When New York International FC finished training around 10 o’clock on Thursday, December 2, the players steadily trickled out of East River Park. The team’s November results hadn’t been outstanding in the Cosmopolitan Soccer League’s Division 3 but morale was high. The fall scheduling was nearing its end and the group was eager to start the final stretch strong against FC Japan that coming Sunday.
Team manager Gary Philpott stayed behind to put equipment away as per usual. With his head down, one player shouted out a goodbye to him, barely catching the farewell before looking up to see a familiar figure walking toward the gate.