Cosmos Sign Defender Jimmy Nealis

Published on October 25, 2013 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
New York Cosmos News Release


NEW YORK (Oct. 25, 2013) - The New York Cosmos announced today that the club has signed defender Jimmy Nealis for the remainder of the 2013 NASL Fall Season.

Nealis, 22, is a 6'0" defender who played NCAA Division I soccer for Georgetown, where he led the Hoyas backline for four years and finished his college career with an appearance in the 2012 College Cup final. During his college career, Nealis tallied two goals and 15 assists over 83 appearances (71 starts).

Nealis is originally from Massapequa, NY and grew up playing soccer on Long Island with the Massapequa United Terminators for eight years and at Massapequa High School.

Nealis was selected by the Houston Dynamo in the second round (37th overall) of the 2013 MLS SuperDraft. After suffering an injury during preseason, Nealis elected for surgery and was released by Houston. He has been rehabilitating in New York post-surgery.

"Jimmy has been training with us for a few weeks now and has showed a nice work ethic," Cosmos head coach Giovanni Savarese said. "He looks good on the field and will provide some nice depth for us at left back."

About the Cosmos

The New York Cosmos began play in 1971, spending 14 seasons in the North American Soccer League, winning five Soccer Bowl trophies and bringing some of the biggest names in world soccer to the USA. This included Pelé, Franz Beckenbauer, Giorgio Chinaglia and Carlos Alberto.

It had been nearly 30 years since the Cosmos, an iconic global soccer club, have played in a professional league. Yet throughout their absence, the club maintained a loyal and dedicated fan following.

On Aug. 3, 2013, the New York Cosmos returned to the NASL with a sell-out win at Hofstra University's Shuart Stadium. The club closed out their inaugural home season with an undefeated record (5-2-0) at Hofstra and currently stand on top of the NASL table. If the Cosmos finish the season in first place, they will clinch a spot in the Soccer Bowl, the NASL's championship game. For information and tickets for the 2014 season please visit www.nycosmos.com or call 855-71-COSMOS.

The Cosmos also recently submitted a privately-funded economic development proposal to the State of New York to build a world-class 25,000-seat professional soccer stadium at Belmont Park. More information about the proposal and renderings can be found at www.newcosmosstadium.com.

If the Cosmos win this 2013 North American Soccer League Fall Season, the club qualifies for NASL Soccer Bowl 2013 to be played at Atlanta Silverbacks Park on Saturday, November 9. The Silverbacks have secured their place as Spring Season champions and await the team that tops the fall table in the annual championship game. Tickets for NASL Soccer Bowl 2013 are now on sale to the general public and can be purchased by calling 404-969-4900 or booking online at www.atlantasilverbacksfc.com.

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North American Soccer League Stories from October 25, 2013


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