Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos

The story

In the 1970s the North American Soccer League marked the first attempt to introduce soccer to American sports fans. While most teams had only limited success at best, one managed to break through to genuine mainstream popularity - the New York Cosmos. The brainchild of Steve Ross (Major executive at Warner Communications) and the Ertegun brothers (Founders of Atlantic Records), the Cosmos got off to a rocky start in 1971, but things changed in 1975 when the world's most celebrated soccer star, the Brazilian champion Pele, signed with the Cosmos for a five-million-dollar payday. With the arrival of Pele, the Cosmos became a hit and the players became the toast of the town, earning their own private table at Studio 54. A number of other international soccer stars were soon lured to the Cosmos, including Franz Beckenbauer, Rodney Marsh, and Carlos Alberto, but with the turn of the decade, the team began losing favor with fans and folded in 1985.

Cast & crew

Franz BeckenbauerSelf

Raphael de la Sierra

Raphael de la SierraSelf

Phil Woosnam

Phil WoosnamSelf

Jay Emmett

Jay EmmettSelf

Werner Roth

Werner RothSelf

Peppe Pinton

Peppe PintonSelf

Giorgio Chinaglia

Giorgio ChinagliaSelf

Shep Messing

Shep MessingSelf

Clive Toye

Clive ToyeSelf

Ahmet ErtegünSelf

Matt DillonNarrator (Voice)

Carlos Alberto

Carlos AlbertoSelf