New York Cosmos
When Pelé joined the Cosmos in 1975, American soccer was, in Newsham's phrase, "dying a slow, painful and largely unnoticed death". The sport was not taken seriously by the bulk of the American media and was of little interest to the public. Matches were often played in front of almost-empty stands, receiving modest press coverage.The signing of Pelé by the Cosmos transformed soccer across the country almost immediately, lending credibility not only to the Cosmos but also to the NASL and soccer in general.
