The 1981 New York Cosmos season was the 11th season for the New York Cosmos in the now-defunct North American Soccer League.

Despite winning their fifth straight premiership by five points over the Chicago Sting, the Cosmos lost to the Sting in Soccer Bowl '81.

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply.

Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Source:[4] Source:[5] Pld = Games Played, W = Wins, L = Losses, GF = Goals For, GA = Goals Against, Pts = Points 6 points for a win, 1 point for a shootout win, 0 points for a loss, 1 point for each goal scored (up to three per game).