Lansdowne Yonkers FC, the first and only semi-professional sports team in Yonkers since the baseball team Yonkers Hoot Owls folded 1995, sits in 1st place in the Metropolitan Conference of the Eastern Premier Soccer League. The “Bhoys,” as they have been known as for 26 years, recently went on a 5 game league winning streak under the helm of Coach Matt Kane. While some of the current player roster consists of the squad that won the league and National Amateur Cup in 2021, Kane brought in a lot of new faces that helped bolster the roster, and add younger legs.
“The run is great but it’s simply a product of the work that’s being done. We aren’t taking it for granted. We’ve seen what applying ourselves appropriately has given us, but it means nothing if we don’t improve on it and make it count,” said head coach Matt Kane, a Belfast, Ireland native who moved to New York in the 2000’s to coach for the New York Red Bulls Academy, Soccer Stars USA, and Manhattan Celtic, before making the blockbuster move to Lansdowne in June of 2023.
Kane was tasked with rebuilding the club’s culture, encouraging players to connect more with the fans and the growing youth system, and build a new playing style that is more focused on possession, drawing space, and creating as many attacking opportunities as possible. Since December,
Lansdowne Yonkers have outscored their opponents by 19 goals to 3, and currently sit 4 and 10 points over their biggest title rivals NY Pancyprian Freedoms and NY Greek Americans respectively.
“The new signings are relentless. (Liam) Salmon and (Jamie) Cotter are two players that are excellent and never stop. They don’t allow the opponent an opportunity to breathe. Puchi (Luis Puchol Del Pozo) and (Daniel) Di Marco have brought stability with talent. (Seamas) Keogh and (Michael) Gallagher bring talent that will make everyone in the squad raise their game. However, the main purpose was to bring out the level of the players already here and I believe we are seeing that. Alex (Cox-Ashwood) is one of those that complement the new arrivals and has scored 5 goals in his last 2 appearances.”
Three of Lansdowne Yonkers’ latest signings boast a resume of very recently playing in the professional leagues domestically and overseas. Alexandre Cox-Ashwood, signed in November, was signed from Greenville Triumph of USL League One, the 3rd division of professional soccer in America. Seamas Keogh, a former U-19 Ireland National team captain, signed for Lansdowne Yonkers during the winter break after playing at Finn Harps in the League of Ireland First Division, and Sligo Rovers in the Premier Division a season prior. His departure from Donegal led to much press and affectionate well wishing in the local media over there, and an announcement video on Yonkers social media that immediately received over 8,000 views. Michael Gallagher arrived a week into the start of the Spring leg of the season, flying in from Dublin after playing for UCD in the LOI Premier Division. In fact, you can still pick up a copy of the video game EA Sports FC 24 and play as Gallagher. In fact, other existing players on the Lansdowne squad are available to play in prior versions of the FIFA video game – Shamir Mullings (FIFA 18 – Forest Green Rovers), Daryl Kavanagh (FIFA 14 – St. Patrick’s Athletic), and Andrew Sousa (FIFA 12 – New England Revolution).
Lansdowne are determined to win back the Metropolitan Conference, and EPSL League title for the first time in 3 years. They are also actively defending their Werner Fricker Cup title and will have to win all their key matches in the upcoming months to achieve this feat. Overcoming the Bhoys’ rivals are the biggest hurdle, as both the Greek Americans and Pancyprian Freedoms are big clubs with rich histories of national cup success, and some of the most talented players in the post/pre professional soccer scene in America. The Eastern Premier Soccer League is regarded as one of the strongest pre-professional soccer leagues in the country, and a favorite among die-hard American soccer fans. For decades, Yonkers’ officials always touted the possibility of a professional sports team in Yonkers. Lansdowne has been the closest and most successful to fulfilling that reality, with partnerships and sponsorships that bring high quality soccer into the backyard of Yonkers residents.
All matches are free to attend, and you can watch the livestream for all Lansdowne Yonkers matches for free on YouTube, Facebook, X (Formerly known as Twitter), and Twitch on New Logical Sports and Lansdowne Yonkers social media. Landsdowne Yonkers FC plays their home games at Tibbetts Brook Park in Yonkers. Games are free to attend.
