2nd New York MLS Franchise for 2013, Could it be the return of the COSMOS?

[Panthers14]

MLS Commish, Garber, recently stated that a push is on for a second New York MLS Franchise for as early as 2013. He stated that he was in talks with NY Mets Owners and there were other potential owners who would bring in the expansion franchise to play in the city. Could this be the rumored return of the New York Cosmos? Before you think that I am crazy, the MLS has returned to soccer roots in this country with the return of such franchises as: San Jose Earthquakes, Seattle Sounders, Vancouver White Caps, Portland Timbers, Montreal Impact; and a return to soccer hotbeds like Dallas, Philadelphia; as well as mention of a return to St. Louis and South Florida. Note: the Miami F.C. Blues in the USL-second division / NASL rebirth will move to Fort Lauderdale and be renamed the Strikers for next season. There is talk that the MLS is looking again at the Miami area; could it be the rebirth of the Fort Lauderdale Strikers? Think I am crazy. Consider this, there has always been talk of a second Chicago Franchise coming in someday. Could we see a return of the Chicago Sting. Now you must be thinking that I am dreaming, but so too is the MLS with a return of all of those legendary NASL Franchises. Hey, branding is the name of the game and $$$$$$$$

[NWsportsfan]

The odds of New York team number two being called the Cosmos is iffy at best. Remember, the idea of a second team in NY has been kicked around since the MetroStars were sold to Red Bull at least. Commissioner Garber has said before that he prefers newer names for teams (Seattle fans had to send in 1000's of write-ins to get the team named Sounders FC for example.) Though, at the time the MetroStars were sold, Garber also said he would like the second team to take on MetroStars as its name.

[CorA]

I am a Chicago Fire fan and I can tell you that the Chicago market is not ready for a 2nd team. The Fire do not consistently draw enough fans to games. I say this because they drew over 20,000 (a sell-out) in opening night, but only about 12,000 in their second game and about 14,000 in their third home game. The Fire's fan base has been growing rapidly and attendance has risen over the years. I think that soon TOYOTA PARK will need to be partly renovated to hold more fans, looking at the playoff games and some other games that could hold more. Maybe in a few years the MLS could look at another Chicago team

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

With all due respect to the fans of the old NASL Strikers, Diplomats, etc. - the Cosmos name is an iconic brand name with a distinguished legacy; they didn't even need NY as part of their name.

If/When there is a second team here in the tri-state area, the best bet would be to go out and forge a new and distinct name and lineage. If they market correctly, the name will be successful in it's own right; if not, it won't matter WHAT they call themselves.

[RevolutionX]

The NY Cosmos have reformed. http://www.nycosmos.com. Pele' is the honorary team president and they have events for fans already planned. Now they just need a league.

[logoguru]

They need a lot more than that. Unfortunately, this looks like it is going to happen. They don't have any affiliation with MLS. Right now they're a wish and a prayer. They would need a stadium somewhere in NYC, good luck. If the Jets couldn't get it done, I doubt anyone will rollover and let an MLS team build. As for the name, MetroStars is 1000000 x's better than Cosmos. I can just see it now - Cosmos v Galaxy. Who will win. One is the entire Cosmos, the other is an entire Galaxy. Close call.
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Thc finder

[RevolutionX]

What about Icahn Stadium, former Downing Stadium, on Randalls Island for now. I think its equipt for soccer.

[RevolutionX]

What about Icahn Stadium, former Downing Stadium, on Randalls Island for now. I think its equipt for soccer. That would take care of the stadium until a facility could be built.

[dmbishop]

Icahn only seats at best 5,000 people, and the stands are only on one side of the field. Also, the track is one of only 4 in the US that is certified for international competition, so I'm sure that there would be a lot of complaints if it was remodeled to make it a soccer stadium.



Downing Stadium, which sat about 20,000, was a U shaped stadium that was torn down in 2002.

Dave

[Paul S]

The state of the USL Pro and NASL is such that both could kill the other and both could also die trying. LA was interesting because one team is marketed as a traditional MLS team and one was marketed towards the Hispanic community. I doubt any Div 2 team can survive against MLS competition. The Boston Bulldogs and the Colorado Foxes are a good blueprint of teams who didn't make it vs MLS opposition.