The Silk City is about to become home to one of the most legendary teams in American soccer, the New York Cosmos.

After not playing for the past five years, the Cosmos are about to be reborn at Paterson’s Hinchliffe Stadium, in a debut 2026 season that players and front office officials say is about community as much as history.

“We want the Paterson community to feel that we care for the fans, whether it’s through signing autographs or talking to the fans,” said veteran forward Sebastián Guenzatti. “I’ve been in their shoes before. I know how it feels. I still think about the times players I wanted autographs from walked past me.”

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The Cosmos’ management says success in Paterson won’t solely be based on what happens on the pitch. They want the Cosmos to be a part of the city.

The team that once made its home in now-demolished Giants Stadium in East Rutherford more than four decades ago — when names like Pelé, Franz Beckenbauer and Giorgio Chinaglia were on the team’s roster — will host its home opener on March 14 at 2 p.m. against the Portland Hearts of Pine.

 Fittingly, the game will be at Hinchliffe, a national historic landmark venue that has revived its own past glory since it reopened in May 2023 as one of the nation’s two remaining Negro League baseball stadiums.

Just as Hinchliffe Stadium has honored the great baseball players of its past, like Larry Doby, the Cosmos will honor its own past players with a “Legends Night” at their opening game. Past Cosmos players Werner Roth, Shep Messing and Marcos Senna are scheduled to be present for the event.

Hinchliffe Stadium’s recent renaissance was one of the reasons the Cosmos wanted to come to Paterson, according to the team’s management. 

“The people love this stadium and its history,” said Cosmos CEO Erik Stover. “The restoration is very important to us, and we want to give back to the community. This is our home now and will be for many years to come. It’s part of our identity now.”

Giving back is a recurring theme for the organization. Beyond matchdays, the team plans to engage directly with residents, from youth outreach to simple postgame interactions that make players accessible to supporters.

New era in Cosmos' long history

The Cosmos coming to Paterson marks a new era in the team’s history.

The original New York Cosmos were founded in 1971 as part of the North American Soccer League (NASL), which disbanded in 1985.

The team was revived in 2010 in Uniondale, New York, and played for six seasons between 2013 and 2020 before dissolving in 2021.

The team is now part of the 2026 USL League One and is majority-owned by Baye Adofo-Wilson, the redeveloper of Hinchliffe Stadium.  

The New York Cosmos have been preparing for their opening game since Jan. 12, when they held their first practice at Hinchliffe. Subsequent workouts have been at indoor facilities.

It’s been a busy six months for the franchise, since the September announcement that the new owners had purchased the Cosmos naming rights.

From November through January, the team has made a series of announcements about players the Cosmos signed. They brought in players with European roots and homegrown New Jersey athletes from towns like Rumson and Wallington. The blend of players combines technical sharpness and connection to the fanbase, Cosmos officials say.

“We have players that like to play the right way,” Stover said.

Guenzatti a bridge from past to future

Guenzatti, 34, embodies the club’s bridge between past and future. He played for the Cosmos from 2013 to 2016, helping lead the team to three league championships before returning in November.

“Coming back means a lot,” Guenzatti said. “The club is so historic and has a lot of legacy. When I got the call to come back, it was an exciting opportunity. We have a very hardworking team — a team that is willing to put everything on the line to win. We have a good group of guys that can get it done.”

Stover said Guenzatti’s leadership extends beyond the pitch.

“He was in the Cosmos Academy as a teenager, and we’re bringing him home. At 34, he’s showing impressive fitness and leadership,” Stover said.

Hoping to capitalize on the excitement surrounding this year’s FIFA World Cup, the team will also host free watch parties at Hinchliffe, inviting fans to gather and experience the tournament together.

“It’s an opportunity for us to have a real, authentic outreach to people who aren’t aware of us or the stadium,” Stover said. “We’re raising awareness for ourselves, but also for a community.”

Schedules, tickets, and further information can be found on the New York Cosmos official website.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Cosmos, Pele's old team, starts new era in North Jersey