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The 2015 New York Cosmos season has come to a close, but their were some truly special moments along the way. Today I've been thinking about my favorite moments since the 2014 season came to a disappointing end in San Antonio, and thought I'd ask the Twice A Cosmo community about there favorites as well.
I've narrowed my personal favorites down to four big moments, each of which got me excited to see more of the boys in green. Here they are in chronological order:
Signing Raul
Before the 2015 season ever got underway, the New York Cosmos made global headlines by signing Raul Gonzalez Blanco to a contract. While the club already had former Spain captain Marcos Senna on board, Raul was the first truly global superstar signed during the modern era, and a reasonable argument could be made that he's the most accomplished player to sign a deal in the United States since Pele and Franz Beckenbauer.
There was some question about whether or not Raul had anything left in the tank when he signed, and as it turned out, he decided to call it a career after just one season with the club. The excitement when he made his Cosmos' contract official, however, was impossible to deny.
Havana
The middle of the season provided a real treat for Cosmos fans, as the club traveled to Havana, Cuba to face the Cuban national team in a friendly. The gulf in class between the two sides was evident all match, but the true beauty of the trip was never about the match itself, but about the fact that it was now able to be played.
Since that time, ONE World Sports has made a brilliant documentary chronicling the experience, something I suggest that all Cosmos fans take the opportunity to watch. It was truly a once in a lifetime event.
Defeating NYCFC on penalties
The US Open Cup is a bit of an afterthought in the United States, but at the moment, it's the only opportunity for the 'Mos to face off against either NYCFC or the Red Bulls in a competitive match. For myself, the highlight of the 2014 season was the trouncing of the Red Bulls in the first meeting between the two clubs, so I was more than thrilled when the fourth round draw came out this year, and the boys in green were hosting the newest MLS franchise.
Gio and the boys found themselves down 2-0 at one point, but battled back in one of the most exciting matches I've ever attended, eventually winning in penalties. They'd disappoint in the next round, laying an egg against Energy Drink United FC of New Jersey, but the win against Manchester City Junior Varsity West was a true high point of the campaign.
Lifting the Soccer Bowl trophy for the 7th time
I still haven't come down from the title match victory over Ottawa Fury FC. The boys weathered a rough start to take an early lead, and despite a bit of a gut punch with just over 20 minutes to play, were in control for all but a few seconds of the final. It was doubly exciting given that it was the last competitive match for both Raul and Marcos Senna, two legends of the game, who made this season a joy to watch.
The above four moments were my personal favorites for this season, and as such, I've added each to the poll below for everyone to vote on. I'm sure that there are others that I'm missing, however, and with that in mind, 'other' is an option as well, and feel free to explain that selection in the comments section below.