Soccer in the New York metropolitan area

The sport of soccer has a long history in New York City, beginning in the 1910s with the first iteration of the American Soccer League. In the 1970s, with the rise of the first iteration of the North American Soccer League, the New York Cosmos became one of the most recognizable brands in American soccer.

Red Bull Arena is New York metropolitan area's first professional soccer-specific stadium in the modern era of American soccer.

Presently, there are five professional soccer clubs in the New York City region: the New York Red Bulls and New York City FC, who play in the top division, Major League Soccer. New York Red Bulls II, the reserve team for the Red Bulls, compete in the USL Championship, and a second iteration of the New York Cosmos currently play in the NPSL Members Cup. Sky Blue FC, a women's team, competes in the National Women's Soccer League.

Given the broken history and constantly-changing structure of soccer leagues in the United States, it is difficult to properly gauge the most successful soccer club in New York. In terms of national first division and major tournament titles, the Cosmos are tied with LA Galaxy and D.C. United with 12 total major honors.

The region has also hosted 27 U.S. Open Cup finals at various venues including Starlight Park, Triborough Stadium, Dexter Park, the Metropolitan Oval, the Polo Grounds and Ebbets Field. Despite this, a New York City-based club has not won the Open Cup since the 1991 final, where the Brooklyn Italians defeated the Richardson Rockets. The last time a New York City club reached the final was 2003, where the New York Red Bulls, then known as MetroStars' lost to Chicago Fire.

Today, major stadiums that host soccer matches include Red Bull Arena, Yankee Stadium and MetLife Stadium.