Started from the Bottom...

The Journey is Everything: NYIFC’s Ascent from CSL to APSL

Cliché? Maybe.

But at NY International, it is our truth.

From the very bottom of the Cosmopolitan Soccer League to the heights of the American Premier Soccer League, this club’s rise wasn’t built in a boardroom or fast-tracked by a billionaire backer (even though we sometimes wish we had unlimited access to capital…). It was earned with sweat, bruises, last-minute winners, cold-weather trainings, and a collective heartbeat that refused to flatline.

Today, we look back. Not because we’re done climbing, but because our journey deserves to be celebrated.⚽ 

Chapter 1: Humble Beginnings in the CSL lowest division (D4)

Let’s rewind to 2019, when NY International FC joined the Cosmopolitan Soccer League, the oldest amateur league in the country, planting its flag in the lowest division.

We weren’t even underdogs. We were unknowns.

Our roster? A patchwork of passionate players from every corner of the globe—immigrants, expats, dreamers, grinders. Some fresh off college pitches, others reminiscent of their glorious days back home. No fanfare. Just commitment.

And yet, from day one, we built a culture.

Not just of winning, but of belonging.

Every result mattered. Every training counted. Every player, whether starting or subbed, was part of something bigger.

We didn’t have stadium lights or grandstands. But we had goals. On the field, and off it.

We climbed. Slowly. Steadily. And then…we accelerated.

Back-to-back promotions followed. Our unique style of aggressive and high-pressing football confused opponents and built believers. And we didn’t just earn points; we earned respect.

Identity Forged in the Fire

As NYIFC rose through the CSL ranks, we faced bigger clubs, tougher opposition, and mounting pressure. But we also found our identity.

This wasn’t just a club. It became a community.

Our mission of representing the international spirit of New York grew louder with every season. We proudly became a home for players from over 30 nationalities. Our bench banter came in too many languages to count. Our WhatsApp was pure chaos. But on matchday? We spoke football.

The Covid years tested us like never before. Canceled matches, lost momentum, uncertainty everywhere. But we didn’t crumble. We adapted. We showed up. Masked. Distanced. Determined.

When others paused, we planned.

We built better systems. Tightened operations. Focused on development of players, staff, and the club as an organization.

And when play resumed? We took off.

Winning leagues. Winning cups. Building buzz.

NYIFC was no longer “that international team.” We were the team to beat.

A New Chapter Begins: APSL Bound

This summer, we enter the American Premier Soccer League (APSL) - a regional semi-professional league. It’s our biggest leap yet.

The competition is fierce. The travel is longer. The stakes are higher.

But so are our standards.

We now operate with the professionalism and structure worthy of the badge on our kits. Matchday operations, media, coaching, recruitment… everything has leveled up. Our players are fitter, faster, hungrier (not me though, age has been showing its signs lately…). Our ambitions are no longer whispered, they’re broadcasted.

Yet, amid all this growth, we remind ourselves:

The promotions were sweet. The APSL invite is historic.

But the Tuesday night trainings in the rain, the 9 p.m. away games in Upstate NY, that’s going to be our new reality.

That’s what we’ll carry with us, no matter how high we rise.

Final Whistle Thoughts

As we lace up for a new chapter in the APSL, we’re proud, but never satisfied.

There are more goals to score, more milestones to hit, and more memories to make.

But to our fans, players, coaches, and everyone who’s worn this crest or cheered us on from the sidelines: thank you.

You made this journey matter.

And if you’re reading this wondering if it’s too late to chase your dream—trust us. Start at the bottom. Show up. Climb.

You never know where your journey might take you.