2020–21 New York Cosmos season

The 2020–21 New York Cosmos season is the new Cosmos' sixth season of professional play and first playing in the National Independent Soccer Association. Including the previous franchise, this is the 20th season of a club entitled New York Cosmos playing professional soccer in the New York metropolitan area.

New York Cosmos
2020–21 season season
OwnerNew York Cosmos LLC
ChairmanRocco B. Commisso
Head CoachCarlos Mendes
StadiumMitchel Athletic Complex
Uniondale, New York
NISAFall: TBD
Spring: TBD
PlayoffsFall: TBD
Spring: TBD
U.S. Open CupSecond Round

Background
Further information: 2017 New York Cosmos season

In the Cosmos final season in the North American Soccer League, the team earned a 10–15–7 combined regular season record and qualified for the playoffs as a fourth seed. In the Soccer Bowl playoffs, the Cosmos defeated Spring and Fall regular season champion Miami FC in the semifinals via penalty kick shootout.[1][2] On November 12, 2017, the team lost to the San Francisco Deltas, 2–0, in Soccer Bowl 2017.[3]

Following the USSF's decision to deny the NASL division 2 sanctioning and the subsequent cancelation of the 2018 season, the Cosmos organization moved players and staff to the New York Cosmos B. This reserve team had already been playing within the semi-professional National Premier Soccer League, which was governed by the United States Adult Soccer Association, and had won its national title during its inaugural season in 2015. For the next two seasons using a mix of first team and reserve players, Cosmos B, playing games at both Mitchel Athletic Complex and Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium, finished the regular season first in the North Atlantic Conference and won the conference playoff championship both times. In 2019, the team qualified for the NPSL National Championship but fell to fellow NASL cast-off Miami FC, 3–1, at Mitchell. The team also qualified for the both the 2018 and 2019 U.S. Open Cup tournaments, the former being through special permission, and reached the Play-In and Second Rounds in each respectively.

In 2019, the team attempted to rejoin the professional ranks within the NPSL's proposed professional league along with ten other teams.[4] However, this never came to be and the originally titled "Founder's Cup," set to be a precursor tournament to the league, was renamed to the NPSL Member's Cup with the Cosmos first team taking part along with five others including Chattanooga FC and Detroit City FC.[5] The Cosmos finished second in the competition behind Detroit City. In June of that year, team owner Rocco B. Commisso completed the purchase of Serie A side ACF Fiorentina.[6]

In addition, the team also hosted 2. Bundesliga side FC St. Pauli on May 23, beating the German side, 2–1, at Columbia University.[7]

On November 21, 2019, the Cosmos were announced as the newest member of the National Independent Soccer Association with plans to begin play the following year.[8][9]

Club

Roster
As of August 13, 2020[10]

Where a player has not declared an international allegiance, nation is determined by place of birth. [11]

No. Position Player Nation
1 Goalkeeper Jesse Corke  United States
2 Defender Armando Guarnera  United States
3 Defender Pedro Galvão  United States
4 Defender Emanuele Sembroni  Italy
5 Defender Matt Lewis  United States
6 Defender CJ Weinstein  United States
7 Forward Bljedi Bardic  Montenegro
8 Forward Geo Alves  Cape Verde
11 Forward Aly Hassan  United States
12 Goalkeeper Steward Ceus  Haiti
13 Defender Ansi Agolli  Albania
14 Midfielder Danny Szetela  United States
15 Forward Shavon John-Brown  Grenada
16 Forward Isaac Acuña  Mexico
17 Midfielder Salvatore Barone  United States
20 Forward Darwin Espinal  Honduras
21 Midfielder John Denis  United States
22 Goalkeeper Gianfranco Barone  United States
23 Defender Dominick Falanga  United States
24 Midfielder Mattia Cella  Italy
25 Midfielder Giuseppe Barone  United States
26 Midfielder Charlie Ledula  England
28 Midfielder Vincenzo Candela  Colombia
31 Goalkeeper Kevin Tenjo  United States
32 Defender Konrad Plewa  Poland
— Defender Andrew Lubahn  United States

Coaching Staff
Name Position
Carlos Mendes Head coach and general manager
Janine Guarriello Team administrator

Transfers

In
No. Pos. Player Transferred From Fee/Notes Date Source
14 MF Danny Szetela New York Cosmos B Team captain February 3, 2020 [12]
4 DF Emanuele Sembroni New York Cosmos B February 11, 2020 [13]
20 FW Darwin Espinal New York Cosmos B Loaned out for 2020 NISA Spring Season,
all loans terminated on March 24, 2020[14]		 February 18, 2020 [15]
5 DF Matt Lewis New York Cosmos B February 20, 2020 [16]
17 MF Salvatore Barone New York Cosmos B
16 FW Isaac Acuña New York Cosmos B February 28, 2020 [17]
32 DF Konrad Plewa Real Monarchs March 10, 2020 [18]
24 GK Santiago Castaño New York Cosmos B May 29, 2020 [19]
1 GK Jesse Corke New York Cosmos B
3 DF Pedro Galvão New York Cosmos B
13 DF Ansi Agolli New York Cosmos B
15 FW Shavon John-Brown New York Cosmos B
28 MF Vincenzo Candela Charleston Battery June 8, 2020 [20]
7 FW Bljedi Bardic New York Cosmos B June 26, 2020 [21]
11 FW Aly Hassan New York Cosmos B July 2, 2020 [22]
26 MF Charlie Ledula New York Cosmos B
8 FW Geo Alves Brockton FC United July 10, 2020 [23]
23 DF Dominick Falanga New York Cosmos B
21 FW John Devis Columbia University July 16, 2020 [24]
6 MF CJ Weinstein Sacred Heart University
25 FW Giuseppe Barone A.C. Perugia Calcio July 23, 2020 [25]
24 MF Mattia Cella Caldwell University
12 GK Steward Ceus Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC July 24, 2020 [26]
31 GK Kevin Tenjo Milwaukee Torrent
DF Andrew Lubahn Loudoun United FC July 27, 2020 [27]
2 DF Armando Guarnera New York Cosmos B August 11, 2020 [28]
22 GK Gianfranco Barone Milwaukee Torrent

Out
No. Pos. Player Transferred To Fee/Notes Date Source
24 GK Santiago Castaño Unattached Contract terminated July 24, 2020 [29]

Loan In

Loan Out
No. Pos. Player Loaned To Fee/Notes Date Source
20 FW Darwin Espinal Oakland Roots SC For 2020 NISA Spring Season,
loan terminated on March 5, 2020[30]		 February 18, 2020 [31]
5 DF Matt Lewis Detroit City FC For 2020 NISA Spring Season,
loans terminated on March 24, 2020		 February 20, 2020 [32]
17 MF Salvatore Barone Detroit City FC
16 FW Isaac Acuña Detroit City FC February 28, 2020 [33]
20 FW Darwin Espinal Detroit City FC March 11, 2020 [34][35]

Competitions

NISA Independent Cup
Main article: 2020–21 NISA season § NISA Independent Cup

The Cosmos were announced as one of the four NISA teams taking part in the inaugural NISA Independent Cup on July 1.[36] The regional tournament is set to act as both a pre-season and chance to "provide a platform for professional and amateur independent clubs to play together on a national stage."

New York was drawn into the Mid-Atlantic Region alongside fellow NISA expansion side New Amsterdam FC, Fall 2019 UPSL champion Maryland Bobcats FC, and NPSL side FC Baltimore Christos.

On July 24, NISA announced that the Mid-Atlantic Region tournament was postponed due to a surge in COVID-19 in Maryland and the subsequent closing of the Maryland SoccerPlex to professional sports. [37] On July 28, NISA announced a majority of the region's games would be played at Evergreen Sportsplex in Leesburg, Virginia with the sole exception being the Cosmos opening match against New Amsterdam on August 2, which was played at Hudson Sports Complex in Warwick, New York.[38]

Standings
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 FC Baltimore Christos 2 1 1 0 4 1 +3 4
2 Maryland Bobcats FC 2 0 2 0 2 2 0 2
3 New York Cosmos 2 0 2 0 2 2 0 2
4 New Amsterdam FC 2 0 1 1 1 4 −3 1
Updated to match(es) played on August 9. Source: nisaofficial.com
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head to head; 3) goal differential.

Matches
August 2, 2020 (2020-08-02) Match 1New York Cosmos1–1New Amsterdam FCWarwick, New York
6:45 p.m.
  • Agolli  27',  45+5'
  • Cella  44'
  • Falanga  61'
 Report
Broadcast
  • Afif  25'
  • Vicente  58'
  • Esche  73'
  • Bello  90+1',  90+1'
 Stadium: Hudson Sports Complex
Attendance: 0
Note: Game was played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic
August 6, 2020 (2020-08-06) Match 2New York CosmosP–PFC Baltimore ChristosLeesburg, Virginia
8:45 p.m. Stadium: Evergreen Sportsplex
Note: Postponed due to weather[39]
August 9, 2020 (2020-08-09) Match 3Maryland Bobcats FC1–1New York CosmosLeesburg, Virginia
7:45 p.m. Cauker  9'
Iosausu  61'
Forka  76'
Report
Broadcast		 Acuña  19'
Candela  45'
Agolli  62'
Tenjo  71'
Stadium: Evergreen Sportsplex
Attendance: 0
Note: Game was played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic

NISA Fall Season
Main article: 2020–21 NISA season § Fall season

On June 4, NISA announced that details for the 2020 Fall Season.[40] The nine member teams would be split into conferences, Eastern and Western, with the Cosmos playing in the former. The team is set to play eight regular season games against the rest of the eastern teams.

Details for the Fall regular season were announced on July 31, 2020.[41] The Cosmos will take part as a member of the Eastern Conference.

Results summary
OverallHomeAway
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsWDLGFGAGDWDLGFGAGD
1 0 1 0 1 1  0 1 0 1 0 1 1  0 0 0 0 0 0  0

Last updated: August 15, 2020.
Source: Match reports

Matches
August 15, 2020 (2020-08-15) 1New York Cosmos1–1Michigan Stars FCUniondale, New York
7:00 p.m. Szetela  53'
Bardic  72'		 Report
Broadcast		 Bernedo  45'
Reynolds  90+2'		 Stadium: Mitchel Athletic Complex
Attendance: 0
Note: Game was played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic
August 21, 2020 (2020-08-21) 2New Amsterdam FCvNew York CosmosWarwick, New York
6:00 p.m. Stadium: Hudson Sports Complex
August 29, 2020 (2020-08-29) 3New York CosmosvDetroit City FCUniondale, New York
7:00 p.m. Stadium: Mitchel Athletic Complex
September 12, 2020 (2020-09-12) 4Chattanooga FCvNew York CosmosChattanooga, Tennessee
7:30 p.m. Stadium: Finley Stadium

Playoffs

The Fall Season playoffs will be held in a single location in late October.[42] Further details such as the location and format have not been announced.

NISA Spring Season
Main article: 2020–21 NISA season § Spring season

Details regarding the 2021 Spring Season have not been announed.

U.S. Open Cup

Per U.S. Open Cup rules, all teams playing in USSF sanctioned professional leagues automatically qualify for the tournament. The round the Cosmos will enter in has not been announced.

Squad statistics

Appearances and goals
No. Pos Nat Player TotalNISA Fall SeasonNISA Spring SeasonNISA PlayoffsU.S. Open Cup
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
1 GK Jesse Corke 101+000+000+000+00
3 DF Pedro Galvão 101+000+000+000+00
4 DF Emanuele Sembroni 101+000+000+000+00
5 DF Matt Lewis 101+000+000+000+00
7 FW Bljedi Bardic 111+010+000+000+00
8 FW Geo Alves 100+100+000+000+00
13 DF Ansi Agolli 101+000+000+000+00
14 MF Danny Szetela 101+000+000+000+00
15 FW Shavon John-Brown 101+000+000+000+00
20 FW Darwin Espinal 101+000+000+000+00
24 MF Mattia Cella 100+100+000+000+00
27 DF Andrew Lubahn 100+100+000+000+00
28 MF Vincenzo Candela 101+000+000+000+00
32 DF Konrad Plewa 101+000+000+000+00
Players who appeared for the New York Cosmos who are no longer at the club:
8 MF Placeholder 000+000+000+000+00

Goal scorers
Place Position Nation Number Name NISA Fall Season NISA Spring Season NISA Playoffs U.S. Open Cup Total
1FW7Bljedi Bardic10001
TOTALS 10001

Own goal scorers
Position Team Nation Number Name NISA Fall Season NISA Spring Season NISA Playoffs U.S. Open Cup Total
DFNew York Cosmos?Placeholder00000

Disciplinary record
Number Nation Position Name NISA Fall Season NISA Spring Season NISA Playoffs U.S. Open Cup Total
14MFDanny Szetela1000000010
TOTALS 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0

References
  1. Kaufman, Michelle (November 5, 2017). "Miami FC loses in NASL semifinals to New York Cosmos". Miami Herald. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  2. Poblete, Nicholas (November 6, 2017). "Miami FC eliminated in NASL semi-final against New York Cosmos". PantherNOW. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  3. Echegaray, Luis Miguel. "Deltas beat NY Cosmos to clinch NASL title". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  4. Hojnacki, Jenny (November 15, 2018). "NPSL to launch pro league in 2020, eleven founding clubs announced". SBI Soccer. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
  5. "NPSL Founders Cup Relaunched as NPSL Members Cup". National Premier Soccer League. July 24, 2019. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
  6. Panja, Tariq (June 6, 2019). "Rocco Commisso, Cosmos Owner, Buys Italy's Fiorentina". The New York Times. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
  7. "Cosmos match report". FC St. Pauli (in German). Retrieved July 6, 2020.
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  9. Kennedy, Paul. "New York Cosmos headed to Division III NISA for fall 2020 season". www.socceramerica.com. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
  10. "Roster". New York Cosmos. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  11. "Roster". New York Cosmos. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  12. "Cosmos Captain Danny Szetela Returns for 2020 Season". New York Cosmos. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  13. "Sembroni Returns for Another Season with the Cosmos". New York Cosmos. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  14. "Due to #NISA's suspension of operations until May 10, all Cosmos players on loan have returned home and will report to Cosmos training on June 1". Twitter. New York Cosmos. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  15. "Darwin Espinal Signs with the Cosmos". New York Cosmos. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  16. "Lewis and Barone Sign New Contracts". New York Cosmos. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  17. "NY Cosmos Sign Isaac Acuña". New York Cosmos. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  18. "Cosmos Sign Defender Konrad Plewa". New York Cosmos. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  19. "Five Players Returning for the NISA Fall Season". New York Cosmos. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  20. "Cosmos Announce Signing of Vincenzo Candela". New York Cosmos. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  21. "Bardic Returns and Other Roster Additions Confirmed". New York Cosmos. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  22. "Hassan and Ledula sign new contracts with the club". New York Cosmos. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  23. "Cosmos add to young core with addition of Geo Alves, Dominick Falanga". New York Cosmos. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
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  29. Lewis, Michael. "COMINGS AND GOINGS: Cosmos sign GKs Ceus, Tenjo while Castano leaves". www.frontrowsoccer.com. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  30. ""Oakland Roots and winger Darwin Espinal have mutually agreed to terminate the loan from NY Cosmos. We wish Darwin all the best in his next opportunity."". Twitter. Oakland Roots SC. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  31. "Roots Acquire Honduran International Darwin Espinal on Loan from the New York Cosmos". Oakland Roots SC. February 18, 2020. Archived from the original on February 18, 2020. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  32. FC, Detroit City (February 20, 2020). "Matt Lewis, Salvatore Barone join Detroit on loan from New York Cosmos". Detroit City FC. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  33. FC, Detroit City (February 28, 2020). "Detroit City FC announces Isaac Acuña on loan from New York Cosmos". Detroit City FC. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  34. "Darwin Espinal's loan to Oakland Roots has been terminated by mutual consent between the player and club. Darwin will now go on loan to Detroit City for the remainder of the #NISA spring season". Twitter. New York Cosmos. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  35. "We're excited to welcome @DarwinEspinal_ to Detroit on loan from @NYCosmos for our 2020 @NISALeague spring season. #DCTID". Twitter. Detroit City FC. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
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  37. "NISA Independent Cup Mid-Atlantic Region Update". www.nisasoccer.com. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
  38. "NISA Independent Cup Schedule Update". New York Cosmos. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  39. Lewis, Michael (August 7, 2020). "LIGHTNING 2, SOCCER 0: Inclement weather postpones Cosmos, New Amsterdam Independent Cup doubleheader". www.frontrowsoccer.com. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  40. "NISA Announces Fall Season Format". New York Cosmos. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
  41. "NISA Fall 2020 Schedule Update". www.nisaofficial.com. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  42. "NISA Fall Schedule Update". www.nisaofficial.com. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
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