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Cosmos announce March preseason tour of Dubai

The Cosmos will play a trio of preseason contests against UAE sides during a two-week trip in March

Bruce Bennett

The Cosmos have been slow to release their 2014 preseason schedule, despite most of the NASL having done so long in the past. We had news of their final tuneup against the University of Virginia in April several weeks ago, but since then, it's been nothing but rumor of a potential trip abroad.

On Tuesday, the club confirmed the rumors we've been hearing for several weeks. The Cosmos will be heading to Dubai in March, where they will continue preparations for the 2014 season. The specifics of the two-week tour have not yet been announced, though the club confirmed they will be facing three UAE Arabian Gulf League clubs.

The games themselves won't mean a whole lot in the grand scheme of things, but the drawing power of the New York Cosmos name is highlighted by the tour. It's hard to picture many MLS sides having the name recognition to warrant an overseas preseason trip, let alone a side playing in the North American Soccer League.

Adding to the drawing power of the Cosmos, Pele will be be with the club during the tour.