1978 New York Cosmos season

Last updated

Cosmos
1978 season
Manager Flag of Italy.svg Eddie Firmani [1]
Stadium Giants Stadium
NASL Division: 1st
Overall:1st
Playoffs:Champions
National
Challenge Cup 		Did not enter
CONCACAF
Champions' Cup 		Did not enter
Top goalscorerLeague: Flag of Italy.svg Giorgio Chinaglia (34? goals)
All: Flag of Italy.svg Giorgio Chinaglia (goals)
Highest home attendance74,901
vs. TB (August 27)
Lowest home attendance26,325
vs. BJR (September 9)
Average home league attendance47,856 [2]
←  1977
1979  →

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 (shared with the Vancouver Whitecaps) 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 [3] 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.

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 Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN Jack Brand
1 GK Flag of Turkey.svg  TUR Erol Yasin
2 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Bobby Smith
3 MF Flag of Brazil.svg  BRA Nelsi Morais
4 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Werner Roth
5 DF Flag of Brazil.svg  BRA Carlos Alberto
6 DF Flag of Germany.svg  GER Franz Beckenbauer
7 FW Flag of England.svg  ENG Dennis Tueart
8 MF Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg  YUG Vladislav Bogićević
9 FW Flag of Italy.svg  ITA Giorgio Chinaglia
11 FW Flag of England.svg  ENG Steve Hunt
12 FW Flag of Portugal.svg  POR Seninho
14 MF Flag of England.svg  ENG Terry Garbett
No.Pos.NationPlayer
15 MF Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg  YUG Vito Dimitrijević
16 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Tony Donlic
17 MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Rick Davis
18 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Fred Grgurev
19 DF Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN Robert Iarusci
20 GK Flag of the United States.svg  USA David Brcic
21 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Gary Etherington
22 MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Jim Millinder
23 DF Flag of Italy.svg  ITA Giuseppe Wilson
24 DF Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN Garry Ayre
25 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Santiago Formoso
26 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Ron Atanasio
27 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Joe Filian

Source: [4]

Results

Source: [5]

Preseason

Regular season

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

National Eastern Division Standings

PosClubPldWLGFGAGDPts
1 Cosmos 302468839+49212
2 Washington Diplomats 3016145547+8145
3 Toronto Metros-Croatia 3016145847+11144
4 Rochester Lancers 3014164752-5131

Overall League Placing

PosClubPldWLGFGAGDPts
1 Cosmos 302468839+49212
2 Vancouver Whitecaps 302466829+39199
3 Detroit Express 3020106836+32176
4 Portland Timbers 3020105036+14167
5 New England Tea Men 3019116239+23165

Source: [6]

Season matches


Postseason

Overview

Conference Quarterfinals Conference Semifinals Conference Championships Soccer Bowl '78
            
A1 Detroit Express 1
A8 Philadelphia Fury 0
A1 Detroit Express 1
A7 Fort Lauderdale Strikers 2
A2 New England Tea Men 1
A7 Fort Lauderdale Strikers 3
A7 Fort Lauderdale Strikers 1
A4 Tampa Bay Rowdies 2
A3 San Diego Sockers 2
A6 California Surf 1
A3 San Diego Sockers 1
A4 Tampa Bay Rowdies 2
A4 Tampa Bay Rowdies 3
A5 Chicago Sting 1
A4 Tampa Bay Rowdies 1
N1 Cosmos 3
N1 Cosmos 5
N8 Seattle Sounders 2
N1 Cosmos 2
N3 Minnesota Kicks 1
N3 Minnesota Kicks 3
N6 Tulsa Roughnecks 1
N1 Cosmos 2
N4 Portland Timbers 0
N2 Vancouver Whitecaps 4
N7 Toronto Metros-Croatia 0
N2 Vancouver Whitecaps 0
N4 Portland Timbers 2
N4 Portland Timbers 2
N5 Washington Diplomats 1


Friendlies

Cosmos in Argentina
Beckenbauer and maradona 1978.jpg
vs Argentina U-20: Franz Beckenbauer and Diego Maradona
Beckenbauer cosmos vs belgrano 1978.jpg
vs Belgrano in Córdoba
Boca v cosmos mardelplata.jpg
vs Boca Juniors at Mar del Plata
DateOpponentVenueResultAtt.ScorersRef.
Feb 2 Flag of the United States.svg FIU [n 1] A2–0300Chinaglia (2) [7]
March 5Flag of Bermuda.svg  Bermuda A4–17,000 Grgurev, Chinaglia (2), Tueart [7]
March 8 Flag of Bermuda.svg Bermuda U-23A3–04,000Chinaglia (2), Millinder [7]
March 11Flag of Bermuda.svg  Bermuda A4–15,000Tueart (2), Chinaglia, Bogicevic [7]
March 22 Flag of the United States.svg Adelphi University H11–0n/aChinaglia (2), Bogicevic (2), n/a [7]
Apr 4 Flag of the United States.svg Los Angeles Aztecs A0–015,000–
August 30 Flag of the United Nations.svg World All-Stars [n 2] H2–250,757 Seninho, Chinaglia [7]
September 4 Flag of Spain.svg Atlético Madrid H1–335,140 Rivellino [n 3] [8] [7]
September 9 Flag of Argentina.svg Boca Juniors H2–223,000 Chinaglia (2) [9] [7]
September 12 Flag of Germany.svg Bayern Munich A1–775,000 Chinaglia [7]
September 14 Flag of Italy.svg Brescia A2–130,000Tueart, Chinaglia [7]
September 19 Flag of Germany.svg VfB Stuttgart A1–655,000Chinaglia [7]
September 21 Flag of Germany.svg Freiburger FC A0–218,000– [7]
September 26 Flag of England.svg Chelsea A1–139,659 Tueart [7]
October 1 Flag of Spain.svg Atlético Madrid A3–245,000 Seninho, Chinaglia, Bogicevic [7]
October 4 Flag of Greece.svg AEK Athens A5–3n/aChinaglia (3), Tueart, Seninho [7]
October 9 Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Red Star Belgrade A4–623,500Tueart, Chinaglia, Seninho [7]
November 1 Flag of Ecuador.svg Barcelona A1–150,000Chinaglia [7]
November 3Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina U-20 A [n 4] 1–2n/aChinaglia [9] [7]
November 7 Flag of Argentina.svg Belgrano (C) A [n 5] 1–1n/aChinaglia [9] [7]
November 13 Flag of Argentina.svg Independiente Rivadavia A [n 6] 2–1n/a Davis, Beckenbauer [9] [7]
November 16 Flag of Argentina.svg Boca Juniors A [n 7] 2–435,000 Chinaglia, Seninho [9] [7]
November 18 Bandera de Bolivia (Estado).svg Bolívar/Always Ready [n 8] A [n 9] 0–2n/a– [7]
November 22 Flag of Brazil.svg Vila Nova A3–225,000Chinaglia (2), Tueart [7]
Notes
  1. ↑ Athletics of Florida International University.
  2. ↑ Johan Cruyff played (as guest star) for the Cosmos wearing #30, being his last match in the United States.
  3. ↑ Special guest star for NY Cosmos.
  4. ↑ Held in Estadio La Ciudadela, home of San Martín de Tucumán.
  5. ↑ Held in El Gigante de Alberdi (home of C.A. Belgrano).
  6. ↑ Held in Estadio Malvinas Argentinas.
  7. ↑ Held in Estadio José María Minella, Mar del Plata.
  8. ↑ Combined team with players from both clubs.
  9. ↑ Held in Estadio Hernando Siles, La Paz.

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fort Lauderdale Strikers (1977–1983)</span> American soccer team (1977–1983)

The Fort Lauderdale Strikers was a professional soccer team based in the Miami metropolitan area. They competed in the North American Soccer League (NASL) from 1977 to 1983. They played their home matches at Lockhart Stadium.

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soccer Bowl '78</span> North American Soccer League championship final for the 1978 season

Soccer Bowl '78 was the North American Soccer League's championship final for the 1978 season. It was the fourth NASL championship under the Soccer Bowl name.

The 1977 season was the original Tampa Bay Rowdies third season of existence, and their third season in the North American Soccer League, the top division of soccer in the United States and Canada at that time.

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 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 1980 New York Cosmos season was the tenth season for the New York Cosmos in the now-defunct North American Soccer League. The Cosmos completed their third double, finishing 1st in the overall league table and defeating the Fort Lauderdale Strikers 3–0 in Soccer Bowl '80.

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 2015 North American Soccer League season was the 48th season of Division II soccer in the United States and the fifth season of the North American Soccer League. It was contested by eleven teams including two from Canada. Jacksonville Armada FC made their NASL debut this season. The defending Soccer Bowl champions were the San Antonio Scorpions, while Minnesota United FC were the defending North American Supporters' Trophy winners. A split season format was used for the 2015 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soccer Bowl '77</span> Soccer match

Soccer Bowl '77 was the championship final of the 1977 NASL season. The New York Cosmos took on the Seattle Sounders. The match was played on August 28, 1977 at Civic Stadium, in Portland, Oregon. The game was also noteworthy as the final competitive match for Pelé, the Brazilian star widely acknowledged as the sport's greatest player. The Cosmos won the match, 2–1, to claim their second North American championship. The match was broadcast on TVS.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soccer Bowl '79</span> Soccer match

Soccer Bowl '79 was the championship final of the 1979 NASL season. The National Conference champion Vancouver Whitecaps played the American Conference champion Tampa Bay Rowdies. The match was played on September 8, 1979, at Giants Stadium, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. This was the second straight year that Giants Stadium hosted the Soccer Bowl. The Whitecaps won the match, 2–1, to claim their first North American championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soccer Bowl '81</span> Soccer match

Soccer Bowl '81 was the championship final of the 1981 NASL season, between the Chicago Sting and the New York Cosmos. The match was played on September 26, 1981 at Exhibition Stadium, in Toronto, Ontario. Following regulation and 15 minutes of golden goal overtime, the match remained tied, 0–0. With that, the game moved to a shoot-out. The Sting won the shoot-out, 2–1, and were crowned the 1981 NASL champions. This was Chicago's first NASL title.

The 1978 Vancouver Whitecaps season was the fifth season of the Whitecaps, and their fifth year in the North American Soccer League and the top flight of Canadian soccer.

The 1977 North American Soccer League playoffs began on August 10 and ended on August 28 with Soccer Bowl '77 at Civic Stadium in Portland, Oregon. 12 out of 18 teams qualified after a 26-match regular season, six from each conference.

The NASL Championship Final 2015 was the North American Soccer League's postseason championship match of the 2015 season which determined the NASL Champion.

The 1978 North American Soccer League playoffs began on August 8 and ended on August 27 with Soccer Bowl '78 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. 16 out of 24 teams qualified after a 30-match regular season, eight from each conference.

The 1983 Tulsa Roughnecks season was the club's sixth season of existence, and their fifth in the North American Soccer League, the top flight of American soccer at that time. The 1983 season was Terry Hennessey's second full NASL season as head coach of the Roughnecks.

References

  1. ↑ "From Cape Town to NY, via Charlton: The footballing life of Eddie Firmani". TheGuardian.com . May 19, 2010.
  2. ↑ "North American Soccer League".
  3. ↑ "The Evening Independent - Google News Archive Search".
  4. ↑ "NASL New York Cosmos Rosters".
  5. ↑ "All-time American soccer statistics | SoccerStats.us".
  6. ↑ "The Year in American Soccer - 1978". Archived from the original on February 17, 2015. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 North American Soccer League: Friendlies
  8. ↑ New York Cosmos 1-3 Atlético de Madrid (1978) on Renaldinhos.com
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 Cómo le fue a Beckenbauer jugando contra Boca, River, Racing y todo el fútbol argentino by Cristian Dellocchio on Página 12, 10 Jan 2024