The New York Cosmos have been connected with two international friendlies this summer. One has been confirmed by the club, the other is likely.
The New York Cosmos have a lengthy history of international friendlies. That trend looks to be continuing for the reboot Cosmos this summer, as the Boys-in-Green have been linked with friendlies in Canada and Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia
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This friendly has been confirmed by the Cosmos. The club will head to Saudi Arabia on May 20th to face league champion and national powerhouse, Al- Hilal FC. A group called the General Entertainment Organization of Saudi Arabia are responsible for arranging the match. The friendly coincides with President Donald Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia, but the President is not expected to attend the match.
Seeing the Cosmos play international competition is always intriguing. The reigning NASL champions are the most decorated domestic club outside of Major League Soccer, and few lower league teams are invited to these type of events. However, the friendly coincides with an already congested point of their schedule. The Cosmos will host Puerto Rico FC at home on the 13th before their first Open Cup match on the 17th. Following the match, they will fly to Saudi Arabia for the match on the 20th, then coming back to host SF Deltas on the 27th. The Club also re-rescheduled their match against FC Edmonton slated for May 21st.
Canada
The second friendly is rumored to take place during the NASL season break in July. While still unconfirmed by the club, team sources have revealed to This Is Cosmos Country that talks are well underway and a match is very likely. The New York will face La Liga side Valencia CF at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, Saskatchewan. Supposedly the match will be done as a market test by the Canadian Premier League for the Saskatchewan area.
The Cosmos have played in similar matches before. Just last season the team flew mid-season to face another La Liga side, SD Eibar, in Las Vegas. If the match is to be completed as a market test, it remains to be seen why nearby FC Edmonton will be the team taking the field. Either way, the Cosmos are in for an exciting and well-traveled summer.