Eric Wynalda: “I’m thrilled to be a part of New Amsterdam FC and very much looking forward to getting to work to help build the foundation of a club that truly represents the spirit of this great city.” (Photo courtesy of New Amsterdam FC)

By Michael Lewis

FrontRowSoccer.com Editor

Former U.S. international striker Eric Wynalda is coming to New York.

Wynalda Thursday was named manager of the New Amsterdam Football Club, which will make its debut in the National Independent Soccer Association fall season.

The 51-year-old Wynalda most recently directed the Las Vegas Lights of the USL Championship before he was fired earlier this year.

“I’m thrilled to be a part of New Amsterdam FC and very much looking forward to getting to work to help build the foundation of a club that truly represents the spirit of this great city,” Wynalda said in a statement.

New Amsterdam is scheduled to meet the Cosmos in the first game of the NISA Independent Cup Mid-Atlantic Region in Warwick, N.Y. Sunday. The press release, released on Twitter, did not say if Wyanlda would be coaching the team.

The team recently announced it would play its NISA home games at the Hudson Sports Complex in Warwick, N.Y. this fall. It originally announced it would call Fordham University home, but the COVID-19 pandemic apparently changed the club’s plans.

Wynalda coached against the Cosmos with the Atlanta Silverbacks during the 2014 North American Soccer League season.

“New Amsterdam FC is honored to have a legend in the game of American soccer join us in our inaugural season,” team owner Laurence Girard said in a statement. “We believe Eric’s experience is exactly what our players need to advance their development and win on the pitch.”

Wynalda, who scored 34 goals in 106 international appearances, also has coached at CAL FC and LA Wolves.

“We are excited to bring Eric on board,” NAFC sporting director Max Mansfield said. “He fits the profile of the club and what we are trying

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.