A few weeks ago, Travis Pittman was a soccer player without a team.

 

Today, he is a member of a side that is gunning for a league championship.

 

Pittman came off the bench in the 4-2 extra-time victory over defending champion Elm City Express Wednesday night and helped give Cosmos B some vital minutes and fresh legs in the National Premier Soccer League playoff match.

 

The 27-year-old forward acquitted himself well, which could open the door for some more minutes in Saturday night's North Atlantic Conference Final against the Brooklyn Italians at Commisso Stadium at 7:30 p.m., especially after Bledi Bardic suffered a hamstring injury.

 

"We will definitely miss the quality he brings to our team," said Pittman, who came in for the team-leading goalscorer. "He has been scoring goals for us and making life tough for defenses. What’s great about our team, though, is we have the depth to continue to put together a strong line up despite injuries."

 

The former U.S. youth international was one of several reserves who were praised for their performances off the bench Wednesday. That did not escape the Manassas, Va., native.

 

"It’s great to see that when Carlos [Mendes, head coach] makes a sub, there isn’t a drop in the level," he said. "This is a testament to the quality of our team. Against Elm City each sub came in and brought quality which helped us win and advance."

 

A member of Cosmos B's 2015 NPSL Championship side, Pittman rejoined the team two weeks ago. He had been participating in a Central American soccer league in northern Virginia, but he yearned for more competition. He got in touch with team captain Danny Szetela and told him he would be on Long Island and could train with the team. Szetela contacted Mendes, who gave the 5-11, 170-lb. Pittman the green light.

 

Thanks to Pittman's history with the club, he was given an opportunity to sign with the club.

 

"He's been here. We knew he was a player that can contribute that has played at a good level," Mendes said before Wednesday's game. "We got lucky with the timing -- he had come back here to the New York area -- so it fit well. A good kid, a good soccer player. He can play different positions. He's very good. He's good on the ball. He can give us something different. He'll definitely get minutes and have an opportunity to make a difference and impact the game for us."

 

Pittman is one of two current Cosmos B players who performed for the team in 2015; left fullback John Neeskens is the other. 

 

Beyond finishing with an undefeated season and capturing the crown, what made the 2015 season memorable was the team camaraderie.

 

"It was an honor to play for that team," Pittman said. "Everybody was together. The locker room was good. The skill level, the game plan, the coaches' philosophy. There weren't any big egos. everyone was working for each other. Everybody enjoyed each other. So the off-the-field unity definitely helped the on-the-field unity, when things weren't going well. us being able to stick together and get results.

 

"There was always positivity throughout the group. Even if one person was having a bad day, everybody stuck together. It was a true team. There was great quality in the team, skillset, but as well as mental."

 

Facing adversity against Elm City, Cosmos B came together in similar fashion Wednesday night.

 

"I thought we ended the match very strong," Pittman said. "I was pleased to see how the team stuck together to get the result. We played our futbol, stayed together, and believed we would get the win.

 

“I believe winning in a game like that furthered the good energy throughout the group. Advancing after those types of games, I believe deepens trust between players enhancing greater team morale.”