Ask AOA: pickup soccer?
There have gotta be some evening pickup games somewhere.
Asks John via the interweb mail:
Where in Albany do people gather for pick up football/soccer? It must exist. I can't find anywhere, even the interweb has no clues. Outdoor mind you, free of charge, jumpers for goalposts etc...
We poked around a bit and found this relatively new Meetup group in Saratoga. The description sounds like it might be promising:
Whether you call it football, fútbol, futebol, futboll or soccer, this group is for you. All we ask is for fair-play, good spirits and for you to play your heart out.
We'll be playing at Gavin Park as soon as the field isn't too soggy. Pick up games were already happening on Mondays and Wednesdays so we'll try to match up with those and hopefully we can add a weekend game too.
We know there are a few people in the AOA crowd who are fans of the beautiful game. Anyone have ideas for John?
photo: Flickr user Katie@!
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Comments
i would check out the rpi campus. i do not know details but a friend no longer in the area used to play weekly games at one of the fields. there may be something on their website.
... said jae on May 4, 2009 at 2:55 PM | link
There is a group that commonly plays in Washington park although Im not sure of their internets presence...
... said MattW on May 4, 2009 at 3:04 PM | link
I have heard that there are games on the Albany Law/Albany Pharmacy Campus on Thursday evenings. Perhaps around five?
... said dean on May 4, 2009 at 3:10 PM | link
There used to be a group of KAPL and GE folks who played pickup after work at the soccer fields behind Craig Elementary School in Niskayuna. Started at 5:15 pm on Tuesday nights I think? But this was a few years ago...
... said amymengel on May 4, 2009 at 3:25 PM | link
I was contemplating looking for a casual adult league (I know they have leagues for softball, etc around here) but if it's this hard to get a pick up game, there goes that idea...
I'm in Latham and I might be interested in something nearby (i.e. not Saratoga), though I haven't played since I was 12 ;)
... said Ellsass on May 4, 2009 at 3:36 PM | link
for Ellsass: Afrim's has adult leagues. The Sportsplex up in Halfmoon also has adult leagues. They're indoor, though.
... said Amy on May 4, 2009 at 4:02 PM | link
Check the Capital District Soccer League
http://www.cdslny.org/
(it may be too late to find a team, but maybe someone is looking).
There is also an over-30 league, but not sure about info for that.
... said -S on May 4, 2009 at 5:16 PM | link
http://www.meetup.com/Ballerz-Saratoga-Springs-Pick-up-Soccer/
It's in Saratoga and membership is very small...but may be what you are looking for. My experience with Meetup (almost 5 years now) suggests that if the memberships comes mostly from Albany area, the meetups will be there too.
... said Bob F. on May 4, 2009 at 5:20 PM | link
@ Bob F. - Sweet site - I got caught up there for an hour.
... said Barold on May 4, 2009 at 6:40 PM | link
i've been looking for the exact same thing (an adult league, or pickup league, or something) but for american football. two hand touch or flag or something. i too have had an impossible time finding anything online, though!!! does anyone have any ideas? i know about the capital district flag football league, but that is a bit too hardcore for me.
... said Matt K on May 4, 2009 at 7:57 PM | link
hey crazy idea, go and talk to people who are at wolffs
... said MattW on May 4, 2009 at 8:10 PM | link
Matt K: I see regular weekend flag football games at the field where 787 terminates at Route 9. Wouldn't hurt to stop and ask about it. These guys are pretty serious though; no pads and full contact; I'm way too much of a wuss to toss myself in there.
... said B on May 4, 2009 at 9:05 PM | link
Friday nights 6:00 PM Bethlehem High School fields.
... said RJWJJ on May 5, 2009 at 8:45 AM | link
@S
My stepfather's part of that league (at least I think that's the one.) They've already established their teams and have already been playing games. Plus, it's more of a scheduled kind of thing that you have to be willing to commit to. If you're looking for something more flexible and occasional, it's probably not the best fit. That said, my British ex-pat stepdad loves it.
... said jess on May 5, 2009 at 11:24 AM | link
Oh. I'm a jerk. I thought the Capital District Soccer League was affiliated with Afrim's. I take it back. I should really refrain from posting before finishing my second cup of coffee.
... said jess on May 5, 2009 at 11:27 AM | link
there is usually a daily pickup game at rpi over the summer.
we'll have to see what develops this summer as a lot of regulars have graduated since last summer and the construction of the new sports facility might make the traditional location unfavorable.
a large percentage of the people left on campus for the summer are international grad students so it's almost guaranteed that something is going to develop in the next couple of weeks.
... said steve-o on May 14, 2009 at 4:15 PM | link
I play in the capital district soccer league on sunday afternoons. It is a bit more competitive than what you are thinking of but still very fun and teams are looking for players. Check out the website cdslny.org for more information.
Hakuna Matada,
Jim
... said James on May 20, 2009 at 1:39 PM | link
Hey!!! I'd love to hear updates on this pickup soccer search. Weather is great! Albany/Bethlehem...etc.
Any updates?
... said sunny on May 27, 2010 at 10:30 PM | link