TL;DR
The Islanders lose on their return to City Island
Is there room for optimism? Yes!
Key games and promotions ahead: Hersheypark Pass Night!
Call for volunteers
THE RETURN
Islanders return to City Island
The home opener didn't go our way Friday night. Bulldogs SC left Skyline Sports Complex with a 3-1 win, and the Islanders are still searching for their first points of the season.
We fell behind early when Dante Perez buried a penalty in the 17th minute, but Nick Ritter pulled us level before halftime with a nice finish off a Clovis Kabre pass. The equalizer felt earned—we had stretches where we controlled the ball and pushed the Bulldogs back. But the second half was frustrating. We moved the ball well enough through the middle of the field, but once we got into the final third, clear chances were hard to come by. Adam Zamraki put the Bulldogs back ahead just before the hour mark, and Ryan Cardenas added a third in stoppage time as we pushed numbers forward looking for a late equalizer.
It's a tough start—0-3-0 and sitting at the bottom of the Northeast American (South) Division. But there were moments on Friday when the pieces clicked. Now it's about finishing those moments. We're on the road next week at Union SC on Saturday, April 25, at 7:00 p.m.
THE INSIDER TAKE
Oof. It’s “hard look in the mirror time.” With 1/3 of the season gone, the Islanders need to get wins now! It was nice to see the squad get on the scoreboard—with a composed finish by Nick Ritter—but the Islanders have given up 8 goals in 3 games.
When things are going right, it feels like everything easily clicks into place. But when things are going wrong… every step is a fight.
Playoffs are almost certainly out of reach. The focus has to be on the here and now.
ROOM FOR OPTIMISM?
The Islanders are in the midst of their longest losing streak of the team’s (brief) history. But is there room for optimism?
Yes!
All-time leading scorer Clovis Kabre is back in the fold. And while he didn’t score Saturday against the Bulldogs, he did assist on the goal.
Nick Ritter, getting his first start with the Islanders, scored. When your scoring touch is cold the goal seems as small as a thumbnail, but when you’re hot… it’s as big as the ocean. We need to get hot.
Pat Thompson also returns. Fresh off a semi-final finish with the MASL’s Baltimore Blast, Thompson brings a wealth of experience and professionalism. While he did give up the penalty Saturday, I expect he’s still got the backing of Head Coach Johnny Morris.
When it clicked, it clicked. There were moments when the old, sharp passing, high-energy, pressing Islanders returned. We need that for 90 minutes.
INSIDER TAKE
We’ve subtly changed. Where once we were a high-energy, high-pressing team… we’ve settled into something else. We’re reactive rather than proactive. We’ve largely given up the high press, and teams find it far too easy to play through the midfield. This puts pressure on the backline and the goalkeeper again and again. Giving up goals is part of the game. It’s going to happen. But we’re making it too easy.
I know the squad and Head Coach Johnny Morris will be hard at work this week in practice getting themselves ready for Union SC on Saturday. It’s time to find our way back to our way of playing.
Islanders forever!
Islander Insider: On Instagram
I did a quick “after-action report” on Saturday, which you might have missed.
Follow for more quick updates like this in the future!
INSIDER TAKE
I’m working on getting out quick videos like this more regularly. They’ll be a great way to get a quick-hit update.
Key Matches Ahead
Let’s take a quick look ahead at the rest of the spring schedule. Here are some matches I’ve circled on the calendar with a red Sharpie:
Hersheypark Night, May 2:
We’ll face Cosmos’ B team, but the big deal is the Hersheypark passes! The first 1,500 youth ages 12 and under with a paid ticket get a complimentary Hersheypark pass thanks to the Islanders' partnership with Hershey Entertainment. Additionally, there will be QR codes posted in the stadium for purchasing additional (adult or youth) discounted Hersheypark tickets.
For this match, youth tickets are $14 and adult tickets are $7. Get your tickets today!
World Cup Night, May 30:
Mark your calendars — the Islanders return to City Island on May 30 to host Philadelphia Lonestar at Skyline Sports Complex, with kickoff at 7:00 p.m. Every guest 21 and older who attends is automatically entered to win tickets to World Cup 2026. This is our final home game of the Spring 2026 season!
Internship and Volunteer Opportunities
The Islanders are a team built by many hands, and we need help. Do you want a peek behind the curtain to see how a semi-pro soccer team operates? Do you need National Honor Society volunteer hours? Looking for an Eagle Scout project? Retired and bored at home? We have a variety of internship and volunteer opportunities.
Club Shop
My 4-year-old daughter helped me set up a display for my Islanders jersey just yesterday. It looks pretty snazzy, and the blue-and-white checkerboard pattern is very distinctive. Check out the club shop for this beauty and more!
Last Word
As a programming note, I’ll be bringing you the Islander Insider Newsletter each week. It’ll be chock-full of inside info from the team, interviews, stats, and more.
