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USL Top Five – Mascots

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 04/14/17, 2:43PM EDT

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In the stadium, and in the community, club mascots amp up the entertainment


Photo courtesy Isaiah J. Downing / Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC

Bringing fun to the game day experience, and in the local community during the week, team mascots have been bringing smiles to fans’ faces across the USL for years. With a great selection to choose from across the league, the decision-making process for this week’s Top Five was a tough one, but we want to assure all of our friends that didn’t quite make the cut that USL games wouldn’t be the same without them.


Photo courtesy Swope Park Rangers

No. 5 – Hat Trick Harry, Swope Park Rangers

When the Swope Park Rangers moved into Swope Soccer Village, they had little idea that their mascot was already waiting for them. But one day, when a ball got kicked into the trees after training, curiosity got the better of four of the club’s players, and Hat Trick Harry emerged from the forest.

Quickly welcomed into the club, although not necessarily by everyone who caught a glimpse of him after his first public sighting, Hat Trick Harry has been a fixture on the sidelines for the defending Western Conference champions. His powerful shot has yet to be seen in live action, though, with Mark Anthony Gonzalez’s play last season having kept him on the bench.


Photo courtesy Isaiah J. Downing / Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC

No. 4 – Ziggy, Colo. Springs Switchbacks FC

Ziggy the mountain goat has been a fixture at Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC games at Weidner Field since he first descended from the Rocky Mountains looking to spread his passion for the game to local fans.

With his wide smile, Ziggy has been a hit with everyone he’s encountered in Colorado Springs since then, and has helped cheer on the Switchbacks to back-to-back berths in the USL Cup Playoffs in their first two seasons.


Photo courtesy Jessica Hendricks / Richmond Kickers

No. 3 – Kickeroo, Richmond Kickers

When the Richmond Kickers started their first season in 1993, they knew they needed a mascot. A call to the Richmond Zoo resulted in a young kangaroo named “Joey” to be the Kickers mascot. Unfortunately, Joey didn’t like soccer, so he came up with a plan.  Back at the Richmond Zoo, he put his Kickers jersey on his un-named baby brother, and when the time was right, switched places with him.

It didn’t take long for the Kickers to realize that a switch had been made, but fortunately the baby kangaroo loved to watch the Kickers play, so the Kickers decided to keep him. He was named Kickeroo, and now fully grown in the club’s 25th season, he’s seen the entire club’s history unfold from his spot in the stands and on the sidelines.


Photo courtesy Matt May / Tampa Bay Rowdies

No. 2 – Pete the Pelican, Tampa Bay Rowdies

Having made his home, as many Pelicans do, in the bay near downtown St. Petersburg, Fla., Pete the Pelican was getting to know his new surroundings in early 2016 when he happened upon a stadium right on the waterfront.

He quickly started to enjoy watching the game being played, and with the club in need of a mascot after its previous one had got lost in the laundry, Pete was given a Rowdies jersey and joined the squad. Quickly becoming a fan favorite, probably thanks to his sweet dance moves, Pete can now be found every game day cheering the Rowdies on at Al Lang Stadium.


Photo courtesy Stephanie Romero / LA Galaxy II

No. 1 – Cozmo, LA Galaxy II

Since making an emergency left turn to avoid a cow jumping over the moon which sent him spiraling out of control on June 7th, 2003 before a miraculous landing in Carson, Calif., Cozmo has found himself in the perfect Galaxy he sought when his trip began in 2001. A U.F.O. – Universal Futbol Olympian – Cozmo’s appetite for soccer, as well as tacos, have seen him become beloved by all at StubHub Center.

With the arrival of Los Dos in 2014, Cozmo was ready, and can be seen cheering on the 2015 USL Western Conference champions at all of their games. The 2015 USL Fan Awards’ Favorite Mascot, soccer’s favorite alien is always dressed for success no matter when or where the game’s being played. 

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