News

John de Wolf and Orlando Engelaar Among NY Dutch Lions FC Stars Playing in Exhibition Match against Cosmos B

The Lions are coached by former Cosmos player, Wim Rijsbergen
Published Apr 21, 2017
The New York Cosmos announced today that the Cosmos B will play against the New York Dutch Lions FC at MCU Park on Friday, June 16th at 6:00 pm, as part of a double header with the New York Cosmos senior team facing Puerto Rico FC at 7:30 pm.
 
"This will be a fun and exciting night of soccer for New Yorkers, Dutch expats and all of Cosmos Country,” said New York Cosmos Chief Operating Officer, Erik Stover. “Our young players will have a great opportunity to play against some Dutch legends and it will also be great to have Wim Rijsbergen back with us."
 
The New York Dutch Lions FC is coached by former Cosmos player Wim Rijsbergen, who played for New York from 1979 to 1983. Rijsbergen was a key part of Holland's World Cup finalist teams in 1974 and 1978. He played every game in the 1974 tournament, which saw them advance to the final against host Germany before losing 2-1. He played in every game of the 1978 World Cup other than the final, missing that game against Argentina due to an injury. He played 28 games for the Dutch National Team. Rijsbergen was awarded “NASL Best Defender” in 1981 while playing for the Cosmos.
 
Rijsbergen called former Feyenoord standout, John de Wolf, as well as former PSV and Schalke 04 midfielder, Orlando Engelaar, to play against Cosmos B for this match. The Dutch Lions are planning to announce more All-Star players in the upcoming weeks. 
 
“I am excited to come back to the place of which I have so many good memories,” said Rijsbergen. “I recall Steve Marshall, who arranged everything for us, flying with the private jets of Warner Brothers to the away games, the training camps in the Bahama’s where Steve Ross joined the team and of course the great crowds and after game events. I look forward to the game and being back in New York”.
 
Earlier today, Cosmos B announced part of their 2017 roster, which will play in the Northeast Region’s North Atlantic Conference. Their 2017 opponents will include the Brooklyn Italians, Elm City Express, Greater Lowell NPSL FC, Seacoast United Phantoms and TSF FC.
 
Cosmos B will travel to Malden Catholic High School in Malden, MA to face Boston City FC on Saturday, April 29th at 7:00 pm, when they open their 2017 NPSL Season. The team will then host Elm City Express at Mitchel Athletic Field on Saturday, May 13th at 1:00 pm.