The New York Cosmos aren’t a Major League Soccer team just yet but they appear to be moving closer toward making that leap. The United Soccer Leagues announced today that the New York Cosmos will field their U23 team in the Premier Development League (PDL), and will become a full member for the 2012 season. New York Cosmos U23 will play a limited exhibition schedule against PDL competition during the 2011 season, and will not be eligible for the playoffs or the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
New York Cosmos Will Field U23 Team In PDL
A lot of things still need to happen for this to take place. The Cosmos haven’t announced where the team will play just yet nor who the coach will be. Both are said to be announced sometime in mid-May.
The Cosmos have already began fielding youth teams across the country. Cosmos Academy East (based out of Queens, N.Y.) and Cosmos Academy West (based out of Pomona, Calif.), with both participating in the United States Soccer Development Academy program. Both programs fit into the PDL system, which could easily translate well into the MLS academy system should the club make the jump like MLS wants.
"We are excited to be a part of the USL family and are putting forth the dedication and resources necessary at every level within our organization to rebuild The New York Cosmos in the right away," said Paul Kemsley, Chairman, The New York Cosmos. "Our New York Cosmos U23 team is a natural extension to our Cosmos Academy and further reinforces our commitment to developing young, talented players. Our academy players will have a chance to play amongst some experienced and competitive PDL teams and we look forward to a full season in 2012 and beyond."
Once the stadium situation works out and the team is playing full-time, it will be harder to ignore the fact that this could one day be a MLS team. Building from the youth up to the professionals has been the approach that the Cosmos have taken here. While it is hard to imagine a professional team here with this club’s name in MLS, it does appear they are well on their way to getting to that point.
See More:
