Juan Guerra became the 12th Cosmos player to move on after the 2017 NASL season. (Photo courtesy of the Cosmos)
Make it an even dozen.
Former Cosmos midfielder Juan Guerra Wednesday signed with Indy Eleven, becoming the former New York player to leave the North American Soccer League team since the end of last season.
His signing is pending United Soccer League and U.S. Soccer Federation approval.
Last week Venezuelan website www.Balonazos.com reported that Guerra would join Indy Eleven for the 2018 season.
“Juan is an excellent witness of character on and off the field,” Indy head coach Martin Rennie said in a statement. “His experience as a leader is going to be crucial in controlling the tempo of the game and bringing the team together as the roster continues to take shape.”
The 5-9, 162-lb. Guerra played with the Cosmos for the 2017 season after playing two years with the Tampa Bay Rowdies. He scored five goals and added two assists in 27 starts over 30 matches and 2,450 minutes, helping the team reach the North American Soccer League Championship final.
The 30-year-old Guerra played for Florida International University and performed with Venezuelan clubs Monagas SC and Caracas FC.
He has made four appearances with the Venezuelan national team, including two call-ups for 2014 World Cup qualifying.
Guerra became the 12th Cosmos to leave the team or to make an exodus to another professional soccer team.
In December, three New York players joined new clubs.
Goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer hooked up with FC Dallas (Major League Soccer) while defender David Diosa signed with the Real Monarchs (Untied Soccer League) and midfielder Irving Herrera returned to his native El Salvador to play with FAS.
Argentine forward Pablo Vranjicán joined Alianza Petrolera F.C. (Colombia) and midfielder Emmanuel Ledesma has signed with FC Cincinnati (USL).
Defender David Ochieng has joined IF Brommapojkarna of the Swedish First Division.
On Jan. 12, midfielder Javi Marquez signed with with Club Gimnàstic de Tarragona of the Spanish Segunda Division.
On Saturday, Jan. 20 the Cosmos transferred midfielder Eric Calvillo to the San Jose Earthquakes (MLS).
Right back Ryan Richter announced his retirement as a player to enter the coaching ranks Tuesday, Jan. 23.
On Wednesday, Jan. 24, midfielder Andres Flores was reunited with his former coach on the Cosmos, Giovanni Savarese, as he signed with the Portland Timbers.
And on Tuesday, Jan. 30, Canadian international defender Dejan Jaković signed with the Los Angeles Football Club (MLS)
The Cosmos are in limbo for the time being as it awaits a ruling from an appellate court as the NASL seeks a preliminary injunction on the U.S. Soccer Federation rescinding its Division Two status for 2018.
