N.Y. Cosmos Championship Ring Sells at Auction

The 1977 Championship ring of New York Cosmos owner Steve Ross went on the auction block on October 4th and sold for $6,270.

Ross, who was a titan in the business world, was the CEO of Warner Communications when it purchased the NASL franchise for $1 from its original 10 owners in 1971. He went on to develop financial concepts for American Express, video game icon Atari, DC Comics and MTV, HBO and Nickleodeon television among others.

He eventually rolled his empire under the TIME-WARNER corporation label. However, for soccer fans, it was his visionary support of the world's game that brought Pele, Franz Beckenbauer, Carlos Alberto and Giorgio Chinaglia to play in America. 

The 10k gold ring with an emerald stone center was made by famed jewelers Jostein. The ring features the insignia of the NASL, the N.Y. Cosmos and a facsimile signature of Pele on the inner band. 

Pele, playing his final season in the NASL, was the catalyst for the club winning a Championship before the legend's retirement in 1977. 

The ring, as an artifact from a business tycoon, sports builder and pop culture icon, is paramount to the N.Y. Yankees' George Steinbrenner, the Chicago Bears' George Halas or  the Miami Dolphins Joe Robbie.

Birth of The Cosmos: 40th Anniversary of the New York Cosmos - Part 3

ANDY MATE: THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL STAR

The International Soccer Archives series chronicling the 40th Anniversary of the New York Cosmos features several "firsts"including artifacts and interviews.

By the time Andy Mate was signed for the North American Soccer League's newest club, he was 31 years old. The New York Cosmos entry into the 3 year old professional circuit relied heavily on the popular amateur and semi-pro organizations like the German-American Soccer League to bolster its squad.

When the Cosmos debuted in 1971, Andy Mate had already spent half his life as a professional footballer and featured on 3 continents and known by 3 different names. Political circumstances prompted him to leave his native Hungary as a 16 year old during the 1956 Revolution.

Born Mate Andras (last name first as many Europeans are addressed), Andy was a promising youth player for the Pest side of the Hungarian Capitol's soccer team. Ujpest Dozsa was one of the city's many talent filled clubs of the 1950's. Mate, following in the footsteps of his idol Ferenc Szusza (for which Ujpest's home stadium isnamed) had already been selected for Hungary's youth team when he felt the upheaval of unrest that landed him in America.

The taste of international soccer was rich in New York as the city hosted the best touring teams in the world. Within a few seasons Andy found himself along with other Hungarian refugees playing for New York Hungaria in the German-American Soccer League (GASL).

Mate, still only 20 years old, found himself a regular pick for the league's All-Star selection exhibition matches against German clubs Eintracht Frankfurt, 1860 Munich, Schalke 04 and even scoring against both Manchester United and Sheffield United.

The Hungaria club won five consecutive GASL league titles before winning "The Double" in 1962. The coveted U.S. Open Cup triumph included defeating the two time holders and A.S.L. Champions - Ukrainian Nationals in the semi-finals. A three goal victory behind the scoring prowess of Andy Mate, who netted twice in the Final, qualified the New Yorkers for the 1963 Concacaf Champions Cup.

(Champions of the United States - New York Hungaria. Andy Mate: back row, center)

In September of 1962, Hungaria toured the Middle East sweeping all opposition with 9 wins and 4 draws in official US Soccer sponsored matches. Mated tallied 19 goals on the tour.

In the 1963 Concacaf competition Hungaria defeated Mexican club Deportivo Oro on 5 goals by Andy, including a hat trick in the 1st leg played at the opponent's Jalisco Stadium.

This consistent stellar play did not go unnoticed as offers came from several international clubs. Despite his European roots and performances against German sides, Mate opted to sign for a South American team.

(American futbolista wearing the Cali shirt)

Andy later explained that his all-star selections in America had crossed paths with Luis Cesar Menotti (1978 World Cup winning manager). who was already contemplating coaching. Menotti's contact with Deportivo Cali of Colombia landed Mate with a contract. Andy starred with 4 Brazilians, 3 Argentinians and 3 Colombians that made up that Cali side. His name and picture often appeared in the newspapers published "team of the week" as Andy Matte !

(Andy Mate - a.k.a. Matte - Deportivo Cali hero immortalized on a Colombian souvenir)

In later years Andy admitted that between the stiffling heat of South America and his ties to New York prompted him to return to his new American home - or so he thought.

All this changed when West Germany’s League newly crowned Bundesliga Champions toured America. On May 17th 1964 Hamburg SV played the German-American all-Stars at Downing Stadium. Mate, who was back with New York Hungaria, was stellar for the select side and scored the winning goal.

Ten days later, Andy lined up for the US National Team for their “forgettable” match against England. He earned his one and only cap in the 10:0 drubbing in New York. Still, there were said to be offers from European clubs like Schalke 04 and Rapid Vienna.

However, West German football was only in its second year of fully funded professional club soccer. and in its infancy, many Bundesliga players still held other jobs. The Bundesliga now had the means to pursue international talent like England, Italy and Spain. Hamburg SV featured the legendary Uwe Seeler, a super star scorer for the German National Team as well as the club. Adding to Hamburg’s goal getting attack for the 1964-65 season would be 21 year old Andy Mate. The transfer fee went to New York Hungaria.

(1964 Budesliga player - Hamburg SV)

Seeler was injured for the beginning of the year and Mate filled in admirably scoring a pair of goals. Almost four years to the day, Mate would play against Manchester United again - this time featuring George Best, Denis Law and Bobby Charlton. In another pre-season exhibition with Hamburg, Andy would have mixed emotions as they hosted and defeated the National Team of Hungary 4 to 1. While management had hoped Seeler and Mate partnership would lead to another title, it do not. Mate sums it up to the loyalty to Seeler and the egos that often go with goal scoring kings.

When the situation at Hamburg did not pan out, Mate, a tool and die maker by trade, returned to New York. American soccer was also trying to establish the professional level of the game. In the early 1960‘s the USA had imported international teams for several years to play short summer tournaments. With moderate success, several leagues sprouted in America lured by television money and the publicity of the 1966 World Cup.

Andy participated with Philadelphia Spartans and the New York Generals (where he was reunited with Menotti) in many of these professional ventures. By the time he signed a contract with the NASL expansion New York Cosmos in March of 1971, he was 31 years old and one of New York’s most traveled players.

Andy Mate was scheduled to start in the Cosmos inaugural league match, but was injured in the Cosmos’ first pre-season game. While Andy had to have a cartilage operation on his knee, the club signed Randy Horton as a replacement during his recovery. Mate did return near the end of the season. On his long-awaited league debut at Yankee Stadium he scored twice !

(The New York Cosmos game program - 1971)

Andy Mate spent 13 years playing soccer in New York and may easily be considered the Cosmos’ first international star.

Special thanks to John Mate for contributions to this article.

Birth of The Cosmos: New York's 40th Anniversary - Part 2

The International Soccer Archives series chronicling the 40th Anniversary of the New York Cosmos features several "firsts"including artifacts and interviews.

WERNER ROTH: THE AMERICAN CAPTAIN

Unlike today, where the FIFA World Cup telecasts are only a click away in every American living room, the 1970 Championship was beamed by satellite to selected locations which purchased the broadcast. The tickets were  premium and sold exclusively to large venues that could turn a profit. These 1970 matches, including the Brazil - Italy Final, were projected onto a giant screen at Madison Square Garden in New York City. A 22 year old young man named Werner Roth watched the performances of Germany's Beckenbauer and Brazil's Pele at the Garden with no notion that he would one day be their team Captain.

(Werner Roth appears on the cover of the 1975 Cosmos' media guide - photo ISA)

Although not born in the USA, Werner Roth grew up like many of us in the social culture of American immigrants. This of course included the ethnic soccer clubs of New York City. In the German-American Soccer League "the clubhouse was the center of the off-field activities" says Roth. "We drank there, ate meals after games and played pool there. That's where the old-timers, reserve players and youth teams mingled together. All my friends turned out to be players. That was our social connection".

Roth also played the other American sports like basketball and (grid iron) football but was most influenced by the sport of his father. "I followed soccer through my father's collection of KICKER (German soccer) Magazines. Bayern Munich was my Dad's team".  Bayern - the same team that future Cosmos teammate Franz Beckenbauer was crowned European King.

Werner was a regular for the German-Hungarians from 1966 to 1972. The clubhouse and bar in Queens, NY was decorated with trophies, pennants, photos and soccer memorabilia. The home games drew 3 to 4 thousand at any given time and the club made summer trips to Germany. The majority of the New York Cosmos' early squads came from this German-American Soccer League.

Werner played well over 100 league games from the Cosmos which culminated with the 1977 Championship side which he Captained. Roth insists that it was an important season for one special reason. The club wanted to win the Championship for Pele - the man that would change all the lives of people involved with soccer in America.

The world press coverage of the Cosmos would include the now famous photo of Werner holding the NASL trophy aloft as Captain. That photo was eventually used on a 1979 Topps trading card and puzzle (below). We asked him about another picture of him wearing fashionable clothes of the 1970's on returning from Portland (where Soccer Bowl '77 was played). Roth was dressed in a Led Zeppelin t-shirt and a vest as he carried the NASL trophy from the airplane. "Yeah, I was a fan (of the band)" he recalls. "We were not savvy to the media back then. We didn't think about photographers or how to dress."

(Werner Roth Topps cards - courtesy of The Topps Archives)

A week after the 1972 NASL Championship, Roth was able to represent the US National Team against Mexico. He went on to earn 15 international caps but was often unavailable as the Cosmos touring schedule became a priority for the club. Those were lean times for American internationals yet exciting as well. The US team visited Poland in 1973 for a match. The Americans were invited to the Warsaw Opera House as special guests of a sold out performance. The 18 young players were caught off guard as they were unexpectedly introduced to the Polish audience. The well wishers found what Roth describes as "18 sleeping, snoring guys with legs all up over each other". 

On another trip to Israel it came down to poor timing as the players were guests of the local Mayor. The visiting Americans were about to receive token gifts of their tour. As a noisy room of conversation came to a sudden order, one particular unnamed player who was unimpressed with previous gifts, was overheard above the silence. "Not another f**king keychain". Imagine the horror when it turned out that that is exactly what the hosts had selected to present !

Werner Roth's star continued to rise as he shared public appearances with Pele and the Cosmos. At a dinner for the Special Olympics, Pele discussed a project with Werner that both had an opportunity to do now that they were retired. 

(Former Cosmos Pele and Werner Roth play hero and enemy in John Huston's VICTORY. )

The former Cosmos colleagues were immortalized as enemies in John Huston's war-time classic film  VICTORY (aka Escape to Victory). Along side Sylvester Stallone's questionable soccer skills, Werner had to portray the German Captain of a soccer team or "the bad guy", as he likes to put it. The ensemble cast was of real legends - Pele, Bobby Moore, Osvaldo Ardiles - all World Cup winners, and award winning actors Michael Caine and Max von Sydow.

Roth had already begun an acting career while still playing soccer. He appeared in the 1978 movie MANNY'S ORPHANS filmed in Connecticut.  Werner played himself in helping what he called "a bad news bears" version of a youth soccer team.

Although they called for action soccer scenes in "Victory", the one thing this cast did not need was practice. The original plans to choreograph the game looked stilled in the daily rushes (raw footage), recalls Roth, who with Pele and company already knew how to make it look authentic. After one weekend of instructed "pass to him, then pass to him", 2nd Unit director Robert Riger met with Pele, Roth and Moore. It was decided that they would just play attacking soccer.

There were comical incidents like when Riger wanted a close-up of the villain Roth pummeling hero Pele. Riger mounted a cameraman in a sidecar of a motorbike to shoot the sequence. As Werner chased Pele, spewing smoke from the cycle caused havoc with the soccer players vision and breathing. "We stumbled around like the keystone cops" laughs Roth. 

The 1981 film was shot in Budapest, Hungary. A cultural and language misunderstanding between Huston and the 6,000 extras used as "the stadium crowd" became a comical frustration. The extras were supposed to invade the playing field after a gunshot marked the end of the game. Huston told the German interpreter what he wanted, who in turn relayed it in Hungarian to the 6,000 extras. The orders must have been lost in translation as the fans ran only as far as the edge of the playing grass - and no farther. It came to light that the well-behaved citizens of Eastern Europe found it disrespectful to encroach onto the pitch. A very upset Huston yelled "cut" and ordered the scene to be shot the next weekend. The week would be used to indoctrinate the extras so they could do it again properly, relates Werner.

The dramatic scene of Baumann's penalty kick (below) which Roth recalls so fondly, was directed by the legendary John Huston. 

(Werner Roth as the German Capt. Baumann in the film VICTORY. Courtesy of WARNER BROS.)

Today Werner Roth runs FUTBOL ACADEMIA in Los Angeles. He is married to actress Robin Mattson and is eagerly awaiting the return of the New York Cosmos to professional soccer. He credits current Cosmos CEO Paul Kemsley "for taking a risk in a less than sure climate". Roth states that the MLS, for the most part, is "underperforming and needs something exciting to see". He points to the commitment of Warner Bros. (the Cosmos' NASL ownership) during his playing days. "The media (here) don't put pressure on soccer as they do in other countries. There should be a revolt".

Werner is also a bit disappointed that there was no place for the Cosmos early in the MLS structure. But, looking back he is proud to be one of the original Cosmos. "To some degree, it is who I am today ... my experiences and management" he adds "are the culmination of my time with the New York Cosmos. Through them, I reached an apex I never dreamed of".

Birth of The Cosmos: New York's 40th Anniversary - Part 1

The International Soccer Archives series chronicling the 40th Anniversary of the New York Cosmos features several "firsts"including artifacts and interviews.

THE FIRST TROPHY

Arguably the most famous club in American soccer history, the New York Cosmos, still carry the prestige of international respect around the world. The team that played its last league game over a quarter century ago remains, to some, a cherished memory. To others, a mere curiosity. 

Recently the club has attempted to resurrect itself from the ruins of the North American Soccer League (NASL) and the giant shadow that it cast in the late 1970's and early 1980's.

Last year the I.S.A. was invited to visit the current Cosmos offices located in the heart of New York City. As historians we had the opportunity to assess and identify the collection of memorabilia acquired during the club's 15 seasons of competition. Considering their short existence, the team amassed a wealth of trophies and awards during that brief period of time which included 5 NASL Championships and 2 runners up spots.

In total, the I.S.A. examined over 300 artifacts from player jerseys to match programs. The items from the Cosmos many world tours were by far the most engaging. These included a pair of engraved swords (from Spain), a hand-carved wooden female bust (Africa) and a quartz clock inside a tree trunk (Japan).

However, the most mysterious piece had to be a small silver bowl which seemed to have lost its luster. Made by the TOWLE Silversmith Company (Mass.), best known as the official silverware pattern maker for the U.S. Embassies world-wide, it stands just 5 inches tall and 8 inches in width.

(photo: New York Governor's Cup. International Soccer Archives copyright 2010)

Although it is generally believed that the New York Cosmos won their first trophy in 1972, the legend has them winning another NASL competition in their inaugural season. 

Turning back the clock to the 1971 Cosmos,  the NASL's newest club became the second team in New York State. The first New Yorkers were the Rochester Lancers - the defending NASL Champions.  

In honor of being the only state to have two franchises in professional soccer at the time, New York Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller decreed an inter-state competition. The Governor,  a former soccer star at Dartmouth College, donated a silver decoration bowl to the annual winner between the Empire State teams. 

The Lancer and the Cosmos met 4 times during the 1971 NASL season. The Cosmos' results of those four meetings were as follows:

May 30 @ Rochester 2:2 tie (goals: Randy Horton - 2)

June 9 @ New York 4:2 win (Horton, Willie Mfum - 3)

July 10 @ Rochester 2:3 loss (Charlie McCully, Jorge Siega)

August 2 @ New York 3:2 win (Barry Mahy, McCully, Mfum)

The significance of the final match in the series was lost until later years. Playing their home games in legendary Yankee Stadium, the usual 4,000 to 6,000 were swelled to 20,000 by the international exhibition match that would follow the Cosmos-Lancers game. Cali of Colombia met Santos of Brazil - led by a future Cosmos star by the name of Pele. He had recently retired from the National Team of Brazil and was now touring the world with the only club team for which he had ever played.

Although the the awarding of the Governor's Cup to the Cosmos was overshadowed by the presence of Pele, it was reported in a small ethnic newspaper called the Ukranian Weekly. This was largely due to the fact that most of the inaugural season Cosmos came from the German-American soccer league. Both Charlie McCully and Willie Mfum played for the Ukranians in that circuit.

The New York Cosmos would retain the Governor's Cup trophy in their Championship year of 1972. They would loose possession of the cup in 1973 and 1974, although it was by toss of the coin the first time.

(photo: 1973 Rochester Lancers. International Soccer Archives copyright 2011)

Rochester would parade the Governor's Cup (above) as the league and the Cosmos grew in prominence and popularity. In 1975 the Cosmos did the impossible and signed the great Pele to a multi-million dollar contract. The NASL divisional schedule and conference alignment made the pairings for this competition  obsolete. The Cosmos took the final series two games to three in 1975. Although there is not official proclamation, the tiny cup is also the first trophy collected by Pele with the New York Cosmos. 

In 1974 Governor Rockefeller would become the 41st Vice-President of the United States. In 1977 the Cosmos would win their 2nd NASL Championship in  Pele's final season. The Rochester Lancers would play their last game in 1980. By then the world famous Cosmos would boast of an international all-star line-up and tour every continent collecting gifts and memories to last a lifetime.