“Past, Present, and Future: The Journey of American Soccer” is an orignal series with three distinct purposes. First, it offers an examination into the rich history of soccer in America. Second, a critique is developed based on the current state of the game. Third, the uneasy, but incredibly promising future of soccer here in the States is carefully dissected and predicted. All of these ideas come from multiple perspectives in the American soccer scene. From the former owner of the world’s greatest soccer franchise to a FSC broadcaster with local ties, ISN has it covered.
“From the Pitch to the Booth: A Conversation with Steve Bell”
Part V of the Original Series
Steve Bell is one of the most prominent figures on Fox Soccer Channel. Bell, an experienced broadcaster and former Major League Soccer and United Soccer Leagues player, is in his third season as a sideline reporter during select MLS Saturday on FSC telecasts.
Since 2001, Steve has also been a part of Fox Soccer Channel’s United Soccer Leagues telecasts as a play-by-play announcer, color commentator and sideline reporter.
Steve enjoyed a successful NCAA Division I college soccer career at Robert Morris University, where he won three conference championships with the Colonials and remains among the school’s Top-10 leaders in assists. He was a second round draft pick in the 1998 MLS Supplemental Draft, and signed with the Tampa Bay Mutiny. He has also played for USL’s Pittsburgh Riverhounds and CISL’s Washington Warthogs.
The story of a prominent player joining the ranks of broadcasters and commentators is a common one, but Bell offers incredible insight into the past, present, and future status of soccer in America. His playing experience is obviously an asset that can be called upon at any moment.
Bell, like the ambitious Fox Soccer Channel he works for, is very optimistic about the future of soccer. It is easily the world’s most popular game and is making strides here in the U.S. and Canada. He compares the growth of the game to a marathon, not a sprint. The prospect of soccer passing football, baseball, and basketball in an explosion of interest is highly unlikely. There are just so many choices available to the American spectator.
USL and MLS are not the only shows in town any longer. Fox Soccer, GolTV, and ESPN offer literally a world of soccer from La Liga to UEFA Champions League to Barclays Premier League. Bell says that finding a game is not as hard as it used to be in his playing days. Televised matches used to be “few and far between.” That is obviously not the case today. What can American soccer do to compete with all of the choices within soccer?
The uneasy relationship between MLS and USL is well-documented. On all accounts, MLS is making steady progress and growth is expected over a long period. The league is not about to repeat the mistakes of the NASL, where rapid expansion and skyrocketing salaries were a recipe for disaster. The league is now strong enough to weather any storm, whether it is a sluggish economy or a difficult market for soccer.
In a perfect world, Bell suggested that a merger of the two leagues would a natural fit. The USL has a complete structure with several divisions, making it an ideal feeder or minor league to MLS. A European style system could easily be created: MLS (1st division), USL-1 (2nd division), and USL-2 (3rd division). The PDL could easily become a fourth division or exist as a purely developmental setting. Bell pointed out that game exposure is the key to the development of any player anywhere in the world. Other sports have had similar arrangements in places for decades. Think of baseball’s minor league system (A, AA, AAA), professional football’s NFL Europe, or even basketball’s NBDL.
Bell also had some thoughts on the argument surrounding indoor and outdoor soccer. He suggested that the two styles are completely isolated, but the people at the top of each game will find a way to make it work. It makes little sense to have such a disconnect within the same sport. Everyone needs to remember that there is strength in numbers and there are common goals for the game.
Bell tried to come up with his own explanation, which came to be “soccer is the exact opposite of NASCAR.” Tons of kids playing soccer doesn’t translate into the same number of fans. So how do we reach the casual fans and even those non-soccer fans? Well we can hope that they will stumble across as it is readily available on mainstream stations. We can offer commentators that reach a wide range of audiences by painting pictures and relaying the message of soccer to every fan.
In particular, Steve’s network FSC is growing and expanding its live coverage of games worldwide. Obviously European leagues and tournaments are popular offerings, but the network also offers coverage of MLS, USL, WPS, national team matches, and CONCACAF tournaments (Gold Cup and Champions League). They also cover the beautiful game in our colleges and universities.
He was quick to point out that Northeastern Ohio is a place of rich tradition for soccer. The Canton Invaders, the Cleveland Force, and the Cleveland Crunch were all successful professional franchises in the area. Today, the legacy of excellence is carried by the Cleveland City Stars and the Cleveland Internationals. Rumors have even circulated regarding the possibility of a MLS franchise. Any way you look at it, professional soccer is here to stay and so are the fans.
Many people say that soccer has to be fully embraced, that there is no such thing as casual fan. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Soccer embraces everyone, whether they are a fan for 50 minutes or 50 years. Everyone should be able to enjoy the beautiful game.
“The Beckham Experiment and Beyond: A Conversation with Grant Wahl”
Part IV in the Original Series
The Beckham Experiment was this summer’s blockbuster, written by one of America’s premier sportswriters. Some might wonder why you would want to read another book about David Beckham. That has all been done before, right? You need to understand that this is a different book with a different story. Wahl has simply created the best discussion of American soccer ever. Some might call it controversial, considering that “Beckham’s handlers certainly disagreed with some parts.”
Yes, the book focuses on David Beckham and his impact on Major League Soccer. It chronicles the journey of “the world’s most famous athlete playing in a humble league.” However, it doesn’t start and stop there. It shows MLS from the inside out, like we have never seen it before. Wahl creates multiple, intertwining storylines about people and events other than Beckham.
Take Alan Gordon, who represents “what is good with American stars.” Or Landon Donovan, whose comments were deemed controversial by the news media, but remains the best player in the entire United States. Or the story of Ty Harden, which had not been heard before. Harden, a twenty-three-year-old defender for the Galaxy, retired from pro soccer to pursue a career in community service. Apparently the $30,000 salary wasn’t cutting it.
Wahl discussed the role of every Galaxy player, from those making $12,900 a year to the only one making $50 million. He leaves no stone unturned, offering a sneak peek into the locker rooms of three very different coaches. The best part of this text is his understanding of the big picture, the story of American soccer. Wahl has the best insight into the game not yet embraced by all Americans. His 12 years of experience at Sports Illustrated gives this book and this league instant credibility. I mean that even non-soccer fans have read the book and loved it.
So what does Grant Wahl say about American soccer? It is making “gains, but culture takes a while to change.” The U.S. National Team is emerging and continues to improve. MLS continues to expand and grow, but the best it has to offer might be 10-15 years down the road. And Landon Donovan might not return to Europe to prove himself worthy of the title “America’s Greatest Soccer Player.”
Wahl makes one thing perfectly clear: Major League Soccer is different than any other league in the world. Ruud Gullit was a former World Player of the Year and one of the biggest names in European soccer as both a player and coach. His tenure in Los Angeles was simply disastrous. He would not be the first or last foreign coach to struggle within the confines of the American league. Some players like Abel Xavier and Celestine Babayaro failed to make an impact for Los Angeles despite their lofty European credentials. I guess you can say there is no sure thing in Major League Soccer other than regulation and a conservative outlook.
Wahl actually makes some suggestions on how to help improve the stock of Major League Soccer. First, changes to the Designated Player Rule and the salary cap are necessary. More star power and funds to create a “MLS middle class” would greatly decrease the gap between American soccer and football worldwide. Youth development is always a hot topic for discussion and Wahl also sees it as a priority for the future of the game in the U.S. Wahl’s optimism and forward thinking are a welcome sign from the mainstream sports media. His faith in the game is apparent and will likely inspire others to think the same.
The biggest questions still remains: Will the Beckham Experiment be declared a success? It is not a simple question or a simple answer. Beckham’s loan with AC Milan and his desire to play in the 2010 World Cup at any cost would cloud the picture a bit. There were many questions about whether or not he would fulfill his record 5 year, $250 million contract. On the other hand, Beckham has repeatedly declared his interest in owning an MLS franchise after his playing days are over. He did return to the Galaxy to help them make a playoff run. He did bring attention to a league that needed coverage and a team that needed a star worthy of Hollywood.
The text is fascinating, brilliant, and insightful. Our suggestion: Buy the book, renew your subscription to Sports Illustrated to see Wahl’s work more often, and get a hold of some Galaxy tickets to see the Beckham Experiment in person. It might be another 30 years to see someone take on Beckham’s role as an American soccer ambassador.
It helps us understand America’s beautiful game in a deeper and more thoughtful way. It allows us to see why Bruce Arena is almost a lock for the 2009 MLS Coach of the Year. Arena has made order out of disorder and got the most of young talent like Omar Gonzalez and A. J. DeLaGarza.
“Serving the City and Changing the World: A Conversation with Mark Geissbauer”
Part III of the Original Series
When most people think of American soccer, they think of Major League Soccer (MLS). MLS is attractive to both casual and hardcore fans because of their internationally recognized star players and some of the best young talent in the world. However, some of the best soccer here in the U.S. and Canada is played on fields manned by USL (United Soccer League) teams. The USL and its success are best measured by the performance of its teams in the CONCACAF Champions’ League.
To gain a perspective unique to the USL, we decided to speak with an executive from the Cleveland City Stars of the USL’s 1st Division. Mark Geissbauer currently serves as General Manager of the team, but is more than that. He has been described as “one of the hardest working executives in the soccer business. He is dedicated beyond belief.” More importantly he is called “a true friend” and a man with “an insatiable passion for excellence.”
Mark literally has a world of experience. Mark was the General Manager for the Cascade Surge of the PDL during their 2004 and 2005 seasons, leading the team to a PDL Championship in both 2004 and 2005. The USL honored Geissbauer as PDL Executive of the Year in 2005 and USL-2 Executive of the Year in 2007. He was also involved in planning for the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
Geissbauer is a visible and vocal spokesman for the team and more importantly Ohio’s best example of a soccer ambassador. Geissbauer, along with other front office staff and players, is trying to build a tradition of excellence fused with a sense of community and service. His dream is to build a culture where soccer will continue to thrive for decades and generations to come. Geissbauer hopes to return to Cleveland in 50 years and find great, entertaining soccer thriving in the city. There are many challenges to this goal, but the City Stars as an organization are up to the challenge. The City Stars have already made a successful transition from USL-2 to USL-1. They have acquired the rights to play in a new stadium and have hired a new coach. The club is now building a foundation of passionate fans that will surely increase over the years.
However, there is no shortage of obstacles for the City Stars and the USL in general. The City Stars operate in strong sport market with a great deal of competition like the Cavaliers (NBA), Browns (NFL), and the Indians (MLB). The USL keeps losing its best teams (Vancouver, Portland) because of MLS expansion. The loss of these two clubs takes the West Coast out of the USL.
The roster was completely reworked since last season, but talent from all over the world was brought in. Geissbauer and the City Stars have extensive international contacts, perhaps the largest “list” in the USL or even MLS. They often know about players other teams don’t; this discovery process is crucial to their future. USL teams do not have millions to invest in a single player like European clubs or even Designated Player allocations like MLS. USL teams could spend large amounts of money if they had it because there is no salary cap and little regulation. Geissbauer sees the USL and MLS working closely together some day. The City Stars have already partnered with the Columbus Crew of MLS. The best role of USL might be acting as a feeder system for MLS. He is not the first to suggest this.
Geissbauer strongly believes that an organization should invest in its people. He looks out for his staff and his players in every way. The player’s best interests are always put first and this has led to a comfortable environment where players want to be. The team owns the rights to its players and often negotiates directly with players. Geissbauer has been known to even negotiate on a player’s behalf to promote a successful player to other leagues around the world. The City Stars do have a high turnover rate as discussed earlier, but they see their former players develop in Asia, Europe, and Africa. This is much different than MLS where the league office holds a great deal of power in this area. Often MLS is criticized for keeping its players too long and out of the prominent leagues in Europe.
The American style of play was another important topic of discussion. Geissbauer describes American players as “athletes first” who are “fit and run like crazy.” What they often lack is basic skills and are often victims of bad coaching. Foot skills come right away in a place like Brazil, but that is not the case here in the U.S. Our athletes must develop into soccer players and that takes time and patience. It can be hard to bring out talent.
In order to get a full understanding of the career of Mark Geissbauer, the assistance of David Irby was sought. Irby currently serves as President and Technical Director of the Cascade Surge. Irby is personally responsible for building a “launching pad” for the careers of Geissbauer, Dr. Aaron Tredway, and Martin Rennie. He shared his thoughts on Geissbauer’s start in the soccer business:
“I met Mark Geissbauer in Maputo, Mozambique in October of 2003. We had been invited by the government of Sudan to bring a soccer team, which was called Ambassadors in Sport, on a “peace mission” to Sudan, in the midst of their civil war. Our team was comprised of players from several countries and three USL Teams (Cascade Surge, Charlotte Eagles, Minnesota Thunder). Aaron Tredway, who had traveled internationally with me previously and played for me at the Surge, recruited most of the team from his base in Cleveland. Mark, working for Anstoss zur Hoffnung (Kickoff to Hope) the Stuttgart, Germany based mission in Mozambique, heard we were coming to Africa and extended his stay in Mozambique to visit with us.”
“When we left Mozambique, Mark headed home to Germany, but before we left he invited all of us to come and visit him in Stuttgart. I was the only one who took him up on the offer. The following year I traveled to Stuttgart to work with him in soccer and his church. During that trip I invited Mark to come and be the General Manager of the Cascade Surge. He came to Salem, and along with Aaron Tredway they were keys to building the two most successful Surge teams in history.”
Note: Mark Geisssbauer announced his resignation from the Cleveland City Stars on June 6, 2009. It was received with great sadness by all the fans of the City Stars. However, Mark left behind a legacy of excellence and success that will continue for years to come. The flow of job offers have not been limited by any means. He has been offered a position as a consultant for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and as an executive in the German and Spanish leagues.
“Promoting the PASL: A Conversation with Kevin Milliken”
Part II of the Original Series
Futbol rapido, cage ball, English pit soccer, indoor soccer, arena soccer. These are the names given to the sport played by many here in the United States. It is fast, physical, hard-hitting, and features lots of goals. This style of soccer is the trademark of three leagues here in North America: the Xtreme Soccer League (XSL), the National Indoor Soccer League (NISL), and the Premier and Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL).
What separates each of them is much more than a name or a choice of words. The PASL is the only league with a complete structure from top to bottom: Professional, Premier, W-League, youth clubs, and the U.S. National Arena Soccer Team. PASL-Pro is the best known of all the divisions, while the Premier division helps with player development. PASL also differs from the other leagues because of its affiliation with FIFRA (Federacion Internacional de Futbol Rapido).
The PASL is fortunate to be led by a true soccer professional, Kevin Milliken. Milliken has many years of experience in American soccer and was a key figure in the early days of the United Soccer Leagues (USL). His attention is now focused on making the PASL a household name here in North America and across the world. Milliken has created a league with what looks to be a winning formula:
Network of Indoor Soccer Arenas+A European Club Approach+League Structure of the USL=Success of the PASL
Critics suggest that there is not enough room for three separate leagues, running on three independent schedules. They suggest that the three leagues should merge in order to become more viable and to cut costs in a difficult economic environment. This idea has been discussed in different venues by different people, but an agreement was never reached. I found Milliken to be extremely open-minded regarding the issue of competition. He probably would disagree with calling the NISL and XSL competition. He doesn’t see it that way. “Any soccer is good soccer” is the motto he leads by. You won’t hear him bashing other leagues or being critical of outdoor soccer. Milliken should be seen as a soccer ambassador, promoting the beautiful game to the masses.
Competition among rival leagues is not the only consideration. The economy is always mentioned when a discussion of emerging professional sports leagues appears. The economy, though devastating to many across the country, will not cause this league to fold. Milliken said that “we will keep doing what we are doing. Our business model works in this economic environment.” The PASL offers an affordable form of entertainment for hardcore and casual fans alike. People want to be entertained with sports and love an opportunity to leave “the daily grind” behind for even a few hours.
In particular, arena soccer is appealing to casual fans because typical Americans can identify with 50 shots, 17 goals, and the concept of a power play. These fans might not be as willing to sit through an outdoor game that ends in a 0-0 draw. The outdoor game is a different animal with a different audience: soccer families.
Futbol rapido is extremely popular in Mexico. Tens of thousands of fans will show up to games at open air stadiums across Mexico. This influence has an effect on the Premier League as 60% of the players there would be classified as Hispanic.
The popularity of arena soccer is increasing in the U.S. and there is a chance that it has a sustainable future here. Milliken is able to see the big picture of successful American soccer. It is not exclusive to indoor or arena soccer. All styles of soccer and all leagues must work hard to fulfill the promise and potential of soccer here in America.
The stars of the PASL do come from a variety of backgrounds, including home-grown talent. The league’s biggest name, Brian Farber, splits time between the USL and PASL-Pro. Often called “the world’s fastest soccer player” or “the king of indoors,” Farber is the star of the Stockton Cougars, but spends his summers with the Portland Timbers of the USL. He runs a 4.20 in the 40 and is a force to be reckoned with in the indoor game. You can nullify speed outdoors, but “the gloves are off” in the arena. There are no offsides penalties that slow down the speed and pace of the game. The smaller field is beneficial to faster players as well as it creates more 1 v 1 situations, which can be exploited to score goals.
Cincinnati’s Craig Salvati looks to be a rising star in arena soccer after completing an All-American career at the University of Maryland. And don’t forget Jesus Molina, MVP of the 1999 Premier League Championships, who helped Stockton win this year’s Pro Finals. Molina is an example of the success of their player development system, having success at both divisions.
Milliken sees consistent growth and some change taking place under his watch. San Diego has already been added for the 2009-2010 season with Louisville a strong possibility for expansion. Milliken warns that weeding out of some teams may occur as the league takes shape. He does realize that the outdoor and indoor game will remain separate. The best case scenario might be the creation of a superleague of indoor soccer, which includes the PASL, NISL, and XSL. Regardless of the end result, arena soccer has found its niche in the U.S. market.
Futbol rapido, cage ball, English pit soccer, indoor soccer, arena soccer. These are the names given to the sport played by many here in the United States. It is fast, physical, hard-hitting, and features lots of goals. This style of soccer is the trademark of three leagues here in North America: the Xtreme Soccer League (XSL), the National Indoor Soccer League (NISL), and the Premier and Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL).
What separates each of them is much more than a name or a choice of words. The PASL is the only league with a complete structure from top to bottom: Professional, Premier, W-League, youth clubs, and the U.S. National Arena Soccer Team. PASL-Pro is the best known of all the divisions, while the Premier division helps with player development. PASL also differs from the other leagues because of its affiliation with FIFRA (Federacion Internacional de Futbol Rapido).
The PASL is fortunate to be led by a true soccer professional, Kevin Milliken. Milliken has many years of experience in American soccer and was a key figure in the early days of the United Soccer Leagues (USL). His attention is now focused on making the PASL a household name here in North America and across the world. Milliken has created a league with what looks to be a winning formula:
Network of Indoor Soccer Arenas+A European Club Approach+League Structure of the USL=Success of the PASL
Critics suggest that there is not enough room for three separate leagues, running on three independent schedules. They suggest that the three leagues should merge in order to become more viable and to cut costs in a difficult economic environment. This idea has been discussed in different venues by different people, but an agreement was never reached. I found Milliken to be extremely open-minded regarding the issue of competition. He probably would disagree with calling the NISL and XSL competition. He doesn’t see it that way. “Any soccer is good soccer” is the motto he leads by. You won’t hear him bashing other leagues or being critical of outdoor soccer. Milliken should be seen as a soccer ambassador, promoting the beautiful game to the masses.
Competition among rival leagues is not the only consideration. The economy is always mentioned when a discussion of emerging professional sports leagues appears. The economy, though devastating to many across the country, will not cause this league to fold. Milliken said that “we will keep doing what we are doing. Our business model works in this economic environment.” The PASL offers an affordable form of entertainment for hardcore and casual fans alike. People want to be entertained with sports and love an opportunity to leave “the daily grind” behind for even a few hours.
In particular, arena soccer is appealing to casual fans because typical Americans can identify with 50 shots, 17 goals, and the concept of a power play. These fans might not be as willing to sit through an outdoor game that ends in a 0-0 draw. The outdoor game is a different animal with a different audience: soccer families.
Futbol rapido is extremely popular in Mexico. Tens of thousands of fans will show up to games at open air stadiums across Mexico. This influence has an effect on the Premier League as 60% of the players there would be classified as Hispanic.
The popularity of arena soccer is increasing in the U.S. and there is a chance that it has a sustainable future here. Milliken is able to see the big picture of successful American soccer. It is not exclusive to indoor or arena soccer. All styles of soccer and all leagues must work hard to fulfill the promise and potential of soccer here in America.
The stars of the PASL do come from a variety of backgrounds, including home-grown talent. The league’s biggest name, Brian Farber, splits time between the USL and PASL-Pro. Often called “the world’s fastest soccer player” or “the king of indoors,” Farber is the star of the Stockton Cougars, but spends his summers with the Portland Timbers of the USL. He runs a 4.20 in the 40 and is a force to be reckoned with in the indoor game. You can nullify speed outdoors, but “the gloves are off” in the arena. There are no offsides penalties that slow down the speed and pace of the game. The smaller field is beneficial to faster players as well as it creates more 1 v 1 situations, which can be exploited to score goals.
Cincinnati’s Craig Salvati looks to be a rising star in arena soccer after completing an All-American career at the University of Maryland. And don’t forget Jesus Molina, MVP of the 1999 Premier League Championships, who helped Stockton win this year’s Pro Finals. Molina is an example of the success of their player development system, having success at both divisions.
Milliken sees consistent growth and some change taking place under his watch. San Diego has already been added for the 2009-2010 season with Louisville a strong possibility for expansion. Milliken warns that weeding out of some teams may occur as the league takes shape. He does realize that the outdoor and indoor game will remain separate. The best case scenario might be the creation of a superleague of indoor soccer, which includes the PASL, NISL, and XSL. Regardless of the end result, arena soccer has found its niche in the U.S. market.
“Curator of the Cosmos: A Conversation with G. Peppe Pinton”
Part I of the Original Series
What happens when you gather all of the world’s greatest players and assemble them on the pitch? You have the greatest team that ever played soccer here in America: the New York Cosmos. The Cosmos roster looked more like the Soccer Hall of Fame than a professional club. Pelé, Chinaglia, Beckenbauer, Alberto, and Bogicevic are just a few members of this “dream team” of international soccer.
We recently had the privilege to speak with one of the key figures in the Cosmos organization. G. Peppe Pinton’s official title is President and CEO of the Cosmos Soccer Club, Inc. However, Pinton is so much more than that. He has been there for the biggest moments in American soccer. He has forged friendships with the world’s greatest players. Pinton has been an executive, a coach, a soccer ambassador, and most importantly the caretaker of the Cosmos legacy.
Pinton shared some great moments from America’s first major soccer league, the North American Soccer League (NASL). There were many special moments and spectacular events. In reality, he had fond memories of Pelé’s first game at Giants Stadium. Pinton described this as “the beginning of something beautiful”. The excitement didn’t stop in New York; it continued to Seattle and Tampa Bay and then the world.
Pinton has to be the best source for the history of the New York Cosmos. He has faithfully defended the Cosmos brand for over two decades. He made it clear that the Cosmos were not to blame for the collapse of the NASL as many have suggested. To the contrary, they served as pioneers that paved the way for soccer in America. Pelé, Giorgio Chinaglia, Franz Beckenbauer, and the many other stars actually made it possible for David Beckham to come to Major League Soccer (MLS). Without the star cast of the Cosmos, millions of American kids would not have been inspired to play soccer here. Anyone from age 30-100 will remember the Cosmos with great enthusiasm. This affection is held by many worldwide as New York became the 2nd team of every soccer fan.
The Beckham signing brought much excitement to MLS. It also took the focus back to the many memories of the New York Cosmos. Pinton thought this move was “absolutely a good thing for the league,” but was quick to turn away comparisons to his team. His words are very clear: “Beckham is not Pele. The Galaxy are not the Cosmos.” There is much support for this comment considering Chinaglia and Beckenbauer came to the NASL in their prime. Many believe that Beckham’s best years are behind him. The Cosmos signed the best the world had to offer, creating the “dream team of soccer in the world”. New York was clearly ahead of its time and was indeed responsible for the globalization of soccer teams. They were able to field a diverse team with players from many nations. This team quickly became the envy of the world; Cosmos fever caught the attention of casual and hardcore fans alike. Pinton appreciates what MLS has done, but the achievements of the NASL and the Cosmos must not ignored. The media kept referring back to the Cosmos when David Beckham was signed. There is this longing for something better, a sense of nostalgia for a league that had achieved greatness.
The NASL looked like a league that would last forever. Pinton recalls the record crowds in 1976 and 1977. He spoke about the importance of the ABC television contract and recalled the front page headlines in The New York Times. Enthusiasm, excitement, and pride could be found throughout the league. Then everything came tumbling down and eventually the league ceased to exist at all. Pinton helped pick up the pieces and keep the Cosmos organization alive. He points out that “the Cosmos never ceased to be an entity”. He has guarded that legacy and tradition for over 20 years.
What could have saved the league from disaster? There is one simple answer: the 1986 FIFA World Cup. Pinton believed that the World Cup should have come to America when the league was still alive. It was very ironic that the World Cup would come here in 1990 in the absence of a professional soccer league.
The Cup could have been “a bailout” that would have saved the NASL. The money and commitment were already there, but the desire and drive of the fans was waning. A successful World Cup here in the states would equal survival for the league. That obviously didn’t happen. Pinton remembers this as a terrible disappointment, ” a total slap in the face” for all those involved in American soccer.
Pinton’s friendship with Giorgio Chinaglia is well-documented. Pinton stated that he had a “marvelous, marvelous life in soccer here and in Europe” because of Chinaglia, who was a true star on this “dream team”. Chinaglia was popular on and off the field for many reasons. He showed dedication and commitment, embraced the media, spoke the language of soccer, and most importantly, scored goals. His attitude was simple: I play for you; I put the ball in the net. This went a long way with American fans as they wanted to see high-scoring, exciting games. It is hard to argue with Pinton’s suggestion that players like Chinaglia don’t exist anymore. Chinaglia struck the ball with such power and often with a single touch. He punished goalkeepers after evading two and sometimes three defenders. He was an impressive physical specimen, but also possessed superior intelligence. Chinaglia proved to be one of the finest players to ever play here in America.
The most important observation that came from this discussion is the need for the Cosmos to emerge once again. MLS got a spark from the Beckham signing; the league could see an explosion of popularity with the return of the Cosmos. There have been numerous stories about a second team coming to New York City. According to Pinton, this team could and should be the Cosmos. “Why not the Cosmos?” is the rallying cry heard by so many. It is a proven brand, one that brings back a sense of tradition and excellence. Pinton suggests that the Cosmos are even more recognized than David Beckham. Imagine the stories and television coverage that would come from the re-emergence of the Cosmos. ESPN reported that 1,468,000 people tuned in to see David Beckham’s first appearance with the L.A. Galaxy. A new Cosmos team could easily bring in two to three times that amount. Why you might ask? The Cosmos represent the best that American soccer could offer, a happier time when players competed for the right reasons and the game had a feeling of purity. So many people remember the Cosmos; many would be willing to buy a ticket, tune in to a game, or purchase merchandise. MLS has done little to remember the Cosmos and the NASL. Now is the time to embrace the legacy of the soccer world and to glorify the greatest team we have ever known: the New York Cosmos.
No one wants to see the failure of Major League Soccer. These are difficult times, which require difficult decisions. Bringing back the Cosmos is not difficult, but it may be necessary to save the league and American soccer as we know it.
