killed Mick Jagger. So I ran over and said, “Hey Micky, are you ok?” He said, “Don’t worry, two minutes.” I almost thought that was it. We didn’t play football on the beach for the rest of the trip; that was the end of that.

NYC: How does The New York Cosmos being re-launched make you feel?


GC: Like a fan, which I still am. My mission is to see The Cosmos on the playing field again….and the stadium full. Once that happens, I will watch them play every game.

NYC: What kind of impact do you think The New York Cosmos could have on the MLS?


GC: It could be very interesting times ahead. If The New York Cosmos came in, they would help a lot. And if they bring great players – the best players – people will go out to watch them, and they’ll get full stadiums. And having a rival, the Red Bulls, is great to be honest.

NYC: What would it take for soccer in America to reach the excitement levels of The Cosmos era in the 1970s?


GC: We hope that more kids play soccer and that more kids come out and become superstars. I am sure that with the technology of today, there could be many more players here. If you look at today, who can you talk about? Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi. There is a big distance between these two and others, and we want more like them. You add more superstars to the game of soccer [in America] and you can also bring in more superstars. It can only benefit the game and the people who watch it. It could change soccer in this country dramatically because you have the best of the best. And when you have the best of the best, especially in New York, it’s unbelievable. If you’re not number one in New York, then you might as well go home. New York is the best – music, movies, everything. New York is New York.

NYC: Are there any young players out there that have caught your eye as being a potential legend in years to come? Could there ever be another Pelé?


GC: Many people don’t know but in the World FIFA List, I am number 40 in the world for scoring goals. Number one, of course, is Pelé, but being number 40, let me tell you, it’s not a bad position to be in. But I don’t think there is going to be another Pelé, because they don’t make them like that anymore. They just don’t make them like that anymore. He was, he is, the number one player in the world…and he played for The New York Cosmos!