The New York Cosmos (1971-1985), known simply as the Cosmos for the 1977 and 1978 seasons, was a franchise in the North American Soccer League, based in New York City and its suburbs. Founded by the Ertegun brothers, it was one of the stronger NASL franchises, both athletically and financially. In its later years it became somewhat renowned for signing the great Brazilian player Pelé, who though past his prime, was nonetheless one of the team's, and the league's, top gate draws during his tenure with the Cosmos. The NASL folded after the 1984 season, but the Cosmos attempted to operate as an independent team in 1985 before they folded.
The name was coined by Clive Toye, the club's first General Manager. Taking inspiration from a New York baseball franchise the "Mets," short for "Metropolitans," he took it a step further: Cosmopolitans, or "Cosmos."
Famous players to play for the club include Carlos Alberto, Franz Beckenbauer, Vladislav Bogicevic, Giorgio Chinaglia, Rick Davis, Marinho Chagas, Andranik Eskandarian, Johan Neeskens, Werner Roth, Julio Cesar Romero, Roberto Cabanas, Jomo Sono (who later named his own soccer club in South Africa the Jomo Cosmos) and most notably Pelé. On October 1, 1977, Pelé closed out his legendary career in front of a capacity crowd at Giants Stadium. In an exhibition match televised nationwide and worldwide, he played the first half with the Cosmos and the second half with his old team Santos.
