Brooklyn, New York – May 28, 2015 – Today, the undefeated NASL New York Cosmos hosted an open practice to the media followed by a question-and-answer session as the team prepares for their historic upcoming trip to Cuba to play the Cuba National Team on June 2. The open practice and Q&A took place at Brooklyn Bridge Park Athletic Fields, Pier 5-Brooklyn Bridge Park.
Cosmos COO Erik Stover, Coach Giovanni Savarese and the Cosmos players discussed the Cuba trip and the game, the first United States professional team in any sport to play in Cuba since 1999 and about their outstanding unbeaten 5-3-0 start (W-D-L) in the NASL Spring season which is the Cosmos’ best start in history. The team will depart for the highly-anticipated match this Sunday from John F. Kennedy Airport. The New York Cosmos-Cuba National contest will be broadcast and produced by ONE World Sports and nationally televised on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes as well as on ESPN Deportes Radio live at 5 p.m. ET. Global soccer icon and New York Cosmos Honorary President Pelé is expected to accompany the team on the flight and attend the historic event.
“The New York Cosmos are extremely excited and honored to make the historic journey to Cuba next week to play the Cuba National team,’’ Erik Stover said. “This is a trip of a lifetime for our players, staff and fans. An added bonus is it gives our undefeated team an opportunity to test its talents on national television against a very worthy Cuba team.”
Joined at Thursday’s practice was Ken Biberaj, Vice President of the Russian Tea Room, a sponsor for the Cuba trip.
New York Cosmos Players in Thursday’s question-and-answer session with the media included: Jimmy Maurer, Hunter Gorskie, Carlos Mendes (Captain), Danny Szetela, Adam Moffat, Ayoze, Mads Stokkelien, Marcos Senna, Leo Fernandes, Walter Restrepo, Haji Wright, Lucky Mkosana and Roversio. In addition to the open training session and Q&A session, there is footage from an interview with Cosmos’ forward, Raul, discussing the team’s upcoming visit to Cuba: http://we.tl/vUvuRhTOml
The Cosmos and the Cuba national team first announced plans for the June event in March. The Cosmos will be the first U.S. professional soccer franchise to play in Cuba since the Chicago Sting visited in 1978, and the first U.S. professional sports team to visit there since the Baltimore Orioles played the Cuban national baseball team in an exhibition game in Havana in 1999.
The matchup in Havana is the result of a meeting coordinated by NASL officials several months ago between Cosmos head coach Giovanni Savarese and Cuban National Team General Secretary Yero Luis, in which both parties expressed mutual excitement at a prospect of a game in Cuba.
About the Cosmos
The New York Cosmos began play in 1971, spending 14 seasons in the North American Soccer League, winning five Soccer Bowl trophies and bringing some of the biggest names in world soccer to the USA. This included Pelé, Franz Beckenbauer, Giorgio Chinaglia and Carlos Alberto.
It had been nearly 30 years since the Cosmos, an iconic global soccer club, have played in a professional league. Yet throughout their absence, the club maintained a loyal and dedicated fan following.
On Aug. 3, 2013, the New York Cosmos returned to the NASL with a sell-out win at Hofstra University’s Shuart Stadium, before embarking on a season that would see the Cosmos win the 2013 North American Soccer League Fall Season. The club closed out its inaugural season by winning the 2013 Soccer Bowl with a 1-0 victory against the Atlanta Silverbacks on Nov. 9, 2013 at Atlanta Silverbacks Park, Atlanta, GA. The championship is the sixth NASL title in the club’s history.
The Cosmos also submitted a privately-funded economic development proposal in 2013 to the State of New York to build a world-class 25,000-seat professional soccer stadium at Belmont Park. More information about the proposal and renderings can be found at www.newcosmosstadium.com.
For more information on the New York Cosmos, please visit www.newyorkcosmos.com, join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @NYCosmos. Season tickets for the 2015 season are also now available by calling 855 712 6766 or via the club’s official website.