LAFC is clearly evolving; and the evolution is exciting for the soccer community in Southern California as well as now New York. LAFC’s Academy teams have joined forces with The New York Cosmos and will now be known as Cosmos Academy – West.  This club has been waking up Southern California soccer with their teams winning a significant number of tournaments.

Teddy Chronopoulos, Director of Coaching, says "Cosmos Academy West is committed to inspiring and developing our players for the future.  New York Cosmos have taken a step forward into grass roots and youth soccer in the U.S.."

The Club will now be known as LAFC Cosmos. With this new affiliation, LAFC Cosmos will continue to work with the Directors and Coaches of Cosmos Academy – West to create the best youth soccer program in the southland. This new relationship will benefit both the Girls’ and Boys’ programs of LAFC Cosmos as we will have direct access to The New York Cosmos’ camps and clinics, and we will be developing programs that bridge a relationship to the Girls and Boys programs of the equivalent Club on the East -- the Queens, NY club BW Gottschee (now known as BWG Cosmos.)

Starting with the 2010/11 season, each of the LAFC - Cosmos players will be wearing the proud colors of The New York Cosmos. LAFC is dedicated to promoting youth development both on and off the field and will continue to honor their commitment to making club soccer available to players of every economic ability.  SoccerNation will be reporting on this club and their successful achievements. 

The New York Cosmos continues its commitment to grassroots and youth soccer with two key announcements made today – Giovanni Savarese will be the Director of Cosmos Academy (East) and a partnership with Los Angeles Futbol Club (LAFC) will form Cosmos Academy (West). These announcements further build on the news made by soccer legend Pelé earlier this month of the return of The New York Cosmos, as well as the formation of Cosmos Academy (East) in partnership with Queens-based youth club BW Gottschee (BWG). 

Savarese, an Italian Venezuelan who moved to the United States over 20 years ago to play for Long Island University, was a goal-scoring fan favorite during his three seasons with the NY/NJ Metrostars and will continue BWG’s 60-year tradition of developing the highest quality soccer talent at a local and national level. The Cosmos Academy (East) will field teams from U12-U18 and will also participate in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. 

LAFC, based out of Pasadena, is one of the nation’s most esteemed and competitive youth soccer organizations – and will now be called Cosmos Academy (West), based out of Pomona. The Academy will field teams from U9-U18 (boys) and participate in major leagues and tournaments throughout California, in addition to the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. LAFC has received widespread recognition in the sport, most recently being ranked the No. 1 youth club in California, and No. 6 across the country by Soccer America.

As part of the agreement, Cosmos Academy (East) and Cosmos Academy (West) will now be funded by The New York Cosmos, whereby costs normally incurred by the families of these elite players will now be fully covered – such as registration fees, uniforms, coaches’ salaries along with the cost of participating in select tournaments and its related travel. In addition, the respective club teams under LAFC and BWG will now be called LAFC Cosmos and BWG Cosmos. 

With a focus on youth development, The New York Cosmos is investing significantly to provide young talented players with elite coaching programs, facilities and training opportunities to help them realize their dreams. All of this is part of The New York Cosmos’ fundamental preparation and underpinning needed to field an MLS franchise team in New York in the near future. 

“Our priority is the long-term development of players who will one day represent The New York Cosmos at the highest possible professional levels in soccer,” says Terry Byrne, Director of Soccer, The New York Cosmos. “Developing that talent, with the Academies and coaches that we now have on both coasts, will give us an outstanding platform for the future of The New York Cosmos as well as U.S. Soccer.” 

“Working with the youth has been a top priority for me after my professional career, and I want to share with the next generation all the philosophies that I gained as a player over the years,” says Giovanni Savarese, Director of Cosmos Academy (East). “It is with great enthusiasm that I come to this program with the shared vision of creating a professional environment in which our youth will not only develop as soccer players, but also as great individuals.” 

Adds Chronopoulos, “We share mutual ambition and principles with The New York Cosmos, in developing special players. I can say with real excitement that this partnership will help us reach our long-term goals, given their level of professionalism, resources and contacts across the world – as well as their love of the game.” 

Both Cosmos Academy (East) and Cosmos Academy (West) will compete this season, starting in September.

About The New York Cosmos: The New York Cosmos the most celebrated soccer club in the history of the United States. During its existence from 1971-1985, The New York Cosmos won five national championships. Under new passionate ownership, The New York Cosmos continues its tradition of greatness for the next generation and vows to maintain the same ethos that made it the success it was 25 years ago. Today, as part of its rebirth, and with soccer legend and former Cosmos star Pelé as the Honorary President, The New York Cosmos will continue to inspire and develop young soccer players through academies, camps and clinics, while attracting world-class soccer players to participate in its soccer movement. The club’s ultimate vision is to be a part of Major League Soccer and to compete for the championship. For more information, visit www.nycosmos.com.

As The New York Cosmos is undergoing a “re-birth” so too is LAFC. As LAFC Cosmos, we see an opportunity to grow stronger from within. With league play around the corner, this is the time to celebrate our evolution, and to renew our commitment to the players, families and coaches that have given this Club the outstanding reputation it carries across this nation.

SN will be talking with Teddy Chronopoulos and exploring the club's philosophy and new approach soon!