Brian Abate On Sports: Red Hook FC in the Playoffs

Red Hook FC is in the midst of another excellent season, as they entered October in first place in the UPSL American North Division, winning their first seven matches of the fall season.

On October 8, they went on the road for a crucial matchup with second-place NY Renegades FC. NY Renegades won the UPSL American North championship two seasons in a row, and beat Red Hook FC on penalties in the spring season championship game.

Both teams started the matchup this season by making strong defensive plays, but NY Renegades went up 1-0 in the 19th minute. Though both teams created a few scoring chances, the score remained 1-0 at halftime.

In the 67th minute, NY Renegades made it 2-0, but Red Hook FC responded quickly as Stephen Hollis scored on a perfectly deflected header to cut the deficit to 2-1. Moments later, NY Renegades got a red card, and up a man, Red Hook FC applied pressure but could not break through and fell 2-1. They dropped to 7-0-1 and fell to second place in the standings as NY Renegades had an identical record but owned the tiebreaker.

Red Hook FC was back at home for their final home game of the regular season on October 10 against New York Braveheart SC. Both teams had some chances early on, but it was Braveheart that broke through with a goal in the 25th minute. They tacked on another one in the 41st minute, but Ahmed Abaza pulled one back for Red Hook and got the home fans excited. However, in the second half, Braveheart played well and scored in the 54th and 78th minutes, and they went on to win 4-1. Red Hook FC dropped to 7-1-1 with the loss.

To conclude their regular season, Red Hook FC went on the road to play NY Empire FC on October 17. The first half was defensive, and neither team created a lot of scoring chances, but a beautiful cross by Youssef Afif set up a goal on a header by Alberto Pangrazzi in the 45th minute. Red Hook FC held on to that lead for most of the game, but a shot from a long way out by NY Empire FC in the 83rd minute squeaked through to tie the game at one, and the game ended in a 1-1 draw. Red Hook FC finished the regular season with a 7-1-2 record.

Another successful season

Though they lost their perfect record, this was a second consecutive excellent regular season for Red Hook FC. They finished in second place, behind NY Renegades and just ahead of Latin Power FC, as they finished tied for second but own the tiebreaker.

Their strong play earned them a spot in the semifinals, and they took on Latin Power FC at home at Red Hook Field 5 at 2 pm on November 7. The two teams met on the same field on September 5, and Red Hook won 5-1, but both teams created plenty of scoring chances, and goalie Yacine Sidi Aissa was excellent in holding them to one goal.

A packed house

In their semifinal matchup, both teams were cautious at first, and neither team generated any big scoring chances, but the crowd was loudly cheering on Red Hook FC. The stands were packed, and fans spilled out onto the turf. Red Hook FC was able to earn a corner kick in the 30th minute, and after a beautiful cross into the box, Ali Dawha headed it into the far corner of the net to put Red Hook FC up 1-0. Fans banged on drums and fired off smoke bombs to celebrate.

Immediately after the goal, Red Hook nearly scored again, but an incredible volley from distance clanged off the crossbar and stayed out of the net. Latin Power FC generated their best scoring chance of the first half right after Red Hook hit the crossbar, as they had a chance in the box, but a key block kept the ball out of the net. Red Hook led 1-0 at the half.

In the 53rd minute, Latin Power FC was awarded a penalty kick after what appeared to be a clean tackle in the box. After protest from the crowd, Adrian Vera Burgos put a perfect penalty off the post and into the net to level the score at one.

Despite losing the lead, Red Hook FC controlled possession after the goal, and their captain, Harry Sankey, scored on a volley to regain the lead in the 60th minute, then celebrated with the crowd. A few minutes later, Latin Power FC tried a shot from distance, and Yacine Sidi Aissa made a routine save for Red Hook.

Latin Power FC tried another shot from distance, but Red Hook blocked it and quickly turned defense into offense. A nice pass sprung Scott Testori, who was in alone on goal and scored to put the home team up by two in the 79th minute. Red Hook FC did a nice job defending the rest of the way and won 3-1.

After the game, players and fans celebrated together as fans chanted “Red Hook.” For the second season in a row, Red Hook FC has made it to the championship, and they will play the winner of the game between NY Renegades FC and New York Braveheart SC.

It should be a great championship match, as Red Hook FC looks to cap off an incredible season.