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Three Eastern New York Alumnae to Represent the USA at the Rio Olympics

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Photo of Crystal Dunn standing in gray surrounded by fans at her Sendoff Ceremony in Rockville Centre

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

August 4, 2016- 262 men and 293 women will be representing Team USA at the Rio Olympics. It’s the largest team of women that the United States has ever sent to the Olympics and three of them––Crystal Dunn, Allie Long and Sue Bird––grew up playing in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA).

Crystal Dunn has lived a short corner kick from the Eastern New York office in Rockville Centre since she was a little girl. She spent her formative years in the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL), playing for the Rockville Centre Power, Rockville Centre Tornadoes and Albertson Fury ‘91. Crystal also developed her wonderful talent with Eastern New York’s Olympic Development Program, competing in ODP for six years, and used it as a springboard to represent the USA internationally.

“From the age of nine, Crystal displayed a tremendous desire to learn about the game. Her drive and desire to understand all the things you teach a developing youth player were incredible. Crystal’s energy and courage for her size were as impressive as her desire to learn,” commented Tim Bradbury, who coached Crystal on her two Rockville Centre youth teams and is now Eastern New York’s Director of Coaching Instruction.

Crystal starred as the USA won the 2012 Under-20 World Cup in Japan. But as the last cut on the 2015 US Women’s National Team which lifted the Women’s World Cup trophy last summer, Crystal turned that snub into an opportunity to show off her skills, finishing the 2015 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) regular season with a league-high 15 goals for the Washington Spirit and winning the NWSL Most Valuable Player award. She was soon wearing the red, white and blue again and has scored 14 goals in 15 international games.

Fans, former teammates and coaches plus Rockville Centre Mayor Francis X. Murray wished Crystal well in bringing back the gold medal at her hometown’s send-off event at Darcy Field on Peninsula Boulevard on July 13.

Now 28 years old, Allie Long took the long and winding road back to the US Women’s National Team. She started playing soccer for the LIJSL’s Northport/Cow Harbor Mustangs and completed her youth career playing for the Oceanside Express and the Albertson Express of the LIJSL, winning four consecutive State Open Cup titles with the Express. Allie used being a member of the Olympic Development Program for five years to represent the United States internationally with the US Women’s National Team and Under-23 Team.

The East Northport resident played on top teams as a young woman wherever there was a game, with the Long Island Fury of the Women’s Premier Soccer League, then professionally with the Washington Freedom and Sky Blue FC of Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS), for Paris Saint-Germain in France after WPS folded, then with the New York Fury of WPSL Elite and for the past four years with the Portland Thorns of the NWSL. Last fall, she made it back onto the US Women’s National Team in midfield.

Paul Riley coached Allie on both Fury teams plus in Portland and stated, “Great vision, top level range of passing and a work ethic second to none. She has a million dollar ball and can unlock any defense. We are extremely proud of her career!“

Sue Bird of Syosset has already won three gold medals with the US Women’s Basketball Team at the Summer Olympics in 2004, 2008 and 2012 plus two Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) championships with the Seattle Storm. But like Crystal and Allie, the 35-year-old grew up playing in the LIJSL, first with a Syosset Soccer Club boys team that competed in LIJSL Division 1 and then as a central midfielder and forward with regional champion HBC Nasty Girls from age 11 to age 16, when she decided to concentrate on basketball. Sue also played for the LIJSL Select Program.

Joe Lee coached her on HBC and remembers her well. “Sue was a very humble person and a super nice kid! Her instincts were so good, she was like a coach on the field. I truly believe that if she had stuck with soccer, she would have made the US Women’s National Team!“

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.

Eastern New York ODP Graduate Allie Long is a Thorn for Opposing NWSL Teams

Allie has her arms raised in photo.

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

April 23, 2013-To play pro soccer, Allie Long has travelled a long and winding road from three cities on the East Coast to Paris and now to Portland.

The 25-year-old midfielder from East Northport played for the Long Island Fury of the Women’s Premier Soccer League summers when she was a college student, then played for the Washington Freedom in 2009 and 2010 plus Sky Blue FC in 2011 before Women’s Professional Soccer folded. With no pro league in the United States to play in, Allie went to France and competed for Paris Saint-Germain during the 2011-12 season, then for the New York Fury last summer.

The prospects for the new National Women’s Soccer League are brighter and Allie’s team, the Portland Thorns, have over 7,000 season ticket holders. Wearing the #10 shirt, Allie played in the NWSL’s inaugural game on April 13 at FC Kansas City which wound up as a 1-1 tie.

"I feel very blessed that I am able to play in the National Women’s Soccer League," she stated. "I love the game and I hope to inspire and encourage young players to follow their dreams."

She started playing soccer for the Northport/Cow Harbor Mustangs of the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL). She completed her youth career playing for the Oceanside Express and the Albertson Express of the LIJSL, winning four consecutive State Open Cup titles with the Express.

Paul Riley coached her on the Long Island Fury plus New York Fury and said, "Allie is one of the top midfield talents in the country. She won four State Open Cups at Albertson and her game has developed considerably since then."

Allie used being a member of the Olympic Development Program of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) for five years and Region 1 ODP for four years as a springboard to representing the United States internationally with the U.S. Women’s National Team and Under-23 Team.

"Great vision, top level range of passing and a work ethic second to none," Coach Riley added. "She has a million dollar ball and can unlock any defense. We are extremely proud of her career, I believe she deserves to play again with the full Women’s National Team and I hope to see her one day at the Women’s World Cup."

At Northport High School, she played varsity soccer for four years and was honored as All-State three years and Newsday’s Player of the Year for two years. She played two years for Penn State, where her great uncle John Pinezich had once starred for the Nittany Lions, then transferred to the University of North Carolina and won the NCAA national championship her senior year.

"My favorite moment so far is probably winning a national championship with UNC but this is a new year and it will be the best yet," she concluded.

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.

ENY Division 1 Championship

In its inaugural year the ENY Division 1 State Championship Cup is designed to provide a higher level of competition, as well as bragging rights for U13, U14 and U15 girls and boys. This competition is specifically for League Division 1 winners. All finalist will receive t-shirts, while the winning team will also receive medals. The following Leagues are participating in the competition:

Capital District Youth Soccer League

Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League

East Hudson Youth Soccer League

Long Island Junior Soccer League

Westchester Youth Soccer League

Staten Island Youth Soccer League

The State Division 1 Championship is being held in two locations:

Girls – ENY Division 1 State Championship

Owl Hollow Fields
1757 Arthur Kill Rd
Staten Island, NY , 10312

Boys – ENY Division 1 State Championship

Stringham Park
90 Stringham Rd.
LaGrangeville, NY , 12540

Games Schedule and Rules to be announced.

HBC Strikers Defeat Manhattan Kickers Red, 3-1, to Win the Girls-Under-17 State Open Cup

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

June 10, 2015-The Girls-Under-17 State Open Cup final of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) was an interesting match-up between the HBC Strikers of the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) and the Manhattan Kickers Red of the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL), two teams who had never won a State Open Cup championship before. HBC proved they are the best team in the state with a 3-1 win on a wet field on May 31 in LaGrange.

Brianna Cuccia, Emily Kaplan and Dominique Sarcona scored the HBC goals.

“We have been preparing for the State Open Cup for the whole year as we trained 11 months for this,” commented HBC coach Moussa Sy. “It takes consistency and commitment like everything else and playing in the Regionals will not be any different.”

HBC received a $2,000 check from Eastern New York to defray their costs during the Regionals from June 26 to 30 in Barboursville, West Virginia.

Manhattan received 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.

9 Girls From Eastern New York’s ODP Invited to ODP National Training Camp

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

January 15, 2013-US Youth Soccer has announced the participants for the 2013 US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program Girls National Training Camp, taking place January 31 to February 2 at Reach 11 Sports Complex in Phoenix, Arizona. Girls from the 1997, 1998 and 1999 age groups will represent all four regions of the United States.

Invitation-only players will have the opportunity to work with some of the nation’s top coaches to improve their playing abilities. The developmental camp focuses on highlighting players’ individual talents as well as providing them with new tools and ideas through challenging daytime training and small-sided games. The camp aims to enhance players’ problem solving skills within the game, and better their technical and tactical abilities so they leave feeling confident in their performance.

The invited players from the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) Olympic Development Program are:

Congratulations to all nine players!

ODP is considered the highest level of competition in the state. Crystal Dunn, who played in Eastern New York ODP for six years while growing up, received the MAC Hermann Trophy, emblematic of the best college soccer player, last Friday night in St. Louis. Crystal is one of many Eastern New York ODP players who have represented the United States internationally.

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.

Wappingers Falls’ Neah Cooke Receives the Jack Bauman Scholarship

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

July 12, 2023-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that Neah Cooke is receiving a Jack Bauman Scholarship, which is based on success in high school as well as community service.

Neah played nine years in the East Hudson Youth Soccer League (EHYSL). She wrote in her essay that “my experience with soccer is the definition of perseverance. For five years, I played with boys because the club (Spirit of Mount Vernon) did not have a girls team in my age group. I had to fight to be seen on the field. I screamed and begged to be passed the ball. I had to fight for my life to prove that I was worthy of playing with them. When I finally got the opportunity to play on a girls team, I tore my ACL during the first game and was out for the season. However, these obstacles never held me back. Instead, they made me stronger and helped me improve not only as a player but as a person as well.“

At Roy Ketcham High School, the Wappingers Falls resident was on the High Honor Roll and was a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society plus was Student of the Month and volunteers for the Red Cross.

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 and Eastern New York.

We wish Neah the best majoring in Biology at New York 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/

The Portland Thorns, With Former Eastern New York ODP Player Allie Long, Win the Inaugural NWSL Championship

Photo of Allie Long in red, courtesy of the Portland Thorns.

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

September 2, 2013-Allie Long was prophetic when she stated in an Eastern New York press release back in April, "My favorite moment so far is probably winning a national championship with University of North Carolina but this is a new year and it will be the best yet."

That’s because her Portland Thorns won the inaugural National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) championship with a 2-0 win over the Western New York Flash in Rochester on August 31. And they did it down a player in the final 33 minutes when defender Kathryn Williamson was sent off for her second yellow card.

"It’s a moment I’ve been training for, long before the season started. I feel as though I accomplished a goal and feel proud of my team," Allie commented. "Going down to 10 players on a great team and ending up closing the game out is something no one thought could probably happen. It’s a great moment and I feel so happy and proud to be the first NWSL champs!"

Allie scored the semifinal game winner in overtime to give Portland a 3-2 win at FC Kansas City on August 24 and a berth in the finals.

To play pro soccer, the 26-year-old midfielder from East Northport has travelled a long and winding road from three cities on the East Coast to Paris and now to Portland.

Allie played for the Long Island Fury of the Women’s Premier Soccer League summers when she was a college student, then played for the Washington Freedom in 2009 and 2010 plus Sky Blue FC in 2011 before Women’s Professional Soccer folded. With no pro league in the United States to play in, Allie went to France and competed for Paris Saint-Germain during the 2011-12 season, then for the New York Fury last summer.

Allie used being a member of the Olympic Development Program (ODP) of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) for five years and Region 1 ODP for four years as a springboard to representing the United States internationally with the U.S. Women’s National Team and Under-23 Team.

Paul Riley coached her on the Long Island Fury plus New York Fury and said, "Great vision, top level range of passing and a work ethic second to none. She has a million dollar ball and can unlock any defense. We are extremely proud of her career, I believe she deserves to play again with the full Women’s National Team and I hope to see her one day at the Women’s World Cup."

Top 10 Things You Should Know to Protect Your Child in Soccer

Increasingly in discussions with League Presidents, Club Presidents and many parents, the topic that is most popular is that of player development. Often the issue that comes quickly to the foreground is that most parents are not aware of the issues they will face as a soccer parent and many feel ill-equipped to deal with many of the scenarios they face. The list below is presented to provide soccer parents with a foundation they can use to make good decisions on a go forward basis.

10. They do need a good night’s sleep before they play (at least 8 hours) and studies show that sleepovers, bright lights and video games prevent them getting the rest they need.

9. Formal stretching of any type, static or dynamic done before the growth spurt period does more damage than good.

8. They need appropriate fluids and food that their bodies can take and turn into energy before they play. (Typically at least 2 hours before a warm-up)

7. They enjoy making decisions and it is very hard to do so when a set of coaches and parents are shouting the next instruction on as they try to play.

6. The most important factor in their ability to fulfill their soccer potential and master the skills of the game is their coach. They need you to ensure they have a qualified person and suitable environment.

5. They get embarrassed when their parent is the loudest shouter on the sideline and it is humiliating when this voice shouts at the referee and criticizes other players.

4. Their number one reason for playing is to have FUN, not to win, so help it be a stress-free environment.

3. Playing too many games in a day is physically detrimental and stops all the games being FUN. However many bumper stickers parents need, the science proves their bodies can only do so much.

2. They want and need to play in games and on fields that are developmentally appropriate. If the field and goal are too big it simply stops being FUN.

1. The car ride home must stop being a time to review all their mistakes and shout about the loss. Make a promise now that you will never talk about the game again as you drive them home.

With an average of 70% of players stopping playing by 13 years of age, all parties involved, coaches, league organizers, team managers and, of course, parents, need to take a long look in the mirror at the collateral damage our behavior is causing. The responsibility lies with us all and none of us should rest until the 70% that we are losing continue to play. If we can at least adhere to the 10 points above, perhaps it will at least be a start.

Chip Reed Named Referee Director of the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League

CJSL Games Chairperson David Gordon on left with Chip Reed on right. Photo courtesy of the CJSL.

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

April 1, 2022-The Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL), founded in 1933 and the oldest league in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), has named Chip Reed as their new Referee Director. Reed will be the point person for all referee matters that occur in the CJSL, including but not limited to referee game issues, referee education, young referee mentorship plus liaison between the league, the referee assignors and the Eastern New York Referee Association.

CJSL honored Reed as the 2021 League Official of the Year for his commitment and dedication to the league, clubs and players. The Scarsdale resident brings a wealth of experience to his new role:

Massapequa Arsenal Shut Out Downtown United, 1-0, to Capture the Boys-Under-17 State Open Cup

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

June 5, 2013-Massapequa Arsenal of the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) won its second State Open Cup in the past three years as they shut out Downtown United of the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL), 1-0. Their win for Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) supremacy took place on June 2 at Stringham Park in LaGrange.

It was the third championship game appearance for Massapequa in the past four years. The squad also received the Howard Rubenstein Sportsmanship Award as selected by the match referees.

Jonny Nierenberg recorded the only goal of the final.

"The difference was our determination and our heart," Massapequa Arsenal coach Tobias Bischof said. "We stuck to our game plan for 90 minutes and played as a team."

Massapequa will represent Eastern New York at the Regionals from June 28 to July 2 at the University of Rhode Island. Eastern New York is donating $2,000 to the team and paying all expense fees for the Regionals.

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