The New York Cosmos reigned as the flagship franchise of American soccer from 1971-1985 capturing five North American Championships in ‘72~’77~’78~’80~82. Soccer's international “dream team” dominated the domestic and global soccer scene attracting record crowds wherever they played.

After four solid opening years including their first championship in 1972, the Cosmos began their march toward soccer supremacy in 1975, making worldwide news by signing the sport's all-time icon--Brazilian soccer legend, Pele. The following year, Italy's most prolific goal-scorer, Giorgio Chinaglia, arrived in New York, and in 1977, following the team's landmark move to a brand-new Giant Stadium, Germany's "Kaiser" Franz Beckenbauer joined the fold fresh off three European Championships. Crowds grew by the game to a record 62,000 in June and on up to a sellout of 77,691 by August. Brazilian "King of Sweepers" Carlos Alberto was signed in mid-season and the Cosmos were on their way to a second championship and a memorable farewell for a retiring Pele.

Now the world-class tone was set, and the trend continued. Yugoslavia's maestro midfielder, Valdislav "Bogi" Bogicevic; Holand's Johann Neeskens and Wim Rijsbergen; England's Dennis Tueart and Steve Hunt; Paraguay's Roberto Cabanas and Julio Cesar Romero; and Portugal's Seninho all found their way to a Cosmos uniform and three more North American Championships followed. At one point, as many as 16 different nationalities were represented on the roster, with strong support from the likes of Andranik Eskandarian, Hubert Birkenmeier, Robert Iarusci, Ramo Mifflin, Freddie Grgurev, Borris Bandov, Steve Wegerle, Randy Horton, Nelsi Morais, Morinho, Keith Eddy, Gordon Bradley, and Antonio Carbognani.

At the same time, the Cosmos blueprint all along the way also to develope young American talent by exposing them to their experienced international stars on an everyday basis. As a result, the first generation of American stars was also born: Shep Messing, Werner Roth, Ricky Davis, Angelo DiBernardo, David Brcic, Jeff Durgan. Santiago Formoso, Steve Moyers, Darryl Gee, Gary Etherington, and Erhardt Kapp.

Never in history of soccer has such a versatile team of the world's top players been assembled.

Welcome to Cosmos Country! sm
G. Peppe Pinton, President & CEO