https://www.facebook.com/events/360068350756455/ For those interested, the club's FO and coach will be holding a meet and greet event to answer fan questions about the team for the 2013 season and their goals. Details in the link, for those that don't FB December 1, 2012 3:00 PM 36 West 33rd Street, Manhattan Jack Dempsey's
Saw a rumor on the main page of BigSoccer and on IMS that the Cosmos may not be abe to field a team for the opening of the season. Please someone ask about this so hopefully these rumors can be put to bed. Surely they can sign some of these MLS cast offs who would be good in NASL and others to get a (good) team in place on time.
Never underestimate the ability of the NY Cosmos brand to fail after a bunch of big talk. Maybe they can just field their big ********ing ego.
RT “@Soccerwriter: NY Cosmos say they won't start their first NASL season until the fall part of the season.” They called in, said they overslept, hope to make it into the office by noon.
No Cosmos in the Spring season. Erik Stover himself confirmed this. He stated the main reasons for this decision were the difficulty of putting together a roster by March and the Cosmos lack of a ticket service provider at the moment. He said that he did not want to field "a rubbish club in March with only 3,000 butts in the stands at Hofstra." Cosmos will not compete in the Open Cup in 2013 though they view it as a major priority for future seasons. No alcohol will be sold in Hofstra. Cosmos are working with Hofstra to see is a special deal can be worked out to include alchool as part of the ticket price. Tailgating will be allowed and is being encouraged. Stover said the front office is completely focused on NASL and improving the league's image and quality. Stover did not seem aware that ustream streamed all NASL games for free Stover hopes to have a local TV deal for the Cosmos by the time they start play. And he hopes the Cosmos deal will lead to a league wide TV deal in the near future. Borough boys are committed to making Puerto Rico their big away trip for the year Going off crowd reaction and speaking with a few people I think it is pretty clear that a large number of fans already view the Red Bulls as their biggest rival and are convinced the Cosmos will be the 20th team in MLS. That's the supporters' mindset mind you, not the front office of the Cosmos. Little to no thought has been given to dealing with travelling supporters at Cosmos games. This makes sense considering how far along in the process they are with everything. The Borough Boys do not even know where they will be sitting at games yet.
Well that sucks. Soccer has to be the easiest sport to assemble a team for when you have the money that the Cosmos ownership has. Plenty of MLS cast offs that didn't get picked in the waiver draft out there. Plenty of players worldwide. That being said, it's probably more about the readiness on the business and promotional side, so they don't come out of the gate looking like amateurs such as with the 3000 in the stands at Hofstra part. I suppose its a smart decision but it still sucks.
The team announced they were joining NASL on July 12, 2012. I think they should have been able to get things in order for the spring season. Starting in the fall might be the right decision and easily justified and yet it leaves me less than impressed with the mighty Cosmos.
Guess now we know why the NASL decided on doing a split season. Very bush of the Cosmos to start out this way when they have plenty of time to start in the spring of 2013.
I'm reserving my judgement until I see the squad. "We've said from the beginning that when we returned to the field, we would do it in the right way," Stover said at the gathering. "This allows us the time we need to build our staff and operational capabilities in a professional manner. But most importantly, especially for our loyal fans, it gives us the necessary time to put a club on the field they can be proud of." http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/teams/cosmos2.php?article_id=32362
It doesn't bother me that they start later per say. But this reeks of NASL essentially creating a complicated new system just to accommodate the Cosmos. And why? They can certainly put it together before March.
Dissappointing, others have put together teams in less time, but still stoked to see them in the second season in July. They will probably have more butts in the seats for the 8 home games they will play in 2013, and may make more sense business wise for them for their first year to play the second season only. My expectations for them on the field and at the gate are raised though with the extra time they will have.
So does this mean they're not eligible for the Soccer Bowl since they are only playing half the season? I'm hoping this is the case because it won't be fair to the other teams.
Having slept on it I would say that yes it is disappointing to those of us who want to see the Cosmos on the field but I think it also unfair to characterize this ownership group as amateurs. You can't hold the actions of the Paul Kemsley area against the Seamus O'Brien group. It is as unfair as it would be for your neighbors to hold against you the actions of the previous owner of your home. The Erik Stover hire is clearly a good one for a team that is looking to launch in the NYC area. I continue to be enthusiastic about the return of the New York Cosmos even if it will take a little longer than I had hoped. PS - Perhaps if BigSoccer would like to offer a consolation prize to disappointed Cosmos supporters it may finally add "New York Cosmos" as a dropdown selection for "Club" on our profiles... just a suggestion to you moderators reading the thread.
Well you may at least grant Eric Cantona that he is being consistent. The question is whether or not his vision is in alignment with the Seamus O'Brien ownership. I would love to see this particular dream of his come true (though some of his political dreams are scary ). A world class Cosmos club and a World Cup winning USMNT would be lovely things to see in my lifetime. Unfortunately it seems more likely that these are simply the loose cannon ramblings of an eccentric that has a vague association with the club rather than a club executive truly working with the ownership on a shared, bold vision they have the experience and resources to implement. Either way, Cantona offers a nice dream here but I'll be happy just to see a good Cosmos club take the field sometime in 2013 and take it from there!