HISTORY
The Cosmos Mission
REBUILDING A LEGEND THROUGH
COMMUNITY AND CULTURE
The Cosmos’ 2026 return represents the start of another exciting chapter in a tale that now spans more than a half century. From the highs of eight league titles and the signing of some of the greatest players in the sport’s history, to the lows of two lengthy hiatuses, no club better embodies American soccer’s limitless potential and fitful progress. There’s no soccer story like it. Here are the highlights of a one-of-a-kind journey, now set to continue.
February 04
The New York Cosmos were born after an investor group acquired a vacant NASL franchise and unveiled the team’s new identity.
April 17
The Cosmos debuted with a 2-1 win at St. Louis behind goals from Randy Horton and Wilberforce Mfum. Their first season’s home games were shared among Yankee Stadium, Hofstra University and Roosevelt Stadium (only one game).
August 26
In their second season, the Cosmos won their first league title by defeating the St. Louis Stars, 2-1, at Hofstra University. Randy Horton and Josef Jelínek provided the goals before a crowd of 6,102.
June 10
Pelé, the 35-year-old Brazilian legend and three-time World Cup winner, signed a three-year deal with the Cosmos, leaving Santos for the first time.
June 10
Five days later, Pelé debuted at Downing Stadium in a friendly against the Dallas Tornado. He scored before a record crowd of 21,278, while 10 million viewers tuned in on CBS – a U.S. television record for soccer at the time.
May 17
Italian striker Giorgio Chinaglia signed after seven seasons with Lazio. He became a club legend, winning four NASL titles and multiple individual honors.
May 25
After 14 seasons and three European Cup titles at Bayern Munich, two-time Ballon d’Or winner Franz Beckenbauer joined the Cosmos. “Der Kaiser” went on to win three NASL titles and a league MVP award.
June 19
“Cosmos Country” launched as a record 62,394 fans watched Pelé’s hat trick against the Rowdies at Giants Stadium. For 70 consecutive matches in 1977-81, the Cosmos drew crowds of 30,000-plus.
August 28
The Cosmos won their second NASL title in Soccer Bowl ‘77 with a 2-1 victory over the Seattle Sounders. Goals by Steve Hunt and Giorgio Chinaglia gave Pelé a championship finish in his final competitive game.
October 01
Pelé ended his career with a Cosmos-Santos friendly at Giants Stadium before 75,646 fans. He scored his final goal while playing the first half for the Cosmos, then switched to the Santos side for the second half.
August 27
The Cosmos secured back-to-back NASL titles with a 3-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rowdies in Soccer Bowl ’78. Dennis Tueart scored twice and Giorgio Chinaglia added the winner before 74,901 fans at Giants Stadium.
September 21
The Cosmos won their fourth NASL title in Soccer Bowl ‘80, defeating the Fort Lauderdale Strikers 3-0 at RFK Stadium in Washington D.C. Giorgio Chinaglia scored twice and Julio César Romero once, plus a shutout by goalkeeper Hubert Birkenmeier.
September 18
The Cosmos won their fifth NASL title at Soccer Bowl ’82, defeating the Sounders, 1-0, in San Diego. Giorgio Chinaglia scored the winner and Hubert Birkenmeier kept the clean sheet
September 18
Giorgio Chinaglia, recently retired, acquires a majority interest in the club from Warner Communications.
August 31
The Cosmos announce they will field a team in the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) in the 1984-85 season.
September 12
A last-minute goal in a 1-0 loss to the Chicago Sting eliminated the Cosmos from the playoffs during the NASL’s final season before the league folded.
February 21
Following an MISL loss at the Minnesota Strikers, the Cosmos announced the mid-season suspension of indoor team operations.
February 21
A rainy brawl at Giants Stadium cut short a 2-1 exhibition loss to Lazio, a club also owned by Giorgio Chinaglia.
June 22
The Cosmos suspended operations in 1985. Later that year, Peppe Pinton acquired the club from Chinaglia and Warner Communications, preserving the team’s property and brand during the subsequent hiatus.
July 21
A doubleheader reunion at Giants Stadium drew 31,871 fans to see Cosmos legends face Italia ’82 and Brazilian Masters, successfully reviving the “Meadowlands magic.”
July 07
“Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos,” a documentary film directed by Paul Crowder and John Dower, premieres in New York City.
April 15
Peppe Pinton sells the Cosmos to English businessman Paul Kemsley, who announced plans to acquire a Major League Soccer franchise and resume full-time operations.
August 05
The Cosmos returned for Paul Scholes’ testimonial at Old Trafford. Featuring guest legends like Patrick Vieira and Fabio Cannavaro, the team fell, 6-0, to Manchester United.
August 05
A consortium led by sports marketing executive Seamus O’Brien acquires a majority interest in the club.
August 05
Club Chairman Seamus O’Brien announces that Cosmos will compete in the revived NASL beginning in 2013.
August 03
The Cosmos’ Reboot Era began with a 2-1 victory over the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers at Hofstra. Peri Marošević and Alessandro Noselli scored the winning goals.
November 09
In their first season back, the Cosmos win Soccer Bowl 2013 by defeating the Atlanta Silverbacks, 1-0. Marcos Senna scored the winning goal.
October 20
Spanish legend Raúl González joins the Cosmos after a career at Real Madrid, where he won three UEFA Champions League titles.
June 02
The Cosmos become the first American sports team to visit Cuba following the improvement of diplomatic relations. With Pelé in attendance, they defeat the Cuban national team, 4-1, in Havana.
August 8
Cosmos B clinch the NPSL title with a 3-2 extra-time win over Chattanooga FC at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga, Tenn., before a crowd of 18,227.
November 15
The Cosmos win their seventh NASL title with a 3-2 victory over the Ottawa Fury. Gastón Cellerino scores a hat trick, and legends Raúl and Marcos Senna retired as champions at Hofstra’s Shuart Stadium.
November 13
The Cosmos win their eighth league title – a third under Coach Giovanni Savarese – by defeating Indy Eleven on penalties at Belson Stadium on the campus of St. John’s University. Despite the win, the club and the NASL faced a financial crisis that threatened their survival.
January 10
Mediacom CEO Rocco Commisso saves the Cosmos by purchasing a majority stake from Seamus O’Brien. Under his leadership, the club move to MCU Park in Coney Island, N.Y., to begin the new NASL season.
September 01
U.S. Soccer revokes the NASL’s second-division status, sparking an antitrust lawsuit by the league. Despite the turmoil, the Cosmos finish the year as runners-up.
February 27
After the 2018 NASL season was canceled, the Cosmos suspend first-team operations. Cosmos B continue to compete in the NPSL, reaching the national quarterfinals.
May 23
The Cosmos hosted Germany’s FC St. Pauli at Columbia University’s Commisso Soccer Stadium, winning 2-1, the club’s first home international friendly since 1985.
December 13
Under coach Carlos Mendes, Cosmos B enters their final match, the NPSL final on a 17-game unbeaten streak, but fall, 3-1, to Miami FC at Mitchel Athletic Complex on Long Island.
October 10
The last match of the NISA Independent Cup, a 2-2 home draw with FC Baltimore Christos, brings an end to the closed-door, ghost-game pandemic season.
October 10
While commemorating their 50th anniversary, the club announces another suspension of team operations.
February 03
A federal jury dismisses the NASL’s antitrust suit against U.S. Soccer and MLS. The NASL appeals the verdict.
February 13
The United Soccer League (USL), announces plans to launch a sanctioned first-division league in 2027-28.
March 19
The USL announces that a supermajority of owners have voted to implement a promotion and relegation system.
July 10
Baye Adofo-Wilson’s group acquires the Cosmos, announcing a 2026 return in USL League One. The club will play at Paterson, N.J.’s historic Hinchliffe Stadium and plans to launch its first women’s team in 2027.
