Interview: Justin Milovanov (NY Cosmos #28)
Updated: Oct 3
September 28, 2026 Paterson, NJ
On December 23, 2025, the Cosmos announced the signing of former Marquette University midfielder Justin Milovanov. We sat down with the Brooklyn, New York native to discuss his youth career, his move to the Cosmos, his positional switch, and a wide range of other topics.
The 23-year-old American has proven to be a highly versatile player for the Cosmos and has the potential to be a crucial part of the team's future. Justin is recognized as a hardworking player, known for his high intensity on the field.
Beginnings:
I asked Justin about how he got involved in the sport of soccer.
"Yes, so my father was born in Uzbekistan, and my mom was born in Ukraine. So I come from an Eastern European background. He played soccer, so I would go to his games as a kid. I always kind of wanted to be like him. One day, he went over and said, do you want to go to soccer practice? It was our family friends who ran a youth soccer team. I said yes. He asked, are you sure? I said yes again. Then we went, and I still remember that car ride to the first practice. But yeah, that's practically how it started."
Youth Career:
Justin who was born in Brooklyn developed as a player with many local clubs in the area, but also enjoyed experiences in Europe which helped him grow.
"I played for a local team called the Brooklyn Dynamites very early. Then I played for Met Oval Academy when I was around 11 years old. After a few years of playing with Met Oval, I was approached by a guy who ran a program called Champs Academy. He was a scout for Trinidad and Tobago's national team. Through his connections, he kind of sold a European experience, and he would take us to Europe. We got the opportunity to train with various academies in Europe. What first started as supplemental training transitioned into a full-time thing. He started creating teams, and we began competing against teams in Europe. I had a lot of trips through that program abroad, which I'm grateful for. But then, at a certain time, I needed to start playing games more frequently. I played with a local team called Chornomorets, which is like a Russian team in my neighborhood. Once I got older, I started playing with FA Euro for their USL 2 team when I was around 17."
I asked Justin about his experiences playing in Europe, and if that contributed to his desire to be a professional footballer.
"Yeah, definitely. It really broadened my view of football, where I wasn't so narrow-minded and only saw what soccer was like in America, but I was able to see how a European academy operates, and I was able to be in that environment, albeit for only maybe 10 days. But in those 10 days, you really get a good feel for what the day-to-day looks like for a player in that system. And I think they were really valuable experiences because not only did they help me grow as a footballer with, you know, the knowledge that they gave me, but it also motivated me when I kind of saw myself. When I would come back to the States, I was almost competing with the guys that were in Europe. And I was thinking, you know, I can't let those guys get ahead of me, as far as they already are. They're already so far ahead of me. I got to stay with them. I got to stay with that pack. I think it helped me."
High School Soccer:
Unlike many high level soccer players in America, Justin played High School soccer, playing for James Madison High School in Brooklyn. I asked him about his experiences playing for his school.
"Yes, I did. Like I said, I wasn't really in a formal academy setting. I was in the Champs Academy, which was not like a DA team back then. It wasn't in any formal leagues; it was just training to prepare for trips abroad. So that kind of gave me the freedom to go and play high school soccer."
"It was good and enjoyable. I liked playing high school soccer. I believe it's taken more seriously in New York now, but back when I played, it wasn't as serious. There wasn't a strong school spirit rallying behind the team due to a large fan base. However, I made many friends and had a great time, which made for a positive experience. I always viewed it as an addition to my main activities, often going directly from high school practice to my academy practice. Nonetheless, I enjoyed it."
Academy and Collegiate Soccer:
Justin began to play in the USL Academy League with the Brooklyn-based club FA Euro when he was 17. Focusing on playing in Europe, he did not initially explore the college soccer route and did not have a traditional start to his collegiate career, as his Division 1 soccer career would commence in 2023 with UMass Lowell as a junior.
"The process of going into college soccer was not a straightforward one for me. Like I said, I was always kind of focused on playing in Europe. And we kind of came to the realization that it was going to be a possibility a little bit too late. I think my father, my family in general, and I should have realized it a little bit sooner without having a European passport. We tried to get a Ukrainian passport, but it didn't work out. So I was always so focused on playing in Europe that I didn't really take time to consider what I could do here in America. And by the time we started thinking like that, I was already 17. No one really knew me. I wasn't in the system. And so I was like, okay, well, I'm going to go and try to play college soccer then. Because my parents were like, you have to go to school, you know, you cannot not go to school. So my idea was I'm going to play USL 2 for FA Euro, which I had friends on that team. So I played with the academy for a couple of months and then they had me play USL 2. I went to play USL 2 with that team in that summer, hoping that I would get a college offer. And then I ended up getting a trial or a walk-on trial at St. Francis, Brooklyn. And through various different things, the train wasn't running and it was like a 6 a.m. start. And I've been to that field like a bunch of times, but for whatever reason, that day, the trains weren't running how they normally were. And I came 5 minutes late and the coach kicked me out. And then three months later, I tore my ACL in an academy practice."
"I was rehabbing my ACL during my first year of college. When I returned, I began playing with FA Euro again and had a match against Met Oval. I performed well, scoring a goal, which led them to approach me. They might have remembered me, but they liked my performance and offered to help me. Consequently, I joined Met Oval's MLS Next team in the fall of my sophomore year. During that period, I received several offers, with UMass Lowell offering the most financial support, so I decided to go there."
Justin accepted the offer and joined UMass Lowell for his junior season of college. I asked him if he could talk about his experience and how it differed from what he was used to.
"I thought it was s definitely eye-opening to see the different facilities and all the access you get to these facilities. It was something that I didn't have. You know, if I wanted to train on my own, I was always training in parks with kids who are running around, you have all these things that are kind of inhibiting you from getting better here. It's like they say, here, we have a field for you, we have a gym for you, you know, and to me, that was something that was really nice to have. And so I think that that was the biggest thing. The biggest difference for me is the facilities."
In 2023, Justin enjoyed a successful season with UMass Lowell, earning a position as a starting central midfielder for the River Hawks. He played in 15 matches and scored 2 goals.
After his first season with the River Hawks, Justin played during the summer of 2024 with the USL2 side Boston Bolts. I asked how the move came about and if experiences like those helped prepare him for the next level.
"At UMass Lowell, some of my teammates were going to play at Bolts, so I actually spent that summer living with some of those guys at UMass Lowell, and we would commute down to Boston and train there. And yeah, it was a good time. It was a great summer."
"I think USL 2 is always a good experience to have. You don't really have school bothering you in the summer, and you can just focus 100% on football. Some programs have setups that are really, really good, and those setups can almost feel professional, like you're in a professional team for those three months. So yeah, totally."
With his play with UMass Lowell, he garnered interest from other schools and in 2024 transferred to Marquette University in one of the top conferences in the nation, the Big East.
I asked Justin if the goal at the time was to play in a bigger conference like the Big East.
"Yeah, absolutely. I think I wanted to go where being a professional was slightly easier. It's never easy, but I thought to myself, if I were to play in a bigger team, in a bigger conference, that it would give me maybe that slight edge and slightly more exposure than if I were to stay at UMass Lowell. And so that was kind of my reasoning for that decision."
We discussed Justin's role with Marquette, which involved him playing as a holding midfielder but also learning other positions.
"Yes, I played six and I also played eight box to box with Marquette. But then towards my last season, I started getting shuffled around and I did some time at right center back and right back as well."
Justin enjoyed two good seasons with Marquette and was regarded as one of the better midfielders in the league, appearing in 33 matches with 8 goals and 1 assist.
Joining NY Cosmos:
Following the conclusion of his 2025 season with Marquette, Justin began to think of a future in professional soccer. We discussed how his move to Cosmos came about after his last collegiate season.
"I was offered a trial through an agent that I was speaking to, and I think also my USL 2 coaches kind of vouched for me. So I had two people that kind of alerted the Cosmos, and I was able to receive an invite to a trial at a combine. I attended the combine, thought I did well, and I got a phone call about a week later. The contract negotiations began, and it was kind of earlier than I expected. I was prepared to go through the whole off-season and the entire winter period of trialing, but the contract was there, and it was a good offer, so I took it."
Were you aware of the Cosmos' history and what it means for someone from New York to sign with a team with so much history?
"Yeah, of course. I mean, I actually have a picture of me attending a Cosmos game when they used to play back in Coney Island. It's always a cool thing, growing up around the Cosmos. I remember when the Cosmos came back, I played against the Cosmos Academy when I was a kid also. So yeah, I think I'm someone that really understands the history and it was really cool to be able to sign with with a team like that."
We talked about the team's highs and lows and how he has adjusted to his debut season as a professional football player.
"For me, the way I approached it was to try to absorb and learn as much as I could from the older guys. You know, thankfully we have some experienced players that, when we were going through those growing pains, you could kind of lean on, like Seba and Darren as well as Chavez, all these guys, Davide also. These were guys that you could lean on, you could talk to, and they could kind of motivate, kind of push through it because they've been in similar situations or they've known people that have been through this situation and have gotten through it."
Adjustment to new role:
At the beginning of the year, you were playing central mid, and then new signings came in, and some of those guys took some of your minutes. But then you were put in against Chattanooga in the second half, and you assisted on that goal to Spengler. And it seems since then you've been playing either as a right back or left back. So what's been your adjustment to playing that position, and is it a position you're comfortable with and you think that you can have a future with?
"Yeah, I mean, funnily enough, towards the end of my college career, I was playing right back, and also the last summer before my final season at Marquette, I played at FC Tucson. In Tucson, they had an injury to the right back that they brought in who was supposed to be the main guy. I kind of filled the spot for the time being, but then as I was filling the spot, they were like, hold on, you might want to stay here. So I actually ended up playing a lot that summer at right back, and I did fairly well that summer. I actually came into the Cosmos Combine, and I played right back at the Combine."
"I definitely think it's a position I can excel at and make a difference. And, you know, I'm just happy to be useful to the team in any way I can be."
Biggest Improvement:
We discussed the area in which Justin has improved the most from the beginning of the season to now.
"I think my mentality and that understanding that you have to fight for every minute that you get. I've been a guy who's started for most of my playing career. And so spending time away from the starting lineup has really taught me things about myself and who I am as a person. And, I just think I came out on the other side with a stronger mentality and the ability to endure, to endure low periods, and just to take that time to grow as a player and as a person."
Team Improvement:
We discussed the teams improved play and the many factors that have led to the team finishing up the season in good form.
"I think that the biggest factor is that we're such a close-knit group. You know, most of the guys live together in the dorms, and I feel like we have developed this close relationship. So when the new guys came in, we really embraced them, and they became a part of this family. I think they brought their experience and their freshness. They didn't have those losses from the beginning of the season weighing them down, so they came in with a clear head and a clear mind. I think that freshness they provided really helped us and gave us a breath of fresh air, in a way."
We also discussed the club's last-minute victory on the weekend against Richmond Kickers and what it means for Cosmos to continue to climb the league table, and the team's goals for the last 5 matches.
"It means a lot. I don't know if the playoffs are possible; it is going to be tough to make, and a lot of things have to go our way, but we're going to try our best to achieve that. But, you know, playoffs aside, we're all trying to show the league that we're good players and we're a good team, and even next year, the guys that are going to stay here, we're going to fight and compete for something better. We want to end this season with a step towards that."
Justin, who confirmed he is on a two-year contract, hopes to continue to be an important player for Cosmos.
Knowing that you're coming back next year, looking at the roster, if you guys maintain the key players, what do you think the Cosmos can do next year? And what can the fans expect for the future?
"Talking to the guys who have been in the league, they say that things can change year to year so fast. So, I think the sky's the limit. It depends on the offseason and the decisions the club makes. But I mean, I'm optimistic personally. I think that this group that we have is a really strong one, and I think we want to kind of showcase that throughout this tail end of the season. I think next year we'll come in with a fresh slate. I think anything is possible."
Biggest Surprise when joining Cosmos:
We described the things that have surprised Justin the most during his first season as a pro or something he wasn't expecting as he began his career.
"Something that I wouldn't expect. I think it would for this team, I expected more egos. I think this team, we have so many guys that are really down to earth. Everyone's kind of nice, nice to each other to an extent. I don't want to make it sound like it's all sunshine and rainbows. People fight. Yes, of course. But, I just think that this team doesn't have a lot of egos and I think that's something coming into the pro world, I was expecting everyone to have a lot more egos, a lot more people with bad attitudes."
Teammate that has surprised him:
Reflecting on his first season with Cosmos, I asked Justin if there has been a player that has pleasantly surprised him throughout the season.
"Tino (Puentes). Tino coming in, he was one of the first signings. So I did my research. I saw he played Division Three. And to be honest, I had really low expectations for the guy. But man, that guy works so hard and has such a strong mentality, and I think, even though he's not playing a lot, he's always maintained this confidence in himself. And sometimes people scoff at it, but I really think that it's something to admire. And so I think Tino, Tino definitely surprised me."
Biggest Influence:
I asked Justin who has had the greatest impact on his professional career or has supported him the most in his ambition to become a soccer player.
"Definitely my father. I mean, it all started with him, as a kid wanting to play. And then kind of his dream developed into my dream. And no one's supported me as much as him. And at times when the goal seemed so far away, he always believed in me and he always encouraged me to keep going. And so without him, I don't think I would be playing."
Off the field:
We discussed Justin's life off of the field, his interests and how he would define himself as a person.
"I like to go to the gym. I'm very interested in the sports science aspect of soccer, so I want to get my exercise science license. I want to get my strength conditioning license. I'm also interested in physical therapy because I want to have a full-range understanding of the body in all its different facets. That always interests me. Something a little less boring: I like to play different sports. I play basketball, pickleball, and tennis. I'm not very good at tennis, but I'm getting there. In ping pong, I'm up there in the rankings as well. So I'd describe myself as very energetic. I always want to be doing things, and if I sit at home for too long, I'll start to lose my mind."
Message to the Supporters:
For the fans who have supported the team through thick and thin, what's your message to them?
"Just the biggest respect and the biggest thank you from me and from the whole team. I mean, we don't for a second think that you guys aren't being noticed because we notice you guys, that you guys are coming out, even against Richmond in the rain. Those guys are crazy, and we love them. They're always there supporting us through our low moments, through our highs. You have Thomas traveling the country with us. I mean, that stuff really means a lot when you're not just playing for yourself, and you're playing for a community."
Biggest moment of the season:
I asked Justin about a moment during the season that he is most proud of. He remembered the August 22nd away game against the Chattanooga Red Hawks, where he came on as a right-back in the 76th minute and promptly assisted Ajmeer Spengler on a goal, contributing to Cosmos securing a 3-3 draw.
"The moment I'm most proud of, I think it would have to be, right now, my assist against Chattanooga. I think coming in at that time, I wasn't really expecting to play. You know, I was out for a lot of games and, being... thrown into that. I'm definitely proud of myself that I was able to kind of seize that moment and be able to work my way up into the starting 11 again."
What was the biggest adjustment you made, not being used to being out of the lineup, and then maintaining your focus to be ready? Now it seems like you're playing the best that you have throughout the season.
"I think it would just be to... kind of like take a step back and focus on myself. Really, in that period of time when I wasn't playing, I was trying my best to think, how can I get better? How can I use this as an advantage? And I think having that perspective and flipping the situation on its head to a +1, I think that's something that really helped me."
Back on the Road:
We talked about the team's initial struggles on the road, which saw them lose the first nine matches, and how their road form has significantly improved. I then asked Justin if he could speak on the difference mentally when they go on the road and what we expect this weekend when they travel to Naples.
"The road games, it's always interesting to see the different setups that we have in the league, and I think we've found enjoyment in kind of going into other people's environments and spoiling the party and being the bad guys. On Saturday, you can expect another fight. That's all we can do: just go out there and fight."
Final Message to the fans:
"Once again, thank you so much for your unwavering support this season. I can't wait to see you guys again in Hinchliffe in two weeks. We'll be there with you, fighting until the very end."
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