NPSL Adds Two Teams in New York State

The National Premier Soccer League continues its growth in the North East by adding two teams in New York State in the last week. The two teams will be the Kingston Stockade FC and the Rochester River Dogz FC, with both set to begin play in 2016.

Kingston Stockade FC were introduced on November 27, 2015, and are named after the town’s historic Stockade District which is itself named after a 14 foot wooden stockade fence that protected the town’s original settlers.

The Stockade is led by a formidable group beginning with Chairman Dennis Crowley, an entrepreneur; Operations Director Randy Kim, a former D-III college soccer player with a background in managing digital content at the NBA, FOX Sports, AOL Sports, NBC Sports, and presently Bleacher Report; and Creative Directors Doug Jaeger and Kristin Sloan, the founders and creative directors of JaegerSloan Studio. The club is also guided by a board of advisors. Those advisors include Greg Lalas, Michael Milberger, and Dan Hoffay. A former professional soccer player and longtime soccer journalist, Lalas is currently the vice president of content for Major League Soccer. Milberger, a former D-I college soccer player, is now director of video content for MLS. Hoffay is a Hudson Valley native and the co-founder/President of American Outlaws Hudson Valley.

The Stockade will compete in the NPSL’s North East division where it would be a rival of the Cosmos B. Kingston is located in the heart of the Hudson Valley, about a two hour drive north of New York City. For more information on the Stockade, please their website which contains contact information on the club, including a thorough description of the teams’ origin and the story behind the name – in addition, you will find information on the teams’ planned home field. The website is www.stockadefc.com

Four days later, the Rochester River DogZ FC were unveiled. Located much further north than the Kingston Stockade FC, the DogZ will play in the NPSL’s Midwest Region alongside its closest league rival, FC Buffalo. The RiverDogZ will be led by an ownership group of five individuals and Head Coach Matt Tantalo.Head Coach Tantalo has coached Keuka College for 11 seasons, and possesses both a USSF "B" license and a NSCAA National Diploma. General Manager Marc Mandell, has over 25 years of experience playing and coaching soccer; President Kurt B. Odenbach is a transactional attorney in Rochester, NY; Vice President Markijan Lylak, has over 25 years of experience in soccer from playing to organizing teams; Equipment Manager Robert Raufeisen, has played soccer for over 40 years; and Nick Mojsovski, who will serve as Treasurer and Secretary, has over 30 years of experience playing and coaching soccer.

As per the NPSL press release announcing the team, the DogZ management began with only one team in 2012 and has since expanded to six teams. They want to build on this experience by combining their soccer passions and business acumen to become a model NPSL franchise. They will recruit top players to ensure they always field a competitive team. And notably, they want to concentrate on making the game day experience one which have fans and away teams will looking forward to visiting Rochester.

To keep yourself informed on the developments at Rochester River DogZ FC, please follow their Tiwtter account at @RiverDogZfc

Wishing both teams nothing but success, it is great to see more growth in lower division US soccer.