The new year marks the end of Year 2 at Spindles United Football Club.
2023 was a massive jump from 2022 on all levels.
On the field, we saw the men's team not only get their first playoff win but also make it to the league final.
Off the field, the club continued to promote its vision, making many new friends and gaining even more support.
Like the year before, this season was not possible without the support of dozens of local businesses and hundreds of passionate grassroots supporters.
December 26, 2022: The Rebrand
To mark the start of Year 2, the club announced an official rebrand in December.
An identity crisis after Year 1 left plenty of questions about who Spindles United was. What were our colors? What did our logo mean? How sustainable was our branding?
After 4 months of designing and workshopping, we finally answered these questions with the fresh look you know today. While still keeping the club's original charm.
You can read about the whole process in the official release here.
March 12, 2023: The Spring Tryouts
Believe it or not, it has been 9 months since we held our first official tryout in March.
The Spring Tryouts, held at the Albany College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences (ACPHS) Turf Field, was a successful event.
35 players from around the area came out to participate as Spindles were looking to complete the 2023 roster.
Some were returners, plenty were new to the scene.
The tryout was not only used to evaluate the types of players that wanted to join the club but the types of people they were as well.
A great success that ultimately decided about half of our roster.
Read The Spring Tryout Recap here.
April 29, 2023: The Media Day
The excitement for the new look Spindles United truly came from our first official Media Day in late April.
This event was not only used as a promotion for the upcoming season but to also release our newest home kit. A kit in partnership with manufacturer Icarus Football Company.
The Media Day was an afternoon of smiles, content creation, and team chemistry building.
It was held at Tech Valley Office Interiors in downtown Cohoes, NY. We truly appreciated their support last season.
For a lot of the players, this was their first media day. Giving them a lot of uncertainty about what to expect.
However, we were excited that so many guys took on the opportunity.
May 9, 2023: Opening Night W
Just like the clubs first ever game in 2022, we opened the season under the lights with a dramatic win against Highlanders FC.
As if it was written in the stars.
With an opening goal by John Locicero and a game-winner by Jimmy Alexander, the score finished 2-1 and marked the start of a new Spindles.
You can read the full match recap here.
May 23, 2023: League Final Preview
Spindles United is one of the youngest clubs in the Capital District Soccer League.
In the last 10 years, no team has been more dominate in the CDSL than Vassi Realty.
Vassi holds several league titles, coming off a fresh title last season. A season which they also were undefeated.
After losing to Vassi twice in our first season, our first new look matchup with the reigning champs came in our 3rd game.
A competitive match ended 2-2 under the lights, with goals from Jad Essoulaimani and Ethan Behan. The first time Vassi had dropped points in several seasons.
Read the full match recap here.
This match would go down as an important one for the league, as we would eventually go on to meet again in the league final.
June 13, 2023: Goal of the Season
Mid season, the Spins are 2-1-1. Already matched the number of wins in 2022.
Another matchup against Highlanders FC under the lights. The stage was set for another Spindles victory.
All it took was a 30 yard curling freekick into the top corner from Jad Essoulaimani to seal a 1-0 win.
3 months later, that goal would be voted the 2023 Goal of the Season.
Check out the goal on Instagram here.
June 25, 2023: Biggest Win in Club History
After 2 separate cancellations, our first outing with Backheel FC came in late June.
And boy it was worth the wait.
Spindles United finished the game on top with a club record win of 6-1.
The most goals the club has scored in a game, as well as the largest margin of win.
6 goals, 6 different goalscorers. It was a Sunday afternoon party at Nott Road for the Spins.
Read the full match recap here.
July 7, 2023: The Little Spins
On the field in July, the Spins were in the middle of a rough spell.
Off the field, all was bright as the club continued to value community.
While working with the Spindle City Collaborative for the summer, the club also got involved in the Cohoes Youth Sports Camp for the second year in a row.
A couple of the players spent their Friday morning playing football with more than 30 campers.
July 23 - August 1, 2023: Playoff Run
The Spins finished the regular season in 3rd place after just narrowly missing out on a 2nd place spot, which was a guaranteed BYE to the CDSL Playoff Semi-Final.
Although we were pretty bummed about missing out on top 2, all of our focus was set on our Quarterfinal matchup with 6th place Backheel FC.
After going 1-1 with Backheel in the regular season, both teams had an eye for the semi-finals.
A hard fought match with goals from Ryan Breen and Ben Kellis, sought out a 2-1 victory for Spindles. Marking the clubs first playoff win.
You can read the full Quarterfinal recap here.
Our Semi-Final opponent was going to be our toughest match yet. 2nd place Deathwish had beaten us twice on the season with a combined score of 9-2.
However, on August 1 the script was finally flipped.
We like to say that game was the moment everything we worked on all season finally came to fruition.
To the eyes it was a near perfect game for Spindles, a commanding 4-2 win with doubles by Luke Geczy and Zeidane Adjei.
You can read the full Semi-Final recap here.
August 10, 2023: The Final
The stage was set.
After 2 matches on the other side of the bracket had to be replayed due to rule violations, the final was determined.
3-peat hopeful Vassi Realty and 2nd year Spindles United were set to meet for the CDSL trophy.
A foggy summer night set the scene for a dramatic match in front of 156 supporters.
However, a dream night for the Spins became a nightmare within 3 minutes going down 1 goal.
The guys got right back into the battle, but ultimately Jack Phillips towering header to cut a 2 goal lead in half would not be enough.
The match ended 3-1, crowing Vassi Realty champions for a 3rd year straight.
Read the full Final recap here.
August 26, 2023: Messi Mania
Spindles United was incredibly proud of Ezra Gollan, one of our club photographers that had the opportunity to shoot Lionel Messi in the Inter Miami vs. New York Red Bulls match at Red Bull Arena.
Ezra has played a crucial role in the promotion of Spindles United, and fully deserved the chance to shoot the GOAT.
Check out more of Ezra's stuff here.
September 3, 2023: Backpacks for Everyone
Despite a heartbreaking end to the season, Spindles year was not over for good.
We were super excited to participate in the Annual Cohoes Back to School Bash, organized by Gent's Barber Co.
With the help of more than a dozen small businesses, Gent's and other local barber shops teamed up to give away more than 175 book bags full of supplies and more than 100 free haircuts for kids K-12 going back to school.
A successful event that Spindles was more than happy to help operate.
Read the story on Channel 6 here.
October 3, 2023: The Cohoes Rec Soccer Tots
Continuing our commitment to community, Spindles United became heavily involved with the Cohoes Recreational Soccer Tots program after hearing it needed some love.
With the help of players Dan Crook, Jad Essoulaimani, Liam McDonald and head of the soccer tots Madisyn Bullock.
We were able to give the kids and parents a couple of fun sessions before their season came to a close.
This was a great program to be apart of last year. So we are excited to announce a continued partnership with Cohoes Rec Soccer to help organize and promote the sport in 2024.
October 27, 2023: The Trunk or Treat
More than 500 kids dressed in costume stormed Remsen St. of Downtown Cohoes on Halloween weekend.
Luckily, Spindles United and dozens of other local businesses were ready with trunks, tents, and plenty of candy to hand out.
The Annual Cohoes Trunk or Treat/Parade always brings hundreds of people downtown.
It is a great event that local organizers put on each year, and we were super excited to help out.
We look forward to being there next year, with even more candy.
November 12, 2023: The Fall Showcase
The second that final whistle blew on August 10th, the work to prepare for 2024 had begun.
As a small, grassroots club, we are always looking for ways to grow both on and off the pitch.
The Fall Showcase, similar to our Spring Tryouts back in March were held at the ACPHS Turf Field.
Despite the cold temperatures, almost 40 guys showed up for a night of competitive and grassroots football.
Returners and new faces came out to express their interest in joining the Spins next season.
Read the full event recap here.
December 4, 2023: The True Symbol of Support
Closing out the 2023 year, we are excited to go into 2024 with our first ever football scarf.
For those football fans out there, we all know how iconic a scarf can be for the team you support.
There is no better way to express your support for a club then wearing their scarf.
You can get your own scarf online here.
Thank you, 2023
Sometimes you don't realize how much you have achieved in a year until you start writing about it.
That is something I found true here.
Starting a grassroots football club is not an easy path to success. It is challenging, demanding and life consuming for anyone.
That being said, it is important to stop for just a moment, and appreciate all that you have achieved so far.
Then you can get back to work, and keep moving forward.
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