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ODP Coach Haleigh Svede Honored as 30 Under 30 By the United Soccer Coaches

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

February 8, 2022-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that Olympic Development Program (ODP) coach Haleigh Svede has been selected by the United Soccer Coaches as one of their 30 Under 30 and received the award at their convention on January 21 in Kansas City. This program features a group of the United States’ most promising young coaches selected from a pool of almost 300 applicants.

Haleigh, a 26-year-old Jersey City resident, is the assistant coach of the 2006 Girls South ODP Team. ODP is the highest level of play in every state association and Eastern New York has a particularly strong ODP. Crystal Dunn and Allie Long are Eastern New York ODP graduates and current Women’s World Cup champs.

“ODP is thrilled to have Haleigh on our coaching staff as she is a terrific coach and role model for our 2006 girls,” stated ODP Director Jim Volpe.

In the Manhattan Soccer Club, Haleigh is the head coach of the Girls-Under-9 Boltz and the Girls-Under-10 Strikers. She has been coaching for the past five years in addition to her position as a K-8 physical education teacher at the Pioneer Academy in Wayne, New Jersey.

Haleigh still plays soccer and grew up playing it for World Class FC, in Eastern New York ODP and then at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia.

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 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. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/

Ronkonkoma’s Nicolas Maldonado-Molina Receives the Livio DArpino Scholarship

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

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July 14, 2023-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that Ronkonkoma’s Nicolas Maldonado-Molina is receiving a Livio D’Arpino Scholarship.

At Connetquot High School, Nicolas was a member of the National Honor Society and the Social Studies Honor Society, ranking 9th in a class of 427 students.

In his essay, he wrote that “as an Eagle Scout, I have developed invaluable skills such as teamwork, problem-solving and perseverance, all which have shaped my character and prepared me to face challenges with confidence. Being a team captain for both the varsity soccer and track teams has further enhanced my leadership abilities. Through leading by example and motivating my teammates, I have fostered a sense of unity and collaboration, resulting in successful seasons for both teams.”

In Eastern New York, Nicolas plays for Ronkonkoma Connetquot Real FC, the current Boys-Under-18 State Cup champs.

The scholarship’s namesake, Livio D’Arpino, was a beloved Eastern New York Vice President who was seemingly involved in every level of local soccer before his untimely passing in 2002. The award is based on success in high school as well as community service.

We wish Nicolas the best pursuing a medical degree after following a Pre-Med program starting at Cornell University this fall.

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 on to http://www.enysoccer.com/

U.S. Women to Face Scotland on Feb. 13 at LP Field in Nashville

Presale Starts Wednesday, Jan. 9 at 10 a.m. CT

As a benefit to the fans, U.S. Soccer is pleased to offer you a special ticket presale ahead of the general public for the U.S. Women’s National Team match against Scotland on Wednesday, Feb. 13, at LP Field in Nashville, Tenn. (7 p.m. CT kickoff).

See all of your favorite players, including Abby Wambach (pictured), Hope Solo, Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe (roster subject to change).

Your internet-only presale starts Wednesday, Jan. 9 at 10 a.m. CT and ends Thursday, Jan. 10 at 2 a.m. CT.

Use the code T3PREPARE to purchase tickets. VISA is the preferred payment card of U.S. Soccer. More info….

Buy Tickets Now!

30 New Soccer Referees Given On-Field Training in Marlboro

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

April 10, 2013-How often is it that the number of referees on a field exceeds that of the combined number of players for both teams? On March 24, that exact situation was created––and it lasted for five hours!

That Sunday, through the good efforts of East Hudson Youth Soccer League (EHYSL) Board Member and Highland United Soccer Club coach Mark Clemmer, eight Girls-Under-13 teams were brought together for a series of rotating half-hour scrimmages on the turf field at Marlboro High School. Officiating those games, also rotating and performing in unison, were over 30 newly trained and registered US Soccer referees, grades 8 and 9.

Supervising and instructing those new officials were EHYSL Assignor Enrico Romano, and US Soccer State Referee Instructors Dave Longacre and Rich Ceonzo.

"Enrico, assisted by LaGrange Soccer Club assignor Rob Sweeting, spent most of the day running the center referee position with a steady stream of new officials, working with them on their positioning, signals, whistle discipline and angles of visibility, while Dave and I had the remaining officials, lined up in the correct assistant referee positions, working on their positioning, signaling and communication skills," said Ceonzo. "We even had a coach feign behaving inappropriately, to demonstrate to all 30 officials the correct, low-key way to address any such problems."

Most of these new referees will start officiating young intramural games in their home clubs, and the opportunity to be mentored and coached in their first on-field officiating duties should serve them well as they begin what hopefully will be lengthy careers in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA).

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. Eastern New York 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. Eastern New York 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.

Suggested Cold Weather Guidelines

I have spent a good amount of time within the last 2 weeks fueled no doubt by self-preservation researching the topic of safe temperatures for youth players to be playing outdoors in the winter. The development of an increasing number of Astroturf facilities combined with a competitive (almost insane desire) to train year round seems to have led to more and more teams training in subzero temperatures. The dynamic is made more difficult for the thousands of teams using a professional trainer. The Team manager with the attitude of we pay for this so it must happen tends not to listen to the professional trainer who explains it is not educationally suitable. In this situation commonsense and hopefully the guidance give below can help.

Please remember that even with the most active 1v1, 2v2 small sided practice in the world, with zero standing around there becomes a time and temperature when it is simply child cruelty to stay outside and practice.

I have been amazed over the last few years to witness sessions in frigid temperatures where kids are made to stand in line, wait for a turn and then stand and listen for 5 minutes while some misguided coach explains the technical flaws. I have been also shocked when teams play and train and frozen grass where any fall can easily lead to fractures.

Please use the table below and a good dose of common sense before either scheduling a practice outdoors or sending your child off to freeze.

A note about wind chill – The wind chill temperature is how cold people feel when outside. Wind chill is based on the rate of heat loss from exposed skin caused by wind and cold. As the wind increases, it draws heat from the body, driving down skin temperature and eventually the internal body temperature. Therefore, the wind makes it FEEL much colder and poses a more severe threat to our bodies.

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Brentwood Premier Blaze Keep the Fire Burning By Winning Their Third Consecutive State Open Cup Title

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

June 25, 2021-The Brentwood Premier Blaze and their coach, Chris Roche, won their third consecutive State Open Cup championship when they defeated Asphalt Green, 4-1, to bring the Barbara Rodriguez Cup home to Long Island as Girls-Under-19 State Open Cup champs. The award is named for the Northport resident who volunteered as the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) State Cup Chairperson for 23 years from 1992 to 2014, and her cup final was played on June 5 at Stringham Park in LaGrange.

Brentwood will represent Eastern New York at the East Regionals from June 25 to July 1 in Hammonton, New Jersey as part of the National Championship Series.

Asphalt Green received the Rocco Amoroso Sportsmanship Award, as determined by the game officials. Amoroso, a US Soccer Life Member who died in 2016, 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. 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 onto http://www.enysoccer.com/

Manhattan Paris Saint-Germain Win Regionals, to Play For National Championship Along With Rivals Smithtown Arsenal

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

July 9, 2014-The Boys-Under-17 Region 1 final for supremacy in youth soccer in the Northeast United States came down to another championship game between two Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) teams as Manhattan Paris Saint-Germain of the Westchester Youth Soccer League (WYSL) played Smithtown Arsenal of the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL), the defending national champions, in Rhode Island on July 1.

It was the 16th time the friendly rivals have played one another and it wound up being Sweet Sixteen for Manhattan as they won, 2-1, on goals by central defenders Moctar Niang and Sean Fitzgerald. Manhattan took the Region 1 title back to New York City and qualified to play for the national championship from July 22 to 28 at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Germantown, Maryland. Smithtown had qualified for the Nationals as well by winning their division in the US Youth Soccer National League last winter. The friendly rivals are rather equal in talent since in their 16 games, both Manhattan and Smithtown have won seven times and tied two games.

Manhattan coach Wilson Egidio commented that his team’s success in winning the past two out of three Regional titles and appearing in the past five State Open Cup finals is due to three factors.

“One is the talent of the group as you can only go so far without talent. Two is the hard work, dedication from all involved including the coaching staff, players and parents. And three is the continuity with coach and philosophy of playing style. I’ve had some of these kids since age 10 and there’s trust in work done!” commented Coach Egidio.

Manhattan Paris Saint-Germain receives its name from the Manhattan Soccer Club’s partnership with the French Ligue 1 club that is also known for its outstanding youth development program.

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.

John Bussi to Retire After a 3-Decade Career of Developing Soccer Players

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

May 23, 2023-The coaching ranks of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) will be a little poorer after John Bussi retires from coaching next month.

Now 65 years old, John grew up playing for New York Hota in the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL) and started coaching his two children, Jacqueline and Michael, playing intramurals in the Farmingdale Soccer Club.

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The Farmingdale T-Birds in 1996. John is standing on the far right. John’s daughter Jacqueline is kneeling, third from the right.

“As my children’s Farmingdale teams got into travel, and people watched them play, I began to get offers from other clubs to be a trainer for their teams. For 10 years, I traveled to clubs all over the Island, sometimes working with eight clubs simultaneously, doing 10 to 12 sessions a week. A lot of driving around!” John explained. "I did that for 10 years. Then a fellow I used to coach against at Commack, John DeAngelis, asked me to train his teams, and then other Commack teams hired me. At that point, I fully committed to Commack, and have been there for almost 20 years. About a dozen years ago, the club asked me to design and run the developmental training program for Under-7 to Under-9 and I have been doing that ever since. I truly found my niche in the sport as working on skills with young players is really what I love to do. Commack is an excellent and devoted club and they have treated me very well!”

Over the years, John’s teams have played in State Cups plus won tournaments and Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) Sportsmanship Awards.

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"My philosophy was developed through some of my experiences working with and learning from talented coaching peers such as the Alber brothers, Kurt Kelley and Kaz Gungor. Simply put, skills are everything! I have rarely worked on tactics with youth players, unless you consider 1v1, 2v2 and 3v3 tactics, which I do. If you can provide a strong technical base, the game will teach them how to play well and effectively.”

In addition to all this coaching, the Farmingdale resident is a singer and songwriter mainly of country music. You can listen to his music at Reverbnation/Johnbussi and he is the male singer on the track. Plus John owns TAB Technology Electronics, an electronic component distribution company that supplies the transport industry primarily.

John concluded, "I am looking forward to watching my 2-year-old granddaughter, Lennox, play soccer. But I would be just as happy if she took up the piano instead!"

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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. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/

Boys-Under-19 Massapequa Arsenal Wins Regionals and Will Play For the Prestigious McGuire Cup

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

July 7, 2015-The saying that “Defense wins championships” is especially true for Massapequa Arsenal as they did not give up a goal during their five games at Regionals from June 26 to 30 in West Virginia to win the Region 1 championship. The Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) team will be playing for the historic McGuire Cup from July 21 to 26 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The first youth soccer national championship was founded in 1935 and contested by the Boys-Under-19 age group. 40 years later, it was named the McGuire Cup, in honor of James McGuire, who served as U.S. Soccer Federation President from 1952 to ‘54 and again in 1971 until his passing in ‘74.

“We are proud to represent the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association, Region 1 and the Massapequa Soccer Club, one of the best youth soccer clubs in the nation!” commented Massapequa Arsenal coach Tobias Bischof.

None of their Regional opponents could solve the defense of fullbacks Joseph Escamilla, Gerard Farrell, James Harris, Kevin Mazol, Chris McGrath and Kevin McGrath and plus goalkeeper Dan Vitiello. Massapequa has gone 520 minutes without surrendering a goal as the last one they gave up was midway through the first half of their State Open Cup final win against Kosmos Greek-Americans.

“Massapequa Arsenal was the most organized team at the Regionals,” explained Coach Bischof. “The players’ willingness to work together and for each other has made us so strong over the years. Every single player on Massapequa Arsenal puts the team above himself.”

Massapequa outscored their five opponents 18-0 during Regionals. In the 2-0 championship game win over Virginia’s Annandale United FC Hawks, Cory Santangelo scored in the 13th minute and an Annandale own goal in the 52nd minute helped seal the Regional title for Massapequa.

The three-time State Open Cup champions have a long history, winning multiple tournaments across the United States as well as the Northeast Regional Premier League (NERP) and they were also Region 1 Premier League finalists. Massapequa received another $2,000 donation from Eastern New York for Nationals, in addition to their $2,000 Eastern New York check for Regionals, to defray their costs during the National Championship Series.

“The Regionals is a very long and demanding event so we gave our players off until after the Fourth of July weekend to rest and get healthy,” Coach Bischof stated. “This week, we will get together and start preparing for the McGuire Cup national championship.”

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.

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Back row, left to right: Coach/Administrator Joe Votinelli, Brian Nichtern, Jonny Nierenberg, Nicholas Cestaro, James Macchia, Brendan Gallivan, Cory Santangelo, Coach Robert Christensen, Frank Micieli, Joseph Escamilla, James Harris, Gerard Farrell, Matthew Scorce, Coach Tobias Bischof
Front row, left to right: Kieran Hall, Nicholas Christensen, John Romano, Dan Vitiello, Justin Carfora, Chris McGrath, Michael Farese.
Camera shy: Kevin Mazol, Kevin McGrath.

There’s a College Soccer Program For Every Travel Team Player

By Pat Grecco

I can say that yes, there is a college soccer program for every travel team player, as I have been placing student-athletes, mostly soccer players, into colleges for the past 25 years. There are multiple options regarding college soccer programs at various levels, many of which would be a good fit for travel team players. Even if your youth team is in the lower divisions, there's a college soccer program for you!

For men and women in college's Division I, there are 500 plus programs, in Division 2, there are over 400 programs and Division 3, almost 1,000 programs, all NCAA-affiliated. Junior College includes over 400 programs, called National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). There is also the NAIA with over 400 member schools. Many to choose from, but knowing the right fit for you is the most important piece of the college search puzzle!

Do the math and realize there are many options for travel team players. Let's say you are playing at the highest level in youth soccer such as Premier or ODP, then you might be considering selecting schools in the most competitive D-1 or D-2 programs.

Maybe you play competitive club level soccer, and you are a very good student, then you should be looking at highly competitive academic schools such as the Ivy League, Emory University, Johns Hopkins University or the University of Chicago where your soccer can help open that heavy door to admissions.

Another situation might be that you struggle a bit in school, then perhaps your best opportunities lie with two-year or junior college programs and then after two years could transfer to four-year school with an athletic/academic scholarship.

How do college coaches evaluate players? They want to know your credentials, what level you compete at and which tournaments you play in.

Varsity experience in high school programs is also a factor, are you a starter, All-County or All-State? Did your high school program advance to post season?

Be realistic as to what level of play is a good fit for you both athletically and academically. What is the main ingredient for playing soccer in college is simply desire. Keep fit, stay focused and follow your dream.

Pat Grecco, a member of the Halls of Fame for both the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association and Long Island Junior Soccer League, has helped thousands of student-athletes gain admission to college. Her network of personal contacts among college coaches, extensive library of reference materials and a keen sense for the family's needs and wants are keys to her success. She is very happy to offer her services pro-bono for those families who cannot afford to pay her. You can visit her website at http://www.collegeboundathlete.com/

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