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This was a huge week for the Cosmos roster rebuild. As we reported earlier in the week, Kyle Zobeck and Jimmy Mulligan came back to support the backline. In addition, the Cosmos added the first offensive player with the return of Andres Flores.
Ruso returns!!!! Welcome back @andresflo1 https://t.co/wQQgxfHnrq pic.twitter.com/Ved8cNx04z
— New York Cosmos (@NYCosmos) January 24, 2017
Flores made 24 appearances for the Cosmos last season recording 4 goals and six assists. Expect the returning Flores, a player who has made the most of his sporadic appearances for the club, to have a bigger impact on the team, especially in the absence of Juan Arango.
In a very surprising move, Danny Szetela returned to the Cosmos. Although a fan favorite and a member of reboot Cosmos since the start, Szetela was not expected to return due to signing with the brand-new San Francisco Deltas. In a press release Deltas Head Coach Marc Dos Santos explained the peculiar situation:
Home is where the heart is. The best of luck to you, @DSzetela14. pic.twitter.com/uEDi4Cp8FN
— San Francisco Deltas (@sfdeltas) January 26, 2017
Bringing back Szetela is a great signing to bolster the Cosmos midfield. Respect to the Deltas and Dos Santos for being so understanding of his situation.
Brian Holt and @velela_alexis return to add to the Cosmos defense. Welcome home! https://t.co/CB8MsdHXoU pic.twitter.com/TnxxQf3pU1
— New York Cosmos (@NYCosmos) January 27, 2017
Today, The Cosmos announced three big player signings. Early in the day, The Cosmos announced the return of Brian Holt and Alexis Velela. Later on, the Cosmos announced possibly the biggest return so far: Jimmy Maurer will be back next season.
Cosmos complete goalkeeper roster with @JimsMaurer ....Welcome back!! pic.twitter.com/4aoX7o4o7v
— New York Cosmos (@NYCosmos) January 27, 2017
Maurer has been in talks with both the Cosmos and MLS teams for a few weeks, so his return was no guarantee. All week on Twitter he hinting about where his future will lie…
Great day of meetings today. Some big things coming soon. Feeling optimistic.
— Jimmy (@JimsMaurer) January 20, 2017
Will today FINALLY be the day
— Jimmy (@JimsMaurer) January 25, 2017
Another day come and gone... Here's to hoping for tomorrow.
— Jimmy (@JimsMaurer) January 27, 2017
Let's get this hand warmed up. ✍️✍️✍️#destinationtba
— Jimmy (@JimsMaurer) January 27, 2017
Today he finally was able to confirm his return to the Cosmos. Bringing back Jimmy is huge for the Cosmos, he has been of the best players since the reboot and is loved by fans for his big saves and shootout performances.
Happy to finally put these past few months of chaos behind me and get back to doing what I love. #NYCosmos https://t.co/0TVNx9Xnt8
— Jimmy (@JimsMaurer) January 27, 2017
At the moment the Cosmos roster currently look like this:
Goalkeepers
Kyle Zobeck
Brian Holt
Jimmy Maurer
Defenders
Ryan Richter
David Ochieng
Carlos Mendes
Alexis Velela
Jimmy Muligan
Midfielders
Eric Calvillo
Andres Flores
Juan Guerra
Danny Szetela
Andres Flores