New York Cosmos 2017 Technical Staff
The York Cosmos announced that Goalkeeper Coach, Guillermo Valencia and Fitness Coach, Luis Gutierrez have signed contract extensions with the club. Furthermore, Luke Sassano will continue serving as Technical Director and Jack Gaeta as Director of Team Operations. The club also announced that Alberto Gallego has joined the club as First Assistant Coach. “I am very excited to join the reigning NASL champions and would like to thank Gio and the Cosmos organization for bringing me as First Assistant Coach,” said Gallego. “Gio and I share very similar ideas about the game, which will make my transition seamless. I look forward to starting the season and help the Cosmos bring joy to its fans.” Gallego joins the Cosmos after serving as General Manager and Sporting Director of Rayo OKC, where he was instrumental to help the team clinch a spot in the 2016 NASL semifinals.
Prior to moving to the US, the Barcelona, Spain native served as Sporting Director Assistant for La Liga 123’s Rayo Vallecano and coached EFAC Almacellas in Spain, where he obtained one championship and the promotion to Division 3. Gallego also obtained a championship as Head Coach of UD Benabarre, a title that awarded the team promotion to Division 3 for the first time since the club was founded in 1942.
“Alberto’s work ethic and international experience from his career in Europe, and more recently Rayo OKC will greatly benefit the organization,” said Cosmos Head Coach and Sporting Director Giovanni Savarese. “We are excited to begin working with him and our returning coaching staff to put together the best possible team for the 2017 season.” Valencia, Sassano and Gaeta have been part of the technical staff since the club rebooted in 2013, helping the team win three NASL Championships in 2013, 2015 and 2016. Gutierrez joined the Cosmos in 2015, after serving Spanish clubs at the third and second B Division level in Spain. He also worked with the 2015 Cosmos B side that won the National Premier Soccer League Championship.
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. Season tickets are on-sale now.
