Red Hook FC Spring 2026 Season Begins

Red Hook FC began a new season on April 11 against NY Empire in front of an excited home crowd at Red Hook Field 5. The team is in the fourth tier of soccer in the United States, which is a semi-pro level.

A large crowd of approximately 300 people filled the bleachers and spilled over onto the turf field for the game. There was food, including hot dogs and special Red Hook FC donuts, as well as drinks. Just before kickoff, children joined the Red Hook FC players on the field for the national anthem.

There were some early-season jitters in the first few minutes, and NY Empire capitalized with an early goal in the sixth minute. After a few early giveaways, the home team settled in and started controlling possession and generating scoring chances. Alberto Pangrazzi broke through on a nice shot after the ball was played into the box and tied it at one in the 22nd minute.

Despite playing well for the rest of the first half, the score remained tied. In the 50th minute, Red Hook took the lead on a beautiful volley from distance by Anderson Asiedu. Red Hook FC continued to control play and create chances, and goalie Michael Hesse still came up with some timely saves for them when NY Empire threatened. In the 85th minute, Harry Sankey, the team’s leading scorer last season, put the game away with a nice finish. They won 3-1 and saluted the crowd after an excellent opening game.

Red Hook FC’s second game of the season was on the road against Osner’s FC. They got off to a strong start as Sankey’s shot in the 13th minute deflected in to give them an early lead. Just two minutes later, Red Hook FC made it 2-0 on a goal by Jerry Tagliavia, but two minutes after that, Osner’s FC responded to cut the lead to 2-1.

Red Hook continued to generate scoring chances in the first half, and Pangrazzi scored on a volley to make it 3-1 in the 26th minute and got his second of the match late in stoppage time to give the road team a 4-1 lead at the half. Osner’s FC got a goal early in the second half and then made it a one-goal game with a few minutes to go, but Red Hook FC held on for a 4-3 victory to improve to 2-0-0.

Red Hook FC’s second home game of the season took place on April 25, with temperatures in the 40s, pouring rain, and gusts of wind. They played against NY Braveheart, who also entered the match with a 2-0-0 record.

An early ball crossed into the box resulted in an own goal that put Red Hook FC up 1-0 in the 4th minute. The home team continued to play well and generate chances, and El Mahdi Youssoufi scored to make it 2-0 in the 26th minute. They rode the momentum, and Sankey scored in the 32nd minute to make it 3-0.

NY Braveheart battled back with a goal in stoppage time and another goal early in the second half, which cut the lead to 3-2. For the most part, Red Hook FC defended well and limited chances late in the second half, but Joshua Schaffer came up with a massive save late in the game to help them hold for the victory. The 3-2 win made Red Hook FC 3-0-0.

On May 2, Red Hook FC went on the road to face NY Renegades FC, who were also undefeated. They conceded an early goal in the second minute and were unable to generate many scoring chances. They fell behind 2-0 in the 31st minute, and though they defended well, they could not break through offensively and ended up losing 3-0.

Despite the loss, Red Hook FC is still 3-0-1 and tied for second place out of nine teams in the American North Division. Red Hook FC returns home to play NYC Haiti FC on May 9 at 4 pm at Red Hook Field 5. They then go on the road to play AFC Academy on May 16, Brooklyn FC U20 on May 20, and Kelmendi FC NY on May 24. They return home to play AFC Academy on May 30 at 4 pm at Red Hook Field 5.