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. 

Benavidez: The Invisible, Visable Man

Legendary players have always been, for the most part, high profile in the world of sport. In football, which is now so globalized, thankfully race is less of a factor in the adulation of its heroes. In the modern game, Pele or Eusebio - two stars come to mind  who were nicknamed  "Black Pearl" - predicated on their African heritage. Today's super stars like Ronaldo and Cristiano Ronaldo are known as Brazilian and Portuguese players respectively, rather than the dark skinned or light skinned persons.

This was not always the case. Stardom in football, especially in Latin America, came with provisions and catagories in the early days. The scoring records of legendary Brazilian Arthur Friedenreich (b. 1892) were askewed in obsecurity, by some opinion, because of prejudice.

Friedenreich, of German father and a black slave mother, had physical features that could pass for being European. The slicked-hair style of the era and lighter skin allowed him to go undetected as an Afro-Brazilian - a term seldom used in that country. The ideas, however, permiate as outlined in the 2004 book "Estudos Avancados" by Maria Bortolini. She writes " Due to intensive mixing and assortive mating with white Brazilians, Brazilians with African ancestry may or may not show any trace of African features. " 

 The difference in acceptence of Uruguay's Jose Andrade (b. 1901) as a star footballer could be attributed to the fact that Afro-Uruguayans fought as soldiers for independence from Great Britain and later Brazil. Andrade (below), was a gold medal winner in two Olympics (1924 & 1928) and one World Cup (1930) for his country. Reports of him being abused by the crowds in his team visits to Argentina may be tributed more to his background, than his race. You see, Andrade's mother was Argentinian and loyalty may have served him better by playing for Uruguay.

Although Brazil was the last Western nation to abolish slavery (1888), it was one of the quickest to accept the mixing of races in its sports. Leonidas de Silva (b. 1913), became the top scorer at the 1938 World Cup. His physical features were clearly of African decent (below) and was duely crowned the "Black Diamond".

The early history of  Argentinian football is quite different than Uruguay and Brazil. Class and race were more segregated in the very European / British fashion in Colonial times. The River Plate, an estuary between Argentina and Uruguay, was the entry point for many slaves to South America. Many of those were shipped to the Cordoba region in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Survival rate was very low, with theories that genocide was practiced on the Afro-Argentinian population. Records show a low population of males and even fewer football players of non-European lineage.

However, the discovery of one player - Julio Luis Benavidez (b. 1906) - is a revealation. 

Benavidez (center, above) was an Argentinian player born in Cordoba with distinct African features. He began playing organized football during the amateur era in Argentina's Liga Cordobesa with Instituto. Instituto de Cordoba won the title in four successive seasons from 1925 to 1928. Benavidez is believed to be attributed to that success.

When Argentina professionalized the leagues in 1931, Benavidez was snapped up by Club Atletico Tigre - debuting in the top division. It is hard to know how the step up to financed football effected the young Julio, but needless to say it could not have been easy. Players of color were often targeted harshly on the playing field and even harder on forwards intent on scoring.

Benavidez had what appears to be reasonable statistics in the professional era. In 1933 he even scored 6 goals in 5 matches, but often blew hot and cold for reasons not on record. Yet, there must have been something tangible as Boca Juniors, a rising power in South American football, soon acquired him. Although used sparingly, he scored 11 goals on Boca's 1st professional Championship team (above) in 1934.

While his statistics nor reputation ever reached legendary status, Julio Benavidez made landmark imprints in the Argentinian game. He unexpectantly left Boca Juniors after 4 matched into the 1935 Championship season. Playing time may have been reason for this as history shows that the 1930's Boca squad he played on featured the # 2 (Cherro), # 3 (Varrallo), # 4 (Tarasconi) and # 7 (Caceres) all time goal scorers for Boca Juniors.

He did pave the way for the arrival of "Domingos", the great black Brazilian fullback. As an established star in Brazil, he easily became a fan favorite - and did not have the pressure of being the first black player at Boca Juniors.

Benavidez did return to Boca Juniors as Coach in 1948. It was, however, not the best of times at Boca where the club drifted through 8 coaches between 1946 and 1951.

As it were, it seems this discovery of a youthful Benavidez (above) on a tobacco card from the 1925-1927 issue of DOLAR Los Cigarillos is amazing. He is the only African-Argentinian in the 5 series set of over 2000 cards. The set also features players from Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. Finally, visible for all to see.

ISA Collection adds Record Setting Kevin Hartman jersey

The person who was quoted for "nice guys finish last" never met Kevin Hartman. Aside from all his on-field accomplishements, Kevin is one of the quiet people ready to give the shirt off his back. He did exactly that, donating this 2010 game used MLS goal keeper jersey (below) to the I.S.A. Collection.

His is often involved in community work and international causes. We met him during the off-season working on NOTHINGBUTNETS - raising awareness for the need of mosquito netting to prevent malaria.

The yellow number # 1 shirt was worn during the 2010 MLS season including the record 19 game undefeated run with FC Dallas. The season was also high lighted by the incident with Frenchman Thierry Henry that caused Hartman to miss several games near the end of the regular schedule.

He recovered enough to lead FC Dallas through the playoffs and the MLS CUP Final, although he was unable to take goal kicks from the injury.

Hartman holds most of Major League Soccer's goal keeping records including:

- Most saves in MLS history.

- Most career shutouts in MLS history.

- Most wins by any goalkeeper in MLS history.

- Most consecutive minutes in MLS history.

- First MLS goalkeeper to have consecutive 20-win seasons.

Kevin has been capped (4) four times by the US National Team. He was voted MLS goalkeeper of the year in 1999.

I.S.A. Adds Seattle Sounders Record Open Cup Artifacts

The Record Setting Final of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup between the Columbus Crew and Seattle Sounders will be chronicled at the International Soccer Archives. The Seattle Sounders, who won their second consecutive Cup title, drew 31,311 fans and broke the previous mark set in 1929.

The Sounders also became the first professional club to win back-to-back Open Cups since the 1930 - 1931 Fall River Marksmen of the American Soccer League. Seattle Sounders sent a match ticket (above) and the game jersey of Captain Kasey Keller (below).

Keller, who is no stranger to Cup Finals, played in two Finals with Leicester City in 1997 and 1999 and was in the squad of Tottenham Hostspurs in 2002.

Among the ephemera are the original line-up sheets and media packets. These items will go into the collection next to the 1930 U.S. Open Cup medal exhibited in the I.S.A. Collection.

Seattle Sounders finished only their second season in Major League Soccer.

Iconic American Soccer Artifact Sells At Auction - 1930 World Cup Ball

 The November Sporting Memorabilia held by Convery Auctions included an important artifact from the history of the World Cup. It also happens to be a part of the United States' soccer legacy.

In the USA's 3:0 victory against Paraguay on July 17th, 1930 - American Bert Patenaude scored the very first hat trick in World Cup play. The ball used in that match was auctioned off in Scotland for a mere 600.00 British Pound sterling ($975.82).

Among the other highlights from Convery Auction was the blue Manchester United jersey worn by Nobby Stiles in their 1968 European Cup Final win against Benfica. It hammered down for 26,000.00 pounds ($37,011.71).

The biggest price realized for an item was 188,200.00 pounds ($267,644.62) for Nobby Stiles' 1966 World Cup winner medal. He became the 8th player of the starting 11 that has put his medal up for sale. Only Bobby Charlton, Jack Charlton and Martin Peters have kept theirs.

Since 1998, the escalating price of these medals has increased. The first attempt by George Cohen failed to meet the asking price but later sold for 80,000 pounds when purchased by his former club, Fulham United.

Here is the chronological list of sales:

1998

George Cohen - 80,000.00 (to Fulham United F.C.)

Ray Wilson - 80,000.00

Gordon Banks - 124,750.00

Bobby Moore - 150,000.00  (to West Ham Utd.)

Geoff Hurst - 150,000.00 (to West Ham Utd.)

Alan Ball - 164,800.00

Nobby Stiles - 188,200.00 (to Manchester Utd.)

2010

Roger Hunt donated his medal to his former club's museum at Liverpool F.C. in 2003.

BONHAMS To Auction George Best Treasures

Chester, UK - Bonhams Auctions of England will be selling the very best of George Best.  The legendary Irish footballer who passed away in 2005, was considered by many as the first pop icon in the sport.

Having plied his skills on 5 continents, the gifted yet troubled star was the hero to millions especially his beloved Manchester United fans.

Up for sale is cream of his accomplishments, including the 1968 European Cup Winners medal, his last Northern Ireland team jersey, and a limited edition Fabrege Egg created to honor George Best's career.

Of special interest is the American Soccer League presentation award (below) for services to soccer in the United States. The I.S.A. provided specific photographs and information on this particular artifact for the auction.

(George Best and Noel Lemon)

Beginning in 1976, Best played for the Los Angeles Aztecs, Ft. Lauderdale Strikers and finished with the San Jose Earthquakes in 1981.

In addition, the auction includes many Manchester United items from paintings to actual player's seats from the stadium at Old Trafford.

The auction will be held in Chester on Wednesday, October 20th.

Collection Adds Jerseys and Shea Stadium Memorabilia

The I.S.A. increased its collection with various artifacts through the kind donation of its supporters.

Finland international SAMI HYYPIA made his debut for LIVERPOOL F.C. in the 1999 Carlsberg Beslfast Challange. The club won that tournament and repeated the feat for the 2000 edition.

Liverpool debuted their "orange" kit in the 2000-2001 season which saw Hyypia lift the crystal Belfast Trophy. Hyypia, now at Bayer Leverkusen after a decade and over 300 games for Liverpool, also made 105 international appearences for his native Finland.

Sami Hyypia wearing the donated jersey (above) supports the Carlsberg Beslfast Challenge Trophy at Windsor Park.

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 SHEA STADIUM in Queens, New York played host to many events including baseball's World Series games, NFL grid iron football, Papal visits, The Beatles 1964 concert and international football matches.

On September 5, 1997 - COLOMBIA and EL SALVADOR played to a 2:2 draw at the now demolished landmark.

A glass globe and slab base commemorate the international event and the venue (above) with the logo of the sponsor - Mundial Sports Group - from the match (below) is now on display.

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A jersey of perennial Uruguayan League Champions C.A. PENAROL - recognized by FIFA as the "best South american club of the 20th century" - has joined the exhibits of the ISA.

A record 37 titles in 78 professional seasons gives credibility to the club's fame. This jersey from their 1999 Clausura victory (below) was sent to the ISA.

In addition, a wonderful championship pennant was included (below).