Hassidic and Caribbean Players Set For Rematch

Jewish and Caribbean players face in Crown Heights soccer tournament (photo courtesy of Soccer for Harmony)

Crown Heights Caribbean soccer players trounced by a squad of Orthodox Jews last year are itching for a rematch this weekend. But while competitive juices are flowing in advance of Sunday’s game, organizers say the game is about promoting harmony in the historically divided neighborhood.

The Orthodox Jews handily defeated two Caribbean teams at Soccer for Harmony’s inaugural tournament in December – dispelling a few stereotypes about the players, many of them devout Yeshiva students from Israel, along the way.

“We never heard of them being involved in soccer,” said Frank Nicholas, who coaches the Caribbean team, part of the Central Brooklyn Soccer League. “We figured it might be an easy game. We figured they’re probably not as good. But we got surprised.

“My guys can learn a lot from them,” he said. “We’ll be a little stronger, a little quicker, a little faster. We’ll try to win this time.”

Not if the Jewish team from Eastern Parkway has anything to say about it.

“We’ll fight on the field. We’re going to bring everything we’ve got,” said Nathan Abikasis, 29.

“We are small and skinny, and they’re bigger,” he said. “Then we realized that we’ve got the technique.”

The tournament was launched by nonprofit Seeds in the Middle, which runs a soccer program for kids at Hamilton Metz Field.

Organizers decided to start games for the adults they saw using the neighborhood field, often in separate squads.

“They both love soccer. That’s one of the things that can bring them together. They’re different, but that’s one thing they have in common,” said Brooklyn Crown Heights Eagles coach Josef Cabral.

The tournament is held in honor of Christopher Rose, a 15-year old killed by a gang trying to steal his iPod in 2005, whose dad is one of the organizers.

“It’s a universal game, no matter where you go. You don’t even have to understand the language, you can play soccer,” Nicholas said.

But the sense of camaraderie won’t dampen the fierce competition. “This time we’re ready for them. We’re going to give them a run for their money,” said one of the Caribbean players, Richard Campbell, 17, of East New York.

9 Comments

  • yossef zerdoune

    yossef zerdoune et ben dit donc on s’eclate au seven
    tu fait la smiha au goal ou en attaque ;)

  • sportsmanship

    When you win again, do something nice for the other team, like give them cold bottles of water or something. It’s great to see different cultures getting along peacefully in this neighborhood.

  • Southeside

    Yeh I would love to get in on this game, and finally something Humane and positive on the site!

  • Whynot_31

    The game is this Sunday, March 25 at Hamilton Metz Field (Albany/Lefferts Ave.) at 2 PM.

  • יוסי

    המשחק הוא ביום ראשון להצטרפות שחקנים רציינים וטוביםנ
    נתי ממנדיס

  • Nancie Katz

    Hi:
    I’m the director of Seeds in the Middle, which launched the tournament.
    Nati at Mendy’s Deli organized the Jewish team. FYI, they lost today!
    Now they want a rematch!
    They should be looking for more players as the team was short today.
    If you want to play, please email us at brooklyncrownheightssoccer@gmail.com or friend us on Facebook at Brooklyn-Crown Heights-Soccer. You can also like “Soccer for Harmony” or “Seeds in the MIddle” on Facebook.
    We post there!