Kalif Alhassan scored one goal for the Cosmos during his short tenure with the club. (Photo courtesy of the Cosmos)

NEW YORK – The Cosmos will enter the North American Soccer League season with one less midfielder.

The two-time defending NASL champions announced Wednesday that it has mutually part ways with midfielder Kalif Alhassan.

“We would like to thank Kalif for his time with the Cosmos,” Cosmos head coach and sporting director Giovanni Savarese said in a statement. “We wish him all the best moving forward.”

Alhassan played in games during the spring season, scoring a goal against North Carolina FC last month, which helped the Cosmos tie, 2-2.

The Ghanaian midfielder also has played for the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Minnesota United. Alhassan also was a member of the Portland Timbers for five Major League Soccer seasons.

“I would like to thank [team owner] Rocco B. Commisso, Gio and the coaching staff and players for their support during my time in New York,” Alhassan in a press release. “I wish everyone well for the rest of the season.”

The Cosmos will return to MCU Park to open the fall season against Miami FC Saturday, July 29 at 7 p.m.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.