19 sierpnia 2007
Once in a Lifetime
Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos is now out on DVD. I rented it over at Casa Video this weekend where they have several copies. This means in a few weeks I should be able to pick up one cheap.The movie gives a complete rundown of the Cosmos, from the early days when a couple of hundred people were watching complete unknowns play at Hofstra University to the Pelé years to the dissilution of the team brought on by the league's profligate ways, loss of the TV contract and, oddly, a turn in fortunes by Atari.
The best part is that we get to learn exactly how much of an ass Giorgio Chinaglia is. Yes, he's even worse that the worn out tubbo that trashes the US team during World Cup broadcasts.
For someone like me who only marginally lived through the period (I was seven when Pelé retired), it is suprising how many big names end up involved in this story, from Ahmet Ertegün to Henry Kissinger. Even Nelson Rockefeller, Mick Jagger and Dustin Hoffman make cameo appearances.
It still suprises me how MLS and American soccer hasn't really embraced its connections to the NASL. We are past the point where NASL players are in the league any more (Roy Wegerle, Frank Klopas, Hugo Sánchez) and even NASL fans are too old to be playing anymore (Tab Ramos, Joe-Max Moore, Brandi Chastain, Mia Hamm). I guess there are still the connections with coaches (the late Mooch Myernick, Ray Hudson, Thomas Rongen all played in the league, Bruce Arena tried out for and failed to get on the Cosmos).
Three players that I can think of offhand, Taylor Twellman, Alecko Eskandarian and Kenny Cooper, all had fathers that played in the NASL. Twellman's father, Tim, is seen in one scene taking down a player. Eskandarian's father, Andranik, is in both of the Soccer Bowl games that are included as bonus features on the DVD.
If you need a reason to check the bonus Soccer Bowl matches, the hair and mustaches on the German players playing in those matches should be good enough.
Piece of trivia about Arena's career: he failed to play for the Cosmos, but instead played for the minor league Tacoma Tides. The Tides were owned by Booth Gardner, who later was the governor of Washington that declared his state a state of Nirvana back in 1991.
Hasta la proxima. Do zobaczenia.
Comments:
<< Home
Ted- Nothing on the LA-Red Bulls 5-4 "classic". Beckham was fun to watch, though he had a hell of a time getting his kicks over the wall. A good sign for MLS, no? If you missed I'll figure out a way to get a copy of the game I Tivo'd onto a disk for you.
Post a comment - Dejame un comentario - Piszesz twój komentarz
# posted by 
: poniedziałek, sierpnia 20, 2007 3:41:00 PM
: poniedziałek, sierpnia 20, 2007 3:41:00 PM 
<< Home
