Reported by John Milovcic and Miguel Baez
The word “historical” is thrown around a lot these days. Experiences that are mundane or nondescript are typically blown out of proportion. When history actually does happen, we should stop take it all in and appreciate it. This week, our beloved New York Cosmos soccer club made International history!
The New York Cosmos, a member of the NASL soccer league,Long Island-based soccer club will be the first US team to play in Cuba in 16 years. I repeat: It is not a high profile team like the Yankees, Lakers or even the Cowboys — our Cosmos will be playing on Cuban soil.
The historic game is scheduled for June 2, 2015 and is bound to be much more than soccer friendly. The Cosmos will be new world ambassadors, finding common ground with a country situated a mere 90 miles off the coast of Key West (less then NYC to Boston, but a world apart). A simple game of fútbol has the ability to unify the Western Hemisphere. Make no mistake: The world will be watching.
The beautiful thing about sports is there is a common language amongst fans. A touchdown is a touchdown; a base hit is a base hit; a goal is a goal. Sports transcends political, religious, socioeconomic, even racial biases. In a nutshell: Sports is one of the things that binds us. Just like the US Ping Pong opened relations with China and paved the way for Nixon’s visit to Beijing in 1972; sports is an ice breaker.
The Cosmos’ press conference was held Monday at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square. The panel consisted of Cosmos Chairman Seamus O’Brien, Cosmos Head Coach Giovanni Savarese, Captain Carlos Mendes, and Walter Benitez of the Cuban National Manager, as well as Dignitaries U.S. Congressman Charles Rangel and Gregory Meeks. The very engaging Fernando Fiore and ex- goalkeeper and Cosmos broadcaster Shep Messing served as moderators.
The US coming to Cuba means leaving clothes, equipment and money thrust into an economically-challenged island; residents of Cuba will can rejoice in the thrill of sport. Yes, baseball is the national game but soccer is gaining a major foothold in the both countries. Maybe we are not that different. This is one of those opportunities to let sport capture the imagination.
From what I understand, the first US team that attempted to make their way to the Cuba was the Boston Red Sox. Looks like New York beat them again.
The game will be played June 2 and televised via One World Sports (check local listings for times). We are sure the Cosmos will make us proud!
