New York Cosmos (1970–1985)
The New York Cosmos (1971-1985) was a franchise in the North American Soccer League. It was one of the stronger NASL franchises, both athletically and financially. In its later years it became somewhat renowned for signing the great Brazilian player Pelé, who though at this point well past his prime, was nonetheless one of the team's, and the league's, top gate draws during his tenure with the Cosmos. The NASL folded after the 1984 season, but the Cosmos attempted to operate as an independent team in 1985 before they folded.
The team was known simply as Cosmos from 1977 to 1978. Famous players to play for the club include Carlos Alberto, Franz Beckenbauer, Vladislav Bogicevic, Giorgio Chinaglia, Rick Davis, Andranik Eskandarian, Johan Neeskens, Pelé, Werner Roth, and Jomo Sono.
The team was also a member of the Major Indoor Soccer League during the 1984-85 season, but withdrew after 33 games due to low attendance.
Due to the popularity of the team and the automatic association of the team with soccer with many non-soccer fans in the U.S., there are rumors that the name would be revived in Major League Soccer if a second franchise is awarded to New York (after the charter member MetroStars).
Honors
NASL Outdoor Championships
- 1972
- 1977
- 1978
- 1980
NASL Runners Up
- 1981 outdoor
- 1984 indoor
Division Titles
- 1972 Northern Division
- 1978 Eastern Division, National Conference
- 1979 Eastern Division, National Conference
- 1980 Eastern Division, National Conference
- 1981 Eastern Division, National Conference
- 1982 Eastern Division
- 1983 Eastern Division
Head Coaches
- Gordon Bradley 1971 - 1975
- Ken Furphy 1976
- Gordon Bradley 1976 - 1977
- Eddie Firmani 1977 - 1979
- Ray Klivecka 1979
- Julio Mazzei 1980
- Hennes Weisweiler 1980 - 1981
- Julio Mazzei 1982 - 1983
- Eddie Firmani 1984
Yearly Average Attendance
- 1971 - 4,517
- 1972 - 4,282
- 1973 - 5,782
- 1974 - 3,578
- 1975 - 10,450
- 1976 - 18,227
- 1977 - 34,142
- 1978 - 47,856
- 1979 - 46,690
- 1980 - 42,754
- 1981 - 34,835
- 1982 - 28,479
- 1983 - 27,242
- 1984 - 12,817
Stadiums
- 1971 & 1976 Yankee Stadium (New York, NY)
- 1972 - 1973 Hofstra Stadium (Long Island, NY)
- 1974 - 1975 Downing Stadium (Randall's Island, NY)
- 1977 - 1984 Giants Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)