Welcome to the 2026 Cosmos Tracker, where we keep you updated on all news, rumors, and developments around the New York Cosmos squad as it plays a first season in USL League One. We will have fresh updates to this post throughout the season as news develops. It's for members of NY Soccer Journal, but you can sign up for free, and the first, most recent update is always free for anyone to read.
• Giuseppe Rossi out as Cosmos head of soccer
September 18, 2026
Status: Official
The Cosmos front office has gotten a major shakeup.
Giuseppe Rossi, Head of Soccer for the Cosmos, is no longer with the organization. Joseph Lowery of Backheeled first reported Rossi's departure, and the club shared the following statement with New York Soccer Journal confirming it: "Giuseppe Rossi is no longer with the New York Cosmos. We have no further comment on this personnel matter."
👀 Sources: Giuseppe Rossi is out at the New York Cosmos. The former Italian national team player was overseeing the USL club's front office as the Cosmos' head of soccer. He joined in July, 2025. @backheeled.com
— Joseph Lowery (@joeclowery.bsky.social) September 18, 2026 at 10:53 AM
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Rossi leaves behind a team that began its third iteration in disarray. In bringing in a first-time men's head coach, Davide Corti, Rossi and others with the Cosmos expounded on the idea that the team would be focused on local talent.
Instead, the opening roster was a mix of players, some with local ties, and many of those not lasting half the season before leaving the team. Over time, the roster direction changed, focusing on players who had years of professional experience, not youth.
That may have improved results in late summer, but continued rumors of a front office in chaos continued to trickle out. Rossi, the former Italian national team star and Passaic County native, was originally announced as the team's vice chairman and head of soccer on July 8, 2025, prior to the official announcement of the team becoming the latest version of the Cosmos, back when it was only known as "North Jersey Pro Soccer."
As Rossi departs, the Cosmos record stands at 6W-4D-15L, with 22 points putting them next-to-last in the USL League One table, two points above cellar-dwelling Richmond Kickers.
• Cosmos sign midfielder Shamit Shome
August 12, 2026
Status: Official
The Cosmos have brought in more midfield depth. The team officially signed Bangladesh international Shamit Shome to a contract, though it is unclear if this is just for the remainder of the season or for longer.
He will join the Cosmos immediately and will be eligible for selection upon receipt of his work visa. This news was first reported by insider Cosmosnj2025 yesterday.
Shome, 28, brings a decade of professional experience to the team. The Edmonton, Alberta native has played across Canada including stops with FC Edmonton and four seasons with Thierry Henry's Montreal Impact (pre CF Montreal rebrand).
He's played the last three years with Canadian Premier League side Calvary FC, winning the regular season title in 2023 and the league championship in 2024. Shome’s Calvary side appeared in three straight CPL Finals, including last season’s incredible blizzard game which was won by Forge FC in extra time. Shome played twice for the Canada national team in 2020, before making the international switch to Bangladesh in 2025. Since then, he’s appeared in six games and scored one goal against Hong Kong in an Asian Cup qualifier.
Shome is a solid addition in two ways. First, in a butts-in-seats way, he may provide a cultural connection to Paterson, New Jersey's deep Bengali community. On the field, he’s a tactically disciplined defensive central midfielder. He’s good with passing, meaning the Cosmos may have someone who can stop attacks and start quick transitions.
