Brooklyn Side Will Defend Their Titles in the 2025-26 Cosmoleague Season
By Noah Zimmerman
noah@queensledger.com
Polonia Soccer Club have followed up their first ever Cosmopolitan Soccer League regular season championship with their third playoff title. In a thrilling matchup at Randall’s Island they were able to fend off a NY International FC side starved for glory, winning in a penalty shootout.
It was a 3-1 win for Polonia at McCarren Park when the two sides last met in league play, with the hosts all but sealing their league title. This time they were finally held scoreless by the Lions, who were right on their heels all season long.
In goal for NYIFC it was Gary Philpott coming up big multiple times. After heroics last week in the match and penalty shootout against FC Sandzak he made a few vital saves against Polonia. Despite glorious passing and a handful of chances, the league winners were unable to beat the International shot-stopper.
Polonia’s defense was as sharp as ever, as they continued to lock down the highest scoring side in the division. Goalkeeper Carter Dutton-Kneaves kept yet another clean sheet, with some big help from defenders Sam Resnick and Lukasz Bielen.
With both sides unable to score, the playoff was decided by a shootout. It was International’s second straight of the postseason after defeating Sandzak 4-2 at Roosevelt Island. Just like the week before, Philpott made a crucial penalty save to give the Lions an advantage.
Unfortunately for the league runners-up, the penalty save was matched soon after by Dutton-Kneaves. Another International spot kick was sent wide, as Polonia converted their other four shots to seal the title.
“We couldn’t be any more proud of how the season ended, these titles belong to everyone. It’s a club win for the history books,” said coach Corey Smith.
As offered to the CSL regular season winners, Polonia had the choice to be promoted to the American Premier Soccer League (APSL). They made the difficult choice to forgo promotion, returning to McCarren Park to defend both their titles in the CSL next season.
“Those PK’s illustrate what we’re building, with the old guard and new blood scoring and saving pens side by side,” said Smith. “We’re building a stronger club that will stay successful for years to come.”
