International Soccer Network

"Your Source for the Beautiful Game"

Tag Archives: New York Cosmos

Senna the Difference for Cosmos in Final

Photo Credit: Joe Foughty/ISNSoccer.com

You couldn’t have written a better ending than a Marcos Senna golazo in the 50th minute as the New York Cosmos defeated the Atlanta Silverbacks 1-0 in the 2013 NASL Soccer Bowl.

It was certainly fitting, considering the Cosmos tradition of employing international superstars.  No, Senna is not Pelé or even Beckenbauer, but it can be argued that the former Spanish international and Villarreal CF legend is the top player in America outside of MLS.

“It’s an exciting day for sure, the New York Cosmos are back,” said Cosmos head coach Giovanni Savarese. “I’m very proud of the players because they accomplished great things. Tonight, winning a championship and bringing a championship back to New York is a proud moment for us.”

The Silverbacks were a constant threat in the first half, having a strong home crowd to give their side loads of support.  The Cosmos supporters also traveled in number, coming down to Atlanta on several coaches.  The away supporters employed smoke, flares, drums, streamers, and even fireworks to show they cared about their beloved Cosmos, providing them with a clear mental boost.

The first half was physical, at times chippy, but there was nothing on the scoreboard at the half.  The Cosmos had the better 2nd half, starting with the quick goal from Senna that was set up by the continued brilliance of Ayoze.

The crowd never let up even though the home fans had to know going a goal down to the Cosmos was not a good thing.  The Silverbacks continued to battle against a very good New York team.

Overall it was a night of great goalkeeping and one great goal. Atlanta keeper Joe Nasco was simply electric, making one great save after another.  He kept his team in the match until the final whistle.

His counterpart, 2013 NASL Golden Glove winner Kyle Reynish, got the job done when called upon, but he was far less active thanks to a staunch defense led by former Crew and Red Bull defender Carlos Mendes.

“We didn’t really know each other, and then coming together and winning a championship, that’s what it’s all about,” said Mendes. “For us, this is what you play for. Hopefully we’ll write a new future now and continue to win championships.”

The game proved to be a showcase for the league as a whole and was truly a marketing dream come true.  The league office had to be drooling over having a Cosmos team in the final and the match did set a new attendance record for the NASL Soccer Bowl since the NASL returned in 2011.  Keep in mind the Cosmos could very well be even more dominant next season when they actually play a full season.

Photo Credit: Joe Foughty/ISNSoccer.com

The storyline was great for writers and fans alike.  One of the world’s most renowned brands taking on the Atlanta Silverbacks, a team full of interesting back stories.  Silverbacks Technical Director Eric Wynalda often talked of players discovered parking cars at a hotel, driving limousines, or playing shoeless at a local park.  Simply put, the Silverbacks had a mountain to climb, playing the giant role of the underdog.

Yes, many talked about a David and Goliath theme for the game, but that tends to be overplayed and gets old really quick. Especially, when Goliath is a very likeable and friendly character like the players of the Cosmos.

The happiest moment of the match was the raising of the trophy for the Cosmos, a team that almost disappeared from soccer entirely.  One man, former owner Peppe Pinton, kept the team and the dream alive, waiting for a day and a game like this.

“I have accomplished what I set forth to do a quarter century ago, to put the Cosmos back on the playing field,” Pinton concluded. “The only sadness is that Giorgio (Chinaglia) is not here to witness it.”

The legendary Lazio striker would have been very proud to see this indeed.  It was a special game on a special night, an occasion that was so many years in the making.

Match Photos

Senna Signs with the Cosmos

The New York Cosmos announced today that Villarreal legend and former European Champion Marcos Senna has signed with the club, pending a physical exam. Senna is set to make his debut on American soil Aug. 3, when the Cosmos open their reboot season in the NASL at Hofstra University.

“This is a very special moment for me in joining the Cosmos because I face a new challenge, but at the same time it has been a difficult decision to leave Villarreal after 11 seasons,” Senna said. “I want to thank Giovanni Savarese, Remy Cherin and my agents Ely Coimbra and Hector Peris for helping me make this move possible.”

Senna, 36, began his career in his Brazil but spent the past 11 seasons at Villarreal CF where he was recognized as one of the top midfielders in La Liga, Spain’s top league. Senna has also served as captain of both Villarreal and the Spanish national team. On the international stage, Senna has 28 caps for the Spanish national team. He was an integral part of the Spanish team that won Euro 2008 and was selected to the UEFA Team of the Tournament.

For Villarreal, Senna has over 313 appearances and 29 goals in all competitions for the Yellow Submarines and helped lead the club to promotion this past season back to La Liga. During his time at Villarreal, the club reached the UEFA Champions League semifinal and also finished second in La Liga.

“We are delighted to add Marcos Senna to the New York Cosmos,” Cosmos head coach Giovanni Savarese said. “His reputation in the game and his achievements over his career on the field speak for themselves – he’s the type of player that makes everyone on his team better and his leadership and experience will be invaluable for us.”

Off the field, Senna runs the Marcos Senna Foundation, a non-profit organization led by Senna, created to support and contribute to the welfare of the most needy, requiring humanitarian assistance, with a focus on children. The aim of the Foundation is the promotion and development of activities, programs, activities and events in order to achieve the said goal. For more information, please visit http://www.fundacionmarcossenna.org. To stay up-to-date with the Cosmos’ newest player, follow Senna on Twitter @MarcosSenna19.

The team this week also released single-game tickets for their home opener at Hofstra University’s Shuart Stadium. Seats are now available via www.nycosmos.com and by calling 855-71-COSMOS. Individual tickets start as low as $15. The Cosmos will face their historic rivals, the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, in the opener on Aug. 3. Prior to kickoff, the Cosmos will honor legends from their past in a special on-field ceremony.

Cosmos Partner with ONE World Sports

The New York Cosmos announced today that the club has reached agreement for its home games to be aired in high definition on ONE World Sports during the 2013 NASL Fall Season.

“We’re excited to be able to put our games on air and increase the viewing options for our fans,” Cosmos Chief Operating Officer Erik Stover said.

Cosmos programming will kick off on Aug. 3 when the Cosmos host the Fort Lauderdale Strikers at Hofstra University’s James M. Shuart Stadium. The on-air team for Cosmos telecasts will consist of play-by-play announcer JP Dellacamera and former Cosmos’ goalkeeper Shep Messing as color analyst. The ONE World Sports network is available on DISH, Cablevision’s Optimum TV and Mediacom.

“We are thrilled to be bringing the historic New York Cosmos club to viewers of ONE World Sports,” said Alexander “Sandy” Brown, President and CEO of ONE World Sports. “Our goal is to provide viewers a very unique perspective into the action on the pitch with an enhanced state of the art production.”

The club remains in discussion with various potential broadcast partners, including ONE World Sports for distribution of its road games.

The team yesterday released single-game tickets for their home opener at Hofstra University’s Shuart Stadium. Seats are now available via www.nycosmos.com and by calling 855-71-COSMOS. Individual tickets start as low as $15. The Cosmos will face their historic rivals, the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, in the opener on Aug. 3. Prior to kickoff, the Cosmos will honor legends from their past in a special on-field ceremony.

Cosmos Sign Two More

The New York Cosmos announced today that the team has agreed to a loan with Shimizu S-Pulse of Japan’s J.League for 20-year-old forward Satoru Kashiwase. With this agreement, Kashiwase becomes the youngest native Japanese player to ever sign with a North American soccer club.

“This is definitely a special opportunity for our soccer club, to bring a young talent like Satoru to the U.S.,” head coach Giovanni Savarese said. “He is a very technically gifted goal-scorer and we’re excited to be a part of his developmental process.”

Kashiwase is a 6’0 forward from Chiba, Japan, who is set to make his debut on American soil Aug. 3, when the Cosmos open their reboot season in the NASL at Hofstra University. Last season, in his first year as a professional, Kashiwase played for Shimizu S-Pulse, one of the top teams in the J.League. During its 22-year history, Shimizu has made 10 cup final appearances, winning both the Emperor’s Cup (2001) and the League Cup (1996). Shimizu has also won the Japanese Super Cup twice and the Asian Cup Winners Cup once. Internationally, Kashiwase has represented Japan at the U-17 and U-18 national team levels.

“I am very happy and proud to become part of the New York Cosmos,” Kashiwase said. “I am going to work hard to be recognized and aim to become an established player here in New York.  I truly hope that I can develop not only as a player, but also as a person here with the Cosmos.  I also want to thank the Shimizu S-Pulse organization, the fans, and everybody who supported me. Everything has been great and I’ve enjoyed training here every day. I am going to do my best so that I can show you all that I’ve developed my game.”

The Cosmos also agreed to terms with 23-year-old Brazilian midfielder Paulo Mendes. A 6’0” native of Goiania, Brazil, Mendes played for the Atlanta Silverbacks during the 2012 and 2013 seasons.

Cosmos Add Two More Players, Fitness Coach

The New York Cosmos announced today that two players have agreed to contract terms with the team: forward Jemal Johnson and defender Chris Rodd. The Cosmos also hired their full-time fitness coach, Simone Lucchesi.

Johnson, 28, is a nine-year professional who began his career with Blackburn Rovers of the English Premier League, before playing for European clubs such as Wolverhampton Wanderers and Lokomotiv Sofia. The 5’9” forward from Paterson, NJ, currently plays for the NASL’s Fort Lauderdale Strikers. Johnson’s contract with Ft. Lauderdale is due to expire at the end of the NASL spring season and he has agreed to terms with the Cosmos for the 2013 NASL fall season.

“Jemal is very good in 1-vs-1 situations and has a great shot from distance that has led him to score some great goals in his career,” Cosmos head coach Giovanni Savarese said. “Combined with his years of professional experience and exceptional speed up front, he should add an exciting element to our attack.”

Rodd, 28, is a defender from Fremont, CA who last played his professional soccer for Bryne FK in Norway. Rodd underwent a trial with England’s Sheffield United in 2009 before retiring early due to injury. After spending some time away from the game rehabbing his injury, Rodd is returning to American soccer, just as the Cosmos are.

“Chris is a very strong, imposing central defender who brings a work ethic that is expected out of every Cosmos player,” Savarese said. “His game has all the intangibles that give us a great choice in the back.”

Lucchesi has spent the last 14 years working with some of Italy’s top soccer clubs, including Lazio, former home of the late Cosmos legend Giorgio Chinaglia, Lecce of Serie B and most recently Sampdoria of Serie A, where he was the joint head fitness coach.

The team will also release single-game tickets on sale for their home opener at Hofstra University’s Shuart Stadium. Tickets go on sale on Monday, June 10 at 10 a.m. ET via www.nycosmos.com and are also available by calling 855-71-COSMOS. Individual tickets start as low as $15. The Cosmos will face their historic rivals, the Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the opener on Aug. 3. Prior to kickoff, the Cosmos will honor legends from their past in a special on-field ceremony.