Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos 18 years old

The untold story of the team that had America at its feet.

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

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.

Credits

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

Name Character
Matt Dillon He was 41, now 60 years old as Narrator (Voice)
Pelé He was 65, now 83 years old as Himself (archive footage)
Peppe Pinton as Himself
Franz Beckenbauer He was 60, now 78 years old as Himself
Shep Messing He was 56, now 74 years old as Himself
Phil Woosnam He was 73, 80 years old when he died as Himself
Nesuhi Ertegun was 88, 71 years old when died as Himself (archive footage)
Werner Roth He was 57, now 75 years old as Himself
Giorgio Chinaglia He was 58, 65 years old when he died as Himself
Raphael de la Sierra as Himself
Clive Toye He was 74, now 92 years old as Himself
Jay Emmett as Himself
Ahmet Ertegun was 82, 83 years old when died as Himself

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

Name Department
Paul Crowder as Director. He was 43 (now 61) years old Directing
Mark Monroe as Screenplay. Writing
John Dower as Director. He was 186 (27) years old when He died Directing
John Dower as Screenplay. He was 186 (27) years old when He died Writing
Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos poster
Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos (18 years)

The untold story of the team that had America at its feet.

  • Release day: Sunday, January 01, 2006
  • Runtime: 97 minutes
  • Budget: 1000000.00