A Creative Response
Last Sunday, Providence City prepared to meet NY Greek American in the first round of the USASA Region I Amateur Cup. Providence City was hosting the match at Pierce Memorial Field in East Providence, Rhode Island. Video from the day shows the weather as being windy and the temperature was in the mid 50s.
People know Providence City for their kits, slick marketing, and a consistent and well-run social media presence. Easily the most followed social media accounts of any of the Bay State Soccer League (including the league itself), Providence has a following from around the world, most of which hasn’t stepped a foot in Providence, Rhode Island, or even the east coast. People love the Rogues and it’s brilliant approach to finding fans. Of course, the club also plays soccer, playing in the top division of the BSSL.
Providence’s opponents, Greek Americans, has a storied history in American soccer. Their own website describes themselves as “New York’s most successful and historic soccer club.” That may or may not be true, but Greek Americans would certainly have a good argument. Found in 1946, the club has won the US Open Cup four times: 1967, 1968, 1969 and 1974. The team has also won the Amateur Cup in 2013-2014. After a long run in the historic Cosmopolitan League, the club is now in the Eastern Premier Soccer League. They are no slouches.
And though it was an opening round matchup in the Region I Amateur Cup, which generally gets a box score and not much else, people were expecting the match to be a good one.
And then it didn’t happen.
It’s important to note that while we have reached out to NY Greek American for commentary (when they respond, we’ll include it), we only have the story from Providence City. According to the video you can watch below, though the field was given approval by the match officials, Greek American was not satisfied with the pitch conditions. And though Providence City attempted to correct some of the issues as they were pointed out, eventually the visiting club decided it wouldn’t play the match.
USASA Region only listed the match as “not played” on its social media post regarding the first round matches, but otherwise has made no statement. Greek American has also made no public statement regarding the match (we’ve emailed and tagged them on social media, but nothing yet). According to Providence City’s social media account there “has been an official protest and we sent our rebuttal.” But that’s not for the public’s eyes as of yet. So that leaves the geniuses at Providence City to come up with a response. And they crushed it.
How this plays out eventually is still up in the air, but Providence City really made the best of a situation. When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. When a soccer match gets cancelled, you make this video. This is a brilliant piece of soccer legend. Enjoy.
- Dan Vaughn