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It's been a wild year for the New York Cosmos. As 2017 comes to its conclusion, let's take a trip down memory lane.
January- Rocco Commisso buys the Cosmos
The year started off strong for the Cosmos with Rocco Commisso buying the Cosmos. Upon their return to professional play, the Cosmos wasted no time bringing back players such as Kyle Zobeck, Jimmy Mulligan, Ayoze, Restrepo, Maurer, Flores, and Szetela. Twice A Cosmo made signings of our own adding Ben Bryden to our staff as well. The Cosmos also signed Juan Guerra and announced their home opener date of April 1st
February- Brooklyn Bound
In February, the Cosmos announced their new home stadium, MCU Park. The NASL schedule was announced and we all got really excited to play Miami FC. The Cosmos continued to sign players including Amauri and Javi Marquez. New York began their preseason tour in the Dominican Republic as well.
March- Preseason Continues, New Season, New Kits
The Cosmos’ preseason continued in March with a few wins in the Dominican Republic. The New York Originals traveled to Bermuda to finish end their preseason. After swiftly building a team over the preseason, the Cosmos began their season with a draw against Puerto Rico FC.
April-Lose to Miami, Win against Miami
The Cosmos’ season went into full swing in April. New York lost to, but then beat Miami within a week, drew to the Jacksonville Armada, and beat the San Francisco Deltas in their first match against the new club thanks to a beautiful chip goal by Emmanuel Ledesma. In off the field news, the Cosmos and Rocco Commisso rang the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange.
May- A Couple Friendlies, Some Not So Friendly Results
The Cosmos played a lot of matches in May: a couple league matches, a cup match, and a couple of friendlies as well. The Cosmos started the month with a 1-1 draw against the Jacksonville Armada. On Mother’s day, New York came back from a 2-0 deficit with a 4-3 win at Mother’s Day in Jimmy Maurer’s 100th match for the club. In the US Open Cup, the Cosmos suffered a disappointing loss to Reading United FC. The Cosmos also traveled to Saudi Arabia to face Saudi Pro League Champions Al-Hilal in a 0-0 draw. Finally, The Cosmos ended the month with a scoreless draw with the Deltas. In Twice A Cosmo news, Nick McAdam joined the team and Twice A Cosmo with the rest of SB Nation underwent a facelift.
Cosmos: 1 Armada: 1
Cosmos: 2 Reading United FC: 3
June- 2nd in The Spring, Lucky Returns for the Fall
The Cosmos started June with a 1-0 win against North Carolina FC thanks to a Juan Guerra winner. Within the same week, The Cosmos lost to FC Edmonton and drew to North Carolina FC again. The Cosmos beat PRFC again but unfortunately lost to Miami FC, resulting in the victors clinching the NASL Spring Championship. The Cosmos bolstered their attack by adding Pablo Vranjican and Lucky Mkosana and Kobi Moyal in the midfield
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July- Calvillo’s Coney Island Fireworks
For once the Hot Dog eating contest wasn’t the biggest event in Coney Island, as the Cosmos drew Indy Eleven in a rematch of last year’s NASL Championship with one of their biggest crowds of the season watching. New York lost to Indy later in the week and then drew FC Edmonton to end the Spring Season in third place. Between the Spring and the Fall, The New York Originals traveled up to Canada and beat La Liga side Valencia in a friendly. At the halfway point of the season, The Cosmos sent Jimmy Maurer on a one-match loan and Walter Restrepo departed the club. Juan Arango rejoined the club, but unfortunately, injuries prevented him from making the impact he had last season. The Cosmos started off the Fall Season strong, with a victory against Miami FC thanks to an Eric Calvillo long shot.
Cosmos: 1 Edmonton: 0
August- Dog Day Struggles
August was a month to forget for the New York Originals. The month started off with a loss to the Deltas after blowing an early lead. After the loss, New York frustrating suffered two draws to Indy Eleven and North Carolina FC, followed by a loss to the Armada. In Roster news, the Cosmos called up Bardic and Hawkins from Cosmos B. Nick McAdam also started his weekly series, Scout the NASL.
September- Wake Me Up When September Ends
September was an equally frustrating month for Cosmos Country as the team again failed to get three points in any of their matches. New York First drew against Miami FC thanks to a last-minute equalizer from Marquez. New York then snuck a draw from the Armada after a Juan Guerra goal in extra time. New York finished the month with another draw to the Deltas before losing to NCFC. With the Cosmos poor form as well as uncertainty across the NASL, this was not a fun time for the Cosmos.
October: Playoff Push
After two difficult months, New York was able to turn things around in October. New York went unbeaten in the last month of the season, with three wins against Puerto Rico FC launching them into the NASL playoffs with a 4th place finish. New York headed into the postseason in the unfamiliar role of an underdog looking to create havoc.
Cosmos: 4 PRFC: 1
November- Heroics and Heartbreak
The Cosmos started their chase for the Championship against Miami FC. After no goals in both regular and extra time, New York beat the number one seed thanks to Jimmy Maurer once again stepping up in a shootout. The Cosmos faced off against the brand new San Francisco Deltas in The Championship. The Cosmos put off a valiant effort in the final, but it was not enough for the threepeat as The Deltas came out on top. Shortly after their victory, The Deltas folded and FC Edmonton ceased soccer operations as well.
Cosmos: 0 Miami: 0 (6-5 Penalties)
December- Departures and Decisions
While we wait to find out if the NASL and the Cosmos themselves will play next year, the team experienced some key departures. Captain Carlos Mendes called it a career after leading the Cosmos since the reboot. Manager Gio Savarese finally made a move to the MLS, filling the Portland Timbers’ coaching vacancy. Most recently, keeper, Jimmy Maurer moved to FC Dallas, where hopefully he will get more consideration for international caps. While waiting for the NASL v USSF injunction, Twice A Cosmo ran a series on what promotion and relegation could mean in the United States.
What Promotion and Relegation means to me
⏱ Time to vote for your @HSpecialSurgery 'Cosmos Play of the Year'. ⚽️#CosmosCountry pic.twitter.com/mQQsvFrUI5
— New York Cosmos (@NYCosmos) December 28, 2017
Closing Thoughts
Just like the Brooklyn Cyclone near MCU, the Cosmos’ season had its ups and downs, but ultimately ending up being a hell of a ride. I’m proud of what Gio and the boys were able to do, making a Championship Final after being on the brink of extinction is no easy task. We were able to celebrate amazing performances by heroes old and new such as Ledesma, Calvillo, Ayoze, Flores, Lucky, Maurer, Mendes and the rest of the lads. We also had some crazy matches with even crazier goals. All in all, I don’t know what's coming next, but the New York Cosmos have a lot to be proud of in 2017 and hopefully, that will continue in 2018. I hope you enjoyed Twice A Cosmos’ coverage of the 2017 season!