Despite championship game loss, Red Hook FC becoming a force in NYC soccer

Red Hook FC has had an incredible spring season, taking a step forward from the fall. Last season, they lost some tough games, then bounced back and found a way to make the playoffs, but lost 4-3 to Osner’s FC in the first round.

This season, Red Hook FC was dominant. They won their home opener 3-1 over NY Empire FC and then got some revenge against Osner’s FC with a 4-3 road victory. Their lone loss came against last season’s champions, NY Renegades FC.

Red Hook FC has received plenty of support at their home games, and they have used it to their advantage, winning all four of their home matches, including a 3-2 victory against New York Braveheart FC and an impressive 8-0 rout of NYC Haiti United FC. They won all five of their matches in May, giving them an 8-0-1 record.

On June 6, Red Hook FC was expected to play NY Braveheart SC in a night game on the road, but there was lightning in the area. At first, the start was pushed back by 20 minutes, then by an hour, and then it was cancelled when the weather did not improve.

The game was played a few days later, and Red HooK FC ended the regular season on a high note. They defended well and created a few chances before Mehdi Youssoufi broke through to give them a 1-0 lead in the 22nd minute. In the 34th minute, Stefano Campisi made it 2-0, and that was the score at the half. Red Hook FC continued to defend well in the second half, and Youssef Afif put the game away with a goal in the 87th minute. The 3-0 victory got them to 9-0-1 on the season. They ended the regular season winning six consecutive matches while allowing just two total goals in those six matches.

On June 20, in front of a home crowd of hundreds of people, Red Hook FC took on Osner’s FC in a rematch from last season. This time, though, rather than meeting in the quarterfinals, they met in the semifinals.

Red Hook FC immediately grabbed the momentum, scoring on a header by Muntaha Kalley from a corner kick in the fifth minute. In the 10th minute, they made it 2-0, as Kalley once again headed it in from a corner kick. They made it 3-0 in the 42nd after they forced a turnover and made a nice pass to set up a tap-in goal by Youssoufi.

Rather than sit back and defend, the home team continued to push and create scoring chances. A few quick passes set up another tap-in goal by Youssoufi in the 52nd minute. In the 71st minute, Alberto Pangrazzi made it 5-0 as he pounced on a rebound opportunity. They defended well throughout the match, and while Osner’s FC scored a late goal to avoid a shutout, it was a dominant 5-1-victory for Red Hook FC. The players saluted excited fans after the match.

On June 27, Red Hook FC traveled to Central Islip, Long Island, for the championship match against NY Renegades FC. The game was tightly contested defensively, and while both teams managed to generate some chances, neither could break through and score in the first half. In the second half, both teams made key substitutions, and Red Hook FC came up with some important tackles to deny scoring chances. Once again, however, neither team could break through, and the game went to extra time.

In extra time, NY Renegades created a few big chances, but Yacine Sidi Aissa made a great save, and defensive pressure forced a few other shots wide. Red Hook defended a couple of late corner kicks well to send the game to penalties. After each team scored on their first shot, Red Hook was stopped on their second, while NY Renegades converted. Still down one, NY Renegades fourth penalty shot hit the crossbar, but Red Hook was denied on their chance to tie it up. NY Renegades converted on their next penalty to win the match.

Though it was a heartbreaking end to the season, Red Hook FC has only been around for a few years and has already made massive strides.

Red Hook FC did just that. Additionally, they have already moved from the sixth tier of American soccer to the fifth tier, to the fourth tier, and after losing in the quarterfinals in the spring, they made it to the championship this season. They took NY Renegades FC, who not only won the conference last season but also the national championship, to penalties. Red Hook should be proud of this team, and the hope is to keep building and come back even stronger next season.