David Kilpatrick: What's the future of the New York Cosmos

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Contrary to popular belief, the New York Cosmos are still alive.

Gone are the glitter-strewn days of the late 1970s when Pele played on the pitch, Mick Jagger watched from the packed stands and then, afterwards, they partied together at Studio 54. The old North American Soccer League soon crumbled under the weight of its own excess. However, its leading team gained an enduring legend.

I spoke to official club historian David Kilpatrick about the incredible origin story of the Cosmos, its brief spell in the limelight, its troublesome rebirth and how, just maybe, there may be a route back to centre stage.

TOPICS

The genesis of the Cosmos - Atlantic Records, two Turkish brothers, Gotham Soccer Club and the New York Generals

The impact of the 1966 and 1970 World Cups

Cosmos is short for Cosmopolitan like NY Mets is short for Metropolitan

Chasing Pele - "George Best did not turn up and Henry Kissinger helped"

Adding Carlos Alberto, Giorgio Chinaglia

New York in the late 1970s - financial problems, the 'Son of Sam' murders and the need for glamour

The power of Chinaglia at the Cosmos

The retirement of Pele

The global tour - Indonesia, Hong Kong, South Korea, Australia, Malaysia London - and the tax dodge that helped

Why the Cosmos became the first US soccer brand

Warner's problems, a failed video game for ET - Extra-terrestrial and the sale of the club

"I'm with the Cosmos" - the phrase that got you into Studio 54

The reboot for the NY Cosmos after the documentary "Once in a Lifetime"

Why they did not join MLS

"The most successful franchises in MLS are those who have embraced their NASL history."

Did the Cosmos win battles for the ‘soccer family’ in the US?

The influence of the Cosmos in the early American World Cup squads

Steve Hunt - seven games for Villa, sold to the Cosmos, played with Pele, went back to the English top flight. Does this prove the standard of the NASL?

The problem of TV ratings in NASL back then and MLS now

The pro/rel issue and the Cosmos

Can global leagues create a route back for the Cosmos?

Why the introduction of New York City FC hurt the new version of the Cosmos

What is the future of the club?

The legal case to try and align North American soccer with global football

Is there still a fanbase out there for the New York Cosmos?