1971 New York Cosmos season

Last updated

New York Cosmos
1971 season
Manager Flag of the United States.svg Gordon Bradley [1]
Stadium Yankee Stadium
NASL Division: 2nd
Overall: 4th
Playoffs: Semifinals
National
Challenge Cup
Did not enter
Top goalscorerLeague:
Flag of Bermuda.svg Randy Horton (15 goals)

All:
Flag of Bermuda.svg Randy Horton (16 goals)
Highest home attendance19,437
(Aug. 2 vs. Rochester)
Lowest home attendance1,897
)Jun. 16 vs. St. Louis)
Average home league attendance4,517 [2]
1972  

The 1971 New York Cosmos season was the inaugural season for the New York Cosmos, an expansion team in the now-defunct North American Soccer League. In the Cosmos' first year of existence, the club finished 2nd in the Northern Division and 4th in the overall league table. In the playoffs, the Cosmos were eliminated by the Atlanta Chiefs in the first two games of the best-of-three semifinals.

Contents

Squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.Pos.NationPlayer
0 GK Flag of Italy.svg  ITA Maurizio Minieri
1 GK Flag of Poland.svg  POL Conrad Kornek
2 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Barry Mahy
3 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Charlie McCully
4 DF Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN Frank Donlavey
5 DF Flag of Scotland.svg  SCO John Young
5 MF Flag of Greece.svg  GRE Theodore Hasekidis
6 MF Flag of Germany.svg  GER Horst Meyer
6 FW Flag of Scotland.svg  SCO Ernie Hannigan
7 FW Flag of Ecuador.svg  ECU Jaime Delgado
8 MF Flag of England.svg  ENG Alan O'Neill
8 FW Flag of Turkey.svg  TUR Ceyhan Yazar
9 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Andy Mate
No.Pos.NationPlayer
11 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Jorge Siega
12 FW Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg  YUG Radi Mitrovic
12 DF Flag of Haiti.svg  HAI Chardin Delices
15 MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Siegfried Stritzl
16 FW Flag of Bermuda.svg  BER Randy Horton
17 FW Flag of Ghana.svg  GHA Wilberforce Mfum
18 DF Flag of Jamaica.svg  JAM Rudolph Pearce
19 MF Flag of Greece.svg  GRE Kyriakos Fitilis
19 DF Flag of Poland.svg  POL Karol Kapcinski
20 DF Flag of Trinidad and Tobago.svg  TRI Jan Steadman
21 GK Flag of Ghana.svg  GHA Emmanuel Kofie
24 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Gordon Bradley

Source: [3]

Results

Source: [4]

Regular season

Pld = Games Played, W = Wins, L = Losses, D = Draws, GF = Goals For, GA = Goals Against, Pts = Points
6 points for a win, 3 points for a draw, 0 points for a loss, 1 point for each goal scored (up to three per game).

Northern Division Standings

PosClubPldWLDGFGAGDPts
1 Rochester Lancers 2413564831+17141
2 New York Cosmos 2491055155-4117
3 Toronto Metros 2451093247-1589
4 Montreal Olympique 2441552959-3065

Overall League Placing

PosClubPldWLDGFGAGDPts
2 Atlanta Chiefs 2412753529+6120
3 Dallas Tornado 2410683824+14119
4 New York Cosmos 2491055155-4117
5 Washington Darts 2486103634+2111
6 Toronto Metros 2451093247-1589

Source: [5]

Matches

DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
April 17, 1971 St. Louis Stars A1-23,701Mfum, Horton
May 5, 1971 Washington Darts H1-03,746Stritzl
May 16, 1971 Toronto Metros A2-26,751Stritzl, Siega
May 23, 1971 Montreal Olympique H2-32,093McCully, Siega
May 30, 1971 Rochester Lancers A2-25,343Horton (2)
June 5, 1971 Dallas Tornado A2-05,476
June 9, 1971 Rochester Lancers H4-22,017Mfum (3), Horton
June 16, 1971 St. Louis Stars H4-11,897Siega, Horton, McCully, Mfum
June 20, 1971 Dallas Tornado H3-19,000McCully, Horton, Stritzl
June 23, 1971 Montreal Olympique A3-11,645Horton
June 27, 1971 Washington Darts A3-13,400Mitrovic
July 3, 1971 Atlanta Chiefs A1-33,627Horton (2), Siega
July 10, 1971 Rochester Lancers A3-24,321Siega, McCully
July 25, 1971 Toronto Metros H2-22,132Horton (2)
August 2, 1971 Rochester Lancers H3-219,437McCully, Mahy, Mfum
August 7, 1971 Toronto Metros A2-14,896Horton
August 14, 1971 Montreal Olympique A5-42,387Horton (3), Siega
August 22, 1971 Toronto Metros H2-0N/ASiega (2)
August 25, 1971 Montreal Olympique H3-31,914Mate (2), Mitrovic
August 29, 1971 Atlanta Chiefs H2-12,714Mitrovic, O'Neill

Postseason

Overview

Semi-finals
Game 1Game 2Game 3
Rochester Lancers - Dallas Tornado 2 - 11 - 31 - 2September 1, 4, 8
Atlanta Chiefs - New York Cosmos 1 - 02 - 0September 2, 5
Final
Game 1Game 2Game 3
Atlanta Chiefs - Dallas Tornado 2 - 11 - 40 - 2September 12, 15, 19

Matches

DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
September 2, 1971 Atlanta Chiefs A1-03,800
September 5, 1971 Atlanta Chiefs H0-2N/A

Friendlies

DateOpponentVenueResultAtt.Scorers
May 21 Flag of Scotland.svg Hearts H2–42,189Yazar (2)
May 26 Flag of Italy.svg Vicenza H3–54,100Mitrovic, Mahy, McCully
July 13 Flag of Greece.svg Apollon Limassol H1–14,763Siega
Aug 20 Flag of Brazil.svg Bangu H1–62,741 Horton

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North American Soccer League (1968–1984)</span> Defunct major soccer league in the United States and Canada

The North American Soccer League (NASL) was the top-level major professional soccer league in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984. It was the first soccer league to be successful on a national scale in the United States. The league final was called the Soccer Bowl from 1975 to 1983 and the Soccer Bowl Series in its final year, 1984. The league was headed by Commissioner Phil Woosnam from 1969 to 1983. The NASL laid the foundations for soccer in the United States that helped lead to the country hosting the 1994 FIFA World Cup and the set-up of Major League Soccer (MLS) in 1996.

The 1984 North American Soccer League season was the 72nd season of FIFA-sanctioned soccer, the 17th with a national first-division league, in the United States and Canada. It would be the 17th and final season of the NASL.

The 1978 North American Soccer League season was the 66th season of FIFA-sanctioned soccer, the 11th with a national first-division league, in the United States and Canada.

The 1979 North American Soccer League season was the 67th season of FIFA-sanctioned soccer and the 12th with a national first-division league in the United States and Canada.

The 1977 New York Cosmos season was the seventh season for the New York Cosmos in the now-defunct North American Soccer League. The Cosmos' seventh year of existence saw them drop "New York" from the club name, move into Giants Stadium, and win their second NASL championship in Pelé's final year as a professional footballer. Pelé's last match was on October 1, 1977, in front of a capacity crowd at Giants Stadium: in an exhibition match between New York and his former club Santos, Pelé appeared for both sides, playing one half for each. The Cosmos won the game 2–1. The Cosmos finished second in the 4-team Eastern Division and third out of 18 teams league-wide on their way to the 1977 championship.

The 2013 North American Soccer League season was the 46th season of Division II soccer in the United States and the third season of the revived North American Soccer League. It was contested by eight teams including one from Canada. Expansion club New York Cosmos was added to the NASL during the season. A split season format was used for the first time. Puerto Rico Islanders, originally planned to take part in this season, as they did in first two editions, took the year off, due to planned restructuring. The defending Soccer Bowl champions were the Tampa Bay Rowdies, while the San Antonio Scorpions were the defending North American Supporters' Trophy winners.

The 1972 New York Cosmos season was the second season for the New York Cosmos in the now-defunct North American Soccer League. In the Cosmos' second year of existence, the club finished 1st in the Northern Division and 1st in the overall league table. In the playoffs, the Cosmos defeated the Dallas Tornado in the semifinal and the St. Louis Stars in the final, winning their first league championship and completing the first double by a club in the national era.

The 2013 season was the Atlanta Silverbacks's seventeenth season of existence, and their third consecutive season playing in the North American Soccer League, the second division of the American soccer pyramid.

The 1984 New York Cosmos season was the fourteenth season for the New York Cosmos playing in the now-defunct North American Soccer League. It was the final year of the original Cosmos playing in the original NASL; they would play three friendlies in 1985 before disbanding. During the 1984 season, the Cosmos finished in third place in the Eastern Division, failing to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 1975. It was also the first season since 1978 that the Cosmos failed to finish first in the overall league table, ending a streak of six premierships.

The 1983 New York Cosmos season was the original Cosmos franchise's thirteenth season of existence, and their thirteenth in the original North American Soccer League. At the time, the NASL represented the top tier of American soccer. Finishing the season with 194 points off of 22 wins and eight losses, the Cosmos clinched their sixth-consecutive regular season championship, and their seventh overall. In the postseason, however, the Cosmos lost to Montreal Manic.

The 1973 New York Cosmos season was the third season for the New York Cosmos in the now-defunct North American Soccer League. In the Cosmos' third year of existence, the club finished 2nd in the Eastern Division and 3rd in the overall league table. In the playoffs, the Cosmos were defeated in their semifinal match by the Dallas Tornado.

The 1974 New York Cosmos season was the fourth season for the New York Cosmos in the now-defunct North American Soccer League. In the Cosmos' fourth year of existence the club finished last in the four-team Northern Division and 13th out of 15 in the overall league table, failing to qualify for the playoffs for the first time in their short history.

The 1975 New York Cosmos season was the fifth season for the New York Cosmos in the now-defunct North American Soccer League. In the Cosmos' fifth year of existence the club finished 3rd in the five-team Northern Division and 12th out of 20 in the overall league table. Despite Pelé joining the club midseason in what English writer Gavin Newsham said was "the transfer coup of the century," bringing unprecedented attention to soccer in the United States, the Cosmos missed the playoffs for the second straight year.

The 1976 New York Cosmos season was the sixth season for the New York Cosmos in the now-defunct North American Soccer League. In the Cosmos' sixth year of existence the club finished second only to the Tampa Bay Rowdies in both the five-team Eastern Division and the 20-team league. The Cosmos returned to the playoffs for the first time in two years, but were eliminated in the conference semifinals by the rival Rowdies. 1976 marked the first year for Giorgio Chinaglia with the club; Chinaglia would go on to become the all-time leading scorer in both Cosmos and NASL history.

The 1978 New York Cosmos season was the eighth season for the Cosmos in the now-defunct North American Soccer League. It was also the second and final year in which "New York" was dropped from their name. The double-winning club set records for most wins and points in an NASL season, thanks to their 24-6 regular-season mark and 212 points, securing their second premiership on the way to their third championship. They beat the Fort Lauderdale Strikers 7–0 on opening day and never looked back, scoring 88 times while losing just three games in regulation. Giorgio Chinaglia scored 34 goals and 79 points, setting league records in the process. In Soccer Bowl '78, the Cosmos defeated the Tampa Bay Rowdies in front of 74,901 fans at Giants Stadium, still to this day a record for attendance at a North American championship soccer game.

The 1979 New York Cosmos season was the ninth season for the New York Cosmos in the now-defunct North American Soccer League. 1979 saw the club continue their premiership streak to three seasons with the league's highest point total, and match their wins record while achieving a record point total, but the Cosmos' quest for a third straight NASL championship ended with a loss in the conference finals to the Vancouver Whitecaps.

The 1981 New York Cosmos season was the 11th season for the New York Cosmos in the now-defunct North American Soccer League. Despite winning their fifth straight premiership by five points over the Chicago Sting, the Cosmos lost to the Sting in Soccer Bowl '81.

The 1982 New York Cosmos season was the 12th season for the New York Cosmos in the now-defunct North American Soccer League. The Cosmos completed their fourth double—a feat not matched by any NASL or, as yet, MLS club—finishing 37 points ahead of Seattle for the league premiership, and defeating the Sounders in Soccer Bowl '82 for the league championship.

The 2016 New York Cosmos season was the new Cosmos' fourth season of existence, playing in the new North American Soccer League. Including the previous franchise, this is the eighteenth season of a club entitled New York Cosmos playing professional soccer in the New York metropolitan area.

The 2017 Puerto Rico FC season was the club's second season and first full season of existence. The club played in the North American Soccer League, the second tier of the American soccer pyramid.

References

  1. Bell, Jack (May 2008). "Gordon Bradley, Who Nurtured U.S. Soccer, Dies at 74". The New York Times.
  2. "North American Soccer League".
  3. "NASL New York Cosmos Rosters".
  4. All-time American soccer statistics | SoccerStats.us
  5. "The Year in American Soccer - 1971". Archived from the original on November 5, 2015. Retrieved December 28, 2012.