The New York Cosmos

[Big Chris]

There has been a campaign to bring the New York Cosmos to Major League Soccer for several years. However with MLS ready to bring them in there is a fight over who should do it and who can get it done.

Pele has been trying to get it done but his backer has sided with Georgio Chinaglia's group. Adding to the mess is that Chinaglia apparently is ready to go with a team to play international dates with such luminaries as Roberto Baggio (spelling?).

Georgio has made some big talk about the team of late and chastized Pele's motives for trying to revive the Cosmos. Now granted Chinaglia has a bigger ego then the stadium he played in when he was a Cosmo during their dynasty years in the NASL. However, he did try to keep them alive with no viable league to play in after 1984, while Pele did not. If he does have a solid backer and even past their prime name players in his roster that is something to build on and helps the team gain credibility. The original Cosmos were known for the galaxy of international superstars and the most exciting soccer ever seen on this continent. A bland, faceless version of the Cosmos won't go over well in the New York area with the MetroStars so close by. They need to be the Cosmos of old to rekindle the excitement of the original side.

So has anyone heard any news on this situation and where MLS stands on this matter? It could prove to be another step in the right direction for soccer in the U.S. if they can get it right here.

[ChampionOfSteel]

Solution: Rename the MetroStars as the New York Cosmos and change their team colors to match the Cosmos colors of the 1970s.

San Jose changed their name from the Clash to the Earthquakes and Dallas changed their name from the Burn to FC Dallas.

I'm against having another team in the New York/New Jersey area.

[Pounder]

Galaxy vs Chivas USA is a guaranteed sellout for Galaxy and Chivas' best crowds. Far from whining about two teams in one market, this IS the way to go. Milan vs Inter, United vs City in Manchester, Liverpool v Everton, Arsenal v Tottenham, and especially Rangers v Celtic are some of the best reasons for gathering in stadia in the first place.

(...and I just mentioned Arsenal v Tottenham in London... just think how Chelsea adds to the froth now, not to mention 7 other teams in London)

However, the gentleman who owns the Cosmos name is asking WAY too much for it. MLS is still a young bunch... they neither can afford it, nor should pay it. Their #1 focus is, AND SHOULD BE, getting the heck out of those rent payments at the Meadowlands and into their own park. When MLS can get out of leases at Giants and RFK, they probably go from loss to profit really fast.

[nksports]

People like Lamar Hunt and the like can afford as many teams as they like. They are just smarter businessmen than the average bear and don't like to lose lots of money over the long haul.
If there is some sort of nostalgia movement going on, then why didn't Dallas rename itself the Dallas Tornado (When I was young, I saw them play an exhibition in the late 70s in Dayton against the Memphis Rouges and had my program autographed by Kyle Rote Jr., who was the top American player at the time.)

We could bring back the Tampa Bay Rowdies and the Los Angeles Aztecas (which were co-owned by Elton John). I believe at one time, Rod Stewart co-owned the Philadelphia Atoms.