Interview: Frankie Ljucovic (#7 NY Cosmos)

July 31, 2026 (Paterson, NJ)

Frankie Ljucovic (photo courtesy of New York Cosmos)

On July 7, 2026 the Cosmos announced the signing of former North West Sydney Spirit FC midfielder Frankie Ljucovic. We sat down with the Millbrook, New York product to discuss his career and his move to the Cosmos.

After a solid collegiate career at Gonzaga, Ljucovic played the last two seasons in Australia before coming back home to sign for Cosmos. Ljucovic is a true box-to-box midfielder, with great composure in possession, and a player who is willing to do whatever it takes to help his team win.

Frankie Ljucovic comes across as a player with a winning mentality, a player who is looking to establish himself as a key performer for the club. Coming off of a championship season with NWS Spirit FC, Ljucovic looks to help turn around the Cosmos fortunes as they look towards the future.

Where It All Began:

Frankie Ljucovic was immersed in the sport at an early age. Frankie recalled how his football journey began.

"It was like a typical start in America. Youth clubs that my parents brought me in, but I think the biggest impact from my youth was just my family and friends, with cousins and relatives and playing with them and my older brothers. My dad and mom also always helping out on that end."

As Frankie got older he started playing for more serious clubs, playing club soccer in the National Premier League (NPL). He said that he was grateful to have had awesome coaches growing up.

Academy and College:

Frankie's play caught the attention of an academy coach from Shattuck-St. Mary's Soccer Center of Excellence, a premier residential soccer program in Faribault, Minnesota, during a tournament in New Jersey. As a result, he moved to Minnesota to play for Shattuck-St. Mary's at the age of 14 or 15. He would go on to play two years of academy soccer and played high school soccer during his junior and senior years.

Playing with Shattuck-St. Mary's, he drew the attention of Gonzaga University, and eventually accepted an offer to play college soccer with the Bulldogs in 2018. Ljucovic was a five-year starter at the school, and went on to appear in 85 matches, scoring 7 goals and providing 5 assists.

Frankie commented on his time at Gonzaga:

"Honestly, it was awesome. The team definitely on the pitch, we had our struggles, but just the chemistry that we had and also the experiences not only on the pitch but off the pitch were just very impactful."

The skillful Ljucovic showed his versatility while in college, playing all across the midfield. He commented on his positional play while with Gonzaga:

"I mostly played the 10 and then kind of like a free-floating 10, but then I was switched into a free-floating 8, honestly, just because the impact both defensively and offensively, they wanted me to partake in both."

In between his collegiate seasons Frankie played with clubs around his hometown to keep his game sharp. In 2019 Frankie played for semi-pro club Kingston Stockade FC.

He shared his thoughts on his experience with the club:

"I did one season with them after my freshman year. In between my freshman and sophomore year at Gonzaga. It was a really good time. The coaching staff was awesome. They were really encouraging and kind of just let me do my own thing, while having experienced a cool fan base out there too. It was a great experience."

Ljucovic also played for Hudson Valley Hammers with current teammate Nick Zielonka in 2022.

"Yeah, me and Nick played at Hudson Valley. Same kind of thing in between college seasons to stay playing and fit during the summers. That was really cool because that was my youth coach who was the head coach at the Hammers. It was a full circle kind of thing."

I asked Frankie if those experiences helped to prepare him for the pro game, being that they were a little different than playing in college.

"Yeah, I mean, to me, I think every form of playing always contributes. It doesn't matter what league it is, but the game will always ask something different from you. Those are just different opportunities to kind of grow in those areas."

Pro Beginnings:

After graduating from Gonzaga, Frankie had his sights set on a professional soccer career. He had an injury after his senior season, but as he was getting ready for pro trials, he didn't let his body rest and recover properly. He was soon after diagnosed with sciatica and was forced to miss the next 10 months due to the condition.

Frankie spoke on that period of his life:

"One of the hardest seasons I've been through in life, but I'm so beyond grateful for it because it really forced me to be with myself and also just grow in other areas of my life that I needed, that I think eventually helped me on the pitch also."

Frankie kept focused on his ambitions to play professionally despite the injury. Once recovered he worked with his agent to look for opportunities at the next level.

"Yeah, once I got healthy, I told the agent I was with at the time, I was like anywhere overseas. I knew I wanted to play overseas and I didn't want to be in America initially, just to gain experience and experience different kinds of playing styles and all of that. He was like, how's Australia?"

"We went out there, but there was miscommunication with the contact with the initial club, so I didn't actually end up signing with that club. Then that's where I just started networking and meeting people, and then I got a trial at Spirit. And after one day, they signed."

Frankie signed with North West Sydney Spirit FC as a 2024 mid-season signing. He had to miss several games as he had to get his visa in New Zealand. At the conclusion of the season he resigned for the 2025 campaign. During the 2025 campaign, Frankie was a key contributor for the Premiership title winning squad.

Frankie stated that while he thinks the USL League One level is higher then the Australian 2nd Division, playing in a different environment with a quality team provided him with many learning opportunities.

"I would say, with my team specifically, it was really cool because that first year when I joined, it was, we were surviving relegation. Then that following year, we actually won the league. The transition was really cool because the coach was really focused on process, not results. And I think that actually allowed us to reflect on, rather than looking at, okay, we were just surviving relegation, it was looking at what's the next part of the process to get better and the results naturally started coming."

"I think the biggest thing Australia taught me was learning how to communicate differently with each player. Everybody receives criticism or encouragement differently."

Frankie Ljucovic playing for for NWS Spirit FC. (photo courtesy of nplnsw.com)

Returning to the United States:

Frankie commented on what made him return to the United States after a successful spell in Australia.

"Australia, at least the conference I was in is a very good level, but there are multiple factors. The biggest thing is I just wanted to sign a full pro contract, but also being that far from family. I was ready to come back and also it's a really exciting time in America, I think, as a footballer, just the momentum, not only the World Cup, but previously before that. Everybody can see it just growing and growing. So I just wanted to come back and be a part of that."

Signing with Cosmos:

I asked Frankie about how his move to Cosmos came about.

"I was on their radar, but then I'm not sure really what happened. I got connected when one of my roommates and really good friends, Angelo Calfo, who plays in the Championship contacted me. He played last year with Ajmeer at Texoma, and then he told me that Cosmos might be looking for a guy. He said he could share my profile with Ajmeer, and he would share it with the coaches to see if they're interested. After some time they reached out for a trial, and that's how it came about."

I asked Frankie if his experiences in Australia, first battling relegation in his first season and then the next year winning the championship, while looking at every step along the way as a process could be something that he can share with his current squad so they could see some light at the end of the tunnel.

"Yeah, I hope so. That's always the goal. I think again, the biggest thing is being process oriented rather than result for result because I mean you can even see just in the last two from Westchester to Boise, I actually think there was great improvement defensively, and that was the goal. Now just focusing and building off of the last performance, and kind of being encouraged, even if the result isn't coming in itself, being encouraged by the performance. If we can keep putting performances together for the full 90 stretch, then the results will come. That's just how it goes. I I think the worst thing to do is beat each other up, get divided, point fingers at very specific things in harsh ways rather than encouraging ways."

Frankie in action against AC Boise. (photo courtesy of New York Cosmos)

Since joining the Cosmos Ljucovic has been primarily deployed as a holding midfielder in place of the injured Darren Sidoel. With his attacking abilities, we discussed what he sees as his ultimate role with Cosmos.

"I don't really have a preference. I told the coach, wherever you see me to be like most impactful. I do think one of my better abilities is being on the ball and driving, trying to open up space for other people and draw players and create free space in that way. Every player is different, every midfielder is different, so whatever the game needs that's what should be put out on the field that day. So for me, there's not necessarily a position rather than impact that can be made."

We further discussed what he was initially told about his role would be with the club.

"I think he (Coach Corti) told me they're going to be looking at me more like box-to-box and trying to help out defensively, but also finding moments to join the third and attack."

Getting Acclimated:

We discussed how it has been for Frankie getting to know his teammates and how the environment around the players is like. He mentioned that he already knew Nick Zielonka personally, and got to know Ajmeer Spengler and became good friends with him as a result of a mutual friend.

"The transition has honestly been awesome. The guys are very welcoming. It's a healthy locker room environment. The guys get along and we all have the same goal to try to start turning things around, so it's been good in that sense."

He said he feels there is a healthy locker-room in place despite the negative results on the field.

"I think the guys are actually doing well because it's very easy to be become more negative than you have to be. There's responsibility and we know that, we know we have to start making things happen. But it's very easy to make it worse than it already is. The players have been good about that and actually trying to figure out like what do we need to do to start getting results rather than, okay, let's just start blaming each other."

Second Half of Season:

With the Cosmos having had a four day break before embarking on the second half of the season, we discussed how the team is looking in training with an upcoming match against Richmond Kickers, and what the teams second half goals are.

"I actually think if you ask anybody, the trainings have been really intense, like much more intense and in a good way. I think the rest was also good for a lot of players, like everybody seems just well-rested from the break and just ready to play Richmond."

"I think it's about getting a spark. I genuinely think it's once you get that spark, once you get that result, and using that as momentum and fuel, it's on us to create that spark. I am hopeful. I know we have quality, and I know just even from the last game alone, it's a game of moments, and so if we can just become more disciplined to prevent other opponents' moments and increase our moments the results will come."

Message to the Ultras:

Despite the Cosmos being a first year team in USL League One, we discussed the expectations that come from representing a historical club like Cosmos, and the fact that the fans are used to the clubs winning ways.

"The results are coming, and I would also say to have hope. Going through a season like this collectively only makes the wins that much sweeter. I know they're not used to this and I know this is new and nobody wants to be here. I'm sure the fans, nor the players, nor the coaches, nor anybody. We can actually use this to fuel what's to come in the future."

Expectations:

We discussed what the Cosmos fan can expect from Frankie on the pitch.

"I would say what they can expect from me is that I'm on the field to work for others on the pitch, not just for myself, and, I would say to hopefully create opportunities for the attackers ahead of me. I think if we can get our wingers, we have good wingers, so if we can get our wingers at 1v1 positions more, just to go at those fullbacks and create, I think it'd be good. Defensively, work hard and then on the ball create in the middle to hopefully free up the attackers to do their thing."

Promotion/Relegation:

With Promotion/Relegation coming to the USL in 2028 and with Frankie having been a part of a relegation battle in Australia in 2024, we discussed with him if he thinks it will greatly impact US soccer and provide more meaningful matches.

"Absolutely, I think it will enhance the competitiveness, enhance communities getting involved, enhance the pressure and the responsibility. I think that brings and creates moments, when there's more pressure on the line, moments that become more joyful, more purposeful, and meaningful. I think it's a very good thing, and I think it's actually what America needs for football culture, soccer culture."

Career Goals:

We discussed Frankie's sporting ambitions with Cosmos and his expectations for his future with the club in the coming years.

"How I perform now is going to be a big factor in that. My goal is day by day, wherever I have the opportunity to just play my part and serve the team in any way, then that's my goal. Whether it's the position I play, whether it's in relationships, in building chemistry, whatever it is, that's the focus day by day."

Influences:

We discussed the biggest influences for Frankie in the sport and Frankie cited two legendary Chelsea players.

"I'm a Chelsea fan. I think Didier Drogba. The joy he had playing really sparked something in me, and then Eden Hazard, he's definitely my favorite player and just the creativity he expressed on the pitch was really cool."

"I would watch a bunch of his highlights (Hazard), I still watch them. I think I try to implement what I can. Every player is different, so everybody's attributes are different. You can never completely model a player. But yes, I did try to learn and take what I can from his style."

Importance of Faith:

Looking at Frankie's background he has constantly spoken on the importance of his faith throughout his career and life. I asked if he wanted to discuss what his faith means to him.

"I would love to. It has completely reshaped my identity. Growing up, my identity was just in soccer, performance, results and all of that stuff. Actually getting grounded in my faith having encounters completely reshaped and changed my life. Now my faith in God, in Jesus Christ, has completely shifted my identity which has been so freeing. When your identity is just in your performance, depending on the day, how you feel, etc., it's empty, but when we know our identity in truth in God it actually creates freedom which any of us can experience by the spirit of God. Yes, this faith in Jesus has also helped on the pitch, but way more importantly off the pitch as a person, a child of God. Faith in God allows us to build relationships, serve, and love."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcHJK8HaKMY