The New York Cosmos soccer team, now principally owned by Mediacom Communications chairman and CEO Rocco Commisso, has a new home stadium -- MCU Park in Brooklyn, N.Y. -- and will open the North American Soccer League season there on April 1, the team said today.
The Cosmos, rescued by Commisso's acquisition from dire financial straits, had been looking for a new place to play, preferably somewhere in New York City. MCU Park, near the Coney Island boardwalk, where a minor league affiliate of the New York Mets plays baseball, is that place and it will be the team's home field for 16 regular season games.
“When I took control of the club on January 10th, our immediate priorities were to stabilize the NASL, re-hire the Cosmos front office personnel and coaching staff, rebuild our team roster and relocate to a fan friendly venue within the five boroughs,” Cosmos chairman Commisso said in a team press release. “In less than a month, we have achieved those objectives, including re-signing many of the starters from our 2016 Championship Team. During the Cosmos’ inaugural season in 1971, the team played at Yankee Stadium. With our move to MCU Park in Brooklyn, we are not only able to offer fans easy access to a one-of-a-kind entertainment experience, but we are also reconnecting the club to its original New York City roots. Adding the excitement of Cosmos’ games to Coney Island’s already vibrant atmosphere will be a win-win for our club and soccer enthusiasts throughout the metropolitan area.”
The team last played its home games at a stadium on the campus of Hofstra University on Long Island.
The team's release had quotes from city luminaries including Mayor Bill de Blasio and from New York Mets COO Jeff Wilpon, who said: "We are thrilled to showcase MCU Park as a multi-purpose venue and welcome the Cosmos, a storied franchise in American soccer history. All New York area soccer fans will enjoy watching the Cosmos make their mark in Brooklyn."
Yankee Stadium now is the home of New York City FC of Major League Soccer.
The Cosmos also said season-ticket packages go on sale on Friday, Feb. 3.
