Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos (2006)

The untold story of the team that had America at its feet.

Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos (2006) poster

In the 1970s the North American Soccer League marked the first attempt to introduce soccer to American sports fans. While most teams had only limited success at best, one managed to break through to genuine mainstream popularity - the New York Cosmos. The brainchild of Steve Ross (Major executive at Warner Communications) and the Ertegun brothers (Founders of Atlantic Records), the Cosmos got off to a rocky start in 1971, but things changed in 1975 when the world's most celebrated soccer star, the Brazilian champion Pele, signed with the Cosmos for a five-million-dollar payday. With the arrival of Pele, the Cosmos became a hit and the players became the toast of the town, earning their own private table at Studio 54. A number of other international soccer stars were soon lured to the Cosmos, including Franz Beckenbauer, Rodney Marsh, and Carlos Alberto, but with the turn of the decade, the team began losing favor with fans and folded in 1985.

Director: Paul Crowder, John Dower
Genre: Documentary
Runtime: 97 min
Release Date:

Cast

Screenplay

Cinematography: Nick Bennett, Nick Bennett
Editing: Benjamin Murray
Production: Passion Pictures, Cactus Three, ESPN Original Entertainment, GreeneStreet Films, BBC, Diamond Docs
Country: United Kingdom, United States of America
Language: English
Budget: $1M
Original Language: en

Keywords

new york city, beckenbauer

Trailer

Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos Trailer

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More Films in Genre: Documentary

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos about?
In the 1970s the North American Soccer League marked the first attempt to introduce soccer to American sports fans. While most teams had only limited success at best, one managed to break through to genuine mainstream popularity - the New York Cosmos. The brainchild of Steve Ross (Major executive at Warner Communications) and the Ertegun brothers (Founders of Atlantic Records), the Cosmos got off to a rocky start in 1971, but things changed in 1975 when the world's most celebrated soccer star, the Brazilian champion Pele, signed with the Cosmos for a five-million-dollar payday. With the arrival of Pele, the Cosmos became a hit and the players became the toast of the town, earning their own private table at Studio 54. A number of other international soccer stars were soon lured to the Cosmos, including Franz Beckenbauer, Rodney Marsh, and Carlos Alberto, but with the turn of the decade, the team began losing favor with fans and folded in 1985.
Who directed Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos?
Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos was directed by Paul Crowder, John Dower.
Who stars in Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos?
Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos stars Franz Beckenbauer, Raphael de la Sierra, Phil Woosnam, Jay Emmett, Werner Roth, Peppe Pinton.
How long is Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos?
Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos has a runtime of 1h 37m (97 minutes).
What genre is Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos?
Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos is a Documentary film.
What is the budget of Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos?
Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos had a budget of $1M.
Where was Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos produced?
Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos was produced in United Kingdom, United States of America.