PRESS RELEASE:

NEW YORK (March 7, 2013) – The New York Cosmos announced today that the grassroots tournament Cosmos Copa will return for its fifth anniversary this July in New York City. The NASL team also officially announced the 36 participating teams.

Cosmos Copa is the nation’s preeminent amateur adult soccer tournament that unites New York City’s diverse community through sport. In this international tournament, the best soccer players in the tri-state area represent their country of heritage. Local teams representing 36 different countries will compete for the title of “Cosmos Copa City Champion” – in honor of both New York City as well as their country of origin.

This year, Cosmos Copa has continued its partnership with the Cosmopolitan Soccer League, New York City’s premier adult soccer league. The CSL will guarantee that the region’s top players, referees and coaches continue to participate in the tournament.

Every year, the tournament begins with a qualifying round, which is spread over two weekends in June. The qualifying teams this year include: Afghanistan, Albania, Argentina, Chile, Croatia, Ecuador, Egypt, England, El Salvador, France, Gambia, Ghana, Guyana, Holland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kosova, Mali, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Scotland, St. Vincent and Grenadines, Spain and Uruguay.

These 28 teams will compete for the remaining eight spots available in this year’s Cosmos Copa tournament, taking place in July. Last year’s eight quarterfinalists – Bolivia, Colombia, Greece, Jamaica, Poland, Senegal, USA and returning champion, Haiti round out the rest of the tournament. All matches will be played within New York City’s five boroughs.

For the first time this year, attending media will select the Cosmos Copa Best XI. All media members who attend the tournament will have the opportunity to vote. Those 11 players chosen by the media will then receive exclusive invites to the Cosmos player combine, tentatively scheduled for December.

Last year, Cosmos Copa proved an effective tool for the New York Cosmos to find the best local talent for their 2013 NASL squad. Cosmos players Stefan Dimitrov and Dane Murphy participated in the 2012 tournament and over 100 players who played in Copa were invited to the team’s player combine.

To help media, fans and onlookers understand what Cosmos Copa means to New York, the Cosmos and Show Love World produced a mini documentary on the 2012 tournament. Click here to watch the trailer. The full movie is scheduled for release on March 13, 2013 on www.nycosmos.com.

The official Cosmos Copa tournament draw party, as well as all game dates and details will be announced in the coming weeks. For more information, visit CosmosCopa.com, follow the tournament on Twitter @CosmosCopa and like the Facebook page.

About the New York Cosmos

The Cosmos began play in 1971, spending 14 seasons in the earlier NASL, winning five Soccer Bowl trophies and bringing some of the biggest names in world soccer history to North America including Pelé, Franz Beckenbauer, Carlos Alberto and Giorgio Chinaglia. The Cosmos last won the NASL Soccer Bowl in 1982.

It’s been nearly 30 years since the Cosmos, an iconic global soccer club, have played in a professional league. Yet throughout their absence, the club has maintained a loyal and dedicated fan following.

On July 12, 2012, it was announced that the New York Cosmos will return to the NASL, beginning play at James M. Shuart Stadium on the campus of Hofstra University in the 2013 NASL Fall Championship and the club is currently taking deposits on season tickets.

The Cosmos also recently submitted a privately-funded economic development proposal to the State of New York to build a world-class 25,000-seat professional soccer stadium at Belmont Park. More information about the proposal and renderings can be found at www.newcosmosstadium.com.

For more information on the New York Cosmos, please visit the club’s official website at www.newyorkcosmos.com, join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @TheNYCosmos.