I was in a sports bar the other day, and I noticed old soccer footage running during a break from a bowl game on ESPN...it was all NASL stuff, the bad 70's hair and unis, astro turf, etc. I was really hoping someone had latched on to our ESPN Classic, NASL discussion here...but it turns out it was some PPV deal on DirectTV. I guess they have the rights, maybe that is why ESPN doesn't show it. I have to say that is encouraging...perhaps the full games don't exist, but appears some footage is out there, including some dude scoring a goal, and then leaping and swinging from the crossbar of the temporary goal, which sent it tumbling down...LOL. Anyway, just thought I would give some sort of closure to this discussion if it hasn't already happened.
I sure wish I could see the Cosmos games again. Anyway, I know ESPN Classic has shown some soccer from time to time. I have a couple of shows on tape from them. They ran the World Cup highlight films in '99..From the older cups..
I think you might be talking about 101 Greatest Goals that I've seen advertised. It's $6.99 so I may check it out. Actually, it's on tonight at 9PM ET.
Yeah I watched it. It was all Cosmos goals, as the program was made by the Cosmos. They had the website www.nycosmos.com at the end of the show. I don't remember going to that website before, but it was pretty interesting. Overall, I enjoyed seeing those old NASL games since I'm only 20 and never really had the chance to see them before!
I know its been beaten to death...but I really think they should bring back the Cosmos...the fact that they are still a somewhat viable commodity after being defunct for 2 decades really says alot.
The trick is what league would they join? If they're in MLS with its meager salary cap, fans and potential fans of the name would be disappointed in the quality of the MLS team. The Cosmos were glitzy, high-priced, and had names even soccer-ignorant Americans knew. Even disregarding inflation, the Cosmos had a higher payroll than MLS allows. More importantly, compared to payrolls in other sports, the Cosmos payed as much or more than the highest payed teams in sports. Frankly, considering what the Yankees pay, the new Cosmos would have a payroll in excess of $160 million.