Eastern NY Youth Soccer Association

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Remembering Glen Cove Soccer Giant Marco Malusa

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

October 12, 2023-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is mourning the loss on October 8 of Marco Malusa, one of the co-founders of the Glen Cove Junior Soccer League in 1969. It is believed that Marco was 88 years old. The first Glen Cove travel team, a Boys-Under-19 side, played in the fledgling Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) that had been founded three years earlier.

Marco, who was inducted into the LIJSL Hall of Fame in 1983 and the Eastern New York Hall of Fame in 2010, was irreplaceable in making Glen Cove soccer what it is today. Besides being a co-founder of the club (along with Bill Doyle), he co-founded the intramural program with his wife Marie in 1975.

“Marco has done it all,“ explained Club President Martin Shannon before the 50th anniversary celebration in 2019 that honored Marco. “He was the treasurer, the registrar, a coach, a referee and most importantly, a lifetime board member. He's been present at board meetings and on the field for all 50 years of the club's existence. To this day, he still participates and offers his guidance and wisdom.“ 

Beneficiaries of the club Marco helped found are thousands of boys and girls during the past five-plus decades including notable players such as Roberto DeLuca, Mike Grella, Danny Mueller, Stephen Mueller and Peter Zaratin, who all wore Glen Cove’s red-and-white uniforms while growing up playing in the LIJSL. The Marco Malusa Sportsmanship Award is given annually to Glen Cove High School soccer players who display the highest standards of Fair Play.

Upon Marco’s passing, the Glen Cove Junior Soccer League announced that they will be establishing a perpetual scholarship in his memory awarded to a graduating senior who has demonstrated through the years of his or her time with the club the qualities Marco cherished most: Sportsmanship and being a good citizen to all.
 

Marco’s son, Marco Malusa Jr., stated, “He loved his soccer and spent many, many evenings with ENYYSA and various New York soccer organizations. He was very proud of his work with ENYYSA, the LIJSL and Glen Cove."

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 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/

ODP Player Brandon Dory Uses His Versatility to Reach the Top in Youth Soccer

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By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
 
April 22, 2013-Troy resident Brandon Dory used his three years playing with the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association Olympic Development Program (ODP) and his one year on Region 1 ODP as a springboard to receive interest from an amazing 65 colleges. Certainly helping is the fact that he’s a honor roll student who is taking college physics at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute as a high school senior. Brandon recently decided to attend Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts.
 
"Williams College is a fantastic school academically, and it has a great soccer program, too. This past season, they went to the Final Four in the NCAA Division 3 Tournament, and they have won it in the past," Brandon commented. "The head coach, Michael Russo, is a great coach as well as a fantastic guy, and he really stuck with me through the whole recruiting process while I was trying to make up my mind where I wanted to go. It was important for me to find the right match, both academically and for soccer." 
 
"The thing that did it for me was when I went to visit the Williams’ campus," Brandon continued. "All the players were so nice and welcoming. I also visited a physics professor and some of his students. They also made me feel right at home and I could definitely see myself being at Williams for the next four years. I really have my ODP Assistant Coach Eric Watson to thank. He recommended me to Coach Russo and encouraged me to look seriously at Williams."
 
Brandon first started playing intramural soccer in the Brunswick Soccer Club at the age of five. He graduated to their Under-8 and Under-10 travel teams, then transferred to the Alleycats Pumas, where he has played for the past eight years. Both Brunswick and the Alleycats play in the Capital District Youth Soccer League (CDYSL). With the Alleycats, coach Jason Ramundo has utilized him at every position except goalkeeper although he mainly plays as a central defender.
 
"Brandon is one of the defensive anchors with Alleycats Pumas," commented Coach Ramundo. "At 6’4”, his frame and speed makes him a threat anywhere on the field. His hard work on and off the field has landed his college career at Williams College. It’s been my pleasure to have the opportunity to develop a player like Brandon."
 
"Brandon is an impact player. He is big, strong, fast, and, most importantly, very technical," said Roy Pfeil, his Head Coach with Eastern New York ODP. "He is very dominant in the air and I believe will be very successful as a central defender at the highest levels. Brandon likes to carry the ball forward from the back and is very comfortable when he dribbles into the attack."
 
At Troy High School, Brandon played four years of varsity soccer and he led the Flying Horses to two league titles, a 54-10-5 overall record with 40 shutouts and they went to Regionals for the first time in school history. About winning Sectionals, he stated, "It was an incredible feeling to win a game like that with your friends and for your school!"
 
Brandon is also quite excited about his trip last spring with the Region 1 ODP Team.
 
"When I first stepped on the field last spring with the Region 1 ODP Team to play the Luxembourg Under-17 Youth National Team, at that moment I realized how far I had come as a player to be there and how awesome an experience it was to be in Europe, to be playing soccer for my country," he said. "We also played three Bundesliga academy teams in Germany and practiced at the Saarbrücken Olympic training facility. The trip was fantastic as everywhere we went people treated us like celebrities because we were soccer players!"
 
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.
 

Frank Lackner Inducted Into the Eastern New York Soccer Hall of Fame

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From left to right: Eastern New York State Adult Soccer Association First Vice President Albino Guimaraes, 2015 Hall of Fame inductee Frank Lackner, Eastern New York State Adult Soccer Association Fourth Vice President Peter Strumpf and Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association President Richard Christiano.

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

December 16, 2015-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) and Eastern New York State Adult Soccer Association are pleased to announce that Frank Lackner has been inducted into the Eastern New York Soccer Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony took place at our 2015 Holiday Party on December 6 at Marina del Rey in the Bronx.

Frank grew up and was a longtime resident of Ridgewood, Queens and started playing as a goalkeeper for B/W Gottschee of the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL) as an 11-year-old. He graduated to the B/W Gottschee men’s team and played for the blue-and-white from 1977 to 1995, winning the Cosmopolitan Soccer League (CSL) championship in the 1990/91 season.

He volunteered as B/W Gottschee club secretary starting at the age of 20 in 1978 and continued in that role until 1984. Frank served as club treasurer from 1984 to ‘89 and as club president from 1989 to 2001. During this time, he was very involved in organizing the summer festivals at the historic Metropolitan Oval. Highlights included concessions, the soccer tournament and the big dance tent. Rudolph Giuliani, when seeking election as New York City Mayor, came to the summer festival at the turn of the millennium.

During all this time, Frank also volunteered on the CSL Executive Board, organizing the CSL’s successful indoor tourney for the past 30 years. Frank has also served on the CSL Appeals Committee with John Kilby for the past three decades.

“Frank always keep his calm during heated discussions from people who are passionate about their soccer,” commented fellow Hall of Famer Peter Strumpf. “He is highly regarded by everybody he comes in contact with and is a man for all seasons.”

Congratulations to Eastern New York Hall of Famer Frank Lackner.

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.
 

Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League Celebrates Another Successful Season

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
 
July 6, 2022-The Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL), founded in 1933 and the oldest league in both the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) and American youth soccer, held their Annual General Meeting (AGM) on June 23 at the SC Gjøa Clubhouse in Brooklyn.
 
“Everything about the AGM was extraordinary,” stated CJSL President Ron Restrepo. “It was an absolute pleasure to review the wonderful year we had in both the fall and the spring and I had a chance to see people who I had not seen in years because of the pandemic.”
 
Istria SC and the legendary Carlo Bucic received the Legacy Club Award while John Tucker of SC Gjøa took home the Club Person of the Year Award. 
 
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CJSL President Restrepo on the left presenting the New Club Award to Giovanni Russo of Juventus Academy NY. 
 
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CJSL Games Chairperson David Gordon on far left giving the Referee of the Year Award to Luben Mihaylov of Brooklyn, who is seen conducting a coin toss in the photo on the right.
 
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From left to right: Katie Fahey and Jun Reiss of SC Gjøa plus Osvaldo Martinez of South Bronx United received CJSL scholarships from President Restrepo for their academic and athletic excellence. Katie was the first female to ever be honored by the CJSL as the league looks to continue to grow its girls program.
 
President Restrepo concluded, “We also felt it was very important to take a moment to recognize the people who are making a difference in the soccer community just as Eastern New York does every year.”
 
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 Association. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.

Eastchester’s Jay DiDonato Scores a Goal For Friendly Relations in a Game Against the Turkish Navy

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Jay DiDonato in blue shirt after scoring a goal

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

April 2, 2014-Join the United States Navy and travel the world by going to exotic ports of call. First Lieutenant Jay DiDonato, aboard the USS Stout, is currently on deployment in the Mediterranean Sea.

The USS Stout’s crew recently had joint naval exercises with the Turkish navy. To enhance relationships between NATO countries, as part of the protocol following the exercise, the officers tour each other’s ships and arrange other social bonding events, usually including a friendly game of basketball. However, on this tour Jay started to talk to a Turkish officer about their combined passion for soccer, and for the first time, much to the delight of the Turkish officers, they both organized a friendly soccer match instead.

“Remember that most of the world loves playing soccer and my passion has not abated either, so during the tour of our ship, a Turkish officer and I decided to organize a little international friendly,” Jay commented. “We lost, 8-4, but then we mixed up the teams and just had a good time all around.”

Attached is a photo from that game with Jay in blue after having just scored a goal for international relations. He’s 28 years old, is a huge Inter Milan fan and has been serving in the United States Navy for two years. In the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), the Eastchester resident played for Eastchester United and the New Rochelle Raiders of the Westchester Youth Soccer League (WYSL) and for three years with the WYSL Select Team.

Jay’s father, Julian DiDonato, started volunteering in the WYSL when his son began playing in the league two decades ago. Julian’s volunteering has increased exponentially as he is now the WYSL President and a Trustee of Eastern New York.

“It is great that Jay’s passion for soccer, starting at age five, continues just as strong to this day,” Julian commented. “It’s had such a positive impact on his life and others in so many ways––building friendships, expanding opportunities and now international relationships, it is truly remarkable that sports can bring you so much throughout your life.”

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.

No Matter How You Slice It, the Saratoga Wilton White Lightning and South Huntington Strikers Had a Great Time!

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By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
 
June 9, 2013-The Arch Capital Group Cup produces many great memories every year. One particularly nice moment occurred on May 12 as the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) competition reached the quarterfinals.
 
The Girls-Under-14 South Huntington Strikers of the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) travelled to Wilton to face the Saratoga Wilton White Lightning of the Capital District Youth Soccer League (CDYSL) at Gavin Park. After a 1-1 tie through regulation and overtime, South Huntington won in a shootout to advance to the semifinals.
 
"After the game, the two teams ate pizza together and posed for photos," said Saratoga Wilton Soccer Club President Bob Turner. "If South Huntington had some more time before heading home, the squads probably would have picked teams and played another game. It was a nice moment to remind us all that the beautiful game is all about."
 
"The people from the Saratoga Wilton Soccer Club were the nicest people in the world," commented South Huntington coach Eric Wuss. "They ordered pizza for lunch and we ate with them after a game filled with sportsmanship."
 
South Huntington went all the way to the Arch Capital Group Cup finals at the Peter Collins Soccer Park in Plainview on June 8. The Strikers received the Howard Rubenstein Sportsmanship Award in the championship match after losing to the Commack Challengers, 5-1, to finish in second place in the competition.
 
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.
 

Nearly $250,000 in Grants Being Awarded For Hurricane Sandy Relief By Non-Profit Soccer Organizations Affiliated With US Youth Soccer

 By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
 
January 2, 2013-A big local and national news story of 2012 was Hurricane Sandy, the largest Atlantic Ocean hurricane on record, which created unprecedented destruction in New York and New Jersey in lost lives and property. Youth soccer organizations affiliated with the US Youth Soccer have responded.
 
Region 1 established a Disaster Relief Grant Program for Region 1 clubs/organizations that have suffered damage as a result of the storm. 20 grants, each up to $2,000, are being awarded.
 
On the way to a total donation of $80,000, the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) has given $46,000 in checks to its needy clubs. The money has already been sent to those needy clubs in the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL), Staten Island Youth Soccer League (SIYSL) and Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) for Hurricane Sandy Relief.
 
Additionally, the LIJSL has established a Disaster Relief Fund Program of $125,000 for its members/clubs that suffered damage as a direct result from Hurricane Sandy. Approved funds are available to be awarded. In order to be eligible to receive a LIJSL Hurricane Sandy Fund, the individual or club must be an affiliated organization with the LIJSL, ENYYSA and US Youth Soccer. Contact the LIJSL at 631-648-9020 for more information.
 
The East Hudson Youth Soccer League (EHYSL) was not as affected by Hurricane Sandy as its downstate neighbors so they have graciously donated $4,000 to the SIYSL and $2,000 to the LIJSL.
 
While all these good works continue, a for-profit company, SportsSignup in Saratoga Springs, made a $10,000 donation last month to ENYYSA leagues most affected by Hurricane Sandy. The CJSL, SIYSL and LIJSL each received $3,333.
 
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.
 

Madisyn Wakefield of Broadalbin Receives a Jack Bauman Scholarship

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

August 12, 2020-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that Madisyn Wakefield is receiving a Jack Bauman Scholarship. 
 

The scholarship’s namesake, Jack Bauman, is considered the father of women’s soccer on Long Island. He was devoted to the Massapequa Soccer Club, Eastern New York and making sure that girls had as many opportunities to play soccer as boys did in an era when girls playing sports was not as accepted as it is today.

The award is based on success in high school as well as community service. 

At Broadalbin-Perth High School, Madisyn was Class Secretary, Band Class President and Drama Dance Captain while being a member of the National Honor Society and playing soccer for the Patriots.

Madisyn wrote in her essay, “Since the beginning of my school years, all the way back to Pre-K, I remember playing soccer. I started playing on rec teams with everyone in the grades above and below me. This was always so much fun, going to a few practices throughout the week, then on Saturdays, everyone would have a game early in the morning. The cool part was most of the time, you played on a different team. I always remember going to the concession stand after the game and getting a donut. This soccer program was through my town’s youth commission, Broadalbin Youth Commission (BYC) soccer and it was the beginning of my soccer career.“

From that humble start, Madisyn progressed to travel teams. We wish her the best at Elmira College.
 
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 Association. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/

Soccer Tournaments: The Plain and Simple Truth

By Tim Bradbury, Director of Coaching Instruction, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
 
There are key moments in adult life that act as epiphany times. Moments when the truth about certain events seem crystal clear. One such moment for myself was the first National Director of Coaching (DOC) meeting I attended which was being hosted by Dave Chesler, the technical director from US Soccer. All such meetings start with some form of ice breaker; I've sat through witty, entertaining, dull and truly educational ice breakers. On this occasion, Dave chose to pass around a magic wand which each DOC could take and announce one soccer wish.
 
I was intrigued and fascinated as the wand passed around the room and 90% of all present wanted the same wish. An entire room of many of the most respected and educated names in youth soccer and almost in total agreement…Soccer tournaments banned. Some wanted this for three or five years and some forever.
 
Thinking that over 90% of the 55 DOCs within the country could not all be wrong, I set about talking to a number of my colleagues to ascertain why this was such a passionate desire within the group. My conversations and research since have led to this article which I share in the hope that team managers and soccer parents can all gain a true understanding of the many issues that tournaments present.
 
From a historical perspective, when there were no regional or sub-regional premier leagues, tournaments were a method by which better teams could play better teams. A good idea that would be supported by any professional coach. The problem at this time was simply the format they used. With all that has been learned about child development, rest and overuse injuries, the two or three games a day format for an incredible two days was the source of the concern. The vast majority of tournaments insist on using a format which ensures the games are simply and truthfully anti-development and dangerous to the players participating within them. If at age 14, a player needs 72 hours to recover before playing or training at maximum ability again, how is it realistic to ask they play four games within 48 hours?
 
Based upon Nelson Mandela’s creed of
 
"There is no keener revelation of a societies soul than the way in which it treats its children."
 
As a soccer nation, tournaments suggest we are failing badly.
 
Three things happened, chronologically I am not sure in which order, but I fully understand what they are:
 
1) The structure of youth soccer changed and regional and sub-regional leagues became common. This development enabled better teams to play better teams in league play.
 
2) Clubs realized the enormous money-printing machine tournaments can be.
 
3) Got soccer was born as a result of teams being or feeling unfairly treated with tournament applications.
 
I will examine each of the three above individually as they are all worthy of major discussion.
 
1) With the structure of regional leagues and success at this level being another method of entry to the National Cup outside of State Cup play, things seemed to be heading in a good direction. In the majority of regions, these leagues involve single games over a 8- or 9-week season. This game format with elite teams playing other elite teams with an appropriate training / game ratio is close to an effective development model (suggested ideal is 1 game to 4 training sessions). Unfortunately within Region 1, the two games per day format negates the positives many other regions get to enjoy.
 
These high level elite leagues have been affected by the rise of US club leagues competing to attract elite teams with the promise of relaxed rules and more games (the very thing that player development experts believe to be one of major flaws of the US Youth soccer program).
 
2) The amount of money that clubs can generate from tournaments is both staggering and tempting. Clubs make tens of thousands of dollars from annual events. These clubs in an effort to constantly raise more money research more fields, accept more teams, recruit more referees and do all they can to get more $. Unfortunately, the cost of this endeavor is often one in the quality of the event. Fields that are subpar, refs that are shattered by doing eight games in a day and tournament schedules that are simply insane (try getting up at 5 am to travel 1one hour to a field for a warm up done in the dark to play a third game on a semi-frozen ground). You will have to search long and hard and possibly well outside of Region 1 to find a club based tournament where the above temptations have not been succumbed too. Once the main reason to host a tournament became a simple one of $ raised at the expense of the welfare of the players participating, parent alarm bells should have started ringing!
 
3) Got soccer and the machine it has become is simply another cog in the tournament money machine. Simply put, the more tournaments you play (the greater the costs to the soccer families), the more points you collect and the higher the bracket you get placed in. I have often been saddened and amazed by teams that enter tournaments while their players endure the high school soccer season. I remain convinced that research will one day produce the facts and numbers regarding injury rates of high school players who play in tournaments during their high school seasons and these results will leave us all shocked. Often competitive teams feel they must play more Got soccer events to get more points despite creating a ridiculous training/game play ratio. As a rule of thumb, if your youth team is U14 and they play more than three tournaments a year please politely ask why?
 
It is difficult to consider the tournament machine without considering the place of the professional trainer within it. This is where things become even more difficult. I do not consider people who get paid to train team’s professionals without at least a USSF B license or NSCAA Advanced National Diploma and a US Youth National license. With this being said, tournaments can be huge money machines to trainers as well. A great way, to judge the integrity of your trainer is to ask them how many tournaments within a year they consider to be developmentally appropriate while they also explain the extra income they will generate by having you play in them. Perhaps the most insane piece of this conundrum lies in the moment when the same trainers say they are only playing in these events due to parent demands.
 
The placement of teams in brackets is a whole other article that I will not go to in depth. Suffice to say at this time that due to Got Soccer, the nepotism of tournament directors to their own teams or odd rules like "we can't have two teams from the same club in the top bracket" placing’s will always be a source of discontent with players, families and team managers feeling betrayed and cheated. Unfortunately, the outcome of these debates is typically damage to the game.
 
I know in reading this many will agree with the points while thinking, "College showcase events are above the rules of common sense." In short, they should not be, indeed due to the enormous pressure on those playing and the more physical demands of the longer more adult like games, these events should be held to a higher standard. Three games maximum spread over three days would be my minimum suggestion. Perhaps the recent trend in college coaches holding three day onsite clinics will lead to a decline in the number of showcase events, perhaps not.
 
I fully realize that for the average soccer parent I have shared an enormous amount of information and that typically I would be asked to suggest a solution. I am acutely aware that nothing noted in this article will slow down the tournament machine. I am also acutely aware that tournaments place unrealistic and even harmful demands upon our youth players. It is my hope that if enough parents and players read and understand the issues involved that at some point in the future the players will be put first, after all, it is supposed to be their game. Perhaps at this future point in time we will use Mandela’s quote as a source of great pride.
 
"There is no keener revelation of a societies soul than the way in which it treats its children."