With the first match of the California tour set to kick off in just two days, there’s some interesting things to keep an eye on when it comes to the Cosmos roster. The Cosmos unveiled their travel roster of signed players for the three matches in California: Most recent signig David Ochieng did not make the trip and will meet up with the team upon their return from the San Jose game. From a photo taken at the airport before the team’s departure, Niko Kranjčar appears to have made the trip.

The New York Cosmos took to the pitch in Brooklyn on Friday, taking on the LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds and prevailing 2-0. The tune-up was the first chance Cosmos fans had to see their team kick a ball this year, and the first opportunity to observe some new signings. The starting eleven comprised mostly of first team players from last season, with newcomers Juan Arango and Michael Lahoud tossed into the mix. Despite having the bulk of possession and keeping LIU’s chances limited, the Cosmos were unable to get on the scoreboard in the first half, the closest chance coming from a Roversio header that sailed over the cross bar.

Since its inception in early 2015, Cosmos Country Podcast has been dedicated to bringing you coverage on the New York Cosmos and the NASL. From our early beginnings as a new show, we’ve since expanded with a blog and an active social media presence. But today, we have the pleasure of announcing new local signings to the TICC family.

The New York Cosmos are starting to develop a Venezuelan flavor with the recent signings of Juan Arango and Yohandry Orozco, members past and present of El Vinotinto, the Venezuelan national team. While Orozco currently has 25 caps with them, Arango left the national team as their “eterno capitán”, leading the team in caps and goals. Joining Giovanni Savarese, himself a former Venezuelan international, the duo will seek to build on the successful 2015 season that ended in a league title, and ho

While the Cosmos are obviously not done with the roster, we thought it might be interesting to discuss what we’d like to see added on the roster before the seasons starts and point out potential problem spots. Also, we’d love to hear from YOU, Cosmos Country. Sound off in the comments. Tell us why we’re wrong or where we overlooked something.

Acknowledging that the 2016 preseason has been a quiet one so far for the club, Cosmos Chief Operating Officer Erik Stover and Head Coach and Sporting Director Giovanni Savarese sat down with the media Tuesday morning to discuss several items related to the upcoming season, including the look of the roster for 2016. Walter Restrepo was confirmed to be leaving the club for an MLS side at the meeting and that afternoon, the Philadelphia Union issued a press release indicating the dynamic midfielder would join them for the 2016 season.

Professional soccer, like any other sport, is a business. In nearly every league and every club, the bottom line IS the bottom line ($). The fates of players and coaches lie in the success and failures of the club, on the pitch and off and the revenues that these do or do not generate. This dictates nearly every move that the average club will make and will guide most of their personnel decisions. But, sometimes, that is not all that guides the direction of a club in what they do with their roster. I am sitting in a room with Head Coach and Sporting Director Giovanni Savarese and members of the media. I’m surprised and honored to be among this group of prominent writers but, nevertheless, here I am.

On a cold Sunday in Maspeth, Queens, two long-time rivals faced off in the first open division qualifying round for the 2016 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The four-time champion New York Greek American SC hosted three-time champion New York Pancyprian Freedoms at the historic Metropolitan Oval in what is one of the longest-running rivalries in American soccer. In a battle of two teams that have dominated the city of New York in Open Cup play since 2003, it was the Freedoms taking an early lead, only to lose it and force extra time where they beat the Greek American 4-2.

It’s a big weekend for soccer in New York. The only professional soccer club in New York, the New York Cosmos, currently sits on top of the league table for the NASL, leading the field by three points, unbeaten after five games. For the second week in a row, they will play host to a Canadian visitor as FC Edmonton seeks to keep their five-game unbeaten streak (in all competitions) alive. The Cosmos come off a 1 – 0 win at home against the Fury, keeping their shut-out streak at over three games.

Faith in Mkosana would pay off big time in the 14th minute. Leo Fernandes streaked down the left side of the pitch centering a pass behind Ottawa’s back four to Mkosana who settle the ball before burying it past Romuald Peiser. Mkosana had several other opportunities including a shot on goal in the second minute stopped by the hand of Peiser, and a chance just missed in the 65th when Mkosana snuck past the defense and tried to finish a pass that just went over the bar. He also created a number of chances throughout the night, leading to a Man of the Match nod.

At a press conference yesterday, Giovanni Savarese addressed injuries on the Cosmos roster and recent decisions on players who have, or have not, seen time. Asked about Roversio, who left in the middle of the match against the Silverbacks, Savarese offered positive news. "Roversio is feeling much better. He trained, separated from the group today. The plan is that he is going to be fully training tomorrow again." The news for Hunter Freeman, however, was less optimistic. "In relation to Free

The Cosmos are prepared to make history twice this Saturday with their first ever match in the borough of Brooklyn, followed by the Cosmos B team's first-ever competitive match as they open their season in the NPSL. Cosmos B Head Coach Alecko Eskandarian can't wait for the weekend. "It's a great game to play here in Brooklyn. I think we'll be able to attract in a new fanbase that maybe isn't able to get into Long Island and is interested," said the coach. "I know the players on the team are very excited to play here in Brooklyn and obviously Cosmos B, it's the first ever game."

The Cosmos were held to a scoreless draw in Atlanta on Saturday night. While both teams remain undefeated, Atlanta paid the price by dropping position in the table. Starting at the top and third spots at the beginning of Week 4, the draw keeps the Cosmos in the top spot but drops the Silverbacks to fifth, with just a point between them and Carolina. Each side made few changes to their starting XI’s. Back from his preseason injury, Haitian international goalkeeper Steward Ceus played his first match of the season for the Silverbacks. Jamie Chavez, leading scorer for Atlanta in 2014, started in place of Matt Horth for the match.

The Cosmos took the pitch Saturday in front of Pele, other Cosmos legends, and a sell-out crowd of 12,550 to face their decades-old rival, the Tampa Bay Rowdies. With goals from Marcos Senna and Leo Fernandes and a shut-out from Jimmy Maurer, the Cosmos would take the lead in the chase for the Spring title. It was a perfect day for the team. Perfect weather and a sold out event, two conditions that eluded the Cosmos for most of last season, were present throughout. An on-field appearance by Pele and other famous Cosmos alumni would set the tone for the 'historic rivals’ match. The 2 – 0 victory that followed would leave the Cosmos wanting for nothing except perhaps the announced appearance by Franz Beckenbauer that did not occur.

The clock is ticking on Cosmos preseason. In just a few days’ time, they take the pitch against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, a team with new ownership, new management, a new coach, and many changes to the roster that got them to the Soccer Bowl final. The Cosmos have continued to work on finalizing their roster in the midst of playing their friendlies. Signings have been made, one fan favorite has left the roster, and we’ve followed updates on trialists throughout.

The Cosmos lost the Clasico Scotiabank today, falling in San Salvador 0 – 1 to CD FAS in front of 25,000 spectators. The Santa Ana-based club snatched a lead in the 24th minute when an unmarked Dustin Corea received a cross and buried it under a diving Jimmy Maurer. They never looked back, putting constant pressure on the Cosmos back line. FAS defended their net with a great deal of skill and, at moments exhausting that, a wealth of luck to keep the shutout intact. Within 30 seconds of the match starting, things looked promising with Raul just missing a shot wide and the early attacks containing FAS in their own defensive zone. ^ Summary of minutes 3 through 11 with the stream cutting out during this time.  If you’d like to fill in the blanks as to what happened, please do so in the comments below.

The line-up looked solid with Mads Stokkelien up front and Raul just behind him. With Sebastian Guenzatti, Danny Szetela, Marcos Senna, and new loan Leo Fernandes filling in the midfield, it looked pretty solid. Jimmy Maurer was in the net with Ayoze, Carlos Mendes, Hunter Freeman, and Hunter Gorskie on the back line. The Cosmos played a style that focused on pressure and possession. Gone were the days of hopeful long balls into the box. Instead, they moved the ball around the pitch accurately and purposefully.

South China Athletic Association (SCAA) is a sports club whose soccer team play in the top flight of Hong Kong soccer. Formerly a member of the First Division League, the team and eight others from the First and Second Division Leagues were promoted into the newly created Hong Kong Premier League. With only nine teams currently in the league, there is a one team relegation/promotion structure with the First Division.

When it comes to fantasizing about our ideal roster, we’ve all got an opinion on who’s the best and what our team ideally needs. So, it’s no different when it comes to how the Five Points look at the Cosmos. I’ve seen fan-proposed line-ups of “4-5-1”, “3-4-3”, and even the almighty “1” (Kyle Zobeck). And it’s no wonder that these debates are now raging on the boards. The Cosmos have had a busy offseason in terms of their roster and it looks like they aren’t done yet.