Brigada means community, more than soccer
In the heart of New York City, a Cosmos fan group has become a social hub.
Published on Athleta, February 1, 2022.
‘Sé Lleva En El Corazón; A Tradition’ follows a group of NY Cosmos soccer supporters that go by the name Brigada 71, and the impact they have on the community they represent and protect. The collective was originally founded by Chris Erazo, an immigrant originally from Ecuador, Patrick Infurna, Co-founder of Vermont Green FC, and Ian Edward. The group has taken the responsibility with the help of four-year member, Nicholas Alexandrakos, a thirteen-year special education instructor in the Manhattan borough of New York City, to use the Cosmos soccer brand to unify their neighborhoods with a mutual love for the club and to promote civic engagement.
Because the Cosmos represent areas of New York City that are home to numerous immigrant households, this supporters’ group has taken an oath to stand together and aid those living in hardship and fear of I.C.E. detention, to organize food drives, and to volunteer their time to feed those impacted by Covid-19. When asked what it means to be a soccer supporter, Chris replies, “Being a supporter to me means more than representing a logo. The badge represents part of my identity, it represents culture. It’s part of what brings us together from all walks of life, all boroughs, and beyond to the rest of the world”.
In 2019, Alvarado documented Brigada 71 at New York Cosmos soccer matches as they participated in their in-game pageantry. Over the several months in 2020-2021, Alvarado shadowed the group as they volunteered cooking meals and preparing pantry bags out of C&B cafe, the local business of Ali Sahin on 178 E 7th St, where their efforts saw the group cooking several hundred portions of curry, herbed rice, and pantry bags of food essentials. As the need of the city residents grew, they saw their efforts move to the Sixth Street Community Center in the East Village with the nonprofit, EAST VILLAGE LOVES NYC. Since 2020, their efforts have resulted in over 180,000 meals, 15,000 family pantry bags and over 1,395,000 pounds of groceries donated to New York City’s neediest cases. The DIY food pantry is the brainchild of Sasha Allenby, a writer, and Mammad Mahmoodi, an activist and tech entrepreneur. "To us, a game is longer than ninety minutes, this right here, helping the community is part of the game", says Alexandrakos, who has been participating at the food pantry regularly since it began in mid-April 2020. Brigada 71 has also grown its efforts by organizing community outreach events for city youth, at the Coney Island Lighthouse Mission, and volunteering at Club A Kitchen, a food pantry in Bushwick, Brooklyn.
When the last spring began in New York City and the dangers of COVID-19 continued to impact residents of the metro area, the complexities brought by the pandemic resulted in the hiatus and indefinite suspension of operations for their beloved soccer club, the New York Cosmos. With their team absent from play, Brigada 71 took the news as inspiration to dedicate more of their time to organizing civic engagement and aiding those at the crossroads of food insecurity. “If you want to be part of the compassionate army, there are many different ways to support. If you’re broke, please don’t give money, give time. If you don’t have time to be here today, support online. If you can’t show up today and can’t donate, send a tweet, raise awareness. Be part of the compassionate electronic army. I am convinced we can do this” says Alexandrakos.
In the heart of New York City, a Cosmos fan group has become a social hub.
Published on Athleta, February 1, 2022.
‘Sé Lleva En El Corazón; A Tradition’ follows a group of NY Cosmos soccer supporters that go by the name Brigada 71, and the impact they have on the community they represent and protect. The collective was originally founded by Chris Erazo, an immigrant originally from Ecuador, Patrick Infurna, Co-founder of Vermont Green FC, and Ian Edward. The group has taken the responsibility with the help of four-year member, Nicholas Alexandrakos, a thirteen-year special education instructor in the Manhattan borough of New York City, to use the Cosmos soccer brand to unify their neighborhoods with a mutual love for the club and to promote civic engagement.
Because the Cosmos represent areas of New York City that are home to numerous immigrant households, this supporters’ group has taken an oath to stand together and aid those living in hardship and fear of I.C.E. detention, to organize food drives, and to volunteer their time to feed those impacted by Covid-19. When asked what it means to be a soccer supporter, Chris replies, “Being a supporter to me means more than representing a logo. The badge represents part of my identity, it represents culture. It’s part of what brings us together from all walks of life, all boroughs, and beyond to the rest of the world”.
In 2019, Alvarado documented Brigada 71 at New York Cosmos soccer matches as they participated in their in-game pageantry. Over the several months in 2020-2021, Alvarado shadowed the group as they volunteered cooking meals and preparing pantry bags out of C&B cafe, the local business of Ali Sahin on 178 E 7th St, where their efforts saw the group cooking several hundred portions of curry, herbed rice, and pantry bags of food essentials. As the need of the city residents grew, they saw their efforts move to the Sixth Street Community Center in the East Village with the nonprofit, EAST VILLAGE LOVES NYC. Since 2020, their efforts have resulted in over 180,000 meals, 15,000 family pantry bags and over 1,395,000 pounds of groceries donated to New York City’s neediest cases. The DIY food pantry is the brainchild of Sasha Allenby, a writer, and Mammad Mahmoodi, an activist and tech entrepreneur. "To us, a game is longer than ninety minutes, this right here, helping the community is part of the game", says Alexandrakos, who has been participating at the food pantry regularly since it began in mid-April 2020. Brigada 71 has also grown its efforts by organizing community outreach events for city youth, at the Coney Island Lighthouse Mission, and volunteering at Club A Kitchen, a food pantry in Bushwick, Brooklyn.
When the last spring began in New York City and the dangers of COVID-19 continued to impact residents of the metro area, the complexities brought by the pandemic resulted in the hiatus and indefinite suspension of operations for their beloved soccer club, the New York Cosmos. With their team absent from play, Brigada 71 took the news as inspiration to dedicate more of their time to organizing civic engagement and aiding those at the crossroads of food insecurity. “If you want to be part of the compassionate army, there are many different ways to support. If you’re broke, please don’t give money, give time. If you don’t have time to be here today, support online. If you can’t show up today and can’t donate, send a tweet, raise awareness. Be part of the compassionate electronic army. I am convinced we can do this” says Alexandrakos.
Uniondale, New York — July 3, 2019: Supporters of the New York Cosmos storm the stadium with drums, smoke grenades, banners, and flags before the highly anticipated and competitive derby between the New York Cosmos and the Brooklyn Italians of the National Premier Soccer League at Mitchel Athletic Complex.
New York City, New York — May 8, 2019: As the sounds percussion radiate from drums of members of Brigada 71 fill the air of Commisso Stadium at Columbia University, players of the New York Cosmos take part in warmup drills before the start of a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup elimination game against Black Rock FC.
New York City, New York — December 12, 2020: Nicholas Alexandrakos, a four-year member of Brigada 71 and native New Yorker, during a busy winter morning preparing meals for the non-profit East Village Loves NYC in the East Village.
New York City, New York — May 23, 2019: The stadium engulfs into smoke and roars as Brigada 71 cheers on the New York Cosmos during the team's international friendly match against FC St. Pauli at Commisso Stadium in Columbia University.
Uniondale, New York — June 1, 2019: As fanatics and soccer supporters led by Brigada 71, electrify the stands with pageantries, Aly Alberto Hassan, a forward for the New York Cosmos, walks to the center of the field before the start of the second half against Hartford City FC at the Mitchel Athletic Complex.
New York City, New York — May 23, 2019: New York City sits far off in the distance as members of Brigada 71 rile the crowd into jubilation as the New York Cosmos win their match against a talented FC St. Pauli at Commisso Stadium - Columbia University.
New York City, New York — September 5, 2020: Chris Erazo, left, and his partner, Moni, right, volunteer with Club A Kitchen to help bring groceries, toiletries, and water to Bushwick families in need at Bushwick City Farms in early September.
New York City, New York — May 25, 2020: Dr. Laurie M. Scherer, a psychologist, educator, performer, visual artist, and member of Brigada 71, stands for a portrait during a quick break from preparing meals of potatoes, rice, and curry chicken with the non-profit East Village Loves NYC at C&B Cafe in the East Village.
New York City, New York — January 10, 2021: As the weekly Sunday cookout gets underway, boxes of freshly prepared meals wait to be picked up and distributed by members of the community in the East Village.
New York City, New York — October 18, 2020: A sign that reads, “FREE FOOD DISTRIBUTION IS ON WEDNESDAY”, hangs outside the 6th Street Community Center, and helps direct members of the East Village community in need of food. The community center is the headquarters of non-profit East Village Loves NYC and Brigada71’s effort to help combat the complexities of the city’s battle with food insecurity.
New York City, New York — May 19, 2020: Sasha Allenby, an author, and co-founder of the non-profit East Village Loves NYC, peals potatoes for 700 meals at C&B cafe in the East Village that will be donated to Queens residents in need.
New York City, New York — October 18, 2020: Vincenzo Candela, a midfielder and new member of the New York Cosmos, center, volunteers at the Sixth Street Community Center, cooking meals with the non-profit East Village Loves NYC and Brigada 71 as the two groups look to break their goal of providing 10,000 meals to those in need for the month of November.
New York City, New York — May 25, 2020: COVID-19 restrictions are in full effect as members of The New York Cosmos local supporters group “Brigada 71” help prepare meals with the non-profit East Village Loves NYC in the East Village, as they look to help those suffering from food insecurities among the danger COVID-19 looming over the community.
New York City, New York — July 18, 2020: Nicholas Alexandrakos, a four-year member of Brigada 71 and native New Yorker, displays his unique custom Cosmos jersey made from a Boston Celtics jersey as Brigada 71 hosts a neighborhood event for children of Coney Island at the Coney Island Lighthouse Mission.
Uniondale, New York — June 1, 2019: As the New York Cosmos register a 5-1 win over a 10-man Hartford City FC, supporters of the team take to their drums and chants as the Mitchel Athletic Complex roars as the clubs flawless season continues.
New York City, New York — May 23, 2019: The stadium engulfs into smoke and roars as Brigada 71 cheers on the New York Cosmos during the team's international friendly match against FC St. Pauli at Commisso Stadium in Columbia University.
New York City, New York — May 8, 2019: Chris Erazo, Founder of the New York Cosmos soccer team supporters group Brigada 71, directs the crowd into song and pageantry during the first round of elimination games in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup between New York Cosmos and Black Rock FC in Commisso Stadium at Columbia University.
New York City, New York — May 8, 2019: Cosmos supporters erupt in cheer as the elimination game in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup between New York Cosmos and Black Rock FC gets underway at Commisso Stadium - Columbia University.
New York City, New York — September 5, 2020: Moni, center, and other members of Brigada 71 delicately fill ziplock bags with diapers and other various baby supplies and toiletries before the start of the weekly food pantry at Bushwick City Farms, hosted by the non-profit Club A Kitchen.
New York City, New York — July 17, 2020: Members of the New York Cosmos soccer supporter group, Brigada 71, host a neighborhood event for children of Coney Island at the Coney Island Lighthouse Mission. As COVID-19 continues to influence daily life across the city, Brigada-71 hosts an afternoon event of activities in collaboration with the Coney Island Lighthouse Mission and Glitter Goddess Art Collective, to combat the impaired social growth and development that children are in danger of experiencing due to the ongoing pandemic.
New York City, New York — September 6, 2020: A volunteer with Club A Kitchen tallies the number of pantry bags distributed as members of the New York Cosmos soccer supporter group, Brigada 71, spend their Saturday volunteering with Club A Kitchen, to provide meals, toiletries, and water to Bushwick families in need at Bushwick City Farms in early September.
New York City, New York — June 2, 2020: Sasha Allenby, an author, and co-founder of the non-profit East Village Loves NYC, center, organizes trays containing portions of potatoes, rice, and curry chicken as Navid Youssefian, marketing director of East Village Loves NYC, right, pours soup into containers for residents impacted by food insecurity.
New York City, New York — February 7, 2021: Volunteers with EVLOVESNYC and members of Brigada 71 finish the early February Sunday cookout and help store the fresh warm meals as they wait to be picked up by local organizations of New York City.
New York City, New York — December 20, 2020: Chef Stephanie Thomas, left, and Chef Lele Saveri, right, cook ground beef and vegetables during the EVLOVESNYC Sunday cooking in the Lower East Side in Manhattan.
New York City, New York — September 5, 2020: Jorge Velez, a contractor and member of Brigada 71, helps translate directions to Spanish speakers as he volunteers with Club A Kitchen, to provide pantry bags and hot meals to Bushwick families in need at Bushwick City Farms in early September.
New York City, New York — May 23, 2019: The stadium engulfs into smoke and roars as Brigada 71 cheers on the New York Cosmos during the team's international friendly match against FC St. Pauli at Commisso Stadium in Columbia University.
Uniondale, New York — May 11, 2019: The stadium is filled with smoke and cheers as members of Brigada 71 lead the crowd into cheer as the New York Cosmos play a match against the Boston City FC at the Mitchel Athletic Complex.
Uniondale, New York — April 27, 2019: As the home opener game gets underway members of Brigada 71 lead the crowd into cheer as the New York Cosmos play a match against the New York Athletic Club at the Mitchel Athletic Complex.