By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
June 9, 2026-Two teams from New York City, Triboro United and South Bronx United, needed a penalty kick shootout to determine the champion after tying, 1-1, in the Boys-Under-17 final on Saturday, May 30 at the Blue Sky Sports Complex in Middletown. Triboro United received the Jose Vargas Cup by winning the shootout, 3-2.
The cup’s namesake, Jose Vargas, was a man of many hats (and many hats that had many feathers) who served as State Referee Administrator, State Youth Referee Administrator and State Director of Assessment as well as President of the Hudson Valley Youth Soccer League (HVYSL) and East Fishkill Soccer Club.
Triboro United coach Andre Duncan stated, “We held our own and defended very well against a very good attacking team in South Bronx United. Our goalkeeper, Bryan Calero, came up big in making 10 saves including two on penalty kicks in the shootout.”
Johan Gamboa scored the Triboro United goal and they will represent the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) at Nationals from July 13 to 20 in Salt Lake City.
South Bronx United did not leave Middletown empty-handed as they received the Rocco Amoroso Sportsmanship Award as determined by the game officials. Amoroso, a US Soccer Life Member who died nine years ago, started the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) Sportsmanship Program in 1980 and it spread to Eastern New York, nationally and then to China and Ireland, and in the process, made soccer games kinder and gentler.
With over 100,000 youth soccer players––both boys and girls––and more than 25,000 volunteers, the non-profit Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) stretches from Montauk Point, Long Island to the Canadian border, east of Route 81. ENYYSA encourages the healthy development of youth players, coaches, referees and administrators. All levels of soccer are offered––from intramural, travel team and premier players as well as Children With Special Needs. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. ENYYSA is a proud member of US Soccer and US Youth Soccer. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/