You can’t tell the history of soccer in the United States without mentioning the famous New York Cosmos, a club rich in tradition. From multiple North American Soccer League (NASL) championships, to superstars like Pelé and Franz Beckenbauer playing for the club, the club has meant a lot to the sport. The Cosmos are in a way responsible for growing “The Beautiful Game” here in the States.
Fast forward to 2026, the club is back for their third iteration. Their second iteration from the 2010s was an interesting tale for those who followed the club closely.
Last Saturday, the club began their new era in front of a crowd of over 4,000 supporters at Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson. Unfortunately for them, they fell 3-1 to the darlings of USL League One in the Portland Hearts of Pine.
Even on a tough day on the pitch and on the ESPN+ stream, the fans were lively and bore witness to history. In the 73rd minute of the contest, Darren Sidoel scored the first goal of the USL League One era for the Cosmos.
With one match in the books, there’s still a lot for the club to figure out. But in the long run, what does the future hold for a club that has been resurrected multiple times?
As it stands, should and if the new version of the Cosmos grows into something special, there’s no doubt that future seasons will have lots of success. Yes, this isn’t the 1970s Cosmos or the second attempt from the 2010s. But, there’s a lot to utilize and improve on from the past iterations of this club.
From a geographical standpoint, the return of the Cosmos brings a lot of enthusiasm to a rich area of the sport. There’s no doubt that the promising talent found throughout the New York Metropolitan area has helped clubs like Red Bull New York and New York City FC. It will no doubt also help a newer club like Brooklyn FC in the USL Championship.
Back to the Cosmos, playing in a renovated Hinchliffe Stadium mixed with a couple of young talented players will be fun to watch. Part of the current Cosmos mission is to rebuild a legend through community and culture. They also have their own vision of elevating the game of soccer.
All of this is good for a club, especially one that already has a ton of history. But in the short term, the new Cosmos have to create a winning identity, one that embodies their past versions.
They are not going to break the bank for star players, but they are in a better league than what the 2010s NASL was. The return of 34-year-old Sebastián Guenzatti, who previously was on the last iteration of the Cosmos, helps. Still, they need results to help new fans embrace what this team is all about.
It’s only been one match, but the fans looked invested in the action when the Cosmos played Saturday. If the Cosmos rattle off two straight wins on the road vs Spokane Velocity FC and Greenville Triumph SC, Hinchliffe Stadium will be roaring on March 28.
