KINGSTON, N.Y. — If Kingston Stockade FC's inaugural cup campaign is going to have any depth to it, the initial challenge will be to get the better of a squad from Long Island.
Kingston Stockade FC found out on Wednesday that they will face the Long Island Rough Riders of the PDL in the first round of the 2018 U.S. Open Cup. The match will take place on Wednesday May 9, in Massapequa, N.Y.
While the Rough Riders could be a tough test for the first-timers from the Hudson Valley, Stockade founder Dennis Crowley thinks the club will be ready for the occasion.
"Traveling to Long Island will be a tough test for us in our first ever US Open Cup appearance, but our coaches and players have already been hard at work getting ready for the new season," said Crowley. "Between our on-the-field preparations, and what will hopefully be some solid traveling support, we think we will put forth an effort that will make the Hudson Valley proud on May 9."
Crowley also said the team will help ship fans out to "Strong Island" for the match.
"We are working on putting a fan bus together," said Crowley. "We saw such tremendous support on the road last year, especially in the playoffs, and we'd love to see folks make the trek to Long Island to cheer us on. We hope to release more details soon."
The Rough Riders finished 2nd in the Northeast Region of the PDL in 2017. They had an 8-4-2 (wins-draws-losses) record during the regular season, and fell to the Charlotte Eagles in the Eastern Conference Finals in the postseason.
The match on May 9 will be played at John J. Burns Park in Massapequa Park, NY. (Google Maps)
Kingston Stockade FC and Long Island Rough Riders are both in the Northeast Region of the 2018 U.S. Open Cup, which also includes the 2017 NPSL champs, Elm City Express, as well as Midwestern powerhouse Detroit City FC.
The match will mark the first U.S. Open Cup appearance in Kingston's history.
By Randy Kim, Kingston Stockade FC General Manager