New Amsterdam FC, a third-tier professional soccer club playing in the National Independent Soccer Association, played its first home match at the Hofstra Soccer Stadium after the start of the fall semester on Wednesday, Sept. 15. The team fell by a score of 2-1. NAFC announced Hofstra University’s soccer facility as their home venue for the 2021 season earlier this year.
This season marks the first time since 2016 that Hofstra has hosted professional soccer. The New York Cosmos, formerly of the North American Soccer League, played their home games at James M. Shuart Stadium from 2013-2016, a nod to the original New York Cosmos franchise that played two seasons at the stadium on Hofstra’s campus in the 1970s.
“I’m very happy we have professional sports after the Cosmos; I used to enjoy those games,” said Hofstra men’s soccer head coach Richard Nuttall. “I just hope it grows, and grows, and grows, like you do any other professional franchise.”
Nuttall is also hoping that the New Amsterdam squad will inspire some of the athletes under his instruction.
“We’ve got a couple of guys on the team that are doing well and have some interest,” Nuttall said, “so hopefully they can be role models for our team.”
New Amsterdam’s presence on campus adds yet another chapter to an already rich history of soccer at Hofstra University. In addition to the historical success of collegiate programs and the hosting of the New York Cosmos, other squads have called Hofstra home, including the Long Island Rough Riders from 1994-2008, the longest tenure a professional team had on Hofstra’s campus. Soccer legend Pelé also has a link to the University as a former member of the original New York Cosmos from 1975-1977 and the honorary president of the revived franchise that called Hofstra home for three years.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing a high level of play,” said Tanner Bucher, a freshman pre-medical major. “I feel like [the level of play] will be a lot higher than what you conventionally see.”
New Amsterdam faced off on Wednesday against Stumptown AC, a North Carolina-based outfit, who entered the match with six points through their first seven matches, good for eighth in the league. New Amsterdam came into the game in sixth place in the league table, notching seven points through their first six games.
Stumptown AC struck first in the seventh minute of the match, converting off a long-range free kick effort. Alex McGrath delivered a wonderful set piece in front of the goal, right to the head of Robert Hines. Hines forcefully headed the ball on net, and despite a strong deflection from the New Amsterdam goalkeeper, the ball still found a way into the goal to give Stumptown an early 1-0 lead.
New Amsterdam leveled the score in the 21st minute on a penalty kick. While entering the 18-yard box, New Amsterdam’s Shavon John-Brown was dragged to the turf by the last defender, drawing the foul and penalty shot. Chris Bermúdez converted from the penalty mark, making Stumptown’s goalkeeper, Kevin Gonzalez, dive the wrong way. This score tied the match at one goal apiece.
In the 85th minute, Yuki Shibata of Stumptown took a pass on the left wing, dribbling all alone into New Amsterdam’s 18-yard box. He fired a shot towards the far post, out of the reach of the goalkeeper, to give the visitors a lead they would not relinquish.
Although the home side didn’t earn the win, that didn’t seem to dampen the atmosphere in the stands.
“It enriches the Hofstra experience,” said Robert Abarmov, a sophomore engineering major, “and, obviously, it’s nice to see other people getting involved.”
“If you love the game of soccer, you can get something out of this. It’s a great atmosphere,” said Al Smith, a sophomore engineering major. “It’s great for the campus. Most colleges don’t have this and it’s such a great experience for the crowd and the students.”
“It’s great to have the students out,” Bermúdez, New Amsterdam’s lone goal-scorer in Wednesday’s match, said. “We want more and more supporters out every game, and we feel that we’re part of Hofstra since this is our home pitch for the season.”
New Amsterdam will return home on Wednesday, Sept. 29, when they welcome current league leader, Detroit City, to the Hofstra Soccer Stadium.
Photo Courtesy of Hofstra Athletics