Snowboard Season

7 September 2010

New York (Chinatown Newswire) — With the upcoming winter season fast approaching, the Chinatown Soccer Club has released exclusive photographs and a short film detailing the exploits of a high-level club delegation in the snowcapped Wasatch mountain range of northeastern Utah earlier this year.

Attended by winger Kevin “Keveronesi” Trageser, Coach Stochl, Supporters Club Chairman David Mashburn and Los Angeles-based CSC enthusiast Jim Mangan, the trip was reportedly conceived as equal parts bonding experience and mid-winter endurance camp.

“The CSC has a proud tradition of group trips which help us with creating a deeper understanding between players and fans both on and off the pitch,” Stochl said.

Mashburn took a breather on top of Powder Mountain to observe the stunning scenery.

Mangan waited out a hurricane-strength wind blast on top of Jupiter Peak.

Mashburn and Trageser surveyed the shreddable terrain at Brighton.

Mangan instituted a rigorous off-the-moutain workout schedule.

Stochl reflected on an epic day in the elevator at Park City.

Mangan focused on another set of runs after exiting Powder Country.

Mashburn, Trageser and Mangan posed in the Utah backcountry.

The short film was compiled by using footage made available by Trageser and Stochl.

Wednesday Night Threat

6 September 2010

New York (Chinatown Newswire) — The Chinatown Soccer Club’s popular midweek friendlies against FC Vice on the Williamsburg waterfront are reportedly under threat due to permitting issues, the Newswire has learned.

“The club’s administrative department is currently working day and night to secure [the pitch on Kent Avenue] throughout the fall and an announcement can be expected by the end of the week,” a club spokesperson said.

Both teams lined up for the obligatory group shot following what might have been their last official match for the foreseeable future.

Ding Scores

31 August 2010

New York (Chinatown Newswire) — Long-serving keeper Gerald “El Gato” Ding finally scored his first goal for the Chinatown Soccer Club this morning, closing the book on a dry spell that lasted almost six years, the Newswire has learned.

“I had a vision that he would get his goal today and we are all delighted for him,” said veteran defender Marco “The Berlin Wall” Spier who made his first appearance for the club following minor knee surgery last month.

Ding finished off a rebound with a well-taken volley to add his name to the scoresheet.

Katrina Anniversary

28 August 2010

New York (Chinatown Newswire) — An award-winning documentary about New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, co-directed and edited by longtime Chinatown Soccer Club member Ryan “Spaghetti Legs” Fenson-Hood, will be screened at the Maysles Cinema in Harlem tomorrow, the Newswire has learned.

Three years after Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans is “part ghost town and part third world country. Well known musicians Lillian Boutté, Dr. Michael White and photographer Armand “Sheik” Richardson use jazz as a philosophy and tool to save themselves and their abandoned, crumbling city. The Sound After the Storm tells a story in which this ‘music born of slavery’ is reborn in response to Katrina’s devastation.”

Skateistan Benefit

25 August 2010

New York (Chinatown Newswire) – Midfield dynamo Dan “The Danimal” Funderburgh contributed a custom-designed deck to a charity auction that will benefit Skateistan, Afghanistan’s first co-educational skateboarding school, the Newswire has learned.

The school engages “growing numbers of urban and internally-displaced youth in Afghanistan from diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds through skateboarding, and provides them with new opportunities in cross-cultural interaction, education, and personal empowerment enabling them to lead their communities toward social change and development.”

“I designed a deck for their charity and while the winner of the eBay auction gets this yellow board with bugs on it [see below], it’s perhaps more important that he or she will help out kids in Afghanistan,” Funderburgh said.

Funderburgh’s acrylic-painted deck features cut paper cockroaches.

A close-up view of the so-called Funderbugs.

Demo Site

22 August 2010

New York (Chinatown Newswire) – Fleet-footed winger and Chinatown Soccer Club Design Director Justin “Crazy Legs” Fines has reportedly made the most of his recent injury layoff by completely revamping and updating his website, the Newswire has learned.

“We’re blessed to have such a talented designer and footballer like Justin [Fines] play a leading role in establishing the distinct visual identity of our club, from creating our crest to working hand in hand with brands like Adidas, Incase and Arkitip on product collaborations,” a club spokesperson said.

Fines has returned to light training and is expected to be back in action later this month.

Vice Victory

20 August 2010

New York (Chinatown Newswire) – A skeletal Chinatown Soccer Club squad slumped to a crushing 6-8 defeat against bitter rivals FC Vice in Williamsburg on Wednesday night, the Newswire has learned.

“It’s easy to make excuses, considering that we had to field Crazy Legs [winger Justin Fines] in goal and were without any substitutes, but historically this hasn’t been a particularly happy fixture for [FC] Vice so they will rightfully be delighted with their victory,” Coach Stochl said.

As expected, FC Vice captain Erik Lavoie was pleased with his team’s performance.

“We brought in a lot of new players who had the importance of this game drilled into them all week and we’re glad it worked out in our favor,” Lavoie said.

Meanwhile, a brewing controversy surrounds the puzzling no-show of CSC midfield maestro Hosi “Der Chef” Simon who was expected to start the game in his customary position behind center-forward Peter “The Rifle” Bici.

Despite rumors of a rift with Coach Stochl over a perceived lack of discipline on behalf of the experienced German, a club spokesperson refused to offer an explanation, commenting only that “the issue will be dealt with internally.”

Midfielder Milton Mendez (seen here with his younger brother and club staple Lenny “The Ninja” Mendez) impressed on his debut for the CSC.

A beautiful sunset set the scene for an entertaining match.

Thomas Comeback

15 August 2010

New York (Chinatown Newswire) – Journeyman striker Gavin Thomas made his long-awaited return to Chinatown on Sunday, the Newswire has learned.

Heralded for his powerful if occasionally wayward shooting which earned him the coveted Thunderstrike Award back in 2006, Thomas has since plied his trade in Portland, Amsterdam and, most recently, London.

“Former players will always have a home with the CSC and we were happy to have him [Thomas] take part in our weekend training session,” Coach Stochl said.

Thomas had a strong game but was denied a goal by the woodwork.

The Mancunian lined up with his former teammates after practice.

FDNY Friendly

13 August 2010

New York (Chinatown Newswire) – The Chinatown Soccer Club defeated a spirited New York City Fire Department squad 6-3 in an entertaining preseason friendly at the club’s Stanton Street ground earlier today, the Newswire has learned.

“It was important for our players to test themselves against a well-prepared and fit team like them [FDNY],” Coach Stochl said.

New York’s Bravest lined up for a team shot prior to kickoff.

FDNY captain and CSC veteran Peter “The Rifle” Bici shook hands with Coach Stochl in the center circle.

The vocal FDNY fans didn’t shy away from utilizing Vuvuzelas to support their team.

Goalkeeping sensation Omar played a big part in helping the Bravest hold on to a narrow 1-0 for more than a third of the match.

Having just recently returned to match fitness, Swedish forward Jakob Daschek developed a painful cramp towards the end of the game.

The FDNY squad blamed momentary lapses of concentration for their defeat which came despite making a strong start.

Players from both teams posed for the obligatory group shot following the match.

Lenny “The Ninja” Mendez marked his recent loan move to the FDNY with a well-taken goal.

Neitz Birthday

10 August 2010

New York (Chinatown Newswire) – Midfield enforcer Dom “The Dominator” Neitz celebrated his 30th birthday at local eatery An Choi last night, the Newswire has learned.

“Dom [Neitz] has now reached an age where we expect him to move past his occasional personal problems and assume a leadership role on the pitch,” said Chinatown Soccer Club Supporters Club Chairman David Mashburn who attended the festivities alongside Coach Stochl and Dan “The Danimal” Funderburgh.

Neitz delivered an emotional speech to mark the occasion.

The guests spilled out onto Orchard Street following a joyful birthday party.

Neitz also arranged for the screening of the United States’ friendly against Brazil which ended in a 2-0 loss for the Americans.