Carlos Llamosa holds a special place in his heart for New York City and the Cosmos.

After moving to the United States from Colombia, the former defender called the Big Apple his home for over six years, plying his trade with local clubs like the Centaurs and New York Fever. That gave him a launching point into his Major League Soccer and U.S. National team career.

He has now come full circle, joining the team of his youth, the New York Cosmos, as an assistant coach.

“When I was a child, the only thing I knew related to American soccer was the Cosmos,” he tells EoS. “I knew nothing else! I knew great players came to the United States like Pele, Beckenbauer, Cruyff, Cabanas, many players renown on the world level. There was a professional league but we never heard the name of any other club other than the Cosmos. I am sure it was like that around the world.”

After a disappointing end to his time at Chivas USA as assistant coach, Llamosa looks towards this opportunity with the Cosmos to make his mark. Calling New York his “second home,” Llamosa is excited for the opportunity to add a decisively city flavor to an already growing group of players.

“I think it’s great because when we talk about the Cosmos, you think New York,” he said. “It’s a name that has been established for 40 years.

“In coming here, I see how this team identifies with the City of New York by the makeup of it’s technical staff, directors, offices and players. It identifies with the City.”

Speaking with the Cosmos brain trust, Llamosa will be tasked with not only the training of the team’s players, but also in their acquisition. “In South America I know many players, managers, clubs and agents,” he said. “In Europe as well. Here in MLS, NASL and colleges which are also important. That was also a big part of our initial interview.”

With Llamosa’s hiring, team boss Giovanni Savarese feels his new assistant, along with Alecko Eskandarian and Memo Valencia, will make for a formidable support staff. “Adding Carlos as an assistant immediately strengthens our backroom staff,” Savarese said. “With his wealth of professional and international experience in both Major League Soccer and with the US national team, he is the perfect complement to Alecko, Memo and myself. He also brings that top-level coaching experience and defensive tactical awareness which will be key for our team.”