Manager Giovanni Savarese led the Cosmos to their second straight NASL title earlier this month (Getty)
Winners of three of the last four North American Soccer League (NASL) titles, the New York Cosmos have experienced a great amount of success since their reincarnation in 2010. A flagship franchise of the original NASL during the 1970’s, with a star-studded roster that included the likes of Pelé, Franz Beckenbauer, Giorgio Chinaglia and Carlos Alberto, the Cosmos looked to re-establish themselves in the nation’s largest media market.
But even with the on-field success the Cosmos, and the NASL as a whole, had to compete against Major League Soccer for media attention and mainstream fan support. Tuesday morning, just over two weeks after the franchise won the NASL title, it was tweeted that the Cosmos would be ceasing operations effective immediately. News of the Cosmos folding was also reported on SiriusXM Radio.
However these tweets were disputed by multiple outlets, with it being reported by Jamie Stuart of News 12 Long Island that the Cosmos are not folding. Per Stuart, Cosmos ownership is waiting to see what happens when the NASL holds its meetings next week.
Peter Schwartz of WFAN New York also reported that the Cosmos were not folding, noting in his story that the NASL could look much different next season with the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers, Miami FC and Rayo OKC all experiencing financial difficulties. Also three clubs are moving to other leagues, with Minnesota joining MLS and Tampa Bay and Ottawa both moving to the United Soccer League (USL).
Things should become more clear with regards to the Cosmos and the NASL as a whole following next week’s league meetings.
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Are the New York Cosmos Ceasing Operations?