By Dr. David Kilpatrick

Imagery Courtesy: Dr. David Kilpatrick

The New York Cosmos alumni gathered for a reunion at Scaletta Ristorante in Manhattan on Saturday, April 8th. Owned and operated by former Cosmos and USMNT forward Fred Grgurev, Scaletta is often the gathering spot for the club's alumni, but this year's meet-up was also an opportunity for players from the '72, '77, '78, '80 and '82 championship teams to meet the new Chairman of the Cosmos, Rocco B. Commisso.

Commisso's former co-captain at Columbia University, Len Renery, was in attendance along with previous teammates Werner Roth, Josef Jelinek, Roby Young, Tony Picciano, Paul LeSueur, Bob Smith, Ron Atanasio, Dave Norris and Santiago Formoso.

Marjorie Mazzei Raggo, who was a Cosmos Girl and daughter of Head Coach Prof. Júlio Mazzei took part in the event and Mark Ross, the son of former Chairman Steve Ross, came with his son, which enhanced the family atmosphere.

Former front office staff Charles Cuttone, Jim Trecker, Charlie Martinelli, Bob Russo and Arnold Ramirez were also present, along with former Cosmos Vice President and General Manager Tom Werblin.

Several other close friends, relatives, journalists and fans joined the alumni. Former voice of the Cosmos and broadcaster enshrined in the National Soccer Hall of Fame, Seamus Malin, was present and appeared in a vintage Cosmos leather jacket.

The crowd cheered when full-time was reached in Miami, and the alumni congratulated Commisso on his first win as Chairman of the club. The celebrations went late into the night, as everyone basked in the victory.