PATERSON, NJ – A three-time league champion, a New York City product and a long-time fan favorite, Sebastiá Guenzatti is returning to the New York Cosmos on a multi-year contract as the first player signed ahead of the club’s 2026 entry into USL League One, pending league and federation approval. 

Guenzatti, 34, spent the 2025 season with Detroit City FC. The veteran forward played for the Cosmos in 2013-16 and is rejoining the club as a free agent following a decorated nine-year run in the USL Championship. His four seasons with the Cosmos were highlighted by his contribution to North American Soccer League (NASL) championships in 2013, 2015 and 2016. 

A native of Montevideo, Uruguay,Guenzatti moved with his family to New York City and grew up in Queens. He attended Francis Lewis High School and played for Cosmos Academy teams. After a short stint back in Uruguay with Huracán FC, Guenzatti signed with the Cosmos in time for the NASL’s Fall 2013 campaign. Over the ensuing years, he became an integral part of the club’s second NASL dynasty, scoring 11 goals in all competitions and starting the 2013 and 2015 Soccer Bowl championship games. 

“It’s great to have Seba back. It’s important to have a familiar face with us, someone who understands the ins and outs of what it means to be a Cosmos player,” Vice Chairman and Head of Soccer Giuseppe Rossi said. “I was in his position during the last years of my career, being the older guy and trying to be a leader and a mentor. And that’s something we do want from him.But ultimately, he’s still a player we expect to produce results on the field, and we have all the confidence that he’ll be the player he’s always been—a great teammate with great enthusiasm who will run through a brick wall to score goals.” 

Guenzatti’s homecoming coincides with the Cosmos’ return to competition for the first time since 2020. Beginning next March, the Cosmos will take the field at historic Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson, NJ, as members of USL League One, which occupies the third tier of the U.S. men’s professional pyramid.The 2026 season will be the 21st in the club’s competitive outdoor history, which dates back to 1971 and includes eight league titles. 

“Rejoining the Cosmos means so much to me. This club shaped my career. We’ve had so many unbelievable moments wearing this badge. Coming back feels like coming back home, and I’m so happy and excited to be part of this new era,” Guenzatti said. “The Cosmos badge — it’s a heavy badge, so you have to create a winning mentality,” he added. “I’m a little more experienced now so hopefully I can bring that as well, and set a foundation for the new era.” 

Guenzatti’s success continued after departing the Cosmos following the 2016 NASL season. He spent the next six years with the rival Tampa Bay Rowdies, scoring a club-record 65 goals and winning the USL Championship Players’ Shield in 2021 along with two Eastern Conference crowns. Guenzatti was with Indy Eleven in 2023-24, netting 16 goals. He then tallied one for Detroit City last season. Guenzatti captained both Tampa Bay and Indy and his leadership and experience will be crucial for the Cosmos, who are committed to signing, developing and elevating younger players. 

“It was important for the club to bring in somebody who has played for the Cosmos. He knows the club, and can be a leader and an ambassador, and of course he can be our example,” Cosmos Head Coach Davide Corti said. “We’re trying to build a team that develops young players, but we want to bring in solid, experienced players that can be an example to be followed—good people that have determination, that are coachable, and that show what steps we need to take every day on the field.” 

Cosmos CEO Erik Stover said, “Sebastián is a top professional and a top human being who will connect with our younger players and our fans. He’s a bridge from the last Cosmos era to the new one. It feels wrong to me that he has more appearances with the Rowdies, and I hope that we’ll fix that over the next few seasons.”