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Coliseum Milan Win the Boys-Under-12 Small-Sided State Open Cup

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By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

June 2, 2015-Coliseum Milan became the second team from the Central New York State Soccer League (CNYSSL) in the history of the State Open Cup to win it when they upended Brooklyn Patriots Aguilas of the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL), 5-1, on May 30 at Stringham Park in LaGrange. The match was for the Boys-Under-12 Small-Sided State Open Cup championship in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) and was played 8 vs. 8.

Coliseum follows in the footsteps of Coliseum Generals, who also won the Boys-Under-12 Small-Sided State Open Cup, in 2013.

Alex Chiffy scored two goals for Coliseum Milan while Max Pawlowski, Edward Rayhill and Noah Scranton each added one. Keeper Connor Broadbent came up big in goal by saving a couple of Brooklyn breakaways.

Coliseum coach Carmen Marsala stated, “The boys came out to play and put their best game together.”

Coliseum received a $2,000 check from Eastern New York to defray their costs during the National Championship Series. They will be playing in the Regionals from June 26 to 30 in Barboursville, West Virginia.

Brooklyn was awarded the Howard Rubenstein Sportsmanship Award for the fair play they demonstrated on the field. Now retired, Mr. Rubenstein was seemingly involved in every facet of New York soccer for decades and is a member of the Halls of Fame of Eastern New York, the US Amateur Soccer Association and the Long Island Junior Soccer League.

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. Members are affiliated with 11 leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81. ENYYSA exists to promote and enhance the game of soccer for children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 years old, and to encourage 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 Special Children. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. ENYYSA is a proud member of the United States Soccer Federation and United States Youth Soccer Association. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.

Common Sense and Soccer Sense

By Tim Bradbury, Director of Coaching, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

As we head into a new season, there are so many things, we all need to consider to make sure that we are putting the idea of “what is the best environment for our youth players to develop within” that I thought it may be worth reminding us all of a few of them.

For Players

Play a game format that is best for the developmental level of the kids. Some 11- and 12-year-olds’ needs are best met by 4v4 or 7v7. Age is not the best way to choose game format.
Appropriate competition level. Based on skills performed and tactics mastered, perhaps a group are level to travel and play against other teams and perhaps they should just compete within a club level.
Traveling distance. It makes absolutely no sense for a group of young players to spend more time on car ride than they do playing the game. When this equation gets to the stage where they spend four times more traveling than they do playing at 8 and 9 years of age, something is terribly wrong. We are teaching them to be better at sitting in a car and getting quizzed by mom and dad about performance than we are playing the game.
Parent engagement programs. The time is long past that clubs and leagues should have well established parent engagement programs that help them develop a basic knowledge of the game, how players learn and how they can best support the process.
Be transformational and not transactional. Remember, you work with young children and their parents so build environments that go way beyond just kicking a ball.

For Coaches

Have a definite plan for the season for both team development and individual player development based on how best to help them become more skilled and knowledgeable about the game while having fun.
Reconsider the place of winning and how important it is at 8,9,10,11,12 13 14 etc. to win every game. When winning gets to become the most important thing of all, development gets sacrificed.
Remember that you are a role model and if you scream and shout at refs, other coaches and your players, then your parents and players are likely to do the same.
Have a personal development plan that focuses on how you intend to use the experience of the season to become a better coach to better serve the players you teach.
Work to ensure that the club you coach within is working to become a true club with a well-defined mission statement, club philosophy, club style of play that your players and teams can thrive within.

For Parents

Remember that you have a vital role to play in your child’s development and that their soccer journey can be one that helps them develop life skills like grit, resilience, and honesty. Perhaps more important than winning a few trophies.
Work to better understand the game and how your child learns so that you can support the coach and the learning opportunities presented.
Remember that you are a role model and if you scream and shout at refs, other coaches, and other players, then your child is likely to do the same.
Work on treating all refs, coaches and other parents with respect and kindness. Imagine how great it could be if all parents worked on the same footing.
Most of all, avoid shouting orders as your kid tries to solve the many problems of the game. You do not see what they see, have the athletic abilities they do or the soccer skills and acumen they possess so how can you possibly be giving them sensible information?

Cedar Stars Hudson Valley Win the Boys-Under-10 Challenge Cup

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

June 23, 2023-Cedar Stars Hudson Valley topped the Westbury Dragons, 2-1, in overtime in the Boys-Under-10 Challenge Cup final. This Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) championship match was played on June 3 at overcast Stringham Park in LaGrange.

Bradley Markiewicz and Matthew Zalusky scored Cedar Stars’ goals.

“These boys developed and competed and got what they deserved, which is a Challenge Cup trophy,” stated Cedar Stars coach Christian Henry.

The Challenge Cup was presented by LifeVac, the choking rescue device that has saved over 900 lives and counting.

With approximately 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. Members are affiliated with 10 leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81. ENYYSA exists to promote and enhance the game of soccer for children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 years old, and to encourage 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 the United States Soccer Federation and United States Youth Soccer Association. For more information, please log onto http://www.enysoccer.com/

Capelli Sport Becomes the Official Apparel Supplier of Eastern New York

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By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

May 25, 2017-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) and Capelli Sport, an innovative sportswear and team-wear brand, have announced a corporate partnership that will align the two brands to enhance the sport of soccer in New York State.

As per terms of the agreement, Capelli Sport will become the exclusive apparel supplier for Eastern New York.

Capelli Sport was founded in 2011 by President George Altirs, with the mission to provide quality, functionality and design for high-level performance on the field. Altirs’ more than 25 years in the apparel, fashion and accessory business with parent company GMA Accessories led to the creation of Capelli Sport and many global recreational, club, semi-professional and professional sports partnerships through the brand’s innovative, world-class training gear, equipment and uniforms.

In six years of operation, Capelli Sport has become the official outfitter for a number of internationally recognized sporting organizations and clubs including, but not limited to, the United States Soccer Development Academy member club, Cedar Stars Academy, the nationally recognized high school boys soccer program at St. Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark, NJ,the Wilmington Hammerheads FC and the Ocean City Nor’Easters of the Premier Development League, the Harrisburg City Islanders and the Rochester Rhinos of the Division II United Soccer League, the Inter Allies FC of the Ghana Premier League, and the Würzburger Kickers and MSV Duisburg of Germany’s Bundesliga.

“The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association has been a focal point for the growth of soccer in the tri-state area,” Altirs said. “New York’s youth athletes will be exposed to Capelli Sport’s world-class equipment, uniforms, training gear and support for player development, through the supply of our sport-specific products to the state’s Olympic Development Program players, coaching staff and educational leaders. The opportunities for growth are endless.”

“We are very pleased to welcome Capelli Sport to the Eastern New York family and look forward to advancing local soccer through this partnership,” commented ENYYSA President Richard Christiano. “Both organizations have a great deal in common, including being passionate about soccer and also being very proud to call New York our home,”

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. Members are affiliated with 11 leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81. ENYYSA exists to promote and enhance the game of soccer for children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 years old, and to encourage 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 the United States Soccer Federation and United States Youth Soccer Association. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.

Dix Hills Elite Finish Second in the National League to Qualify for the US Youth Soccer National Championships

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

April 3, 2013-The Boys-Under-15 Dix Hills Elite of the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) and Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) went 3-1-3 in the US Youth Soccer National League to finish in second place to the 7-0-0 Sunrise Elite (Florida). As the top two teams in the division, both squads qualified for the US Youth Soccer National Championships, to be played July 23 to 28 in Overland Park, Kansas.

The Elite defeated Empire Revolution (New York West), 1-0, on March 17 in Las Vegas to jump over Concorde Fire Elite (Georgia) and into second place, punching their ticket to the National Championships. Richie Mastrangelo delivered the goal Dix Hills needed in the 13th minute, and the defense held on the rest of the way as Dix Hills is now planning to play for the National Championship in Kansas.

"The main reason for the team advancing to the National Championships in Kansas this summer is simply because of the hard work the boys put in during training," commented Dix Hills coach Dominic Casciato. "We’ve been all over the place with the weather this winter, but when it’s time to train, the players really apply themselves regardless of the circumstances and take on board everything they are being taught. In addition to that, although I’ve only been coaching the team for about nine months, the majority of the boys have been together a long time and there is a great team spirit within the squad, which can often be the deciding factor in close games like those we played in the National League."

Dix Hills won the State Open Cup in 2011 and the 2011 Massapequa Winter College Showcase (as Under-14s playing up a year), then repeated last year in Massapequa against teams of the same age. The squad also won the 2011 Brooklyn Italians Christopher Columbus Cup, the 2012 Annandale Premier Cup in Virginia and the 2012 Spirit Kick-Off Classic in Pennsylvania.

To prepare for Kansas, Dix Hills is playing in the Region 1 Premier League and State Open Cup this spring.

With 123,843 youth soccer players––68,587 boys and 55,256 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. Members are affiliated with 12 leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81. ENYYSA exists to promote and enhance the game of soccer for children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 years old, and to encourage 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 Special Children. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. ENYYSA is a proud member of the United States Soccer Federation and United States Youth Soccer Association. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.

Back row, left to right-Nicholas Elkins, Casey Barone, Spencer Manus, Noah Waxner, Joseph DeStefano, Joseph Tristano, Justin Hassenfeld, Philip Baresi, Richie Mastrangelo, Coach Dominic Casciato

Front row, left to right-Taylor Kaczynski, Devon Smith, Michael Sclafani, Jimmy Contino, Brian Flynn, Harris Cofie, Tyler Spellman, Christopher McAuliff

Gina Campoverde Honored as the Eastern New York Boys Recreational Coach of the Year

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From left to right: ENYYSA President RIchard Christiano, Boys Recreational Coach of the Year Gina Campoverde,
Of the Year Awards Chairperson Randy Vogt

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

December 11, 2018-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that Barboncito FC coach Gina Campoverde has been honored as our Boys Recreational Coach of the Year. The award ceremony took place at the ENYYSA Holiday Party on Saturday, December 1 at Marina del Rey in the Bronx.

Gina coaches in the Metrokids Interregional Soccer League (MIRSL) and MIRSL President Cesar Juca nominated her by writing, “Her boys team has been together for three years, and she has created an atmosphere of fraternity. Her practices are active and the children get a lot of energy from them. Additionally, her team has received very good results and she always tell her boys to play clean and respect their opponents.“

The Forest Hills resident’s last name of Campoverde means “green field” in Spanish, Portuguese and Italian, which is fitting as her players have found a very green field in playing soccer for her.

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. Members are affiliated with nine leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81. ENYYSA exists to promote and enhance the game of soccer for children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 years old, and to encourage 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 the United States Soccer Federation and United States Youth Soccer Association. For more information, please log onto http://www.enysoccer.com/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.

Downtown United White 95 Bring the Boys-Under-18 State Open Cup Championship Back to Manhattan

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By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

June 9, 2014-When Massapequa Arsenal of the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) scored an early goal in the Boys-Under-18 State Open Cup final on June 1 at Stringham Park in LaGrange, it looked to be a similar story as last year when they shut out Downtown United of the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL), 1-0, in the final. But a lucky bounce changed that midway through the first half as a Massapequa defensive clear wound up hitting Downtown United’s Jonathan Jaramillo and rebounded into the Massapequa net.

Camilo Hernandez scored on a 25-yard golazo to give Downtown United a 2-1 lead just before halftime.

“The game went back and forth, both teams had their chances in an even game and our goalie, Ziggy Fermia, came up big for us,” commented Downtown United coach Alex Cuba.

The 2-1 victory gives Downtown United their second Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) championship in the past three years.

Downtown United received a $2,000 check from Eastern New York to defer the costs of playing in the Regionals from June 26 to July 1 in Kingston, Rhode Island.

Massapequa received the Howard Rubenstein Sportsmanship Award as selected by the match officials. Now retired, Mr. Rubenstein was seemingly involved in every facet of New York soccer for decades and is a member of the Halls of Fame of Eastern New York, the US Amateur Soccer Association and the LIJSL.

With 123,843 youth soccer players––68,587 boys and 55,256 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. Members are affiliated with 11 leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81. ENYYSA exists to promote and enhance the game of soccer for children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 years old, and to encourage 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 Special Children. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. ENYYSA is a proud member of the United States Soccer Federation and United States Youth Soccer Association. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.

Good Coaches Adjust Part 2

MULTI- SPORT ATHELTES –SAINTS OR SINNERS?

As a follow on from the initial article, "Good coaches adjust", first published in the NSCAA journal in 2009 I believe that the following issues on the "Multi-sport" athlete and culture must be discussed and addressed by all concerned coaches.

In understanding the athletic, social, character building issues and ethical concerns in a society driven by a multi-sport ethos there is a need to first understand the following question,

"Why has the multi-sport trend become so prevalent?

1. The belief that participating in as many different experiences as possible leads to a more rounded individual.

"A well-rounded education is the pursuit of comprehensive knowledge, balanced across a wide range of subjects." Carrie Weitz.

2. "Keeping them busy" – in a culture, where more families than ever have both parents working and the hours that these parents work is on the increase, a belief that having children busy and active is a positive thing, is simple to understand.

3. Obesity levels within the US. Parents inspired by a health club culture and rightly concerned about the physical condition of their children search for active environments for their children to participate within.

4. Bumper sticker syndrome. A number of parents seem to be driven by being able to say, "My child plays Soccer, Baseball, Lacrosse, Basketball, Football and Badminton to name but a few.

5. The belief that having a full schedule is infinitely better than having "free time". There is an understandable concern in society today that "free time" can lead to problematic computer time. Daily headlines regarding teenagers finding trouble on the internet are both undeniable and hard to ignore.

6. "Peer group applause" – It is understandable that any teenage boy or girl would, and do seek out environments where the applause is loud and constant. Those gifted young athletes with some pace; strength and mobility become the fodder for all coaches.

Having examined a number of the reasons why parents are eager for their child to be a multi-sport individual one should also understand the problems and associated issues that arise with multi-sport players.

Over training and injury. There can be no doubt that players involved in many different sports, frequently on the same night or day suffer from injuries caused by over training.

Rest – Rest periods are as important as the actual training itself. The physical processes in the body need time to adapt to exercise. Ensure rest days at regular intervals. If the player notices that their performance is no longer improving or drops and they are neither ill nor injured, then a recovery period may be needed.

Taken from: http://www.soccerperformance.org/training/overtrainingcont.htm

1. Competitive ability. To play one high intensity game in a day is demanding enough. If we add to this equation the amount of physical activity in the previous 7 days, the temperature at which the game may take place, the level of the athlete competing against and how well the players rehydrate and replenish between games one can begin to understand that playing 2, 3 or 4 games in 2 days at a competitive level is problematic at best.

2. Quality of educational environment. Parents and players need to thoughtfully evaluate those sporting situations which they place themselves in. In both the High School arena and the youth sport culture there are coaches that place players in unhealthy and even dangerous situations. Parents and players should carefully research the coaching and educational qualifications of those responsible for leading training sessions.

3. Emotional strain. In a culture where the importance of winning is misplaced there can be no doubt that the stress placed on our youth players by the majority of youth coaches to win at all cost is enormous. Perhaps more difficult to understand yet undeniably true is the emotional stress that this environment creates.

4. Learning to balance effort, or is it cheating? Players at young ages quickly begin to understand that it is impossible to give 100% physical and emotional effort in 2 or 3 games in one day or even weekend. Rather than suffer the humiliation of telling mom, dad or the next coach they are tired they either decide not to give maximum effort or present a limited effort so they have, "something in the tank" for the next game.

5. Coach- Player conflict. The majority of youth coaches live by the cannon that, "as long as you give your best effort and try hard I will be okay with the outcome". An unfortunate yet obvious issue is therefore presented when players seem to be giving limited effort. For coaches who equate playing time with both efforts presented and impact of performance those players seemingly not trying, quickly find themselves on the bench.

6. Conflict resolution and education. In an environment where practices are missed due to training conflicts and effort in games is subpar due to over training, tiredness or the desire to "save" oneself for the next game an enormous number of conflict situations arise.

7. Handling conflict situations. Rather than educate their children as to the specific athletic demands of each game, their ability to replenish energy stores, fuel adequately, the need for a training rhythm that includes rest, a large number of parents choose to ignore the issues involved. Frequently they seek to "battle" the first coach who questions their child’s efforts. The intensity and rage with which these battles occur can be staggering.

8. The combined result of all the above is youth players that a) are unable to provide a maximum effort in any game, b) begin to develop a behavioral pattern that 50%-70% is good enough, c) have no real understanding of what putting in 100% means, d) have no ability to self reflect on their performance level and the effort they produced and e) are unable to deal with the ethical and social issues when they let a team down. In this environment rather than sport building character it seems to tear it down.

I believe that the majority of youth coaches are cognizant of all the above. Many have already changed their training pattern, content of their coaching sessions or the demands they place on their players.

Although I am a firm believer in the, "Good coaches adjust mentality" NSCAA journal 2009 article, I do believe that there are certain changes that coaches need to be aware of and in some cases enthusiastic about.

1. Practices should not become a popularity contest. The "fun" in the game should be the game itself and the desire to master the skills of the game in a competitive environment. I believe it is a mistake to start producing training sessions that are focused upon being purely social and fun. In a well taught highly economical session that caters to all five pillars of the game; technical, tactical, physical, and psychological and the emotional and social the fun aspect will be the invisible thread that links all together. The fun is in the doing.

2. Coaches need to avoid selling "their sport" in an untruthful manner. Youth coaches and High school coaches promising college scholarships at any level should be treated in a cautious manner.

3. Players, in the right manner, must be called to task. One of the essential lessons in playing sports must continue to be "give your best effort all the time and when things go wrong try harder still". These lessons for life that lie hand in hand with sporting environments must be protected.

4. Coaches must do their best to educate parents as to the specific athletic and psychological demands of their sport and the related training, playing and rest ratios needed for long term development.

5. Youth coaches should campaign that all Tournaments become one game a day events.

6. In selecting a sporting menu for their children parents must educate themselves as to the athletic demands placed on the body and the associated need for periods of rest if optimal development in any sport is going to occur. Ideally situations where multiple competitive games are played on the same day should be avoided at all costs

Coaches should seek to enhance their understand of the physical and psychological demands of their game and in so doing should make very attempt to educate the parents within their group Scientific research has concluded that it takes eight to twelve years of training for a talented athlete to reach elite levels (Bloom, 1985; Ericsson et al., 1993; Ericsson and Charness, 1994). This is called the ten year or 10,000 hour rule. For athletes, coaches and parents this translates as slightly more than three hours of practice daily for ten years (Salmela, 1998). Unfortunately, parents and coaches in many sports still approach training with an attitude best characterized as the "peaking by Friday" approach (Balyi and Hamilton, 1999). We now know that a long-term commitment to training is required to produce elite athletes in all sports.

A specific and well-planned training, competition and recovery regime will ensure optimum development throughout an athlete’s career. Ultimately success comes from training and performing well over the long-term rather than winning in the short term. There is no short cut to success in athletic preparation.

Sources:

1. http://www.soccerperformance.org/training/overtrainingcont.htm

2. Carrie Weitz.

3. Istavan Balyi’s, Long Term Athletic Development Manual

4. Rockville Center Lightning Boys u15 Team 2010

5. Rockville Center Red Devils Boys u14 Team 2010

6. The NOGA Company.

EHYSL President Jim Purdy Inducted into the Eastern New York Soccer Hall of Fame

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From left to right; Hall of Fame committee members Randy Vogt and Emil Cohill, Hall of Famer Jim Purdy,
ENYYSA President Richard Christiano

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

December 4, 2018-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is pleased to announce that East Hudson Youth Soccer League (EHYSL) President Jim Purdy was inducted into the Eastern New York Hall of Fame during our Holiday Party on December 1 at Marina del Rey in the Bronx.

The Stormville resident has been volunteering in youth soccer for the past three decades. He served as Wappinger United club President for six years, on the EHYSL Board of Directors for the past 18 years and as the league’s president for the last seven years, increasing the league’s registration numbers during this time as over 17,000 players now call the EHYSL home. Jim also currently serves on Eastern New York committees including Field Maintenance and Membership.

Additionally, Jim has also been coaching during all this time and there were several years where he coached 3-4 teams. Jim was a founding member of the East Hudson Academy in 2005 and has been a coach in the program since its inception. Prior to that, Jim was a head coach in the EHYSL Select Program. He was honored as the EHYSL Boys Travel Coach of the Year in 2005 and inducted into the EHYSL Hall of Fame in 2009.

Jim has served as the Dutchess Community College men’s soccer head coach since 2011 and his team has qualified for the Region XV playoffs for the past seven years. During his time in charge, he coached 15 Falcons to All-Region honors and 25 Falcons to All-League status.

Jim is particularly proud of the fact that six of his former players are coaching in college soccer.

And if that’s not enough, Jim has served as a US Soccer referee since 2000, holding Grade 7 status for the past nine years.

Congratulations to new Eastern New York Hall of Famer Jim Purdy!

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. Members are affiliated with nine leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81. ENYYSA exists to promote and enhance the game of soccer for children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 years old, and to encourage 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 the United States Soccer Federation and United States Youth Soccer Association. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.

Long Island Junior Soccer League Select Team That Played in Brazil Holds Memorable Reunion 27 Years Later

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The LIJSL Select Team after winning the 1987 Pocono Cup.
Standing from left to right: Coach Bill Easteadt, Marty Hearney, Alex Depase, John Quirk, Chris Evans, Michael Blackton, Brian Murphy, Michael Luongo, Stefan Greenberg, Greg Franzke.
Kneeling from left to right: Chris Lowe, Brian Anselmo, Richard Lawlor, Mark Stollsteimer, Irad Young, Derek Lachman, Kevin Anderson, Joe Ferrante, Peter Zarratin.

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

June 25, 2014-We at the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) know that the friendships forged on soccer fields can last a lifetime. Just one example is the Long Island Junior Soccer League’s (LIJSL) Boys-Under-16 Select Team, who won the championship of the 1987 Pocono Cup in Pennsylvania plus played in the 1987 Dallas Cup in Texas and the 1987 Pelé Cup in Brazil. The New York media dubbed them “the Boys to Brazil” as the squad toured South America’s largest country and wound up going to Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Santos, Brasilia, Manaus and Petropolis while playing some pretty good soccer and meeting the legendary Pelé along the way.

The former teammates, now in their early 40s, have been in touch with one another for the past 27 years and with the World Cup currently being played in Brazil, they came from across the East Coast to hold a reunion that was organized by team captain Michael Blackton on June 14 at Lily Flanagan’s in Babylon. The reunion wound up lasting much longer than the allotted time that they had the room booked for. When they played in South America in 1987, the United States was toward the end of a four-decade drought in not qualifying for the World Cup and there was not a professional league. How times have changed as soccer is now cool, Major League Soccer is thriving and the United States has played in every World Cup since 1990.

“Although very few of us make a living from soccer today, we all took what we learned on soccer fields as kids and applied it to become successful in the business world,” commented midfielder Brain Anselmo.

The LIJSL Select Team from 1987:

Kevin Anderson, midfielder, played at Southern Connecticut State University. Kevin played professionally for the Long Island Rough Riders, then five years in MLS for both the Colorado Rapids and Tampa Bay Mutiny. He is now the head coach of the Columbia University men’s soccer team.

Brian Anselmo, midfielder, was studying and playing for Chaminade High School when he was on the LIJSL Select Team. Played for Providence College. He is now a Social Studies teacher and guidance counselor at Chaminade plus coaches the freshman team there as well as being a coach in the LIJSL’s Massapequa Soccer Club, where he formerly played as well.

Michael Blackton, stopper and captain of the LIJSL Select Team, played at New York Institute of Technology (NYIT), served on the West Islip Soccer Club Board of Directors and now coaches in the LIJSL clubs in West Islip, North Babylon and Center Moriches

Jason Cortes, goalkeeper, All-American at Morrisville State College

Chris Evans, defender, converted to midfielder at the University of Buffalo where he became one of the college’s all-time assist leaders, coached Germania Storm from Buffalo, a top youth team

Jack Fabrizio, midfielder, played at UMass, head coach at Hicksville High School, coaches teams in the LIJSL’s Hicksville Americans Soccer Club

Joe Ferrante, defender, played at Rutgers, his busy life as an attorney prohibits him from volunteering in youth soccer but he’s a big fan of the Azzurri

Greg Franzke, defender, played at George Mason and has been inducted into the college’s Hall of Fame. He holds a US Soccer “A” Coaching License and coaches the girls varsity at his alma mater, Bethpage High School.

Kevin Johnson, goalkeeper, All-American at Stetson University, now the technical adviser to Carolina Rapids Soccer Club in North Carolina

Derek Lachman, forward, played at Duke University

Richard Lawlor, sweeper, did not play soccer in college. He was a Mason Union worker who was killed in a car accident in Babylon on February 8, 2008 at the age of 36. No drugs or alcohol were involved in the tragic crash.

Bryan Lillis, midfielder, played at Cortland State, now coaching in the LIJSL’s Bayport Soccer Club

Chris Lowe, goalkeeper, All-American at Adelphi, currently trains goalies and runs soccer camps

Michael Luongo, forward and captain, played at NYIT and LIU Southampton, currently President of the LIJSL’s Center Moriches Soccer Club, coaches four teams in Center Moriches

Brian Murphy, defender, played at Pepperdine University

John Quirk, midfielder, played at Albertus Magnus College, coaching youth teams in Florida

Mark Stollsteimer, defender, played at the University of Richmond where he became the all-time assist leader, formerly head coach at Davis & Elkins College and Millikin University, Assistant Technical Director to the Richmond Kickers in USL Pro, also coaches youth teams in Virginia

Irad Young, forward, All-American at George Mason and inducted into the college's Hall of Fame. Played soccer professionally in Israel and the MISL, now coaches youth teams in Virginia.

Peter Zaratin, goalkeeper, made it to the NCAA finals at Santa Clara University in 1992 and has been the majority shareholder and CEO of the Long Island Rough Riders for the past decade

Coach Bill Easteadt coached for 13 seasons at NYIT where he was inducted into the college’s Hall of Fame in 2006. He has been coaching for over a decade in the LIJSL’s Syosset Soccer Club.

“Along with my 1985 NYIT team that went to the Final Four, these players were the best team I ever coached and personally meant so much to me,” explained Coach Easteadt. “It was awesome seeing them again and for them continuing to be a big part of my life!”

Three adults on that trip––current LIJSL President Addie Mattei-Iaia, the Select Team’s manager Carol Quirk (who became an elected official in Babylon) and ENYYSA Public Relations Director Randy Vogt––were all inducted into the LIJSL Hall of Fame during the past two decades.

With 123,843 youth soccer players––68,587 boys and 55,256 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. Members are affiliated with 11 leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81. ENYYSA exists to promote and enhance the game of soccer for children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 years old, and to encourage 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 Special Children. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. ENYYSA is a proud member of the United States Soccer Federation and United States Youth Soccer Association. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.

LIJSL_Select_Team_today_for_Web

The LIJSL Select Team at the reunion:
Standing from left to right: Michael Blackton, Brian Anselmo, Mark Stollsteimer, Joe Ferrante, Chris Lowe, Bryan Lillis, Coach Bill Easteadt
Kneeling from left to right: Jack Fabrizio, Chris Evans.
Not pictured is Michael Luongo who was still in transit from a game played on Staten Island that afternoon.

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