There’s a clear link from the New York Cosmos of the past and the squad that will begin its second incarnation in the North American Soccer League next month.
That link is Alecko Eskandarian.
A Cosmos assistant coach, Eskandarian’s earliest memories were kicking a soccer ball around in the locker room at Giants Stadium with Brazilian legend Carlos Alberto. Alecko’s father, Andranik, was a defender during the Cosmos heyday and now Alecko is part of the Cosmos reboot.
“I very much enjoyed being that link and now for it to come full circle and to be part of this staff, it’s crazy,” Eskandarian said. “But it just makes sense.”
Soccer has been a part of Eskandarian’s life almost from birth and the Cosmos have always been close to his heart. It was more than just being the son of a defender. He calls goalkeeper Hubert Birkenmeier “a second father,” and the late Giorgio Chinaglia, never lacking opinion, would always be willing to give Eskandarian advice throughout his playing career.
“Back then I looked at those guys as my buddies to kick the ball around with and obviously later on I realized they were all international superstars and part of such a special team,” Eskandarian said.
It took some convincing from Andranik for Alecko to appreciate what the Cosmos of that era meant. At around eight years old when the two were watching an NFL game on television it finally clicked.
At one point in the broadcast, the record attendance at Giants Stadium was brought up. It was from a Cosmos game. Alecko’s eyes widened.
“That’s when I was like, ‘Oh wow, this is a lot bigger than I thought,’” he said.
After their playing days were over, Andranik and Birkenmeier opened soccer stores in New Jersey – Eski Sports Shop and Birkenmeier Sports Shop – where Cosmos fans would flock to reminisce about that special era.
“Being my dad’s kid and more than that, being at my dad’s shop and seeing all the Cosmos fans throughout the years always stopping by to visit my dad and Hubert and talk about the old times, I know how much it means for this team name to live on,” Eskandarian said.
Eskandarian, 31, didn’t think he’d be coaching at this point in his career. But a concussion suffered in a friendly match against AC Milan in 2010 cut short a stellar career after just eight years.
Eskandarian, who played for D.C. United, Toronto FC, Real Salt Lake, Chivas USA and the Los Angeles Galaxy during his career, had to step away from soccer at the young age of 27.
“As much as I’d like to say I was prepared for it, I wasn’t at all,” Eskandarian said. “It definitely took some time. For that first year after my concussion, I definitely dealt with depression and all sorts of other issues personally.”
That struggle continues today.
“Some of these guys on the team now are guys that I was playing with and playing against,” he said. “It’s a tough pill to swallow to know to know I can’t do that anymore and my brain won’t allow me to do what I love so much. It’s very tough.”
Eskandarian began his second life in soccer in 2011 when Peter Nowak, who coached Eskandarian at D.C. United, brought him in as the Philadelphia Union youth technical director and an assistant coach.
“Being part of that definitely lit a fire under me that this was pretty fun and a close second to playing,” he said.
When Eskandarian heard about the plans to kick-start the Cosmos again, he jumped at the chance to be a part of it. As an assistant coach under Giovanni Savarese, Eskandarian’s role is all encompassing.
“That’s part of the reason why this job was so attractive to me,” Eskandarian said. “I want to immerse myself into all the different responsibilities on this side of things. Gio has been great and has given me the opportunity to be involved in a lot of different aspects, which I probably wouldn’t have gotten elsewhere.”
Since he also played with and against some of the Cosmos veteran players, like Carlos Mendes and Hunter Freeman, Eskandarian believes he can bridge the gap between the players and the coaches since he is able to relate much easier to them.
“It wasn’t too long ago I was sitting besides guys like that in the locker room and going through the struggles a player goes through,” he said.
According to Savarese, it was a no-brainer to bring in Eskandarian.
“When I brought him in, he deserved to be here more than anybody else because he knew what the club represented,” he said. “He’s done a tremendous job so far. His passion for this club goes beyond anything and he’s committed to make it grow again.”
That day will come Aug. 3 when the Cosmos new ear begins against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers at Hofstra’s Shuart Stadium. As was the case in the 70s, an Eskandarian will be a big part of the club.
“It’s funny how things come full circle,” Eskandarian said. “To be part of it now is definitely special.
