Cosmos Exclusive: Vincenzo Bernardo
October 6, 2026 Paterson, NJ
In recent weeks, the New York Cosmos have undergone several organizational changes, including the departures of Vice Chairman and Head of Soccer Giuseppe Rossi and Chief Executive Officer Erik Stover. These changes have naturally led to questions about the club’s direction and future. To provide perspective on the club’s current position and its plans moving forward, we spoke with Minority Owner Vincenzo Bernardo, who has taken on the role of interim Sporting Director.
Bernardo, originally from northern New Jersey, brings extensive experience across different levels of the soccer industry, both as a player and an executive. He played for the MetroStars academy before moving to Italy to join the youth system of S.S.C. Napoli and represented the United States at both the U-17 and U-20 national team levels. His professional playing career included experience in Europe, Central America, and the United States, including time in the USL Championship with Harrisburg City Islanders.
After retiring from professional soccer, Bernardo transitioned into sports management and youth development. He currently serves as President of Morris Elite Soccer Club, which was founded in 2016 and operates teams in USL League Two and the USL W League. Bernardo has also been closely involved with Cosmos B, the Cosmos reserve side operated by Morris Elite, which has experienced significant success in the UPSL Premier Division and USL Academy.
In speaking with Bernardo, it is clear that he has a strong vision for the future of the club. He is working closely with Majority Owner Baye Adofo-Wilson to continue building on the foundation of the organization and move the Cosmos forward. Bernardo expressed faith in the project and believes the club is headed in the right direction.
Bernardo views the 2026 season as an important year of growth and learning for the organization. As with any new project, the club has gained valuable experience throughout its first season, particularly in understanding the market, the league, the competition, and what it takes to build a successful organization at this level.
“We have a very clear vision for where we want to take this club,” Bernardo said. “This season has given us valuable experience competing in USL League One and an even stronger understanding of the competitive landscape. We know what we want to build, and we are confident in the direction of the Cosmos and the steps we are taking to position the club for long-term success.”
The club’s immediate objectives on the sporting side are to finish the 2026 season on a positive note while evaluating the current roster and identifying areas where the team can improve. With the Cosmos’ history and significance in American soccer in mind, Bernardo’s goal is to help build a new winning chapter for the club while respecting the legacy that came before it.
As interim Sporting Director, Bernardo is already focused on assembling a strong roster for the upcoming season. He believes the Cosmos can make meaningful additions during the offseason while also retaining key players from the current group. “The goal is to build a team that can compete for championships,” Bernardo said. “We want to put together a roster that our fans can be excited about and a team that can compete at the highest level in this league. We have players who we believe can be important pieces moving forward, and we will also be looking to bring in players who can make us better.”
Bernardo also emphasized that building a successful club is about more than simply putting together a roster. The Cosmos have a responsibility to build a strong organization on and off the field and to reconnect the club with the broader soccer community throughout the region.
He believes that a healthy and successful New York Cosmos is important not only for New York but for the growth of soccer in the United States. The long-term ambition is to continue building the club toward the highest levels of the American soccer pyramid, while remaining focused on establishing the proper foundation and taking the necessary steps along the way.
“We understand the history and importance of the Cosmos,” Bernardo said. “A healthy New York Cosmos is good for New York, it is good for American soccer and it is good for the sport globally. Our ambition is to continue building this club and, over time, reach the highest level we possibly can in the United States. But we also understand that you have to build it the right way. We are focused on putting the right pieces in place and creating something that can be successful for a long time.”
Although Bernardo’s primary involvement with the Cosmos previously had been through Cosmos B, his experience across multiple levels of the American soccer pyramid has given him a broad perspective on player development, team building and club operations. His background includes experience with the USL, youth development and professional soccer, all of which he believes will help him in his new role with the Cosmos first team.
Bernardo also conveyed that fans can expect continued improvements both on and off the field. One of the club’s priorities is strengthening its relationship with the local soccer community, including creating stronger connections with youth clubs and developing a clearer pathway between the grassroots, youth and professional levels of the game.
With changes being implemented across both the sporting and operational sides of the organization, Bernardo believes the Cosmos are positioned to continue moving forward. “We know there is work to do, and we are not going to pretend otherwise,” Bernardo said. “But we are excited about where this club can go. We have learned a lot in our first year, we have a clear understanding of what we want to improve, and we are going to work every day to make the Cosmos better. We want our supporters to be proud of this club and excited about what we are building.”
Bernardo also pushed back on speculation surrounding the club’s future, emphasizing that the organization remains focused on building for the long term and believes it is in a healthy position. With the 2026 season providing valuable experience and a clearer understanding of what is required to compete in USL League One, the Cosmos are now turning their attention toward building a stronger foundation and an even more competitive team for the future.
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