Cosmos goalkeeper, Kyle Zobeck, has a well-known secret up his sleeve, or better yet—in his oven gloves.

Zobeck is the NY Cosmos’ celebrity baker. “I do pies, I’ve done cheesecakes, cakes, cookies, breads of all different types. I’m a big bread fan, so I like to make bread for the week.”

Cookies are quite popular in Cosmos Country as Zobeck tends to treat the team to “victory cookies” after a team win. “These past few years, especially towards the end of the season, that’s been the little extra incentive,” said Zobeck. “Last year when we won, the guys had cookies after the last two regular season wins, semifinal and final; and I hope it will be the same this year.”

The 27-year-old can also prepare fine cuisines but says he prefers treats over meals. “I try not to go overboard with the sweets; so, a lot of times I like to bring in stuff for the team,” Zobeck said. “But, I like to save some for myself.”  

Who gets first dibs on Zobeck’s sweets? Anyone who’s around, though, there was a time when Cosmos teammate, Jimmy Mulligan was the first to try Zobeck’s creations, as the two lived under one roof. 

The Cosmos goalkeeper says he always open to any critiques or requests. “Danny Szetela requests oatmeal raisins cookies every year. So, that was the batch I made after our second win against Puerto Rico this season,” Zobeck said. “I just got a request to make something with peanut butter. So, peanut butter cookies might be next.

Zobeck grew up around baking along with his older brother and younger sister as their mother would bake pies and cookies for the holidays. “We would mix the batters and frost the cookies, it was a lot of fun.” Zobeck said.

Besides baking from an early age with the family, Zobeck confessed he consistently finds himself watching YouTube food channels to draw inspiration off well-known personalities like Chef John from Food Wishes, but he also sticks to traditional online searching or the never-fail phone call to his mother for advice on a family recipe.

Though, he doesn’t have a signature recipe of his own, Zobeck always adds his own touches along the way. 

The goalkeeper also has a good eye for the lens. He produces all the pictures featuring his favorite, chocolate chip cookies, M&M cookies, bread, homemade burger buns and ravioli through social media. “I try to make sure everything looks neat, colorful and not sloppy. But, as long as it tastes good, I’ll be happy,” said Zobeck.

Though, there’s no scientific reason that could explain Zobeck’s need to knead, there’s a general belief that baking is a great way alleviate stress. “Following a set of instructions, being patient and waiting; fills up a day where you could be worrying about things,” Zobeck said. “It keeps me busy for sure and it keeps my mind off things.”

Now, who said there isn’t life after football? When asked if he would consider going into the bakery industry, Zobeck insists he would like to keep baking as a hobby. “For me, it would take the fun out of it, because right now I can make what I want, whenever I want. I just don’t see that in the cards right now.”

With Halloween around the corner, what can #CosmosCountry expect from their celebrity baker? Zobeck has a feeling it will be “probably something with pumpkin. Maybe a pie or bread, I do have my own pumpkin at my house ready to carve out and use.”

Perhaps, treats made with love and for specific reason is secret to Zobeck’s sweets. “It’s just something that I’ve started to do more and more now as I’ve gotten older and it’s how I choose to spend my free time now.”