Overview:
Former New York Cosmos defender and Long Island University standout Tony Picciano, who played in Pele’s debut game with the team in 1975 before becoming a respected youth coach, has passed away.
Tony Picciano (far left), with Cosmos teammates Werner Roth (next to him and Rob Young (far right). (Photo courtesy of Arnie Ramirez.
Former New York Cosmos defender and Long Island University standout Tony Picciano, who played in Pele’s debut game with the team in 1975 before becoming a respected youth coach, has passed away.
Picciano was 72.
He played for the Cosmos for only one season, but continued his soccer career at several levels, including as a player and youth coach in the metropolitan area and in the Long Island Junior Soccer League.
“I don’t play soccer any longer, but I have committed to pass on all I learned for the love of the game by coaching,” Picciano told ENYSoccer.com in 2015.
Picciano celebrated his 23rd birthday on June 15, 1975, in a most unique way, as Pele made his first appearance with the North American Soccer League team that day in a friendly against the Dallas Tornado at Downing Stadium on Randall’s Island. The game ended in a 2-2 draw.
When asked what it was like playing with the Black Pearl, “It feels great Picciano replied to the UPI.
“With Pele playing, we cannot fail,” he told the Associated Press.
Born on June 15, 1952, in Buenos Aires, Picciano honed his soccer skills with the Boca Junior youth teams. When he was 11, Picciano, his parents and sister emigrated to the United Soccer. He performed for Palermo FC (Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League).
He then starred for Long Island University from 1971-74, earning All-New York State and All-Metropolitan team selections. In 1975, Picciano was feted with the Dolly King Athlete-Excellence Award, presented to the student-athlete who exemplifies leadership, sportsmanship and achievement that the late William “Dolly” King personified as a student-athlete, administrator and coach.
“Throughout my early career, I played offense and midfield, and I was a scorer,” Picciano told ENYSoccer.com. “As a captain in my senior year at LIU, I was asked to help develop the incoming freshman in defense.”
Picciano continued his career with Palermo FC’s first team (Cosmopolitan Soccer League) and Calabria Roma (Italian-American Soccer League) before he was chosen on the third round of the 1975 NASL draft. As an outside back, the 6-foot, 155-lb. Picciano played 10 games for the Cosmos that season.
He was hired by KLM-Royal Dutch Airlines to work in passenger service and played for the KLM Blazing Bravos for the next decade.
“It was amazing traveling to different countries to play international games and representing KLM,” Picciano was quoted by ENYSoccer.com.
After moving to Malverne, N.Y., Picciano coached youth soccer, his two sons on teams in Merrick, Port Washington and Rockville Centre in the Long Island Junior Soccer League. Picciano also guided many of the league’s leading players in its Player Development Program for some two decades.
“Although the certifications and trophies are nice, let’s not forget that Tony has a great love of coaching youth soccer players,” ENYYSA president Richard Christiano told ENYSoccer.com.
Picciano was named ENYYSA’s personality of the month in February 2015.
Funeral arrangements were not available.