A growing regional rivalry takes center stage on Wednesday night as the Cosmos travel to face Westchester SC at The Stadium at Memorial Field. The match marks the second meeting between the two clubs this season, but their first in USL League One play. The previous encounter came in the Prinx Tires USL Cup, where the Cosmos earned a dramatic 3-2 victory. Now, with league points on the line, the rivalry enters a new chapter.

The last meeting proved to be one of the Cosmos’ most memorable performances of the season. In a match that remained level deep into stoppage time, Christian Koffi delivered the dramatic winner to secure all three points. With the first matchup decided in the closing moments, Wednesday’s contest promises to be another tightly contested battle.

The Cosmos enter the match encouraged by their recent performances. The club earned an important home victory before battling Portland Hearts of Pine to a draw in the Prinx Tires USL Cup, ultimately falling in the penalty shootout. Most recently, the Cosmos played to a scoreless draw against Corpus Christi FC, continuing to demonstrate defensive discipline while searching for the breakthrough in the attacking third.

Another storyline to watch is the continued integration of the Cosmos’ newest additions. As the club strengthens its roster for the second half of the season, recent signing Frankie Ljucovic made his debut against Corpus Christi FC, giving supporters their first look at one of the club’s newest attacking options. With each match, the new additions continue to build chemistry alongside the existing squad, providing added depth as the Cosmos push through the remainder of the season.

Although Prinx Tires USL Cup play has concluded, Wednesday’s matchup carries even greater importance as both clubs shift their full attention to USL League One. Every point becomes increasingly valuable as the season enters its final stretch, making this latest chapter in the rivalry another meaningful test for both sides.

Kickoff is set for Wednesday, July 22, at 7:00 PM ET at The Stadium at Memorial Field in Mount Vernon, New York. The match will be streamed live on ESPN+.

Community. Club. Cosmos.

Match report: The New York Cosmos played to a 0-0 draw against Corpus Christi FC on Saturday night at Hinchliffe Stadium. The visitors controlled possession for much of the match, but the Cosmos remained disciplined defensively and limited Corpus Christi to just two shots on target. Goalkeeper Tristan Stephani recorded a clean sheet with two saves, while the back line stood strong throughout the 90 minutes to frustrate the visitors’ attack. New York created several quality chances of its own, outshooting Corpus Christi on target 3-2, but neither side was able to find the breakthrough before halftime.

The Cosmos continued to push for a winner after the break, generating dangerous opportunities through Ajmeer Spengler and Chevone Marsh while maintaining a compact defensive shape. Head coach Davide Corti turned to his bench in the second half, introducing Frankie Ljucovic, Nick Zielonka, and Augustine Puentes to provide fresh legs as New York searched for the decisive goal. Despite sustained pressure in the closing stages and another solid defensive performance, the Cosmos were unable to beat Corpus Christi goalkeeper James Talbot as the two sides shared the points in a scoreless draw.

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MATCH DETAILS

NEW YORK COSMOS 0-0 CORPUS CHRISTI FC

NEW YORK COSMOS (4-1-4-1): Stephani; Holt, Chavez, Morabito, Cabrera; Sidoel; Bohui, Mendonca, Spengler, Marsh; Guenzatti.
Subs: Ljucovic, Zielonka, Puentes, Materazzi, Jawneh, Milovanov, Garcia. Coach: Corti.

CORPUS CHRISTI FC (4-1-4-1): Talbot; Roscoe, Kearney, Gomez, Bowen; Kwakwa; Booth, Medina, Abeal, Keegan; Ferrín.
Subs: Cerritos, Mariona, Dietrich, McCready, Infuso, Thomas, Ritondale. Coach: Steve Morris.

Bookings: 4′ Abeal (CCFC), 20′ Marsh (C), 61′ Medina (CCFC).

Match Stats:
Possession: Cosmos 44% – Corpus Christi FC 56%
Shots: Cosmos 10 – Corpus Christi FC 7
Shots on Target: Cosmos 3 – Corpus Christi FC 2
Saves: Cosmos 2 – Corpus Christi FC 3
Fouls: Cosmos 12 – Corpus Christi FC 11
Accurate Passes: Cosmos 295 – Corpus Christi FC 386
Pass Accuracy: Cosmos 84% – Corpus Christi FC 87%
Tackles: Cosmos 11 – Corpus Christi FC 6
Clearances: Cosmos 18 – Corpus Christi FC 23
Blocked Shots: Cosmos 2 – Corpus Christi FC 5

Museum reception celebrates the club’s unmatched FIFA World Cup legacy while inspiring a new generation through education and community engagement

As the world’s attention turns to the FIFA World Cup Final in the New York and New Jersey region this weekend, the New York Cosmos officially kicked off the celebration Thursday evening by bringing together club legends, current players, elected officials and members of the community for a special reception at the Charles J. Muth Museum of Hinchliffe Stadium.

The reception celebrated “Cosmos and the Cup: Local Legends – Global Glory,” an exhibition showcasing the club’s extraordinary connection to the FIFA World Cup through the players who represented both the Cosmos and their countries on soccer’s biggest stage.

Hosted just days before the World Cup Final, the evening united generations of the club under one roof as current Cosmos players toured the exhibition alongside club legends Hubert Birkenmeier, Vladislav “Bogi” Bogićević, Ferdinando De Matthaeis, and Andranik “Eski” Eskandarian, celebrating a legacy that continues to shape the future of soccer in the New York and New Jersey region.

Twenty-four Cosmos players representing 16 nations have competed in FIFA World Cup, making the club one of the most internationally represented in American soccer history. Throughout the evening, speakers reflected on how that global legacy continues to inspire today’s team while serving as an educational resource for the Paterson community and future generations of soccer fans.

“This exhibition celebrates our history while looking ahead to an even brighter future,” said Dr. David Kilpatrick, Club Historian and Curator for the New York Cosmos. “The Cosmos made me feel connected to something much larger than my own neighborhood. They introduced me to different cultures, countries and people. That’s the spirit we wanted to capture with this exhibition.”

Located inside the Charles J. Muth Museum of Hinchliffe Stadium, the exhibition also highlights Paterson’s own rich soccer heritage and reinforces the museum’s mission to serve as a place where history, culture and community come together.

“What we’re building here is something that is both family-oriented and educational,” said Baye Adofo-Wilson, Owner and Managing Partner of the New York Cosmos. “You have to tell your own story. That’s why this museum is so important. It should continue to be a place where stories are told.”

For Cosmos CEO Erik Stover, Thursday’s reception represented more than the opening of an exhibition, it celebrated one of the most remarkable international legacies in American soccer.

“Twenty-four Cosmos players representing 16 nations have appeared in the FIFA World Cup,” Stover said. “That’s an extraordinary accomplishment and a reminder of how special this club truly is.”

Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh said the exhibition demonstrates the city’s growing place in the global soccer conversation.

“Today, we can tell the world that soccer has arrived—or resurfaced—in the City of Paterson,” Sayegh said. “Paterson is Soccer City. More importantly, Paterson is Cosmos Country.”

The exhibition also features original paintings by Rome-based artist Lorenzo Mortet, a sixth-generation artist from one of Italy’s oldest artistic families whose work was inspired by a personal connection to Pelé. Commissioned by the New York Cosmos specifically for the exhibition, Mortet’s paintings offer a contemporary artistic interpretation of the club’s legendary history and its enduring connection to the world’s game.

“I would like to thank the New York Cosmos for giving me the opportunity to create these paintings for such a historic team and for a player as important as Pelé, whom I had the honor to know and who deeply inspired me,” said Mortet. “The Cosmos and the artworks created for them are only the beginning of an artistic dream that I hope will always be filled with colors, passion and emotions—just like the unforgettable goals of Pelé and the magic of the Cosmos.”

As the New York and New Jersey region prepares to host the FIFA World Cup Final, the exhibition serves as a reminder that one of the sport’s richest international legacies has long been rooted in the region. Through historic artifacts, original artwork, photographs and interactive storytelling, “Cosmos and the Cup: Local Legends – Global Glory” honors the players who helped define the club’s history while inspiring the next generation to discover the world’s game.

About the New York Cosmos

Founded in 1971, the New York Cosmos are one of the most iconic and influential clubs in American soccer history. The club helped elevate the sport in the United States through an unmatched legacy of success on and off the field, becoming a global symbol of the game while inspiring generations of players and supporters.

Today, the Cosmos continue that tradition as a professional club competing in USL League One. Based in Paterson, New Jersey, and playing home matches at historic Hinchliffe Stadium, the club is committed to excellence on the field, meaningful community engagement and growing the game throughout the New York and New Jersey region while honoring one of the richest legacies in American soccer.

About “Cosmos and the Cup: Local Legends – Global Glory”

“Cosmos and the Cup: Local Legends – Global Glory” is a special exhibition at the Charles J. Muth Museum of Hinchliffe Stadium celebrating the New York Cosmos’ historic connection to the FIFA World Cup.

Featuring historic artifacts, original artwork, photographs and memorabilia, the exhibition explores the stories of the 24 Cosmos players from 16 nations who competed in FIFA World Cup Finals while highlighting Paterson’s rich soccer heritage. Designed as an educational experience for students, families and visitors, the exhibition examines themes of history, geography, immigration, culture and global citizenship through the lens of soccer.

The exhibition is free and open to the public through July 31, 2026, Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Planning, design and implementation for “Cosmos and the Cup: Local Legends – Global Glory” were provided by Ralph Appelbaum Associates, Inc., New York, New York. The exhibition also features original commissioned artwork by Italian artist Lorenzo Mortet, created exclusively for the New York Cosmos.

About Lorenzo Mortet

Lorenzo Mortet is a sixth-generation artist from one of Italy’s oldest artistic families and a young talent of the Confalonieri De Chirico Art School in Rome.

His artistic journey was deeply influenced by a personal connection with football legend Pelé through his father, Dante Mortet, creator of the unique bronze sculptures of Pelé’s feet. A personal message from the Brazilian icon inspired Lorenzo to create a painting exhibited in Miami in 2024, blending football, memory, and artistic vision.

This year, in a remarkable turn of events, the New York Cosmos — the historic club forever linked to Pelé’s legacy in the United States — invited Lorenzo Mortet to create a new series of paintings dedicated to that legendary world.

A story where art, legacy, and destiny come together, transforming inspiration into a powerful contemporary vision.

Free public event begins at 5:00 p.m. inside the Charles J. Muth Museum at Hinchliffe Stadium

Fans and members of the media are invited to join the New York Cosmos tonight for a special public reception celebrating Cosmos and the Cup: Local Legends – Global Glory, an exhibition showcasing the club’s extraordinary connection to the FIFA World Cup™.

Beginning at 5:00 p.m. inside the Charles J. Muth Museum at Hinchliffe Stadium, the free event offers a unique opportunity to meet current Cosmos players alongside club legends Vladislav “Bogi” Bogićević, Alecko Eskandarian and Jan Birkenmeier. Guests will have the chance to explore the exhibition, hear stories from players who helped shape the club’s history, and celebrate one of the most internationally influential clubs in American soccer.

As the New York and New Jersey region prepares to host the FIFA World Cup™ Final, the reception highlights the Cosmos’ remarkable place in World Cup history. Throughout the club’s storied legacy, 24 Cosmos players representing 16 countries have competed in the FIFA World Cup™, including global icons Pelé, Franz Beckenbauer, Giorgio Chinaglia and Carlos Alberto Torres. Collectively, Cosmos players have captured five FIFA World Cup™ titles, making the club one of the most internationally recognized names in the sport.

The exhibition brings that legacy to life through rare artifacts, historic photographs, memorabilia, original artwork and interactive displays that tell the stories of the players who represented both the Cosmos and their countries on soccer’s biggest stage. Visitors can also view three original works by Italian artist Lorenzo Mortet inspired by Pelé and the Cosmos’ global influence while exploring how the sport intersects with history, geography, immigration and culture.

In addition to current players and Cosmos legends, the reception is expected to feature Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh, elected officials, New York Cosmos ownership and leadership, museum representatives and community leaders.

Members of the media will have opportunities to interview current Cosmos players, club legends, elected officials and museum representatives, while also capturing photo and video throughout the evening.

Event Information

What: Cosmos and the Cup: Local Legends – Global Glory Reception

When: Thursday, July 16, 2026
Time: 5:00 p.m.

Where:
Charles J. Muth Museum at Hinchliffe Stadium
Paterson, New Jersey

The reception is free and open to the public.

Members of the media planning to attend are encouraged to RSVP in advance to coordinate interview opportunities with current players and Cosmos legends.

Fan RSVP
Media RSVP

The New York Cosmos return home to Hinchliffe Stadium on Saturday night looking to build on their recent momentum when they host Corpus Christi FC in a pivotal USL League One matchup. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m., with the Cosmos aiming to collect three valuable points in front of their home supporters.

For New York, the timing couldn’t be better.

After showing steady improvement over the past several weeks, the Cosmos have begun to find their rhythm, and much of that success has coincided with the arrival of dynamic winger Chevone Marsh.

Marsh has wasted little time making his presence felt, bringing explosive pace, creativity, and attacking flair to the Cosmos’ frontline. His ability to stretch opposing defenses, create one-on-one opportunities, and generate chances in the final third has added another dimension to New York’s attack.

Head Coach Davide Corti believes Marsh’s impact has opened the field for the entire team.

“With the addition of Lamin and Chevone, we’ve been able to stretch the defense and break the lines. I’m encouraged by how our wingers have been playing.”

The improved width has also created more opportunities through the middle, allowing the Cosmos to attack with greater purpose. Midfielder Ajmeer Spengler has been instrumental in that progression, earning praise from Corti for his ability to take advantage of the added space.

“Ajmeer has shown a good understanding of when to play through and when to build up.”

As encouraging as the attacking play has been, Corti knows the Cosmos’ continued climb up the standings will depend on maintaining defensive discipline.

New York has defended much better in recent matches, but avoiding costly mistakes remains a point of emphasis.

“We need to eliminate mistakes in the back. We are defending better lately, and we need to be careful not to beat ourselves.”

Saturday’s matchup represents an important opportunity for the Cosmos to climb the USL League One standings. With the playoff race tightening and every point carrying increased significance, a victory at home would provide another important step toward postseason contention.

Tickets for Saturday’s match start at $17.90. Fans can purchase tickets in advance by visiting tickets.nycosmos.com.

With Chevone Marsh continuing his electric start, the attack finding its stride, and valuable points on the line, Saturday night promises to be another exciting chapter in the Cosmos’ inaugural USL League One season.

New York Cosmos vs. Corpus Christi FC

Saturday, July 18 | 7:00 p.m.

Hinchliffe Stadium | Paterson, N.J.

Purchase tickets today at tickets.nycosmos.com and help power the Cosmos as they continue their climb up the USL League One standings.

By David Kilpatrick, PhD 

The stage is set and the timing could not be more perfect. The most famous American soccer club’s return to northern New Jersey as the world’s attention is drawn to the Meadowlands – the heart of Cosmos Country – for the FIFA World Cup Final championship match is an occasion that deserves commemoration. Cosmos and the Cup: Local Legends, Global Glory celebrates the global game in our backyard and tells the story of the club through the prism of its players who competed in World Cup Finals tournaments.

Twenty-four Cosmos players have represented sixteen nations before, during, or after their time with the club. And three club legends have reached the ultimate pinnacle of soccer success to become world champions: Pelé, Carlos Alberto Torres, and Franz Beckenbauer. The exterior of the space is dedicated to our Court of Kings, with twenty-four banners dedicated to the nations with the players who played for them on each, respectively. Some of the nations no longer exist, so a stroll past the Court is not only memory lane for Cosmos and world football fans – it also provides lessons in geopolitical history.

The interior space opens with banners that explain the genesis of the Cosmos in 1971 as well as share the story of Paterson’s seminal role in American soccer history. Founded in 1880, Paterson Football Club proclaimed itself the first devoted exclusively to the association code in the United States. While other foot-ball clubs in the New York and New Jersey metropolitan area preceded codification, immigrants from Macclesfield, England who worked the textile factories of Paterson made Silk City a hotbed for soccer’s early days. Paterson FC would cross the Hudson in 1923 to become the New York Soccer Giants of the American Soccer League. The Cosmos’ move to Giants Stadium in 1977 and the Cosmos’ move to Paterson in 2026, just nine miles away as the crow flies from those Glory Days, is one of several silk threads that loop through the exhibit.

At the heart of the exhibit is a tribute to three champions, three friends. Three paintings by Lorenzo Mortet (one each of Pelé, Carlos Alberto Torres, and Franz Beckenbauer), specially commissioned for the exhibit, not only help honor the superstars, but they also mark the club’s ongoing commitment to exploring the interaction between art and what Pelé called “the beautiful game.” The magic that happened once these world champions joined the Cosmos made the club world famous as the original Galácticos and helped promote soccer’s popularity in the United States and worldwide.

Other banners celebrate “America’s International Team” as the Cosmos have hosted many of the world’s greatest teams and visited forty-eight nations (so far). From the Trans-Atlantic Challenge Cup tournaments to FIFA World All-Star matches, the world’s best teams have visited the Meadowlands as a precursor to the ultimate match that will be played there July 19^th. Nearly half a century ago, the Cosmos set out to prove that New York-New Jersey deserved to stage global sport’s most prominent event. That dream becomes a reality this summer.

In addition to the words and images that tell our tale on banners, memorabilia on display includes jerseys, posters, programs and other ephemera – even a Pelé lunchbox – that help tell the story through material culture.

Whether you are a long-time Cosmos fan or this summer’s World Cup has provoked your curiosity about a sport you know little about, the Cosmos and the Cup exhibit is sure to delight, educate and inspire fans of all ages and backgrounds. Please join us at the Charles J. Muth Museum of Hinchliffe Stadium to celebrate the club’s legacy and the beauty of the global game.

Learn more about the Charles J. Muth Museum of Hinchliffe Stadium

Learn more about Hinchliffe Stadium

Buy Cosmos tickets

The Cosmos return to USL League One action on Saturday, July 18, as they host Corpus Christi FC at Hinchliffe Stadium. The matchup marks the first-ever meeting between the two clubs, presenting the Cosmos with an opportunity to continue building momentum as the season enters its final stretch.

The Cosmos enter the match on the heels of a strong week that featured a league victory at home followed by a hard-fought draw against Portland Hearts of Pine in the Prinx Tires USL Cup. Although the Cosmos fell in the ensuing penalty shootout, the performance demonstrated the resilience and determination the club has continued to show against familiar opponents.

One of the biggest storylines entering Saturday’s match is the growing partnership between forwards Chevone Marsh and Ajmeer Spengler. Marsh has found the back of the net in each of the Cosmos’ last two matches, while both goals were set up by Spengler. As the chemistry between the two attackers continues to develop, the duo has quickly become one of the Cosmos’ most dangerous combinations in the final third.

Saturday’s match also provides the Cosmos with a chance to build on the positive attacking form they have shown in recent weeks. With confidence growing and new pieces settling into the squad, the Cosmos will look to put together another complete performance and continue turning strong play into results.

As the clubs meet for the first time, both sides will be looking to establish themselves early and dictate the pace of the match. For the Cosmos, defending home field while extending their recent run of positive performances remains the priority.

Kickoff is set for Saturday, July 18, at 7:00 PM ET at Hinchliffe Stadium. The match will be streamed live on ESPN+.

Get your tickets to the match today https://tickets.nycosmos.com/event/cosmos-vs-corpus-christi-fc-myxpg1

Community. Club. Cosmos.

Match report: The New York Cosmos battled to a 1-1 draw with Portland Hearts of Pine in Prinx Tires USL Cup action before falling 4-2 in the penalty shootout on Friday night at Fitzpatrick Stadium. The opening half was a tightly contested defensive battle with both sides creating chances but unable to find the breakthrough. The Cosmos were forced into an early substitution in the 25th minute as Massimo Morabito replaced David Mason before Darren Sidoel was shown a yellow card in the 34th minute. Behind a disciplined defensive performance and seven saves from goalkeeper Tristan Stephani, the two teams entered halftime scoreless.

The Cosmos broke the deadlock in the 60th minute when Chevone Marsh finished off the opening goal of the match to give New York a 1-0 lead. Portland increased its pressure throughout the final stages and found the equalizer in the 80th minute through Diego Gonzalez. Neither side was able to find a winner in regulation, sending the match directly to a penalty shootout. Nicholas Mendonca and Nick Zielonka converted from the spot for the Cosmos, but Kashope Oladapo blocked penalty attempts from Ajmeer Spengler and Sebastián Guenzatti, sending Portland Hearts of Pine to a 4-2 shootout victory.

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MATCH DETAILS

PORTLAND HEARTS OF PINE 1 (4) – 1 (2) NEW YORK COSMOS
Portland Hearts of Pine won 4-2 on penalties.

PORTLAND HEARTS OF PINE (4-4-2): Oladapo; Mohamed, Evans, Espinosa, Jones-Riley; Wright, Poon-Angeron, Hersi, Varela; Georgallidis, Sing.
Subs: Barbosa, Drack, Gonzalez, Kunga, Huck, Morse, Faye. Coach: Bobby Murphy.

NEW YORK COSMOS (4-1-4-1): Stephani; Holt, Materazzi, Mason, Cabrera; Sidoel; Marsh, Mendonca, Spengler, Jawneh; Guenzatti.
Subs: Morabito, Zielonka, Garcia, Chavez, Bohui, Milovanov. Coach: Corti.

Goals: 60′ Marsh (C), 80′ Gonzalez (POR).

Penalty Shootout:
Portland Hearts of Pine: ✓ Joshua Drack, ✓ Diogo Barbosa, ✓ Tyler Huck, ✓ Diego Gonzalez
New York Cosmos: ✗ Ajmeer Spengler (saved), ✓ Nicholas Mendonca, ✗ Sebastián Guenzatti (saved), ✓ Nick Zielonka

Bookings: 28′ Hersi (POR), 34′ Sidoel (C), 85′ Barbosa (POR).

Match Stats:
Possession: Cosmos 39% – Portland Hearts of Pine 61%
Shots: Cosmos 10 – Portland Hearts of Pine 16
Shots on Target: Cosmos 5 – Portland Hearts of Pine 8
Saves: Cosmos 7 – Portland Hearts of Pine 4
Fouls: Cosmos 8 – Portland Hearts of Pine 12
Accurate Passes: Cosmos 207 – Portland Hearts of Pine 358
Pass Accuracy: Cosmos 73% – Portland Hearts of Pine 82%
Tackles: Cosmos 13 – Portland Hearts of Pine 22
Clearances: Cosmos 32 – Portland Hearts of Pine 18
Blocked Shots: Cosmos 4 – Portland Hearts of Pine 1

Game Information:
Date: July 11, 2026
Venue: Fitzpatrick Stadium – Portland, Maine
Attendance: 6,231
Referee: Joe Surgan