PATERSON PRESS
"NY Cosmos, Pele's old team, starts new era in North Jersey"
3-minute read
Harry Brubaker
Feb. 20, 2026, 4:09 a.m. ET
The Silk City is about to become home to one of the most legendary teams in American soccer, the New York Cosmos.
After not playing for the past five years, the Cosmos are about to be reborn at Paterson’s Hinchliffe Stadium, in a debut 2026 season that players and front office officials say is about community as much as history.
“We want the Paterson community to feel that we care for the fans, whether it’s through signing autographs or talking to the fans,” said veteran forward Sebastián Guenzatti. “I’ve been in their shoes before. I know how it feels. I still think about the times players I wanted autographs from walked past me.”
The Cosmos’ management says success in Paterson won’t solely be based on what happens on the pitch. They want the Cosmos to be a part of the city.
The team that once made its home in now-demolished Giants Stadium in East Rutherford more than four decades ago — when names like Pelé, Franz Beckenbauer and Giorgio Chinaglia were on the team’s roster — will host its home opener on March 14 at 2 p.m. against the Portland Hearts of Pine.
Fittingly, the game will be at Hinchliffe, a national historic landmark venue that has revived its own past glory since it reopened in May 2023 as one of the nation’s two remaining Negro League baseball stadiums.
Just as Hinchliffe Stadium has honored the great baseball players of its past, like Larry Doby, the Cosmos will honor its own past players with a “Legends Night” at their opening game. Past Cosmos players Werner Roth, Shep Messing and Marcos Senna are scheduled to be present for the event.
Hinchliffe Stadium’s recent renaissance was one of the reasons the Cosmos wanted to come to Paterson, according to the team’s management.
“The people love this stadium and its history,” said Cosmos CEO Erik Stover. “The restoration is very important to us, and we want to give back to the community. This is our home now and will be for many years to come. It’s part of our identity now.”
Giving back is a recurring theme for the organization. Beyond matchdays, the team plans to engage directly with residents, from youth outreach to simple postgame interactions that make players accessible to supporters.
New era in Cosmos' long history
The Cosmos coming to Paterson marks a new era in the team’s history.
The original New York Cosmos were founded in 1971 as part of the North American Soccer League (NASL), which disbanded in 1985. The team was revived in 2010 in Uniondale, New York, and played for six seasons between 2013 and 2020 before dissolving in 2021. The team is now part of the 2026 USL League One and is majority-owned by Baye Adofo-Wilson, the redeveloper of Hinchliffe Stadium.
The New York Cosmos have been preparing for their opening game since Jan. 12, when they held their first practice at Hinchliffe. Subsequent workouts have been at indoor facilities. It’s been a busy six months for the franchise, since the September announcement that the new owners had purchased the Cosmos naming rights.
From November through January, the team has made a series of announcements about players the Cosmos signed. They brought in players with European roots and homegrown New Jersey athletes from towns like Rumson and Wallington. The blend of players combines technical sharpness and connection to the fanbase, Cosmos officials say. “We have players that like to play the right way,” Stover said.
Guenzatti a bridge from past to future
Guenzatti, 34, embodies the club’s bridge between past and future. He played for the Cosmos from 2013 to 2016, helping lead the team to three league championships before returning in November.
“Coming back means a lot,” Guenzatti said. “The club is so historic and has a lot of legacy. When I got the call to come back, it was an exciting opportunity. We have a very hardworking team — a team that is willing to put everything on the line to win. We have a good group of guys that can get it done.”
Stover said Guenzatti’s leadership extends beyond the pitch.
“He was in the Cosmos Academy as a teenager, and we’re bringing him home. At 34, he’s showing impressive fitness and leadership,” Stover said.
“He was in the Cosmos Academy as a teenager, and we’re bringing him home. At 34, he’s showing impressive fitness and leadership,” Stover said.
Hoping to capitalize on the excitement surrounding this year’s FIFA World Cup, the team will also host free watch parties at Hinchliffe, inviting fans to gather and experience the tournament together.
“It’s an opportunity for us to have a real, authentic outreach to people who aren’t aware of us or the stadium,” Stover said. “We’re raising awareness for ourselves, but also for a community.”
Schedules, tickets, and further information can be found on the New York Cosmos official website.
PATERSON PRESS
It's Hinchliffe history as the Cosmos make their Paterson debut
Harry Brubaker
Paterson Press
Updated March 15, 2026, 4:51 p.m. ET
PATERSON – About 4,000 soccer fans from around New Jersey and beyond flocked to the city on the afternoon of March 14 to celebrate the revival of the New York Cosmos and witness their debut game at historic Hincliffe Stadium.
The home team lost, 3-1, to the Portland Hearts of Pine, from Maine. But the event felt far bigger than the final score, with abundant excitement over the return of one of American soccer’s most recognizable brands.
Many arrived early to take part in the pregame ceremony honoring club icons Pelé and Giorgio Chinaglia and to explore the recently renovated stadium, which is a national landmark.
Andrew Mancuso of Highland Mills, New York, said the venue made an immediate impression when he came through the gates.
“I walked in, and the first thing I said was, 'Wow,'" Mancuso said. “It’s definitely an experience walking in. I really like the feel of the stadium. I’m impressed.”
For many in the crowd, the festive atmosphere extended beyond the match itself.
Families gathered in the concourse, supporters’ groups filled the stands with songs and chants, and long lines formed at concession and merchandise stands throughout the afternoon as fans celebrated the revival of the Cosmos and the introduction of a professional soccer team to the Paterson community.
Jay Spengler, the father of Cosmos player Ajmeer Spengler, said the event exceeded his expectations compared with other lower-division soccer environments.
“My son played in Georgia, and the fan experience was not very good because of its location,” Spengler said. “But this has been 10 times better than all the other experiences I’ve had watching him play.”
The fans in the Paterson stands were passionate.
“It’s unique in the sense that so many supporters and ultras in the stadium bring so much noise that they are not used to compared to traditional American sporting events,” said Ted McEvoy of Bloomfield. “It’s a great, unique atmosphere.”
Folks who traveled from outside North Jersey said getting to Hinchliffe Stadium was generally manageable, with several transportation options helping ease the arrival process. Many chose to arrive early to avoid congestion and experience pregame festivities and tailgating around the stadium.
“Honestly, getting here was a lot easier than I thought it was going to be,” Mancuso said. “I’m used to going to games where it’s a little more complicated. This was pretty easy.”
Not everyone drove directly to the game. Some fans opted for ride-sharing or public transportation to avoid dealing with parking altogether. However, the growing crowd did create some challenges for others arriving later in the afternoon.
“There was no parking,” said Rob Tormo. “We had to park half a mile away and walk. With a 91-year-old, that isn’t good.”
Even with a few logistical hurdles, most fans said the trip was worth it.
One fan came from Pennsylvania to be part of the moment.
“I drove 2½ hours from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to be here,” he said. “I wanted to see history in the present day and see people brought together.”
Concessions and merchandise were another major part of the fan experience inside the stadium. Fans browsed the shop for jerseys, scarves and other gear while concession stands served food and drinks throughout the afternoon. Some supporters said the popularity of the home opener led to crowded areas near the stands, but the energy added to the overall atmosphere.
“The concession stands are great,” Spengler said. “The only thing I would say about the concession is that they probably need another place for beer. The traffic flowing through that area is pretty difficult.”
Others offered similar sentiments, saying the merchandise shop and food options helped make the event feel like a full match-day experience rather than just a soccer game. Fans also praised the organization of the merchandise as supporters eagerly bought gear celebrating the team’s revival.
For longtime supporters, the day carried an even deeper meaning. Tormo said he returned to see the Cosmos decades after attending matches with his father.
“My dad took me to see the Cosmos back in the ’70s,” Tormo said. “The last time we saw them, they were at Giants Stadium. We were very surprised that the Cosmos were coming back. We had to come back and reminisce about the old days.”
Beyond nostalgia, many fans believe the club can become an important part of the local community. Charlie Sullivan of Paterson said the team’s arrival represents an opportunity for the city.
“Paterson has a lot of deep history,” Sullivan said. “The club coming in is showing the people they believe in this place, and there’s a future that’s going to grow here.”
As the final whistle blew and fans slowly filtered out of the stadium, the score seemed secondary to the atmosphere created throughout the day. Supporters of both teams helped reignite the excitement surrounding soccer at Hinchliffe Stadium.
For many, the attendance symbolized how much the sport continues to grow in the United States.
“You can see the turnout here. Soccer is big in this country now, and to have a local professional team with the heritage that the Cosmos have is a privilege,” said Denny Velazquez of North Bergen.
Others said the energy inside the stadium showed why soccer supporters often feel deeply connected to the game itself. Some said the home opener felt like the start of something meaningful.
“Regardless of the level of soccer, it’s the best fan experience you can have,” Mancuso said. “This is the only sport where you can feel like you can make a difference. With all the songs and chants, you feel like you are a part of the team.”