Rocco Commisso said U.S. Soccer’s decision was arbitrary and unfair.

By Michael Lewis

FrontRowSoccer.com Editor

Cosmos chairman Rocco Commisso says that he was “shocked” at the U.S. Soccer board of directors refusal to sanction the North American Soccer League as a Division 2 league in 2018 “arbitrary and unfair.”

In a statement released Thursday afternoon, the Cosmos owner said the decision was “artirtary and unfair.”

Commisso, however, did not broach the subject whether he would remain owner of the team beyond this season because he purchased the club due to the fact it was going to be a D2 team in 2017.

He said that he “will do everything within my power to reverse the USSF’s decision.”

Commisso did said the league was “making progress in developing and implementing palns to grow the league and enhance its stability.”

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.