MovieChat Forums > Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos (2006) Discussion > I think this documentary exaggerated the...

I think this documentary exaggerated the Cosmos' popularity a little

posted 9 years ago by jefgg
1 reply | jump to latest

I grew up in the 70's and '80s in North Jersey, close to Giants Stadium where the Cosmos played. Yes, the Cosmos were very popular. But with all due respect, I think it was distorted in the documentary. They played at Giants Stadium from 1977 to 1984. That place held about 76,000 people. The Cosmos never averaged more than 50,000. They drew very well for soccer in the USA, but seldomly came close to a sellout. I think they sold out a 1977 playoff game against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. And they probably sold out Pele's last match between the Cosmos and his former club Santos.

Season Average Stadium

1971 4,517 Yankee Stadium
1972 4,282 Hofstra Stadium
1973 5,782 Hofstra Stadium
1974 3,578 Downing Stadium
1975 10,450 Downing Stadium
1976 18,227 Yankee Stadium
1977 34,142 Giants Stadium
1978 47,856 Giants Stadium
1979 46,690 Giants Stadium
1980 42,754 Giants Stadium
1981 34,835 Giants Stadium
1982 28,479 Giants Stadium
1983 27,242 Giants Stadium
1984 12,817 Giants Stadium

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[–] Colorado_Kid (214) 4 days ago

I remember a reporter saying that it was bigger deal to cover the Cosmos than the Yankees and thought that the reporter was delusional.