It is confirmed that former Cosmos and Lazio star Gorgio Chinalgia has passes away due to cardiac problems. Chinalgia was a flamboyant, polarizing goal scorer who led the old North American Soccer League in scoring four times and was it’s all time leading goal scorer.
Gorgio was 65 years old and a part of the star studded New York Cosmos that including Pele and Franz Beckenbauer and won numerous league titles.
To say Chinalgia had an effect on me and so many other growing up watching the Cosmos at Giants Stadium is an understatement. My friends and I used to pile in to cars to head on the short drive to the stadium to catch Chinalgia and the Cosmos.
Whenever Chinaglia was introduced every fan at Giants Stadium either cheered or booed. He once pushed his own teammate Seninho out of the way to score a goal. He was brash, flamboyant, outspoken and an amazing personality for the sport. How he influenced my friends and I!
When he scored a goal it was a moment of pure passion and celebration!!
Over the years I have had the opportunity to work with Gorgio on the World Cup for Espn in 2002 and a few times co-hosting with him on the Football Show.
His passion for soccer was contagious.
I remember during the 2002 World Cup work on tv that Gorgio would not miss a single minute of World Cup games when he was not working.
He was opinionated, passionate and a Cosmos legend to so many in the United States.
Gorgio RIP.
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Glenn- I too was frequent ticket holder for Cosmos games in their glory days. Chinaglia was the ultimate poacher. He had incredible knack for being at the right place and the right time for scoring goals.
I always arrived early to the matches and used to watch the players coming into the stadium, was amazed at how many of the Cosmos smoked cigarettes on way into Giants Stadium.Have no idea if that was related to Gorgio’s passing. He really embodied the Cosmos in the day!
Speaking of all things NY/NJ, the sports fans of the metro area should be ashamed of themselves.The lack of support shown the RedBull is pathetic. Henry is a world class star still on top of his game, Lindpere, and Richards outstanding MLSer’s, Red Bull arena state of the art facility, yet the stadium was about half full for yesterdays match vs Montreal. The excuse of RedBull Arena’s location doesn’t fly.
Both the Giants and the Jets sellout- 80,000 every game in the swamplands that is East Rutherford, NJ
Truly hard to believe that more do not make it out to Red Bull Arena.
MLS has not been a success starting from the Metrostars days in New Jersey.
The facility has eliminated one excuse, not sure what the answer is William but some accountability also has to fall on the organization.
What is their plan? What is their vision?
Glenn,
I am truly stunned about hearing about our good friend GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORRRRRRRRRRRGONI passing away. I loved listening to him on the Football Show and you could feel his passion about the game through the radio. It is just a terrible loss and my thoughts and prayers go out to his family and to all of his friends. The world of soccer has lost a legend!
glenn: I was stunned to hear that Giorgio passed. He defitinely had an impact on me. The broadcasts for the football show and the World Cup was an inspiration. I have not embraced the game as long as many of those who post here, but this man left an indelible mark on me. May he rest in God’s memory.