Renegades Stun Empire in Wild UPSL Semifinal Down Two Men

At the SUSA Sports Complex on October 29, 2025, the New York Renegades delivered a performance straight out of a movie script — grinding out a 1-0 victory over NY Empire FC in the UPSL Premier: Northeast American North Semifinals, despite going down to nine men before halftime.

The Renegades entered the postseason as the third seed in one of the UPSL’s most competitive conferences, finishing with a 6-2-2 record (20 points) and a +15 goal differential, just behind Empire, who were second on identical points. The regular season was ruled by New York Braveheart SC (8-2-0, 26 points), but on this night, it was the Renegades who stole the spotlight.

The match began with Empire on the front foot, forcing an early save off the woodwork from keeper Eric Edwards. But the momentum flipped in the 23rd minute when both Nikolas Vidal and Sebastian Ruiz of Renegades were shown red cards after consecutive fouls and dissent, reducing them to eight field players for the remainder of the match.

Instead of collapsing, the Renegades did what they’ve always done — fight.

Just before halftime, Milton Campos ignited a counterattack for the ages, weaving past three defenders before sliding a perfect pass to Junior Rosero, who slotted home in stoppage time (45+2). That was all the Renegades needed. For the next 45 minutes, they defended like warriors, blocking shots, heading away crosses, and relying on Edwards’ heroics to hold the line. Empire hit the crossbar twice and forced several diving saves, but the Renegades refused to break.

Their resilience was no surprise to those who know their story. The club was born in 2019 when president Boris Linares and coach David Lawrence joined forces to help under-resourced Long Island players chase their dreams through a project called Soccer for Fun. With Nalda Ramos later joining as manager and coining the name Renegades FC, the team became a symbol of passion and purpose — a family built from the heart, not the paycheck.

Their opponents, NY Empire FC, represent the other side of Long Island’s soccer culture — professional, structured, and deeply connected to their fanbase. Built on the motto “Built for Long Island. Backed by the community,” Empire blends top collegiate and local talent, turning every home match into a celebration of Island pride.

That clash of philosophies — grassroots grit versus community-backed precision — played out perfectly under the SUSA lights. And when the final whistle blew, it was the Renegades, battered but unbowed, who advanced to the conference final, where they’ll face New York Braveheart SC or Oscars FC for the title.

The Renegades’ victory wasn’t just a tactical masterclass; it was a declaration of who they are. From humble beginnings to conquering one of the toughest teams in the league, the Renegades once again proved they don’t just play for trophies — they play for each other, and for every player who dreams of making it.