OCEAN CITY – Ocean City FC will be welcoming one of the biggest names in world soccer to Carey Stadium this summer. The New York Cosmos, who were the centerpiece of the North American Soccer League in the 1970s and 80s, featuring legends such as Pele, Franz Beckenbauer and Giorgio Chinaglia, have been reborn and are working toward becoming the next Major League Soccer expansion team. This version of the Cosmos will be an Under-23 team that will be playing an exhibition schedule in 2011 ahead of becoming full members of the Premier Development League in 2012.
The Nor’easters will face the Cosmos in two exhibition games this summer. On June 8, Ocean City FC will travel to Columbia University in New York City, and on July 6 the Cosmos will come down to the Jersey Shore to play at the Beach House on July 6.
“When the announcement was made last year that the Cosmos were coming back, I thought this was one of the biggest announcement the sport of soccer has had in this country,” said Ocean City FC general manager Neil Holloway. “In my opinion, it ranks right up there with the Beckham signing. Some of the great names they have associated with that club already, I’m confident it will be a great organization.”
The new version of the Cosmos has already hired former Manchester United legend Eric Cantona and U.S. National Team great Cobi Jones to work as directors of soccer operations. Soccer icon Pele is the club’s honorary president.
The under-23 club will be fronted by former Metrostars (New York Red Bulls) forward Giovanni Savarese, a member of the USL Hall of Fame. Savarese, who played five seasons in MLS as well as with the Venezuelan National Team, is in charge of the Cosmos’ youth academy. The team will be made up of academy players as well as some local college and veteran players.
“To have the Cosmos join the PDL, and especially to be a part of our conference, is fantastic,” said Holloway.
The match will be played on the Nor’easters’ new grass field at Carey Stadium which was the same grass field used at the New Meadowlands Stadium for the international friendly between the US National Team and Argentina on March 26.
Tickets to the matches with the Cosmos are on sale now. Call the Ocean City FC main office at 609-525-9999 or email Steve Thurlby at sthurlby@oceancityfc.com for more information. Season and group ticket packages are also available.
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