FC Westchester Lands Three Boys Teams In Open Cup Finals
This could very well turn out to be a memorable month for FC Westchester.
The Westchester club has placed three teams in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Open Cup finals and its U16 and U18 teams have both qualified for the U.S. Soccer Development Academy playoffs to be held later this month in Greensboro, N.C..
The State Cup finals will be played at Stringham Park in LaGrange, N.Y. this weekend.
FC Westchester placed five teams in the State Cup, so having three sides qualify for their respective age groups "is a pretty good deal," said David McCollum, the club’s director of coaching.
Depending on how FCW fares this weekend, having three teams in the finals with the Academy success is among the club’s highlights.
"From the club’s perspective, it’s been a very good year," McCollum said. "It sets the bar high for next year."
Indeed.
FC Westchester has placed three teams in the State Cup finals before. But adding the Academy’s success "makes this year special," club president Lonny Unger said.
In 2000, the club’s Under-16 team captured the U.S. Youth Soccer national championship. “That was a tremendous achievement and this year’s success rank kind of ranks right behind itt," Unger added.
The secret to FC Westchester’s success? Well, you have to have good coaches and good players to begin with.
While the trend is to bring in trainers to prepare the team, McCollum likes to have one man do the job.
"I am a believer of the coach and trainer being the same person," he said in an interview earlier this week. "You build a bond with the players. The coach is responsible for the training session, which is the way it should be."
McCollum said his coaches "do a great job of getting the most out of our players."
And of course you need players -- talented players.
"What we’re looking for are players who can maneuver with the ball in tight places," McCollum said. "We want to make a game more of skill than of athleticism."
McCollum works closely on player and team development with the club’s Technical Director Sean Kenny, who Coach McCollum called a “legend.” “He and Lonny have built a great club that I am very proud to be a part of,” McCollum said.
FC Westchester has teams in the Boys Under-12, U-13 and U-15 State Cup finals.
U-12
This team is coached by Ricardo Lyon, who played for Chile’s Under-20 National Team years ago. FCW will play the Manhattan Kickers at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday.
"The U-12s are excellent," McCollum said. "That should be a really, really good game. Our guys really know how to ping a ball and play much older than they are.”
U-13
The U-13 side lost to B.W. Gottschee in the U-12 final last year, 3-0. FC Westchester will take on the HBC Devils at 11 a.m. on Saturday.
"They have something to prove," McCollum said.
The team is coached by Jim Quiroga, who has guided several FC Westchester to State Cup titles in recent years.
"They play some nice stuff as well," McCollum said.
U-15
Coached by Bob Walkley, Suffern High School coach and an ODP coach, this team brought in several players from the old Somers Lazers. It has been a good marriage.
FCW will face the Massapequa Rough Riders at 1 p.m. on Saturday.
"They seem to be coming on strong at the right time of the season," McCollum said.
Massapequa Goes For 5 Open Cup Championships (3 Boys, 2 Girls)
Saturday certainly will be one busy day for fans of the Massapequa Soccer Club at the Open Cup championships at Stringham Park in LaGrange, N.Y.
The club will have four teams competing for Eastern New York State Cup titles. On Sunday, a fifth side will vie for one of the coveted championships.
Massapequa has storied history in the State Cup, having won numerous titles especially on the Girls side.
"We’re really proud we’ve got five teams in the finals," club president Peter Annarumma said. "This is the first time I remember the Boys outnumber the Boys."
Massapequa placed three Boys teams in the finals and two Girls sides.
Regardless, club officials realize it is special.
"It’s a great accomplishment," technical director Richard Nuttall said. "It reflects on the strengths and depth of the coaches and trainers. When you look at the quality of people and the result, you cannot help not to be proud.
Added newly appointed club coaching director Chris Armas: "It has paid dividends what we have done over the past few years. It’s a testament to the kids and coaches."
Representing the Boys are the Raptors (U-11), Rough Riders (U-15) and Aces (U-17). From the Girls side are Stars (U-13) and the Elite (U-14).
Boys U-11
Bewil Mescall is the coach and Paul Benegas is the trainer of the Raptors, who face the HBC Titans at 9 a.m. on Saturday.
"He coaches the top two teams in that age group," Armas said, "which gives consistency that allows the players to move to the top team. He’s got good young players."
Boys U-15
Barry Joseph is the coach and Jose Rebay is the trainer of the Rough Riders, who will play FC Westchester at 1 p.m. on Saturday.
Boys U-17
Annarumma is the coach and Ronan Wiseman is the trainer of the Aces, who play Commack SC Premier at 9 a.m. on Sunday.
Armas called Wiseman "a good soccer guy. He has a good grasp for talent. In those situations, a lot of fun is promoted."
Girls U-13
Mike Bernieri is the coach and Ronan Wiseman is the trainer of the Stars, who will take on the East Islip Red Dragons at 9 a.m. on Saturday.
Armas called Wiseman "a good soccer guy. He has a good grasp for talent. In those situations, a lot of fun is promoted."
"I know her from years ago," Armas said of Ho (both played for the Long Island Rough Riders organization years ago. "She has the group really into the team concept. The details -- how to pass a 15-yard pass."
Girls U-14
Phil Westerman and Peter Meyer are co-coaches and Christine Ho is trainer of the Elite, which will play the HBC Intense at 11 a.m. on Saturday.
"I know her from years ago," Armas said of Ho (both played for the Long Island Rough Riders organization years
Albertson Fury Has Five Teams Vying For Open Cup Crowns
The Albertson Soccer Club has more teams -- five -- competing in the Eastern New York Open Cup finals this weekend. If the Albertson Fury manage to win all five titles, it will set an ENY record.
But Fury director of football Paul Riley realizes that is much easier said than done.
He remembers what transpired last year, when the Albertson Fury claimed only two championships out of five finalists.
"I've got my fingers crossed," Riley said, not taking anything for granted. "We not getting carried away."
The Fury have placed teams in five age groups, from Under-15 through U-19. Two teams -- the U-19 and U-15 squads play at Stringham Park on Saturday, while the remaining three sides will vie for titles at the same venue in LaGrange, N.Y. on Sunday.
Riley coaches four of five Fury teams in the final.
U-15
The U-15 Fury won the State Cup two years ago, but lost in last year's final. This year's team takes on the Manhattan Pride for the title.
"It's one of those unpredictable games," Riley said. "They don't know us and we don't know them."
Riley figures his midfield will decide the game. "We're solid defensively and good up front," he said.
National team standout Cari Rocaro, Region U players Kelly Stumper and Kristi Abatte are part of a deep team. Regardless how the team fares, the U-15 side already has qualified for the regionals as it is the Region I League champions.
U-16
Albertson's Fury 92 team will make its State Cup final debut against the defending champion Syosset Sting at 9 a.m. Sunday.
"For me as a coach, I'm not sure how they're going to play," Riley said.
Leading the way for the Fury are Karin Simonian, Brittany Anghel, Denna Murino, Lia Belizzi, Taylor Katz and Merideth Speck will lead the group into battle.
"It could be how we're going to defending," Riley said about the team's chances. "Syosset can be dangerous going forward."
U-17
Coached by Phil Casella, this Fury team is anchored by a tough backline that includes U.S. National Team standout Crystal Dunn, who played in the FIFA Under-17 Women's World Cup last year and Emily Menges, who also performs for the Long Island Fury in the Women's Premier Soccer League.
The Fury defeated its opponents, the Stony Brook Arsenal, last year’s U-16 champions, during Region I league play earlier this year, 4-0, at 11 a.m. on Sunday and hope to avenge last year's penalty-kick shootout loss in the Open Cup finals.
"Whenever we play Stony Brook it is a really tough game," Riley said. "They like to bang the ball down the park.
"The question is whether the field will play a part in the game. If we get the first goal, we'll be on top of them."
U-18
The Albertson Fury '90 team will play in its fifth consecutive final at 11 a.m. on Sunday. This team hasn't lost in the State Cup since May 2004 as they vie for their fifth successive Open Cup crown against the Mamaroneck Panthers, which reached the final for the first time.
Riley fears the '90 could "go in too complacent. 'Show up and they'll give you a trophy.' "
This side boasts an attack that includes Vicky DiMartino, the Silver Boot winner at the 2008 FIFA Under-17 Women's World Cup, and speedster Jasmyne Spencer. Both forwards perform for the L.I. Fury as do midfielders Kim Rose and Domenica Hodak. The backline includes Molly Bruh and Dianna Marina.
"Having a World Cup silver medalist is a big plus," Riley said.
U-19
The Boston College connection of defender Alyssa Pember, who was the captain of the U.S. U-18 National Team, and lethal striker Alaina Beyar and midfielder Nicole Choffel (Hofstra) form the nucleus of the team aiming for its second State Cup crown. The U-19 side takes on Quickstrike at 9 a.m. Saturday.
"We haven't been tested yet," Riley said. "Quickstrike will give us a test.
"I’m hoping the Long Island Fury experience will help us.”
As for the schedule, Riley will be able to coach four of his teams because those games were not scheduled against each other.
"I could ask for anything better," he said.
Well, a few more State Cup titles to add to his collection probably would suffice.
