Well, the Islanders looked a bit more like what we expect as Islander’s soccer on Saturday against Bowleys Athletic and came away with a 2-0 win.  In the first half, especially, the press was in effect; the guys got some really good turnovers and were able to get the ball through the lines and up to the attacking players.

The good attacking play allowed the Islanders to draw a penalty, and Derek Ramirez converted a penalty in the 27th minute. 

The other goal was from the Islander Insider player to watch: William Kim.  Last week, he distinguished himself by his work ethic and mental discipline.  This week, he was more attacking and looking to get the ball forward into dangerous areas.  And he wasn’t afraid to take a shot himself.

So, all in all, good signs for the Islanders. 

There are some concerns.  Who is going to be our starting goalkeeper?  We played two in the game—Killian O’Reilley and Leo Lopez.  They combined for a clean sheet, but they weren’t really tested, facing just 6 shots all night.  

Other concerns are for our forward situation.  Clovis Kabre has left the team to join the US Military, and in that we wish him well, but he’s been the leading scorer for the team both spring and fall.  He was out with a hamstring injury for a number of games in the fall, but still netted 5 goals… including the game winner against Bowleys Athletic in the round of 32 in the national tournament. 

So, we’ll need to find those goals somewhere else.

So there’s an opening for a new player to step up and write his name in the record books.  Maybe Cabre’s replacement will go on to become a club legend?  Who knows… but it’s big shoes to fill.

On April 18, we’re celebrating the hero in your life or representing your favorite superhero.  Who’s the hero in your life?  I think we’ve all been helped along in our lives by so many people. 

Hersheypark Night

We’ve teamed up with Hersheypark to offer free tickets to kids 12 and under with the purchase of a Capital City Islanders match.  The match is on May 2, at 6 pm against Cosmos B.  For just $14, the first 1500 kids get a Hersheypark ticket worth $90.  There will also be a QR code in the stadium for parents to get a discount on any Hersheypark tickets purchased that night.  This is a massive savings.  For each kid's ticket, you’re saving $76.  

Military Appreciation Night

On May 23, we honor those men and women who have served, are serving, and those who have died for our nation in uniform with Military Appreciation Night.

Usually, you would think of Memorial Day or Veterans Day as celebrations for our current and former members of the military, but May 23 is still quite significant.  

American Civil War soldier Sergeant William Harvey Carney as a member of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, a black regiment led by white officers, is awarded the Medal of Honor, for his heroism in the Assault on Fort Wagner in 1863.  Carney was honored in 1900 by President Teddy Roosevelt. 

When the color guard was killed during the attack on Fort Wagner, Carney picked up the flag and marched forward with it.  Despite serious wounds—he had been shot in both his right arm and leg as well as his chest—he marched on.  When Union troops were forced to retreat, he marched back with the flag.  Eventually, Carney returned to his own lines and turned over the colors to another survivor of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, saying, "Boys, I only did my duty; the old flag never touched the ground!"

Now, the 54th Massachusetts was immortalized in the 1989 film Glory. So if the events of Carney’s actions sound familiar, that’s why.  Carney is considered the first African American to be awarded the Medal of Honor, as his actions were before the 26 African American soldiers and sailors who were awarded the Medal of Honor in the US Civil War.

Our final theme night is International and World Cup Night.  This is May 30, our final regular-season home match.  For this, we’ve partnered with Michelob Ultra and FOX43 to give away World Cup tickets for a match in Philadelphia. I don’t have exact details on how many tickets and for which match, but I looked into getting tickets and the cheapest one’s I could find were nearly $1,000 per ticket way, way up in the nose-bleed section.  So this is a great way to get to see the World Cup this summer.  And if nothing else it’s a chance to break out your national team Jersey…

The World Cup is the biggest sporting event in the world. Bigger than the Olympics, the Super Bowl, or the World Series.

The World Cup got over 5 billion total viewers in 2022, and reached 1.5 billion for the final alone. Its massive global audience and popularity surpass all other events, including the Summer Olympics (3+ billion viewers), the Cricket World Cup (2.6 billion), MLB World Series (238 million viewers across 7 games), or the Super Bowl (125.6 million).

FIFA projects the 2026 tournament will generate $40.9 billion in GDP across North America.

As a semi-pro team operated under a nonprofit, nearly everyone working behind the scenes for the Capital City Islanders is a volunteer.  And you could be a part of this championship team!  As the Islanders grow, we need more help.

Sign up here: Volunteer Interest Form.

We simply cannot sustain the team without the help of many volunteers. From kids running along the lines as “ball boys” and “ball girls,” ticket staff, set-up and tear-down staff, marketing, social media and more… volunteers make the Islanders possible game-to-game.

If you own a business and are interested in sponsoring the team, this newsletter, the video podcast, please email Daniel Ardron, Director of Corporate Partnership and Business Development: [email protected]

Let’s take a quick look ahead at the spring schedule and some matches I’ve circled on the calendar with a red Sharpie:

Home Opener, April 4: 

We’re up against SFC 1924, and back on City Island at Skyline Sports Complex to kick off our defense of the Northeast American (South) Premier Division.  Kick off is at 6 p.m.  

Hersheypark Night, May 2: 

We’ll face Cosmos’ B team, but the big deal is the Hersheypark passes!  The first 1500 youth, 12 and under, with a paid ticket get a complimentary Hersheypark pass thanks to the Islanders' partnership with Hershey Entertainment.  Get your tickets today!

My 4-year-old daughter helped me set up a display for my 2025 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!

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.