Soccer in New York City

Soccer in New York City has a long and complicated history. Although soccer in the United States not as popular of a sport, New York City's international influence has contributed to a prosperous and longstanding popularity of soccer. The first professional clubs in New York City began in the 1910s with the first iteration American Soccer League. In the 1970s, with the rise of the first iteration of the North American Soccer League, the New York Cosmos became one of the most recognizable brands in American soccer.

Contents

• Most successful clubs overall
• New York derbies
• References

Presently, there are four professional soccer clubs in the New York City region: the New York Red Bulls and New York City FC, who play in the top division, Major League Soccer. A second iteration of the Cosmos play in the second iteration of the now-second division NASL. Finally, in the third division United Soccer League, the New York Red Bulls II, the reserve team for the Red Bulls, compete.

Given the broken history and constantly-changing structure of soccer leagues in the United States, it is difficult to properly gauge the most successful soccer club in New York. In terms of national first division and major tournament titles, the Cosmos are tied with LA Galaxy and D.C. United with 12 total major honors.

The region has also hosted 27 U.S. Open Cup finals at various venues including Starlight Park, Triborough Stadium, Dexter Park, the Metropolitan Oval, the Polo Grounds and Ebbets Field. Despite this, a New York City-based club has not won the Open Cup since the 1991 final, where the Brooklyn Italians defeated the Richardson Rockets. The last time a New York City club reached the final was 2003, where the New York Red Bulls, then known as MetroStars' lost to Chicago Fire.

Today, major stadiums that host soccer matches include Red Bull Arena, Yankee Stadium, MetLife Stadium and Shuart Stadium.