Garber also held discussions with the owners of the rebooted New York Cosmos .
Owners balked at the league 's expansion fee and single - entity structure and decided not to apply for entry , instead joining the second - tier North American Soccer League .
Garber also held discussions with the owners of the rebooted New York Cosmos , but they balked at the league 's expansion fee and single - entity structure and decided not to apply for entry , instead joining the second - tier North American Soccer League .