Chapter 1
Sandlots and sweatshops: the immigrant roots
Chapter 2
The soccer circus: Pelé and the Cosmos era
Chapter 3
The borough battles: MLS and the modern rivalry
Chapter 4
Concrete pitches: the street soccer culture
YOUR GOAL
Master of How soccer conquered New York
Ch 2 · The soccer circus: Pelé and the Cosmos era
fchudsonunited Pelé and the Cosmos
He played for both his teams beneath the Jersey skies, As seventy thousand voices sang their last goodbyes.
fchudsonunited Mick Jagger and Muhammad Ali visit the glamorous New York Cosmos locker room.
Fun Fact
Pelé's green pitch: For Pelé's 1975 debut at Downing Stadium, groundkeepers had to spray-paint the dead, sandy grass green so it would look good on television.
Glossary
superstar (noun)
An extremely famous and successful performer or athlete. Pelé signed with the New York Cosmos in 1975, transforming the club into a global attraction.
An extremely famous and successful performer or athlete. Pelé signed with the New York Cosmos in 1975, transforming the club into a global attraction.
Quiz
Against which team did Pelé play his final career exhibition match in October 1977?
Quiz
In which year did Brazilian legend Pelé officially sign with the New York Cosmos?
Quiz
What record-breaking average home attendance did the New York Cosmos achieve during the 1977 season?
Quiz
Which Italian striker became the all-time leading goalscorer for the New York Cosmos?
Quiz
Which German World Cup-winning captain joined Pelé on the New York Cosmos in 1977?
Quiz
Who were the music industry executives who founded the New York Cosmos in 1970?
Quiz
In which year did the original North American Soccer League (NASL) officially fold?