NYC Scotland 3 NYC Japan 1

NYC Scotland fired a warning shot across the bows of Copa 2013 with a fine victory over NYC Japan in a friendly on a dreich day in Brooklyn.

This was our first real match as a squad, we had a few new faces, and we were missing some regulars so it was a good result and an encouraging performance.

I don’t have much of a match report because I spent most of the game in the emergency room of Long Island College Hospital with Barry Pearson after he gashed his leg… twenty-two stitches later he was in much better shape. Unfortunately Barry will miss the qualifying round (June 22) but if we make the knockouts in July he may be able to play.

NYC Scotland

Back row: Scott Cowan, Niall Gordon, Malcolm Anderson, Rory McCann, Stephen Veitch, David Laird, Scott Lamont, Calvin Moyes, Adam Mitchinson. Front row: Glen Reid, Robbie, David Sheridan, Barry Pearson, Andy Cormack, Martin McCluskey.

If you don’t like blood then look away now…

NYC Scotland Barry stitches

Twenty-two stitches: count ‘em!

Scotland v England – in Brooklyn

The NYC Scotland team is warming up for its Cosmos Copa debut by reviving the original international soccer rivalry: Scotland v England.

One hundred and fifty years after Scotland’s first meeting with the “Auld Enemy“, a squad of Scots from the tri-state area will challenge their English counterparts at high noon on Memorial Day Sunday (26 May) on Pier 5 in Brooklyn.

Looking for a repeat of this result, but in Brooklyn

“Our boys are looking forward to it, definitely,” said NYC Scotland president Colin Reid. “I tried to get this game arranged for March or April but I think the English boys were running scared.”

“Very scared,” said NYC England president Yuval Lion, who probably didn’t realize his quote was going to be taken out of context.

Both sides are finalizing their squads for this summer’s Copa tournament, which features teams representing 36 nations from five continents. The qualifying round is the weekend of June 22/23 with later rounds through July.

“There isn’t a huge Scottish community in New York,” said Reid. “But we’ve found some quality players from the top tiers of the Cosmopolitan League as well  as some of the colleges in the area. We hope to surprise a few people.”

England have played in the Copa every year since its founding in 2009, and unsurprisingly have failed to ever win it. Scotland are undefeated in Copa competition.

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Contact us if you are interested in trying out for the Scotland squad. You’ll need to have at least a Scottish grandparent, be fit, and play soccer regularly at a very competitive level.

NYC Scotland FC

When did you last play for Scotland in a World Cup?

Well, you might be able to do it this year in New York because NYC Scotland are playing in the prestigious Cosmos Copa tournament – along with teams from the tri-state area representing 35 other nations from Afghanistan to Uruguay. The draw is on May 22, and the first round of the tournament is the weekend of June 22 on Randalls Island.

We are having practice matches and tryouts over the next few weeks, and even if you can’t play in the Copa, there are other tournaments and games from time to time (click here to see our schedule).

So if you play competitive soccer regularly, at a good standard, and you’re Scottish or part Scottish, then get in touch (click here to email us).

 

ScotBarNY Cup

The Time: 8pm, Friday 5 April

The Place: Bushwick Inlet Park, N 10th St & Kent Avenue, Williamsburg (many thanks to the New York Coed Soccer League for donating the field time)

The Match: West of Scotland v East of Scotland

The Prize: The 2013 ScotBarNY Cup.

Salt-n-Vinegar v Salt-n-Sauce. Weegies v Watsonians. Airdrieonians v Aberdonians. Honest Men v Fifers.

Yes, battle lines have been drawn for the 2013 ScotBarNY Cup. It’ll be that eternal Scottish battle, West v East, played out on the hallowed soccer fields of Williamsburg.

Last year's victors

Last year’s victors… Scotland demolished the “Rest of World” 8 to 0. Just like the good old days.

And this year there’s more than pride at stake.

This match is the first trial for potential Scottish superstars to strut their stuff and get in the NYC Scotland squad for the Cosmos Copa, New York’s own soccer World Cup – organized by the famous New York Cosmos of Pele, Beckenbauer, and Chinaglia fame.

The NYC Piper, Jerry Dixon, will pipe the teams on to the field and provide some half-time tunes. (Many thanks to ScotBarNY for sponsoring the piper and providing the trophy.)

Turn up for a cracking match of football, and of course drinks afterward in a nearby hostelry. 

If you’re interested in playing (or trying out for the Copa squad) contact info@tartanarmynyc.com.

Serbia v Scotland Live at Legends

Tuesday 26 March, 3.30pm kickoff (not 4.30 as I said earlier).

Live in the Football Factory at Legends, 6 W 33rd St b/w 5th Avenue and Broadway.

 

Scotland v Wales Live @ Legends

Friday 22nd March, 4pm kickoff.

Live in the Football Factory at Legends, 6 W 33rd St b/w 5th Avenue and Broadway.

Let’s get revenge over that diving cheat Bale.

 

Scotland v Estonia, Live on Wednesday

The first chapter in Wee Gordon Strachan’s ginger march to Brazil/France/Russia/13 cities in Europe/Qatar/etc will be shown live in the Football Factory, downstairs at Legends Bar, West 33rd Street between 5th and Broadway.

2.45pm kickoff, Wednesday 6th February.

Here’s something you’ve probably not seen: Strachan talking last year about youth coaching and the importance of teaching values.