The New York Cosmos announced today that the team will travel to Bermuda to continue its 2017 preseason preparation by facing the Bermuda Football Federation National Team on Sunday, March 19th at 3:00pm, at the Bermuda National Sports Center.
“We are happy to continue our preseason work, this time by travelling to Bermuda, where the Cosmos had a presence 40 years ago,” said Cosmos Head Coach and Sporting Director, Giovanni Savarese. “The team is looking forward to starting the season strong and playing international matches that allow us to rotate players is very helpful.”
This preseason camp solidifies the island’s reputation as a premier destination for sports tourism. Over the past two years, the Bermuda Tourism Authority has aggressively pursued sports teams, emphasising the island’s temperate climate from November through March and leveraging high quality training facilities at the National Sports Centre (NSC).
The Bermuda Football Association and the Department of Youth and Sport partnered with the Bermuda Tourism Authority to make the training trip a reality.
“Our primary role is to bring visitors to Bermuda, yet we’re also looking to add extra benefits for our community as a result of the work we’re doing in tourism,” said Chief Product and Experiences Development Officer for the Bermuda Tourism Authority, Pat Phillip-Fairn. Whether its golf or sailing, rugby or soccer – sports is once again proving a formidable force to attract volume to Bermuda during the shoulder season.”
The New York Cosmos, as well as the North American Soccer League have strong Bermuda ties. Forty years ago, in 1977, the Cosmos visited Bermuda for preseason training and returned in 1978. Prior to that, in 1972, a Championship season for the Cosmos, Bermudian Randolph Horton was the team’s most valuable player and top goal scorer. He is expected to visit the players and coaching staff later this month while they’re in Bermuda.
The Cosmos will kick off the 2017 NASL Season March 25, when they travel to Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium to take on Puerto Rico FC. The Cosmos' 2017 home opener will take place at MCU Park in Brooklyn on Saturday, April 1 at 7:00 pm against Miami FC.
Randolph Horton was the team’s most valuable player and top goal scorer. He is expected to visit the players and coaching staff later this month while they’re in Bermuda.