Williamsburg International F.C. Explained

Nickname:The Doylies; WIFC
Ground:McCarren Park, Bushwick Inlet Park
Kit Alt1:Football kit (green jersey; white; and green socks).
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Kit Alt3:Football kit (gold jersey; black; and black socks).
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Fullname:Williamsburg International Football Club
Founded: as "Doyle's Corner Football Club"
Owntitle:President
Owner:Charles von Rosenberg
Chrtitle:Manager
Chairman:Jason Roos
Mgrtitle:Treasurer
Manager:Gerald van den Berg
League:Cosmopolitan Soccer League
Season:2023-24
Position:7th
Website:http://www.wifcny.com/

Williamsburg International F.C. is an American amateur football club based in Brooklyn, New York. Established in 2011, the club's first and reserve teams play in the second division of the Cosmopolitan Soccer League, an elite amateur league, under the umbrella of the United States Adult Soccer Association.

PressBeginning in Spring 2024, with a feature on Williamsburg International's season opener,[1] the Game on Wheels sports blog, written by Tyrese Alleyne-Davis began a series of articles covering the club.

Williamsburg International FC Club President Charles von Rosenberg was interviewed by Game in Frame as part of the Spring preview series in January 2022.[2]

Williamsburg International FC Club Manager Jason Roos was interviewed as part of a feature on the club by Protagonist Soccer in February 2021.

[3]

The club was mentioned in a September 2020 op-ed in The New York Times on keeping New York's rich amateur soccer legacy alive during the COVID-19 pandemic.[4]

In September 2018, the club was one of six teams featured in Front Row Soccer's coverage of the annual Sal Rapaglia Cup.[5] Williamsburg International earned their spot in the tournament, reserved for the champions of the Eastern New York State Soccer Association's competitions, by winning the 2018 Jack Flamhaft Cup.

In February 2017, Charles von Rosenberg, one of the club's founders, was interviewed by American Pyramid Blog as part of their ongoing feature highlighting soccer at the local level.[6]

In 2016, Josh Roos, WIFC Communications and Marketing Officer, was interviewed as part of ThemeBoy's showcase to discuss his redesign of the club's website.[7]

History

Early years (2010–2013)

Williamsburg International Football Club was founded in 2011 as "Doyle's Corner Football Club" in New York City. The club played in weeknight men's leagues in Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn before joining the Cosmopolitan Soccer League in August 2013.

A frequent early gathering spot for post-match drinks was Astoria's Doyle's Corner Pub, influencing the early naming of the team and referenced to this day through the club's moniker "The Doylies". It was here where the team first learned of the Cosmopolitan Soccer League and began to dream of a full-fledged eleven-a-side club.[8]

During this time the club earned its first trophy by winning the 2013 New York Men's Williamsburg Wednesday Fall Championship. The Doylies would go on to have continued success in weeknight leagues and small-sided tournaments, winning trophies in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018.

Rise in the Cosmopolitan Soccer League (2013–2020)

Under the direction of the club's first head coach, Ben Reichner, the Doylies managed a successful inaugural campaign, including an undefeated spring half of the season.

Bennett Grubbs took the reins in the second season and began building a system and style that would grow into a championship formula. An underwhelming sophomore season, and an 8th-place finish, gave way to optimism as the club entered its third year bursting with talent and possibility.

Capping off a third season in which they lost but a single match, Williamsburg were triumphant in a 3–0 defeat over Metro 2 East Conference Champions Shamrock SC at Randall's Island on June 5, 2016, to win the 2015–16 CSL Metro 2 Division title. Goal scorers in the title match were Mark Gallagher (1) and Andreas Moudatsos (2).[9]

Mark Gallagher took over coaching duties as the club moved up to the CSL's Metro 1 Division. A change in division and a change in coaching had little impact on the Doylie's fortunes as the team soared to a 13–2–3 finish, winning the division title by 4 points over NYFC Iliria. The Doylies clinched the title with an 8–1 romp over Deportivo Sociedade NY at Randall's Island on May 14, 2017, with goals from Mark Gallagher, John Kaddo (2), Nicolas Mikolenko (3), and Charles von Rosenberg (2).[10]

Back-to-back titles earned promotion for Williamsburg to the CSL's second tier, where the club has made its home since 2017.

In 2024, Williamsburg International FC narrowly missed out on the Division 2 Cosmopolitan Soccer League playoffs, falling 0-3 in their final match of the season. [11]

Post-COVID Growth (2020–Present)

In 2020, the entire New York Soccer community felt the impact of restrictions on social activities due to COVID-19,[12] and Williamsburg International was no exception. Beginning in Spring 2021, teams began again playing competitive matches. Many clubs struggled to survive the impact of the pandemic.

Under the leadership of Club Manager Jason Roos, Williamsburg International FC began a rapid period of growth in the post-COVID era. The club launched a third Men's team in Fall 2021, competing in the Cosmopolitan Soccer League Fourth Division. In Fall 2023, Williamsburg International FC launched a Women's Team competing in the New York Metropolitan Women's Soccer League B Division. [13]

Club motto

The club's official motto is "Maxime Parva Faciunt Differentiae" (The little things make all the difference).

The club's unofficial slogan is "Serious Fun".

Yearly records

League ChampionsEastern New York State Champions

Williamsburg International FC Men's I

Season
Head Coach
Division
W
D
L
Standing
2023-24 Eduardo GarciaCSL Division 29457th
2022-23 Eduardo GarciaCSL Division 25386th
2021-22 John KaddoCSL Division 254118th
2020-21* John KaddoCSL Division 24067th
2019-20* John KaddoCSL Division 231611th
2018-19 Mark GallagherCSL Division 27455th
2017-18 Mark GallagherCSL Division 28354th
2016-17 Mark GallagherCSL Division 313231st
2015-16 Bennett GrubbsCSL Division 415211st
2014-15 Bennett GrubbsCSL Division 46288th
2013-14 Benjamin ReichnerCSL Division 49254th

2019-20 and 2020–21 seasons were shortened due to COVID-19.

Williamsburg International FC II

Season
Head Coach
Division
W
D
L
Standing
2023-24 Augustus EsgroCSL Division 2 Reserve73810th
2022-23 Augustus EsgroCSL Division 2 Reserve32118th
2021-22 Augustus EsgroCSL Division 2 Reserve63118th
2020-21* Augustus EsgroCSL Division 2 Reserve3257th
2019-20* Augustus EsgroCSL Division 2 Reserve7123rd
2018-19 Augustus EsgroCSL Division 2 Reserve10333rd
2017-18 Christopher JeeCSL Division 2 Reserve8353rd
2016-17 Richard ButterworthCSL Metro 26487th

2019-20 and 2020–21 seasons were shortened due to COVID-19.

Williamsburg International FC Men's III

Season
Head Coach
Division
W
D
L
Standing
2023-24 Joseph CascioCSL Division 48199th
2022-23 Adolfo RodriguezCSL Division 48196th
2021-22 Charles von RosenbergCSL Division 442129th

Honors

Eastern New York State Soccer Association

Cosmopolitan Soccer League

New York Mens Williamsburg Wednesday League[18]

New York Soccer Summer Classic[19]

New York Soccer Winter Classic

Club records

Men's Records

Nat.!!Apps
1Gerald van den Berg155
2Gaurav Hingorani122
3Jason Roos116
4Augustus Esgro110
5John Kaddo102
Nat.!!Goals
1Mark Gallagher95
2John Kaddo86
3Andreas Moudatsos76
4Daniel Rivas32
4Nicolas Mikolenko32
Nat.!!GAA
1Steve Flinchbaugh2.19
2John Erganian2.20
3Johnny Shaw2.38

Women's Records

Nat.!!Apps
1Nya Rafali17
2Malya Hirshkowitz16
3Paulina Vairo15
3Brooke Tucker15
5 Erin Cullen13
5 Katya Urbano13
5 Madi Chassin13
Nat.!!Goals
1Malya Hirshkowitz7
2Nya Rafali6
2Paulina Vairo6
4Mara Greene4
5Pauline Claramunt4
Nat.!!GAA
1Annie Virnig1.00
2Mae Easterbrook2.00
3Michaela Hecht2.53

Hall of Fame

During Williamsburg International's 10th Anniversary Celebration, the club elected five members as part of an inaugural Hall of Fame cohort. In order to be considered for the Hall of Fame, players must no longer be active players. Hall of Fame nominees are voted on by current and former Williamsburg International players.

Class of 2022

Non-profit

In 2017, Williamsburg International FC was incorporated in New York State as a 501(c)(3) non-profit[20] with the purpose of promoting the enjoyment of association football, to promote the enhancement of the football skills and sense of community of all its members through the arrangement of training, matches, and social activities.

Berk scholarship

Named in honor of Anna Berk, the wife of club founder Benjamin Reichner, the WIFC Berk Scholarship[21] annually recognized a young soccer player who embodied the values and spirit of sportsmanship, camaraderie, and outstanding character. Williamsburg International partnered with local youth club F.C. Select[22] to support young players in the Williamsburg community.

Executive committee

Current members

Former members

Rivalries

Williamsburg International has enjoyed many rivalries over the years. The most consistent of these rivalries has been with New York Ukrainians, who share the Doylies home field at McCarren Park. The teams met frequently in the Eastern New York State Cup, with New York Ukrainians claiming early victories. In 2018, the Doylies beat the Ukrainians 2–1 in the semi-final match on their way to a trophy.

Since 2017, the teams have played twice a season as part of the Cosmopolitan Soccer League's second division.

Williamsburg International F.C enjoyed an engaging rivalry with cross-city club Flushing FC. This rivalry reached its height between 2016 and 2017 when Flushing FC posed a serious challenge to Williamsburg International FC's Metro 2 title run and then continued the rivalry with several thrilling matches against the Doylies reserve squad. Sadly, this rivalry ended in 2022 as Flushing FC dropped out of the Cosmopolitan Soccer League.

Inaugural season

On September 8, 2013, Williamsburg International played its first competitive match in the Cosmopolitan Soccer League's Metro 2 division. The Doylies came from behind to defeat Brishna 5–4 at Bushwick Inlet Park, with Andrew Hilland knocking in the winner in the closing minutes. An up and down Fall campaign was followed by a fantastic stretch of seven straight victories in the Spring. The team finished in fourth place with nine wins, five losses, and two draws in its first season.[23] The team's leading scorer on the season was Andreas Moudatsos, who finished with 11 goals in all competitions. Esteban Garcia led the team appearing in all 18 competitive matches, including both the State and League cup.

At the Cosmopolitan Soccer League's Annual Meeting in August 2014, Williamsburg International F.C. were awarded the Cosmopolitan Soccer League 2013–14 Metro 2 Division Fair Play Award.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Williamsburg International FC season opener. Game on Wheels. 7 June 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240607153524/https://gameonwheels.substack.com/p/williamsburg-international-fc-season. 7 June 2024. live.
  2. Web site: Williamsburg International FC Spring Season CSL Preview. Game in Frame. 10 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20220304180359/https://player.gameinframe.com/m/ZxXKaqXo/williamsburg-international-fc-spring-season-csl-preview. 4 March 2022. live.
  3. Web site: Williamsburg International CSL Div 2. NY . Protagonist Soccer. 10 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20210428171034/https://www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage-blog/20210426williamsburgintl. 28 April 2021. live.
  4. News: Opinion | Don't Let the Pandemic End a 100-Year-Old Soccer Legacy. The New York Times. 14 September 2020. Saporito. Bill. 10 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20200914092603/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/14/opinion/soccer-new-york-city.html. 14 September 2020. live.
  5. Web site: RAPAGLIA CUP: 6 teams vie for ENYSSA crown Sunday. Front Row Soccer. 10 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20200926233529/https://www.frontrowsoccer.com/2018/09/14/rapaglia-cup-6-teams-vie-for-enyssa-crown-sunday/. 26 September 2020. live.
  6. Web site: Doylies, Bars, Attack: Charles von Rosenberg of Williamsburg International FC. American Pyramid Blog. 10 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20200925014417/http://americanpyramid.weebly.com/home/doylies-bars-attack-charles-von-rosenberg-of-williamsburg-international-fc. 25 September 2020. live.
  7. Web site: WIFC Club Awareness Boosted After Moving to SportsPress. Theme Boy. 10 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20181220005918/https://www.themeboy.com/showcase/wifc/. 20 December 2018. live.
  8. Web site: Doylies, Bars, Attack: Charles von Rosenberg of Williamsburg International FC. American Pyramid Blog. 10 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20200925014417/http://americanpyramid.weebly.com/home/doylies-bars-attack-charles-von-rosenberg-of-williamsburg-international-fc. 25 September 2020. live.
  9. Web site: Double glory for Shamrocks over 30s. NY Shamrock SC. 10 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20160607090831/https://nyshamrocksc.com/2016/06/06/weekend-report-june-5/. 7 June 2016. live.
  10. Web site: Champions Again!. wifcny.org. 10 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20170623122113/http://www.wifcny.org/2017/05/champions-again/. 23 June 2017. dead.
  11. Web site: New York International FC Earns Promotion In The Shadow Of Yankee Stadium. Forbes. 12 June 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240612013818/https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesnalton/2024/06/11/new-york-international-fc-earns-promotion-in-the-shadow-of-yankee-stadium/. 12 June 2024. live.
  12. News: Opinion | Don't Let the Pandemic End a 100-Year-Old Soccer Legacy. The New York Times. 14 September 2020. Saporito. Bill. 10 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20200914092603/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/14/opinion/soccer-new-york-city.html. 14 September 2020. live.
  13. Web site: New York Metropolitan Women's Soccer League. NYMWSL. 12 June 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240226081320/https://www.nywomensoccer.org/. 26 February 2024. live.
  14. Web site: Williamsburg's von Rosenburg: We have the talent to challenge for a title. Cosmopolitan Soccer League. 15 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20210411191150/https://www.cosmosoccerleague.com/williamsburg-s-von-rosenburg-we-have-the-talent-to-challenge-for-a-title/. 11 April 2021. dead.
  15. Web site: Cosmopolitan Soccer League Historical Standings. Cosmopolitan Soccer League. 10 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230310174823/https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1DH_IqNw5m63Q2z7lfCFR_N9qpc8qOiY7/edit. 10 March 2023. live.
  16. Web site: Double glory for Shamrocks over 30s. NY Shamrock SC. 10 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20160607090831/https://nyshamrocksc.com/2016/06/06/weekend-report-june-5/. 7 June 2016. live.
  17. Web site: Cosmopolitan Soccer League Historical Standings. Cosmopolitan Soccer League. 10 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230310174823/https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1DH_IqNw5m63Q2z7lfCFR_N9qpc8qOiY7/edit. 10 March 2023. live.
  18. Web site: Love NY Soccer Home Page. LoveNY Soccer. 10 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20201025051236/https://www.ilovenysoccer.com/. 25 October 2020. live.
  19. Web site: LoveNYSoccer Tournaments Home Page. LoveNY Soccer. https://web.archive.org/web/20201025053729/https://www.ilovenysoccer.com/tournaments. 2020-10-25. dead.
  20. Web site: New York State Charities Search Results. New York State Charities Database. 10 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20210209021616/https://www.charitiesnys.com/RegistrySearch/show_details.jsp?id=. 9 February 2021. live.
  21. Web site: WIFC Berk Scholarship. FC Select. 18 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200918202132/https://www.fcselect.com/wifc-scholarship. 18 September 2020. dead.
  22. Web site: FC Select Home Page. FC Select. 10 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20150124035259/http://www.fcselect.com:80/. 24 January 2015. live.
  23. Web site: Cosmopolitan Soccer League Historical Standings. Cosmopolitan Soccer League. 10 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230310174823/https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1DH_IqNw5m63Q2z7lfCFR_N9qpc8qOiY7/edit. 10 March 2023. live.