Kingston Stockade FC to Hold Open Tryouts on Weekend of March 4-5; Interested Players Must Register Online

KINGSTON, N.Y. -- In an effort to continue to promote the beautiful game in the Hudson Valley, Kingston Stockade FC will be holding its second-annual open tryouts next month.

On Saturday, March 4 (9am-2pm) and Sunday, March 5 (9am-2pm) at Dietz Stadium, Stockade will hold open tryouts for all local players whom believe they're capable of playing semi-pro soccer.

Players interested in trying out for a spot on the team MUST REGISTER at http://www.stockadefc.com/tryouts before showing up. Players that don't pre-register will not be allowed to take the pitch.

Tryouts are open to fans and media too -- free of charge, no tickets required -- and Stockade merchandise will be on sale as well.

Stockade founder Dennis Crowley is excited to continue to give local products a chance to strut their stuff in front of the Stockade coaches and local fans as well.

"Last year's tryout was well attended, and we found some great players as well," said Crowley. "We're really excited to do it again this year and build a stronger connection to Hudson Valley soccer players and fans."

New head coach David Lindholm will be overseeing the tryouts.

Players can e-mail tryouts@stockadefc.com with any additional questions.

By Randy Kim, Kingston Stockade FC General Manager

Kingston Stockade FC Hires David Lindholm as New Head Coach

David Lindholm joins Kingston Stockade as the club's new head coach.

David Lindholm joins Kingston Stockade as the club's new head coach.

By Randy Kim, Kingston Stockade FC GM

KINGSTON, N.Y. -- Kingston Stockade FC is proud to announce that they have hired David Lindholm, a coach at Bard College who has worked at every level of American soccer, to take over as head coach of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) club.

Lindholm takes over for ex-head coach George Vizvary, who was the first head coach in club history. Vizvary led the club to a 5-3-8 (wins-draws-losses) record in its inaugural season, including an impressive 5-0-3 home record.

Club chairman Dennis Crowley expressed excitement at the new hire.

"Stockade would like to thank Coach Vizvary for all his great work in building a strong foundation for our club," said Crowley. "We're excited about Coach Lindholm building on top of that foundation and think he's the perfect person to continue our tradition of connecting with the club and the community while putting a great product out on the pitch."

Lindholm was also excited about his opportunity to take the reins with the Kingston club.

"This club has done amazing things in a short time, and it is an honor to have been given this opportunity," said Lindholm. "I would like to thank Dennis and the entire Stockade staff for putting their faith in me, and I look forward to a great season."

Prior to joining Bard as an assistant coach in the summer of 2016, Lindholm coached at both the Division I level (University of Massachusetts) and Division III (Western New England University, Middlebury College), winning a National Championship with Middlebury in 2007.

From 2008-2014, Lindholm held positions in the front offices of Chivas USA and the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer. Lindholm was the Director of Media Relations for the Rapids, and has worked closely with esteemed professional coaches like Preki, Robin Fraser, Gary Smith and Pablo Mastroeni.

Lindholm graduated from Middlebury College in 2005, and was a goalkeeper at Middlebury from 2001-2004. He then played two seasons of semi-professional soccer with the Vermont Voltage of the Premier Development League.

Stockade FC will be holding open tryouts again this year in March. Please email tryouts@stockadefc.com if you are interested in getting more information about the tryouts.

Kingston Stockade Football Club is a men's semi-professional soccer team based in Kingston, N.Y. Stockade FC represents the Hudson Valley in the NPSL, which is the 4th division of the U.S. soccer pyramid. For more information on Kingston Stockade FC, visit http://stockadefc.com. You can also follow the club on both Twitter and Instagram at @StockadeFC and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/stockadefc

Kingston Stockade FC's Dylan Williams Signs Professional Contract in Australia; Matel Anasta and Matt Koziol Represent Stockade at NPSL Player Showcase

Dylan Williams signed a contract to play professionally in Tasmania.

Dylan Williams signed a contract to play professionally in Tasmania.

By Randy Kim, Kingston Stockade FC General Manager

KINGSTON, N.Y. -- It might be the offseason, but the wins keep rolling in for Kingston Stockade FC and the club's players. And on an international scale, no less.

The first bit of exciting news: attacking midfielder Dylan Williams has officially signed a professional contract with Australian club Launceston City FC. Williams will head to Australia in January on a one-year contract after emerging as one of Stockade's standout players in its inaugural season. 

Meanwhile, as Williams was shoring up his future abroad, two more Stockade standouts looked to improve their domestic standing, as Matel Anasta and Matt Koziol took place in the 2017 National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) Player Showcase from Jan. 7-9 at the StubHub Center in Carson, California, home stadium for the Los Angeles Galaxy. 

Organized as a four-team tournament, with players broken up by region -- West, South, Northeast and Midwest -- the NPSL Player Showcase is a chance for top, young NPSL players to display their abilities in front of professional coaches and scouts, and has led to professional contracts for a handful of players in the past. Anasta and Koziol played for the Northeast team in the Showcase, but their side bowed out to the Midwest on Sunday. Regardless, it remains to be seen if either player will garner interest from scouts in attendance.

Anasta (L) and Koziol (R) recently went to L.A. to play in front of professional scouts and coaches.

Anasta (L) and Koziol (R) recently went to L.A. to play in front of professional scouts and coaches.

Williams' own professional future looks to be secure for at least the next year, however, and the 23-year-old SUNY Oneonta product credited Kingston Stockade FC with his continued development after finishing his college career.

"Playing with Stockade confirmed my desire to continue my soccer career and and play professionally," said Williams. "It consistently tested my ability against a higher level of competition and really helped me grow as a player and center midfielder."

For Stockade founder Dennis Crowley, advancing the careers of young players like Williams was one of the reasons the club was founded.

"We're certainly going to miss Dylan on the pitch, but we couldn't be any happier for him," said Crowley. "Stockade will continue to do all it can to continue to promote and showcase young talents from the Hudson Valley area."

Williams, in turn, sees bright things for the Kingston side due to the impressive club culture.

"The guys at Stockade are nothing but class and I know big things are coming," said Williams. "I want to thank everyone there for giving me my start and pushing me to get better throughout the year."

Williams, who played as an attacking midfielder for Stockade, scored 3 goals and had 5 assists in the 2016 season. Prior to that he was a two-time All-American at SUNY Oneonta.

Williams' new club, Launceston City, is based in Launceston, Tasmania and plays in the NPL Tasmania, an eight-team league that falls within Australia's second tier. Nicknamed "Juventus," Launceston City finished 5th in the league in 2016. 

"Juve" plays in the 1,000-seat Mitsubishi Park stadium, located in Prospect, Tasmania.

Kingston Stockade FC Wins Final Home Match of Season in Style by Topping Seacoast Mariners

Stockade players applaud the record home crowd after Sunday's win (photo by Nick Hoffay)

Stockade players applaud the record home crowd after Sunday's win (photo by Nick Hoffay)

By Randy Kim, Kingston Stockade FC General Manager; match analysis provided by Dan Hoffay

KINGSTON, N.Y. -- In the final home match of the season, the hosts paid tribute to their local fans in fitting fashion.

Playing in front of a season-high 936 fans, Kingston Stockade FC topped Seacoast Mariners, 4-0, at Dietz Stadium on Sunday.

Dylan Williams opened the scoring for Stockade FC in the 40th minute with a second-effort off a corner kick that was redirected by a defender.

Then in the 75th minute, Joe Bogart played a lovely swinging cross from the right side that Ant Barone volleyed into the back of the net.

Stockade FC continued the pressure, as Patrick Alvarez drove a cross in that was redirected by a Seacoast defender for an own goal in the 87th minute.

Alvarez completed the scoring in the 90th minute. Barone played a gorgeous through ball that Alvarez brought down on his chest and volleyed in to the near post top corner from 20 yards out. This flattering 4-0 scoreline to Stockade was how the day finished for the Kingston club.

Williams, Michael Creswick and Tyler Vona did a great job locking down the midfield for Stockade. Paulino Curto and Daniel Cortez also provided spark off the bench out wide. Alvarez was also able to create problems for the Seacoast defense after subbing on, and Barone also went a long way in changing the complexion of the game when he came on.

David Giddings put forth a very solid effort in goal, while the back four of Bogart, Jamal Lis-Simmons, Phil Barrett and Jeff Paine all went 90 minutes in the shutout win.

Kingston's final two matches are both on the road next weekend. Stockade FC visits New York Athletic Club on Saturday, July 9 at 4 p.m. ET, followed by a visit to the New York Cosmos on Sunday, July 10 at 11 a.m. ET.

Kingston Stockade FC Loses to Brooklyn Italians at Dietz Stadium

By Randy Kim, Kingston Stockade FC General Manager

KINGSTON, N.Y. -- The second-to-last home match of the season didn't go quite as Kingston Stockade FC might've hoped, despite a game effort by the home side.

In a hard-fought match on Sunday, Stockade FC fell to Brooklyn Italians, 2-1, at Dietz Stadium.

Italians went up 1-0 in the 28th minute to unsettle the home side so soon after their impressive 6-1 drubbing of Seacoast United Phantoms on Saturday afternoon.

Stockade fought back, however, and leveled the match off of a gutsy diving goal from Corey Phillips in the 45th minute. The goal can be seen on Stockade defender Tommy Steigerwald's Instagram account here.

Italians, however, were able to score the final and deciding goal of the match in the second half to see out a 2-1 road win.

The home side was well supported, however, as an impressive 780 fans showed up to cheer on the Hudson Valley squad.

Stockade's next match will be on Sunday, July 3 at 4 p.m. ET at Dietz Stadium against Seacoast United Mariners. The game represents the final home match of the season for Stockade.

The loss leaves Kingston with a 4-2-7 record (wins-draws-losses).

 

Kingston Stockade FC Wins, 6-1, Over Seacoast United Phantoms

Hat-trick hero Michael Creswick does a post-match interview after Stockade FC's lopsided win.

Hat-trick hero Michael Creswick does a post-match interview after Stockade FC's lopsided win.

By Randy Kim, Kingston Stockade FC General Manager

KINGSTON, N.Y. -- After six straight matches without a win, Kingston Stockade FC managed to right the ship in style.

Playing against a shorthanded side, Stockade FC managed goals aplenty in a 6-1 home win over Seacoast United Phantoms.

Phantoms showed up to Dietz Stadium with just nine players in uniform, a situation that Kingston was quick to take advantage of, much to the delight of the 509 home fans in attendance.

Stockade FC opened the scoring in the 16th minute, thanks to a fine finish from forward Corey Phillips.

Phantoms countered immediately, however, due to a combination of tricky dribbling and some lax defending on the part of the home side. Vincent Gonzalez placed the ball in the back of the net in the 17th minute, leveling the match at 1-1.

But from there it was all Stockade.

Matt Koziol scored the second goal of the day for the hosts with a beautiful spot kick that ricocheted purposefully off the goalpost before going in. Koziol's goal made it 2-1 for Stockade, a scoreline that held until the half.

Unfortunately Koziol himself didn't make it to halftime, subbing off in the first half with an apparent hamstring injury.

And then from the midpoint on, it became the Michael Creswick show.

Creswick scored an extremely impressive second-half hat-trick -- the first in Stockade FC history -- using an array of looping headers and curling shots from distance. The Newcastle, England native was too much for Phantoms to handle, and put the match well out of reach for the short-sided visitors.

With the three goals in the 46th, 87th and 90th minutes, the former NPSL Player of the Week now has nine goals on the season to go along with five assists in just 12 matches.

Anthony Barone completed the scoring for Stockade in the 84th minute, scoring his first goal of the season after seeing his season delayed due to a preseason injury.

The 6-1 victory lifts Stockade over Phantoms into sixth place in the Northeast: Atlantic Conference of the NPSL with a 4-2-6 record (wins-draws-losses). The margin of victory also lifts Kingston to an impressive +2 goal differential on the season.

Stockade FC's next match is on Sunday against Brooklyn Italians at 5 p.m. ET at Dietz Stadium.

Below are all of the Stockade goals, courtesy of @ivanlajara.

 

Kingston Stockade FC Starting XI: Giddings; Barrett, Liz-Simmons, Koziol, Bogart; Anasta, Fortier, Williams, Tropeano; Phillips, Creswick

Kingston Stockade FC Falls on Road to Boston City FC

(Photo by Dan Hoffay)

(Photo by Dan Hoffay)

By Randy Kim, Kingston Stockade FC General Manager

MALDEN, Mass. -- Despite a game effort by the plucky visitors, it just wasn't meant to be for the team from the Hudson Valley.

In a battle of first-year clubs, Kingston Stockade FC fell, 2-0, to Boston City FC on Wednesday in Malden, Mass.

Boston City opened up the scoring in the 67th minute courtesy of a long-range shot from Homero Morais.

Then in the 72nd minute, a penalty was called on Stockade FC goalkeeper David Giddings. Giddings initially made amends by saving the spot kick, but Michael Bustamante scored on the rebound to make it 2-0, which held until the end of the match.

Overall, it was a scrappy match on both sides. With Stockade FC stretched thin due to injury, Aldo Tropeano, Joe Bogart and Paulino Curto all put in hard shifts for the visitors. Matt Koziol rotated from his regular central midfield spot to the center of defense, while Michael Creswick -- Stockade FC's leading scorer -- missed the match due to yellow card accumulation.

Stockade FC now hosts two matches this weekend. The first one is against Seacoast United Phantoms on Saturday at 2 p.m. ET at Dietz Stadium. The second is against Brooklyn Italians on Sunday at 5 p.m. ET at Dietz Stadium.

 

Kingston Stockade FC Falls, 4-2, to New York Cosmos B at Dietz Stadium

(Photo: Ed Diller)

(Photo: Ed Diller)

By Randy Kim, Kingston Stockade FC General Manager

KINGSTON, N.Y. -- Despite falling to the defending NPSL champs, the local upstarts showed a good bit of fightback in front of a big home crowd.

Kingston Stockade FC fell to New York Cosmos B, 4-2, on Saturday afternoon in front of a packed Dietz Stadium. No fewer than 870 fans filed in to see the first-year Hudson Valley club take on the storied Cosmos, who are arguably the best-known club in the history of American soccer.

The Cosmos went up 2-0 in the first half on this hot June day.

Stockade FC then turned to a known quantity, English forward Michael Creswick, who slotted neatly home in the second half to make it 2-1.

Cosmos countered again in the second half, however, to lift their lead back to two goals.

But Creswick found the back of the net yet again in the second half after that to make the score 3-2.

The Cosmos were not done on the day, however, as they put home a fourth goal to lift their lead back to an insurmountable 4-2 road win.

For Creswick -- the former NPSL Mitre Player of the Week -- the brace represented his fifth and sixth goals of the season.

The loss leaves Kingston at 3-2-5 (wins-draws-losses) and places them at 7th place in the NPSL Northeast Atlantic division table.

Kingston's now faces a stretch of three matches in five days.

On Wednesday, Stockade FC heads to Boston United FC on Wednesday (8 p.m. ET) to face a club they lost to at home.

They then host Seacoast United Phantoms on Saturday (2 p.m. ET) and Brooklyn Italians on Sunday (5 p.m. ET), with both matches being played at Dietz Stadium.

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