New York International And Clapton CFC Offer World Cup Final Alternative | OneFootball

New York International FC will live up to their name this week as they fly across the Atlantic to London for a series of matches in England.

The two-game tour kicks off on Friday, July 17, with a game against Bishop Stortford Swifts at 7.30pm BST, 2.30pm EST.

The following day, Saturday, July 18, the team will play Clapton Community FC at the Old Spotted Dog ground with kick-off at 3pm BST, 10am EST, the day before the World Cup final.

Clapton CFC and New York International were formed around the same time — 2018 and 2019 respectively — with similar ethos geared towards community involvement.

The shared values soon forged a bond between the two clubs despite the distance between them, and this friendly match marks the next step in a link between the two clubs.

The relationship initially came about through a player who has played for both clubs, Josh Adejokun. The forward was one of Clapton’s original players when they were founded in 2018, joining New York International in 2022 when he moved to New York.

Those involved with New York International FC who can’t make the trip across to London will still be able to watch the match as it is being live-streamed.

NYIFC has organised a watch party at the Rivercrest Bar in Astoria, which has become one of the club’s homes in the city, and has also hosted its awards nights.

The game coincides with the fifth annual 5k for Davide, an event which remembers New York International FC player Davide Giri, who was tragically killed on his way home from training one night in December 2021.

The kick-off against Clapton CFC will coincide with the end of the 5k. Participants can watch the game, and the team Davide Giri once played for, while taking on refreshments following the run.

“In order to continue our commitment to uplift the life and legacy of our dear friend and teammate Davide Giri, we will have the 5th annual 5k for Davide on July 18th at 9am in Astoria,” NYIFC club president Nicholas Alexandrakos told Protagonist Soccer.

“This time and date is important because our friendly with Clapton kicks off at 10am, so immediately after our Move for Davide 5k event, we are going to Rivercrest for our watch party.”