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Scorpions Welcome Cosmos to NASL

July 12, 2012 - North American Soccer League (NASL) San Antonio Scorpions

San Antonio, TX (July 12, 2012) - The North American Soccer League announced on Thursday, July 12 that the New York Cosmos will return to the pitch in 2013, bringing back one of the most recognizable soccer brands in American soccer history.

The Scorpions and Cosmos will face off for the first time next season and when the Cosmos come to San Antonio, the two teams will play at Scorpions Community Stadium, which will be completed in time for the 2013 NASL season.

"Today is a monumental day for NASL. Hundreds of thousands of soccer fans in the US were first introduced to the beautiful game through the NASL and the New York Cosmos," Scorpions President Michael Hitchcock said. "It's an amazing statement for the strength and future of the NASL in North America that the Cosmos are joining NASL. The Cosmos are one of the great global soccer brands and are led by a dynamic ownership group. It's humbling to know that the Cosmos have selected NASL as their league of choice to re-launch the New York Cosmos. We look forward to playing then in 2013 at Scorpions Community Stadium."

The NASL Board of Governors unanimously approved the Cosmos' membership during its meetings this week in New York, making the Cosmos the 10th NASL franchise. Nine teams, including the Cosmos, will take the field in 2013 with Ottawa beginning play in 2014.

In the previous version of the North American Soccer League, the New York Cosmos were one of the more successful teams in the league, winning the Soccer Bowl five times in its existence from 1971 to 1985. The Cosmos also had some of the world's most popular players, including Brazilian star Pelé, Italian international forward Giorgio Chinaglia, and West German national team captain Franz Beckenbauer.

"We are very excited and honored to welcome the New York Cosmos back into the NASL," Scorpions Owner Gordon Hartman said. "The Cosmos brand has such a colorful, exciting history attached to it and to have them bring that legacy back to the NASL will be huge for the league. This historic move shows the league's commitment to advancing the game in North America and we are excited to be a part of it."

The Scorpions currently sit tied for first place in the NASL standings in their inaugural season and are first in the league in attendance, averaging over 9,700 fans per game this season.

"It's exciting for the league to have the New York Cosmos return," Scorpions Head Coach Tim Hankinson said. "New York is an important market and I remember growing up watching the Cosmos play. This brings back memories of exciting times for soccer in the United States."

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North American Soccer League Stories from July 12, 2012


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