The North American Soccer League announced today, the addition of the New York Cosmos.  The Cosmos were unanimously approved by the NASL Board of Governors and will begin play in 2013.  The addition of the New York Cosmos and their ownership group demonstrates the growing interest and commitment to second division soccer in North America.

“The RailHawks organization is excited to welcome the New York Cosmos into the NASL,” said RailHawks President Curt Johnson. “The Cosmos are another tremendous ownership group that shows the growth and stability of soccer in the US and specifically in second division soccer.  With the stadium construction and renovations in San Antonio, Puerto Rico, and here in Cary, there are huge strides being made in North American soccer and adding a group such as the Cosmos only demonstrates the long term commitment the NASL owners are making.”

NASL Press Release:

NEW YORK COSMOS JOIN NASL

Storied Club to Resume Play in 2013

NEW YORK (July 12, 2012) Ì¶  The North American Soccer League (NASL) today announced that the New York Cosmos have joined the NASL and will begin league play in the 2013 season. The NASL Board of Governors unanimously approved the Cosmos’ membership during its meetings this week in New York.

It’s been nearly 30 years since the Cosmos, an iconic global soccer brand, have played in a professional league. Yet throughout the absence from the pitch, the franchise has maintained a loyal and dedicated fan following. The team expects to announce more details about its stadium, ticket sales, soccer operations staff and players in the near future.

Over two days of meetings, that concluded today, the NASL Board of Governors also addressed a variety of league matters, including hearing presentations from a record number of potential expansion team owners and discussing possible changes to the league’s competition structure for upcoming seasons.

The Cosmos ownership group New York Cosmos LLC is an international partnership led by industry veteran Seamus O’Brien. They are committed to putting the brand back at the forefront of North American soccer. The New York Cosmos began play in 1971, spending fourteen seasons in the earlier NASL, winning five Soccer Bowl trophies and bringing some of the biggest names in world soccer history to North America.  The Cosmos last won the NASL Soccer Bowl in 1982.

"We are extremely proud to welcome the New York Cosmos to the North American Soccer League," said NASL Commissioner David Downs. "As we continue to expand the league and help grow professional soccer in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean, the Cosmos brand and their strong ownership group are a perfect fit with us.  The history of the Cosmos and soccer in the New York City area are intertwined.  Bringing the Cosmos into the NASL is a logical next step as we embrace the heritage of our own past and now reunite the Cosmos, Strikers, Rowdies and several markets with ties to the NASL’s early days.  Most importantly, we look forward to the Cosmos enhancing the quality of our league both on and off the field.”

Seamus O’Brien, Chairman of the New York Cosmos, said, “We are delighted to return to our historic home with the NASL and bring the New York Cosmos back to the playing field. We are committed to running the franchise with the highest possible standards on and off the field, and look forward to putting together a competitive and entertaining team our fans can be proud of.” 

Aaron Davidson, the Chairman of the NASL Board of Governors, stated, “The team owners are thrilled to welcome the Cosmos back to their birthplace and home, the NASL.  The Cosmos ownership group’s decision to join the NASL is the ultimate validation of our efforts to bring back the league which laid the foundation for soccer in North America.  We look forward to respectfully honoring the legacy of the NASL and Cosmos of the 1970’s – 1980’s as we grow today’s NASL and play our role in driving the further development and maturation of soccer in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean.”      

About The North American Soccer League:
The North American Soccer Leagueâ„  is the Division 2 men’s outdoor professional soccer league in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. The NASL member teams are:  Atlanta Silverbacks, Carolina RailHawks, FC Edmonton, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, New York Cosmos (beginning play in 2013), Minnesota Stars FC, Puerto Rico Islanders, San Antonio Scorpions FC, Tampa Bay Rowdies and Ottawa (beginning play in 2014). For more information about the NASL, visit www.NASL.com, follow NASL on Twitter @NASLOfficial or on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/NASLfans.