Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Steve Ross across Soccer.
Pelé’s 1975 signing with the New York Cosmos, backed by Warner Communications, ignited a cultural shift in American soccer, blending sport with celebrity and setting the stage for the modern MLS era ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
The 1975 signing of Pelé transformed the New York Cosmos, bringing star players, massive crowds and a cultural phenomenon, while the turbulent career of goalkeeper Shep Messing illustrated the team's volatile rise and fall.
The 2026 World Cup will open on June 11 with a clash between Mexico and South Africa, a match that marks the first time the tournament is co‑hosted by three nations. While the spotlight will be on the teams, the story of soccer in North America is also a story of hidden architects, many of whom have been Jewish.