Although the Cosmos only came into the league for last year's Fall Season, their haul of silverware proves that it was a successful introduction to the league indeed. In winning a league double, the Cosmos fired a resounding signal of intent and, perhaps in turn, served as the catalyst to the spending spree embarked upon by fellow clubs looking to keep pace.
A season on from last year's heights tells us that Giovanni Savarese's will be seeking to repeat their feats by way of cohesion and relying upon the core of 2013's victors, though that is not to say that they have stood still in the market as other teams have strengthened. In addressing a couple of their needs, the Cosmos are poised to be at or near the top of the table again.
Goalkeepers
In a squad that has few weakness, this is the area of the team that, as of now, would have to be highlighted as a potential Achilles heel.
With Kyle Reynish moving on to Chicago, his backup Jimmy Maurer inherits New York's #1 spot. Experience isn't necessarily on his side, having only been a part-time starter for Atlanta in 2011, so fans will be rather curious to see if he's properly poised to serve as the last line of resistance for a high-caliber side. Youngster Kyle Zobeck has arrived from FC Dallas to serve as Maurer's deputy.
Defenders
After only allowing 12 goals in 14 games last fall (12 in 15 including the Soccer Bowl), Cosmos fans will be expecting more of the same resolve this season. Carlos Mendes and Roversio clicked early on in their center back partnership and never looked back. Jimmy Ockford, on loan from Seattle, provides a strong, physical presence behind the incumbents.
Hunter Freeman was ever-present and steady at right back while also chipping in with consistent crosses and corners. This should be the case in 2014 as well.
What will be interesting in the back is just what Savarese decides to do at left back as the season moves on. Hunter Gorskie had some starts their last season, and Jimmy Nealis, a former Houston draftee, is also a capable option. As seen last season, Ayoze could move back from his left wing spot as well to start here, thus giving the Cosmos a more attack-minded fullback.
Midfielders
As a unit, New York's midfield won't lose very many battles in the NASL.
Marcos Senna scarcely looked like a player at 37 years of age and gave the Cosmos everything you would expect from a player with such extensive Spain and La Liga pedigree. He was a calming influence at the heart of their efforts and will of course be remembered for years to comes by Cosmos fans thanks to his wonder goal against Atlanta in the Soccer Bowl. Danny Szetela will continue his renaissance alongside Senna after returning from an extended spell away from the game last season and exceeding almost everyone's expectations in doing so. Joseph Nane will see action late in games as a defensive substitute more times than not.
The same crew of attacking midfielders is back as well for the Cosmos and will be looking to build upon the promise they showed in 2013. Sebastian Guenzatti, Diomar Diaz and Paulo Mendes all showed moments of brilliance last season, while Peri Marosevic will be looking to find more consistency after being in and out of the lineup last season. Jemal Johnson, who missed the Fall Season with a knee injury, may have to fight for minutes from the bench early on, but does provide the Cosmos with a true speed option out wide.
Strikers
With seemingly everything going their way last season, it's perhaps hard to believe that the Cosmos often dealt with inconsistency and profligacy from their strikers. This has naturally been addressed to great effect.
Hans Denissen is nothing short of a marquee signing, and if he comes anywhere close to duplicating the form he showed with San Antonio last season, the Cosmos will surely win something. As we've seen from Denissen, he can score with finesse and class or sheer power, and he rounds out his game with a penchant for the incisive pass as well. Norwegian Mad Stokkelien has signed on from Stabæk and gives the Cosmos a target forward they lacked last season.
Alessandro Noselli, renowned for scoring New York's first goal in its Fall Season debut, returns as experienced cover. Stefan Dmitrov is back as well, though I wouldn't expect to see much of him after he provided next to nothing last season with both Ft. Lauderdale and New York.
Verdict
If it's not broken, why fix it? Giovanni Savarese's side acquitted themselves well last season in beginning life in the NASL with two trophies, and the safe bet is to assume that there could be at least another trophy in store this season. The goalkeeping situation will probably be masked by a stout rearguard, and this year's edition of the Cosmos will likely have more goals in it than last year's.
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