http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=cosmos http://www.cinematical.com/2006/04/14/tribeca-review-once-in-a-lifetime/ This movie was released last year. I don't know if there is a similar thread but am interested in polling soccer fans in September 2007. I'd be intererested to see how many have seen this movie. I only connected with soccer in the last 15 years. I didn't really realize how big soccer got in the United States with the NASL. This movie really opened my eyes.
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.
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.
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.
Are you talking about "Game of Their Lives?" I read the book too, Still have it, as a matter of fact.
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.
You tube has the whole movie Hopefully this will work. There is 11 or more you tubes on it. http://youtube.com/results?search_query=cosmos+soccer+team&search=Search
Do yourselves a favor see all 10 it great. The last guy shown was Corrado Manfredi good guy owner the A-leagues Vipers and life long Brooklyn Italian
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.
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.
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.)
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
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."
Just finished watching it. Shep Messing posed NUDE? ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww..... I think I have to go gouge my eyes out.
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.