Giorgio Chinaglia speaks about Cosmos

Listen Here

This is a good interview by Mr. Chinaglia and it should note that he really feels in "2 years" the Cosmos will be back in Major League Soccer.

Take a listen and post your thoughts.

Cantona signs on with Cosmos, as should you

Welcome to New York Eric Cantona.

There is something comical about a man with the nickname "the king" signing on to work for a team that might play in Queens. If you are a fan of the Borough Boys movement or just a fan of the Cosmos then this move should excite you, despite the arguments against it.

There are those that will say that this is just a "public relations move". Yes, but it is a damn good one. The news today has not only given global recognition to the Cosmos but it also has been great press for Major League Soccer. He is a "footballing" legend who played for a team that has one of the largest fan bases in the world. Go and watch a Manchester United match with the New York Reds and see the potential number of fans this one move could attract.

Another argument that has been brought up with today's news is that Cantona can not build a stadium. This argument is not only strong but pretty spot on. While the signing today does not move us closer to being a part of Major League Soccer, it has to show the world that the New York Cosmos mean business. Do you think Eric Cantona is cheap? Do you think people would invest this much money into "just a brand"? If your answer is still yes, then think of Cobi Jones. Why would he leave a job at the Los Angelas Galaxy if the Cosmos were not serious? Yes, the stadium plan is still a major question and we are all hoping for more information on it, but should it prevent you from getting excited?

Eric the King to the Cosmos

The UK based Sun is saying that it is Manchester United legend Eric Cantona and he will be joining as Director of Soccer.

Keep an eye on this space as we will update you more throughout the day tomorrow.

UPDATE

6:45AM - The New York Cosmos blast a press release stating that Eric Cantona is on board as the Director of Soccer.

"I am very honored to join the legendary New York Cosmos. I will do everything I can to help us first find our way to regain the No. 1 position in the United States, and then for us to become
one of the best clubs in the world."

Big announcement in February

There has been a lot of talk lately about the New York Cosmos. Some by the Cosmos themselves and some by Major League Soccer. The latest set of quotes we got from www.worldfootballinsider.com.

In an interview, Paul Kemsley talks about the current state of the Cosmos and their push towards MLS.

“There’s ongoing conversations with the MLS which have been progressing very well and continue to progress,” he said, “but there’s no set deadline as of yet as to when the MLS would make a decision. 

“2013 is definitely the earliest we could play in the league, but the announcement I would assume would be before 2012.”

Byrne also said to expect a steady stream of news from the club’s New York offices in the next few months.

“I think there’ll be another big announcement in February,” the British businessman said. 

“Some may be sponsorship, but there’ll be other announcements as we roll on towards the summer.”

Let's get this out of the way. There is no indication that the league is going to announce the Cosmos in February, so we do not think that is the announcement he is speaking of.

However, there is a large amount of possibilities of what that announcement can be. Another major sponsor? Partnership with the Wilpon Family? Stadium Plans?

Garber feels "pretty good" about NYC expansion

At some point during today's Major League Soccer Superdraft the topic of expansion was going to come up.

Bryan Lewis of the New York Post got us some quotes from Commissioner Don Garber:

"We’re still in discussions with a wide variety of investors in New York. That 20th team is a real priority for us,’’ Garber said. “We’re not just intrigued by Paul Kemsley and his partners have done with the Cosmos, I’m impressed by it. They’ve made a lot of really good decisions. They’re very, very serious guys."

They’re putting together investors that perhaps can give them the wherewithal to build a state-of-the-art facility that will be appropriate for the tri-state area. And we’ll continue our discussions with them as well. We’re making progress in the New York area, and we’re feeling pretty good about the prospects.’’ 

If you read the post yesterday on the Terry Byrne interview, it is clear that Garber is talking about the Wilpons and Cosmos speaking about a stadium in Queens.

Between Garber and the Cosmos, there has been a lot of talk lately, but with words like "we’re feeling pretty good about the prospects.’’ coming from Commissioner Garber, one has to think, we are close.

Byrne interviewed by Grant Wahl

Read this link


Great job by Grant as this interview discusses some great topics with Terry. It was interesting to read of the conversation with Pepe Pinton as well as his past career. However, for the supporters of the Cosmos movement, the real news was when the Wilpon family came up.

When asked if he sees the Wilpons as a partner or competitor, Byrne had a strong response:

"SI.com: For years MLS has been speaking with the Wilpon family, which owns the New York Mets, about being involved in a second New York-area soccer team and a soccer stadium. Do you see the Wilpons as competitors or potential partners?

Byrne: I think potential partners is the answer to that one. The commissioner has made it clear that they are interested in building the stadium and would be willing to partner with us in potentially building that stadium. I don't think they're competitors. [Kemsley] has had a couple meetings with them. The vision is ideally to work with them."

As stated before on this site, all our sources say that the Wilpons and Cosmos are working together. This is the first mention of that from the Cosmos.


Byrne later goes on and talks about how they have funding for the stadium, and it would not include debt. He says a capacity for the Queens based stadium to be anywhere between 30-40K

While it is not a press conference announcing the team, one must be happy with the stadium being more openly discussed.

Cobi Jones joins Cosmos

Yet another soccer name has joined the New York Cosmos. This time its ex US National Team star Cobi Jones, as he joins as Associate Director of Soccer.

"I am excited to bring my deep knowledge, passion and expertise of soccer in this country to The New York Cosmos. They truly represent where this sport is headed on a national and international level, and I want to make history with them.”




Welcome aboard Cobi

Garber "variety of potential stadium plans"

Today, Commissioner Don Garber met with a group of supporters in Miami, Florida who are vying for a Major League Soccer team in their city.

In what has to be viewed as a good sign, Garber took the opportunity to speak of developments in New York.

“In New York, we have a dire need to go out and capture a broader part of the market,” Garber said. “We have many interested ownership groups, with a wide variety of potential stadium plans”

For those who have followed New York City expansion, the major sticking point has always been the stadium plan. In the past, Garber has said that New York City lacks a stadium plan.

So what does this mean? If in 2008 we needed a stadium plan and today that there is a "wide variety of potential stadium plans", one can only conclude that things are moving in the right direction.

Beckham and Cosmos in secret talks? (Article taken down)

((Edit: Article has now been removed by Goal.com, for reasons unknown ))

As "reported" by Goal.com

“I don’t think he will sign permanently for Tottenham or any Premier League club,” a senior MLS source told Goal.com UK. “He can buy a franchise at half the price it is worth. Then it is his choice to keep it and run the club or allow somebody else to buy it off him and make a nice bit of money.

“Terry Byrne is heavily involved in the franchise and talks have been held about Beckham taking over and becoming the owner or part-owner. Kelmsley has the brand but Beckham has the buy-in voucher. I have heard that he will buy the New York Cosmos and establish them in the MLS in 2013 and might even play for them as well in two years’ time.”

Intresting reporting, though it might be worth taking with a grain of salt when the author of said piece thinks the capital of the United States is New York City.

Borough Boys interviewed for Jungle World.

(Click above for direct link to the website and original article)
Excellent article written by our friend in Germany Sven Sakowitz about the return of the Cosmos and the Borough Boys supporters club.
Obviously this is the German translation to English via help from the author and google translate.

Twice in a Lifetime.

In two years the legendary U.S. Soccer Club Cosmos New York could join again in the professional league.

Surprise! The legendary soccer club New York Cosmos is suddenly back. The entry into the U.S. professional league can indeed take place until 2013 - is an endearingly quirky fan club but it already.

When the great Pele had his first really important appearance in front of New York's journalists, he arrived two hours late. On June 10, 1975 more than 400 media representatives were waiting for the Brazilian superstar at a press conference at the 21 Club. He finally entered the room smiling and announced himself as a new singning of the New York Cosmos soccer team. The best player of all time should hunt for goals in the North American Soccer League. This was a sensation - even though the then 34 year old three-time world champion had passed his zenith.

35 years later, Pele has to make another announcement in New York, and this time he is on time. During the amateur soccer tournament Copa NYC he announced on 1 August in the mid-term of the final, that the 1985 dissolved Club New York Cosmos is back and that he would help shape its development as Honorary President. "It is a privilege that I can do something in return for the sports, that has done so much for me", Pele said with plenty of pathos.

Ryan Giggs running down the wing?

The Mirror is reporting that the Cosmos are targeting Manchester United star Ryan Giggs for their series of "inspirational games" next season.


"But it’s 37-year-old Giggs who has been targeted as a headline star for the exhibition games that will announce the famous Cosmos back on the world stage. The matches will be billed as football’s version of the Harlem Globetrotters basketball outfit, with the Cosmos backers aiming for an eye-catching return to the spotlight."

While out of his prime, Giggs still makes an impact for United. How do you feel about the rumor?


For those not familiar with Giggs, here is one of his most famous goals. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR