Kingston Stockade FC Announces Jersey Sponsorship with Community Playthings

KINGSTON, NY — Semi-professional soccer team Kingston Stockade FC has named Community Playthings as their primary front-of-shirt sponsor for the 2022 NPSL season.

Stockade FC Chairman Dennis Crowley said that Community Playthings' ties to the local soccer community was what made the new sponsorship such a great fit for the Hudson Valley club.

"We are extremely excited to have Community Playthings on our jerseys, and just involved with Stockade overall," said Crowley. "They have been extremely supportive of the local community and our home field of Dietz Stadium for years, and they also have a strong connection to soccer in the Hudson Valley through all their success with programs at The Mount Academy.”

“Since 2010 when Dietz Stadium was last up-graded, Community Playthings has been committed to working with the City of Kingston and the Kingston City School District to maintain and improve Dietz Stadium. Since 2015 it has been wonderful to see the contributions that Stockade FC brings to Kingston and mid-Hudson Valley soccer. To show support for Stockade and our home city of Kingston, Community Playthings is excited to sponsor Stockade FC and support youth soccer programs. The sense of community and family at Stockade FC home games is strong”, said Community Playthings chairman John Rhodes.

The Mount Academy, located in Esopus, N.Y., won both the boys and girls NY State Class D high-school soccer titles in 2021, and has been one of the most successful scholastic soccer programs in the Hudson Valley over recent years. The Mount Academy is operated by the Bruderhof, who also own and operate Community Playthings, which creates furniture and equipment for school and nursery classrooms.

Community Playthings is not the only local sponsor that will appear on Stockade's new Capelli kits. Esteemed local cabinet builders Cabinet Designers are back for a fourth season as a sponsor (back of jersey) and local radio station Radio Woodstock is back for a sixth season (sleeve).

In additional sponsorship updates, while Trailways NY will no longer be featured on the front of the jersey, the local bus company will continue to be the exclusive transportation provider for Stockade FC. Their banners and buses will continue to appear at home games, as will sideline sponsors Ingalsbe Law, Bread Alone Bakery and Radio Kingston.

Founded in 2015, Kingston Stockade FC is entering its sixth season in the NPSL (National Premier Soccer League). While Stockade FC did not play in 2020 due to the season being canceled due to COVID, the club had a great season last year, earning a trip to the Conference Championship game, and is looking forward to welcoming thousands of fans back to Dietz Stadium for another great season of spring and summertime soccer matches.

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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 stockadefc.com

Stockade FC and Capelli Sport Announce Brand Partnership

Kingston, NY — Kingston Stockade FC and Capelli Sport have agreed on a four-year brand partnership that will begin for the upcoming 2022 NPSL season. The deal includes a brand new kit design to be released this spring. 

“Capelli Sport is committed to growing the Stockade FC brand and we are excited to create this new partnership,” said Chairman Dennis Crowley.

Capelli Sport is an international company with origins and international headquarters in the fashion metropolis of New York. Founded in 1990, they have been developing sportswear, accessories and equipment in close cooperation with top athletes since 2011. 

“We are excited to work with a New York provider, Capelli Sport. This relationship will allow us to outfit our athletes with top-of-the-line apparel and equipment, assisting us in achieving our ultimate goal of creating the best soccer atmosphere in the Hudson Valley,” said Technical Director Dan Hoffay 

Capelli Sport holds a vast network as the exclusive provider of numerous professional and amateur programs across the world. Some professional relationships include MSV Duisburg (Germany), HB Koge (Denmark 2nd league), Colorado Switchbacks FC (US USL Championship) and MLS’ Pro Referee Organization as well as many youth organizations in the United States. 

Stay tuned for more details and updates.

CAPELLI SPORT RELEASE: Click Here

Rob Esposito Set to Lead Stockade FC Under-23

Kingston, NY— Marist Men’s Soccer Assistant Coach, Rob Esposito, has been chosen to be the first head coach of Stockade FC Under-23. 

Esposito, who has worked under Marist Head Coach Matt Viggiano since 2017, is an extremely well respected coach in the Hudson Valley. Prior to Marist, Esposito had successful runs with SUNY Dutchess and Mount Saint Mary College. Esposito currently holds a NSCAA Advanced National Diploma and is finalizing his Class C License with the Football Association of Wales.

“Stockade FC is extremely proud to welcome Rob to our ranks,” said Technical Director Dan Hoffay. “Rob is an accomplished and well respected coach in the Hudson Valley who will help bridge the gap and prepare our U-23 pool for senior team action.”

In addition, Esposito also had a noteworthy playing career. At Herkimer Community College, Esposito featured in two National Championships, winning in 2005. Following his time at Herkimer, Esposito concluded his collegiate career with two seasons at SUNY Fredonia.

“Rob brings a great deal of experience and expertise to the program. We are excited to work with him to help bring Stockade FC into a new level of competition,” added Jamal Lis-Simmons, Stockade FC First Team Head Coach.

Steve Sutton, former Stockade FC assistant under David Lindholm and current Red Hook High School coach, will lead the management side of the Under-23 program. 

For information regarding tryouts, visit stockadefc.com/tryouts.

Stockade FC Announces “Stockade Futures” with Launch of Under-23 Team

Kingston, NY— Stockade FC is pleased to announce the “Stockade Futures” program with the launch of our U-23 (“Under-23”) team. The intent of the Stockade Futures program is to offer accessible opportunities for players to grow their skills as they work towards being selected for Stockade FC’s First Team, which plays in the NPSL.

“We are thrilled to begin our Under-23 program and provide a platform for more players in the Hudson Valley to showcase their skills,” said Dan Hoffay, Stockade FC Technical Director.

“Stockade FC U-23” will begin competing in the EDP starting this summer. The season will run in June and July and the team will be composed of local high school and college players. The schedule will be announced as soon as it becomes available (and we do not expect U-23 game dates to conflict or overlap with the First Team).

“This is extremely exciting,” said First Team Head Coach Jamal Lis-Simmons. “This will give us another chance to get high quality training and match action for more players in our system.”

For more information regarding tryouts for Stockade FC U-23 , visit stockadefc.com/tryouts.

More opportunities to become involved in Stockade Futures will be announced in the coming months.

Stockade FC Falls to Hartford City in North Atlantic Conference Final

Hartford, CT — Stockade FC came up short in the North Atlantic Conference Final in Hartford. Hartford City claims the title, 3-2.

On a slick, wet night, sloppy play would be a theme as an early Hartford City goal in the 14th minute put Stockade FC in a hole. 

Stockade FC would equalize in the 26th minute as a dangerous free kick from Hugo Guerra (URI) skipped to the back post for Scott Zobre to fire home.

The stalemate would last only 4 minutes as Hartford City reclaimed the lead as a deflected ball skipped around in the box before being punched into the net. 

Again, Stockade FC would have an answer. Hugo Guerra cut in on his right foot outside the box and fired a wonder goal into the top goal to bring Stockade back on level terms just before halftime.

A tense second half saw chances for both sides created. Ultimately, Hartford City would, again, find their go-ahead goal in the 76th minute as a counter attack caught the Stockade FC back line out of position and slipped a driven ball in front of goal for the lead.

Stockade FC would not go lightly. Reserves pushed forward and searched for an equalizer that never came.

Hartford City would test Lorenzo Nunez (West Virginia) in goal but Nunez was up to the test on numerous occasions. 

Hartford City lifted the 2021 North Atlantic Conference Title and ended Stockade FC’s campaign at 6-2-4 (W-L-T). 

Thank you to our amazing supporters who are always by our side. You never seem to go quietly into the night and support us through good times and bad. We can’t explain how much you mean to us all. You are the literal heartbeat of this club.

See you all soon! 

10-man Stockade FC Outlasts NY Shockers in Penalties

Albany, NY — Stockade FC advances to the North Atlantic Conference Championship on Saturday with a 1-1 (4-2) win in penalties vs NY Shockers. 

Scott Zobre opened the scoring in the 39th minute as Tom Stickley (Fairfield) delivered a stunning cross to meet the streaking head of Zobre in the box for a 1-0 lead.

In the 63rd minute, Shockers would equalize as a nice piece of play resulted in a back door tap in for the leveler.

Controversy struck in the 71st minute as a physical altercation between a Shockers player and Stockade’s Paterson Kabore saw Kabore issued a straight red card.

Down to 10-men, Stockade FC would battle for the final 19 minutes and into overtime to force a penalty shootout. 

Ultimately, Stockade FC would advance 4-2 on penalties as Richard Morris, Tom Stickley, Noah Robinson and Paul Makaj would all find the back of the net. Lorenzo Nunez (West Virginia) would make a massive save in penalty kicks.

Stockade FC improves to 6-1-4 (W-L-T) and will meet Hartford City on Saturday night in Hartford for a chance to lift the conference title. Date and location TBD. 

Stockade FC Fall in Season Finale

Albany, NY — Stockade FC suffered their first defeat of the 2021 campaign with a 2-0 loss to New York Shockers on Saturday night. Two second half goals ultimately were the difference.

After a rocky and chippy first half which saw the referee attempt to regain control of the match by issuing yellow cards, a penalty in the 58th minute would be the first major action of the match. 

Dylan McDermott (Marist) made a diving save to his right to keep the match level. 

Again, in the 82nd minute, the referee’s whistle would be the deciding factor. Another penalty was awarded to Shockers despite protests. This time, Shockers would take the lead.

Shockers would double their lead just 3 minutes later as Stockade FC began to push numbers forward in search of an equalizer.

The loss is Stockade FC’s first setback of 2021 as they fall to 5-1-4 (W-L-T) on the season. With Hartford City’s win over Rough Diamonds, and Shockers win tonight, Stockade FC will travel to Albany on Wednesday for the conference semi-final as a 3 seed (based on NPSL tie breaker “most wins in conference competition”).

Stockade FC Rolls Over Rough Diamonds, 5-1

Kingston, NY—  Stockade FC rolled to a 5-1 win over Rough Diamonds on Saturday evening with goals from Vinny Colantuono (2), Hugo Guerra, Richie Morris and Joe Kresse. 

In the 10th minute, Stockade FC nearly took a lead as Matt Koziol’s penalty kick struck the post. 

Vinny Colantuono would eventually open the scoring in the 17th minute as Ryan Langkafel’s perfectly timed pass allowed Colantuono to bend his strike around the keeper for a 1-0 lead.

Rough Diamonds would strike back quickly as a driven cross deflected off a Stockade FC defender and leveled the match. 

Hugo Guerra (URI) would restore the lead in the 35th minute with a beautiful piece of skill after a pass from Sam LaTorre (Marist). 

Just before the halftime break, Stockade FC would extend the lead as Vinny Colantuono would add his second goal of the night. A driven cross field ball by Tom Stickley (Fairfield) was nodded down by Scott Zobre into the path of Colantuono for his brace. 

The reserves would come in and begin to apply pressure. Richard Morris would add the 4th as he finished a beautiful cross from Brandon Davenport (New Paltz) and 18 year old Joe Kresse of Goshen, NY scored his first Stockade FC goal as he fired home a rebound. 

The night also featured a Stockade FC debut from Goalkeeper AJ Lucas from Beacon High School.

Stockade FC remains unbeaten at 5-0-4 (W-L-T) and concludes the regular season with a trip to Albany on July 10th for an 8PM matchup with New York Shockers. 

Conference Playoffs will begin on Wednesday July 14. Updates will follow as conference standings are updated.

MOTM- Vinny Colantuono (#19 Fwd)

Colantuono’s brace set the stage for Stockade FC’s 5-1 win over Rough Diamonds on Saturday evening. Colantuono’s 2 goals add to his tally of 7 on the season.