For a certain generation of sports fans in New Jersey, their relationship with soccer began in 1977, when the Cosmos — led by Pele and a host of international stars — began playing games in the Meadowlands, including one milestone match that drew 77,691.
The demise of the Cosmos was as sudden as its ascension. Just a few years later, the team — and the league it played in — was gone.
More than 40 years later, the Cosmos are back. And their rebirth may be connected to a different watershed event: A game played earlier this year at Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson, one which drew a sellout crowd of 8,000, each of which paid $65 for tickets.
The friendly, featuring a top club team from Ecuador (Barcelona FC) against a club team from Brooklyn (Osner’s FC), was organized by Baye Adofo-Wilson, who led the redevelopment efforts of Hincliffe.
Adofo-Wilson wanted a tenant for the new Hinchliffe and wanted to see if soccer had a following in Paterson, where nearly two of every three residents are Hispanics. When the overflow crowd came — on Super Bowl Sunday no less — Adofo-Wilson was stunned.
“We had to turn people away; we ran out of food before the before the game started,” he said. “It was on Super Bowl Sunday, in February, and we had 8,000 people come out in the morning.”
Adofo-Wilson said he knew it could only mean one thing.
“It was time for us to really move forward and to have the professional soccer team,” he said.
Months later, Adofo-Wilson led a group that not only purchased a team to play in the United Soccer League but did so with the Cosmos name (the owner of the naming rights is a minority partner). The club will begin play next spring. And a Cosmos women’s team is expected to begin play in 2028.
Adofo-Wilson made his remarks during a fireside chat interview during a Countdown to the World Cup event in Atlantic City Sunday afternoon.
The event was the latest in a series of efforts put on by Gus Penaranda of Evolvere Consulting and others that are intended to show small business owners the drawing power of soccer — and, hopefully, how they can take advantage of the billions in economic impact the 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to have in the area.
Simply put, if there is an overwhelming interest in a friendly in February, just imagine the interest that will come next summer.
Adofo-Wilson detailed how the new Cosmos came about, how he and the team hope to be able to benefit from the World Cup – and how he thought areas such as Atlantic City can benefit – during a 40-minute conversation led by BINJE editor Tom Bergeron.
Here’s a look at some of the highlights.
On restoring Hinchliffe Stadium:
Adofo-Wilson led a $103-million restoration effort to a historic stadium in Paterson that had fallen into disrepair and had been closed since 1997. Once the home of Negro League games, the renovation (which concluded in 2023) included a museum dedicated to Hinchliffe’s storied history. And while baseball was a big part of that history, the shape of the field is better suited for football and soccer.
On how the Cosmos came about:
A representative of Rocco Commisso, one of the richest people in New Jersey and the owner of the Cosmos name and licensing (there was attempted revival in 2013-20), was impressed with the renovation and the great care Adofo-Wilson took in honoring the past. As part of the deal to give up the naming rights, Commisso will be a minority owner in the club and Adofo-Wilson will build a museum to honor the Cosmos.
On the challenges of being the caretaker of what still is one of the most revered international club names:
Adofo-Wilson said protecting its trademark, globally, is a challenge because each country may have different rules regarding the issue. That being said, the notoriety and immediate branding that comes with the name is well worth it. Adofo-Wilson said he hears from older fans who have fond memories of the team’s glory years and want to share that experience with their own kids.
On the long-term potential of the Cosmos:
The Cosmos will compete in levels of competition below Major League Soccer, the country’s house league. But MLS is expected to soon introduce a relegation system (the standard of leagues around the world) in which teams can move up and down in leagues depending on their success.
On how the Cosmos will attempt to benefit from the World Cup:
Adofo-Wilson said the long-term goal is to have a soccer infrastructure in place. In other words, when the excitement for the sport is at its greatest, to have something to offer fans after the event is over (whether it is games to see or camps and clinics to participate in). During the event, Adofo-Wilson said the team certainly will have watch parties and other activities at Hinchliffe.
On how other areas and municipalities (including Atlantic City) can take advantage of the World Cup:
Adofo-Wilson noted that Atlantic City, with its numerous public gathering places, would be a great place for watch parties. More than that, the entertainment opportunities and fun at the Shore could be marketed as non-game day activities to fans attending games in both North Jersey and Philadelphia.
***
Being in a position to take advantage of this opportunity is what Penaranda and others have been preaching for more than a year. He noted the newly opened ByrdCage in Atlantic City, which was a vendor at the event.
The goal, Penaranda said, is to help the mom-and-pop shops that missed out on the Super Bowl coming to the Meadowlands to take advantage of this month-long opportunity.
“Our goal is to make sure that every business and organization has the opportunity to at least benefit from the $3 to $4 billion with a B that’s going to hit New Jersey — whether you like soccer or not,” he told the crowd.
“The World Cup starts June 11 and ends July 19, that’s the middle of the summer. People are going to be hot. They’re going to want things to do. They’re going to want to eat. They’re going to want to travel around the state.
“That’s why these Countdown to the World Cup events and the corresponding World Cup 101 information sessions are happening in New Jersey.”
