Team · club · 1975–1977
New York Cosmos
The North American Soccer League club Pelé joined in 1975, winning the 1977 title in the last season of his career.
The New York Cosmos were founded in 1970 and played in the North American Soccer League (NASL) from 1971 to 1984. Backed by Warner Communications, they spent years trying to sign Pelé. He agreed in June 1975, at the age of 34, after he had retired from Santos.
His arrival changed the club and the league. His first match, against the Dallas Tornado, was broadcast to 22 countries. Other stars followed him to the club, including Giorgio Chinaglia, Franz Beckenbauer and his old Brazil captain Carlos Alberto.
In 1977 the Cosmos moved to Giants Stadium in New Jersey, where crowds grew past 70,000. That season they won Soccer Bowl '77 against the Seattle Sounders, the last competitive match of Pelé's career. He said goodbye in an exhibition against Santos on 1 October 1977, and the club retired his number 10.
Counting NASL regular-season and play-off matches, Wikipedia credits him with 37 goals in 64 games. Including friendlies and tours, the figure is 66 goals in 107 games.
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Questions this answers
Which clubs did Pelé play for?
Pelé played professionally for only two clubs: Santos in Brazil, from 1956 to 1974, and the New York Cosmos in the United States, from 1975 to 1977. As a boy he played for the junior team of Bauru Atlético Clube.
Did Pelé play in the United States?
Yes. Pelé played for the New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League from 1975 to 1977, winning the league's championship in 1977.