Almost 500 Spectators Pack Alumni Field to Support Grassroots Football

Exactly 1 week ago, Spindles United FC hosted the second ever Grassroots Cup at Cohoes High School, presented by Brookfield Renewable.

A free event in Cohoes, NY to celebrate Grassroots Football.

A new venue, equipped with a brand new field, bleachers, scoreboard, and facilities. All right at home in Cohoes, NY.

The day saw 470 people on the touchline.

Cohoesiers supporting their local team.

Beestera kids watching their coaches live in action.

And local Capital Region faithful, who made the trip to enjoy and evening of food, games, and football.

The Event

The event kicked off at 4PM, with spectators slowly rolling in to enjoy our great food options, join the 50/50 raffle for the Beestera Foundation, and play some games.

What was a beautiful summer day, made for a relaxing and sociable evening for everyone in attendance.

Dozens of kids enjoyed free face paint, provided by Paint Cohoes.

MK Savor Sweets, Moonstruck Kitchen, and AKI saw hundreds of people sell out their food trucks.

Spindles gave away stickers and water bottles for people playing our inflatable dart board game.

Others were able to visit and speak with the vendors in attendance. (Beestera, Defined Massage, and TWT Soccer Training)

And plenty of people said hi to Penelope the Tiny Horse.

Around 5:30PM, Carli O’Hara on the event announcements, called for all our mascots to join us at the field for the walkout ceremony.

We were excited to have mascots participate from clubs all over the Capital Region. Including Cohoes Soccer Club, Rotterdam United, FC Dutchmen, Saratoga Wilton and of course Beestera.

Once all the kids were lined up with their players, Owner Jarron Frangie said a few words to ahead of kickoff.

Thanking all of the supporters, Beestera, and our sponsors, including our event sponsor Brookfield Renewable.

Jarron also gave a shout out to the Cohoes City School District for allowing us to host this event at the new high school facilities.

The Walkout

The walkout ceremony kicked off with red and green smoke flares, and both sides walking down center field.

Midnight City by M83 played through the speakers as the players for the evenings match were welcomed by all spectators.

Carli O’ Hara proceeded with the player announcements for each team, starting with Beestera.

Beestera’s roster consisted of the companies coaches and trainers.

Once they were finished, Tu Con El by Frankie Ruiz rang through the speakers, as Carli began announcing the names, numbers and hometowns of our Spindles players.

Immediately following the announcements, Imani Payne of the Spindle City Vineyard stepped up for a second year to sing the National Anthem.

And by no surprise, she absolutely nailed it once again.

The crowd erupts, as kickoff is nearly there.

Spindles captains Marcos Lopez and Dan Crook join Beetera captans James Beeston and Mike Matera for the coin toss.

Spindles ball first.

At this moment, Carli O’Hara hands the mic over to the Voice of Cohoes, Dave Lancier.

Dave gives us a countdown from 10, and we’re off.

You can read the full match recap here.

The Results

After a thrilling Spindles PK victory, Papa Ndiaye was given plenty of recognition for his game-winning save.

The Spindles and Beestera players thanked all the supporters for attending.

All of our food trucks completely sold out.

And we raised $842 in the 50/50 raffle, meaning $421 was given to 1 lucky winner, and the other $421 was donated to the Beestera Foundation.

470 spectators attended the event, not including the dozens of players and volunteers. Meaning there was more than 500 people in attendance on that Sunday evening.

Thank you again to everyone that attended the event. The amount of positive feedback we have received in the last week has been incredible.

However, we are always looking to grow, as we have already made note of our mistakes this year to improve for next year.

So please email Jarron Frangie with any questions of concerns, jarron@spindlesunited.com.

List of Volunteers

Jarron Frangie

Jordan Prouty

Jad Essoulaimani

Kennedy Bryant

Shea Bryant

Maria Jose Galvan Murillo

Alfred Murillo

Ryan Frangie

Andrea Frangie

Peter Frangie

Anna Windecker

Carrie Windecker

Mike Windecker

Olivia Huneau

Madison Huneau

Carli O’Hara

Dave Lancier

Rayan Essoulaimani

Deshawn Lawrence

Penelope (The Tiny Horse)