Once in a Lifetime - The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos

Discussion in 'Soccer in the USA' started by newboldcity, Sep 12, 2007.

  1. newboldcity

    newboldcity New Member

    Sep 11, 2006
    The Woodlands
  2. gosh1976

    gosh1976 Member

    May 29, 2005
    atlanta
    I saw it in the theaters last year. I think it only played in one or two theaters around here. I enjoyed it.

    I have a memory of going to an Atlanta Chiefs game at Atlanta fulton County Stadium at around the age of 5. I'm not even sure this was possible (though I think it was) I may have dreamed it or made it up as a fantasy as a young kid. :)

    I know my older brothers went to some games but haven't been able to get anybody to confirm I ever did. I remember having some Atlanta Chiefs merchandise around the house when I was little.
     
  3. DavidP

    DavidP Member

    Mar 21, 1999
    Powder Springs, GA
    If you're my age (I was 5 in 1969), it would've been possible. If you were 5 in between 1979 and 1981 (ages 15-17 for me), it would've been possible as well. The Chiefs I/Apollos played here from 1967-73, and Chiefs II (fka The Caribous of Colorado) played here from 1979-81.

    I thought "Lifetime" was a great look into not only the Cosmos, but life in the "Big Apple" at that time as well. They were having all sorts of problems, and it seemed that the Cosmos had their "season in the sun" at just the right time. I got the DVD for Christmas this year. I want to try and find "The Game of Their Lives" as well. I know it wasn't great, but I'd still like to see it.
     
  4. Wingtips1

    Wingtips1 Member+

    May 3, 2004
    02116
    Club:
    Liverpool FC
    i read the book, b*tch!
     
  5. pdubc15

    pdubc15 Member

    Feb 9, 2007
    nyc
    [​IMG]

    these guys would be dangerous on a field!!

    agh, the days playing soccer in Atlanta. I miss them. we were briefed prior to my first season there about the 'illustrious' history of professional soccer in atlanta, haha.
     
  6. DavidP

    DavidP Member

    Mar 21, 1999
    Powder Springs, GA
    Are you talking about "Game of Their Lives?" I read the book too, Still have it, as a matter of fact.
     
  7. Bouncebackability

    Bouncebackability New Member

    Sep 20, 2007
    London
    I saw this on TV a while back. Can't believe the pitch the Cosmos used to play on, and bizarre to imagine Pele playing on it. But then it's still bizarre seeing Beckham playing in front of those screaming kids and plastic horns.
     
  8. BigGuy

    BigGuy Red Card

    Apr 12, 2007
  9. BigGuy

    BigGuy Red Card

    Apr 12, 2007
  10. Steve Holroyd

    Steve Holroyd New Member

    Apr 19, 2003
    New Jersey
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    The book of Once In A Lifetime did precede the movie on these shores. It is an expanded version of the movie, basically--more and longer interview excerpts, etc.

    For the record: I voted "good" instead of "great" because of certain liberties taken by the filmmakers. For instance, having Shep Messing relate the anecdote about Randalls Island's dirt being painted green for Pele's debut as if he were there--when, in fact, he was playing with the Boston Minutemen at the time.

    These are tricks all documentarians use, I know--but the historian in me is compelled to hold it against them. ;)
     
  11. Dr. Wankler

    Dr. Wankler Member+

    May 2, 2001
    The Electric City
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Speaking of Shep...

    ...it has little to do with the thread, but let us pause to recommend Shep Messing's The Education of an American Soccer Player.

    One advantage over Once in a Lifetime: You don't have to listen to Giorgia Chinaglia.
     
  12. Steve Holroyd

    Steve Holroyd New Member

    Apr 19, 2003
    New Jersey
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    But he does get quoted a lot:

    "I am Keeeeenalya!"

    (Usually in conenction with a question like "why don't you pass to Pele," "why do you shoot from bad angles," etc.)
     
  13. aek chicago

    aek chicago Member

    Sep 17, 2004

    Good book, but Messing loves himself a great deal, doesn't he?
     
  14. falvo

    falvo Member+

    Mar 27, 2005
    San Jose & Florence
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    Italy
    I've listed this in several different NASL related threads just in case there are those who didn't get to see it.
    Once in a Lifetime - The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos touched a little on the subject but I don'yt think they told the whole story. Clive Toye in the end did imply if it weren't for Pele & the NASL we probably wouldn't be here today disccusing the MLS, the USWNT or USMNTor anything else having to do with soccer, for that matter.

    30 yeas ago this Monday Pele retired from soccer...
    Pele's farewell match was played on Saturday October 1st, 1977...The match was televised live on ABC TV's Wide World Of Sports. Pele played one half against his old club Santos and the 2nd half switched jersey's playing against the Cosmos. He scored in the 1st half on a free kick for NY.
    http://www.sover.net/~spectrum/year/1977.html

    http://www.nycosmos.com/cosmos/history.html
    http://www.amazon.com/Once-Lifetime-Extraordinary-Story-Cosmos/dp/B000GRUMZU

    [​IMG][​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  15. RoundBallNewbie

    RoundBallNewbie New Member

    Aug 23, 2006
    DC in exile
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I can't speak for the movie, but I read the book about six weeks ago and it was truly, shockingly horrible. I've never regretted shelling out money for a book, but this one finally did it for me. Hopefully the movie is not of the same "quality."
     
  16. (De La)Redstriker06

    May 3, 2003
    Club:
    Montreal Impact
    Nat'l Team:
    Palestine
    Just finished watching it.

    Shep Messing posed NUDE? ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww..... I think I have to go gouge my eyes out.
     
  17. ImNumberTen

    ImNumberTen Member+

    Oct 4, 2007
    Washington, DC
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I lived in NYC as a kid in the '70s and became a soccer player because of Pele and the Cosmos. That's one of the reasons I that I fully support what Beckham is doing today. Kids will become fans because of him just like I did with Pele 30 years ago.

    My life is better for it. Theirs will be, too.

    I was at Pele's first game at Downing Stadium, the 62K crowd at Giants Stadium and the sellout 76K+, too. What a rush! The Cosmos were truly a phenomenon (but the NASL was a joke both on the field and as a business).

    Re: The film -- I might not be objective because it was so nostalgic for me, but I thought it really captured the energy of the time. I enjoyed it.
     
  18. falvo

    falvo Member+

    Mar 27, 2005
    San Jose & Florence
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    Italy
  19. falvo

    falvo Member+

    Mar 27, 2005
    San Jose & Florence
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    Italy

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