MOUNT VERNON, NY — This was nostalgic with the name New York Cosmos on the pitch as they opposed Westchester SC Friday evening at Memorial Field in the Westchester vicinity of Mount Vernon, New York. The Cosmos of the United Soccer League as they represent.
Not the Cosmos of 1975 when they made worldwide headlines signing Pelé, a Brazilian icon that exposed soccer to popularity with the North American Soccer League, his arrival was legitimate and drew massive crowds.
And many years later, the Cosmos after a few reboots, are competing in a professional environment, the USL with Westchester that plays second to the more established Major League Soccer (MLS).
The Cosmos and Westchester SC went at it Friday night in Mount Vernon, clashing in Group 5 second round action of the Prinx Tires USL Cup – Image Credit: Ernesto Diaz/Latino Sports
Westchester and the Cosmos hit the pitch in smaller outdoor venues, a quest to draw fans, and names on jerseys that don’t say Messi, the worldwide phenom who led Miami to the MLS Cup last year.
On Friday night, the Cosmos, who play at the historic Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson, New Jersey continued their rivalry with nearby Westchester SC, though not as intense that comes during the MLS season of Red Bulls and NYCFC. Regardless, it was good soccer that led to a Cosmos 3-2 comeback win in second-half stoppage time in Group 5 second round action of the Prinx Tires USL Cup.
Christian Koffi sent Cosmos fans home with the game-winning goal Friday night vs. Westchester SC – Image Credit: Ernesto Diaz/Latino Sports
A rivalry that will continue when the Cosmos visit Westchester in late July. Christian Koffi scored in stoppage time following a late equalizer from Nick Mendonca after Westchester took the lead with second half goals from Koen Blommestijn and Ermin Mackic.
Cosmos coach Davide Corti in his inaugural campaign in USL League One, and ninth head coach in their history, spending a decade with prestigious AC Milan Youth Academy and also managing AC Milan Women, said it was a heartbreaking win.
A total of 3,257 at Memorial Field, and a contingent of loyal Cosmos fans.
The USL is setting new trends across the sport of soccer with the league catering to fans of all ages for an up-close enjoyable experience – Image Credit: Ernesto Diaz/Latino Sports
“I ran into the locker room asking for a pacemaker from one of the sponsors that we have,” Corti said. “I’m not used to this, to recover from goals like we’ve done tonight. So I’m happy, we started in the locker room saying that it’s a game that needs to give us a turn, a switch of direction. I guess that mentally was the game.”
Important, though, to win this? Important for the team and as he said the beginning of more positive elements and trust with work they prepare for during the week, more consistency
“I guess positive results bring positive energy. Over the past couple of weeks, that’s what we needed the most, and since we’re gonna be facing, like, three games in two weeks, almost, with the travel, I guess that’s a good boost to have to fly to California,” he said. “Sometimes we haven’t been very protected in the midfield. Still, some players are looking at the ball only and not trying to hold the position. That’s when I’m not happy. So we will try to keep on working on those details.”
Friday night’s matchup between Westchester SC and the Cosmos had over 3,000 fans in attendance – Image Credit: Ernesto Diaz/Latino Sports
In this rivalry, there are those elements of two teams in proximity knowing the significance, even if this league is second to the MLS in marketing and popularity. It’s a start that coaches and players can understand. It boosts the energy when the Cosmos name is attached. Back then, the Cosmos played their home games at Randalls Island on the outskirts of Manhattan and at times called Shea Stadium, the former home of the New York Mets, their home.
The North American Soccer League was getting attention with Pelé, names this time around in the USL are featured on the Cosmos and Westchester having played in various leagues around the world.
“To me, it means a lot,” said Corti about his role with the Cosmos. “I made this choice, because of the name, first, and second, because of the project that was underneath, but mostly because of the name. The brand to me since I was working for AC Milan, in my country, it’s the best club that I could ever choose to work.”
The game on Friday night opened as both sides looked to draw first blood in the derby designated the “Battle of New York” between the local rivals.
It’s only up from here for the Cosmos, Westchester SC and all of the United Soccer League – Image Credit: Ernesto Diaz/Latino Sports
It was the Cosmos taking the lead just before halftime as Sebastián Guenzatti ran onto a through pass from Ajmeer Spengler and fired his shot into the bottom left corner from just inside the box.
“Today was, you know, time to make a statement and come out here and try to get the points and we got the three points,” Guenzatti said, the captain and forward with a Uruguayan background who grew up in Queens, NY. He is in his second stint with the Cosmos, running the route with different soccer leagues including Club Atlético Peñarol’s under 19-team before moving to Huracán in 2013.
“The guys had an unbelievable drive, especially at the end to keep fighting when we were tired. It was a heavy feeling but they did an unbelievable job,” he said. “I’m 34, about to be 35, and obviously, you know, the league is still working on relegation and promotion, which I think that’s gonna take them in a really good way. To keep going, you know, there’s going to be a time when I won’t. It takes a toll, but I still enjoy it like the first day.”
A league with Westchester and of course, the Cosmos name.
Rich Mancuso is a senior writer and columnist at LatinoSports.com with coverage of MLB, boxing, and MLS – X:@Ring786, Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso
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