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ENY ODP Raffle Winners Announced

Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association is excited to announce the winners of the ENY ODP Raffle!

We would like to sincerely thank everyone who participated and supported this year’s raffle. Your support helps raise important funds that continue to benefit the Olympic Development Program and provide opportunities for players throughout Eastern New York.

Congratulations to all of our winners:

🏆 1st Prize – Dawe Young — Apple MacBook Air
🥈 2nd Prize – Kim Moravec — Microsoft Surface
🥉 3rd Prize – Ben Clare — Xbox
4️⃣ Brian Yalk — Apple Watch
5️⃣ Marcia Barrio — Apple AirPods
6️⃣ Amol Christian — Fitbit
7️⃣ Erin Berkery — $150 Capelli Gift Card
8️⃣ Carrie Bijan — Gift Card
9️⃣ Kouser — Gift Card
🔟 Kelly Barlow — Soccer Post Gift Card

Thank you again to everyone who participated in the raffle and helped support ENY ODP. We appreciate the continued support from our soccer community and look forward to another exciting year ahead.

See Video of 2026 ODP Raffle.

Joshua Crespo Named the Eastern New York Young Referee of the Year

Young Referee of the Year Joshua Crespo on the left with Eastern New York President Richard Christiano

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

November 16, 2022-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that Joshua Crespo received our Young Referee of the Year Award at Eastern New York’s Hall of Fame Banquet celebrating our 50th anniversary at Marina del Rey in the Bronx. The festivities took place on Saturday, November 5.

Joshua, an extremely talented 15-year-old Shirley resident, has been refereeing for the past two years and has quickly ascended up the officiating ladder. He served as both referee and assistant referee of the State Cup finals this past June in LaGrange and received the 2022 Rookie Referee of the Year Award from the Long Island Soccer Referees Association (LISRA).

He was nominated for Young Referee of the Year Award in three different letters. LISRA President Cathy Caldwell and Corresponding Secretary Cheryl Aronson wrote that “his maturity and professionalism on the pitch is indeed remarkable. His passion for the game inspires him to ask for feedback on his performances so he can continue to improve his craft. He had the opportunity to referee his first MLS Next match at Met Oval and he was confident and professional.”

LISRA Recruitment Director Marty Foeppel wrote that “Josh has been a great asset to our organization. He attends all our LISRA meetings, sets up the chairs and snacks and greets everyone. He volunteers to help Joe Danbusky with field sessions for the new LISRA Grassroots Referees and he has recruited a few of his friends to become referees. He even mentors them when he can.”

Joshua not only hits the right notes on the soccer field but when he is not refereeing, he plays the alto, tenor, soprano and baritone saxophone as well as the flute, clarinet, piccolo, alto flute and bass clarinet.

William Floyd High School Music Teacher Garry Helbock wrote in his letter that “Josh is intelligent, eager to learn and possesses outstanding musical talent. He is also an enthusiastic student who is amiable and easy to work with. His strong desire to improve and quick sense of humor make him well-liked by his peers and a wonderful student to teach…In all my years of teaching, Josh ranks among the most innately talented and driven people I have taught.”

Interested in following Joshua’s footsteps and earning money as a soccer referee? For more information on upcoming courses near you, please contact State Youth Referee Administrator (SYRA) Piero Olcese at wsropresident@gmail.com

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

Anthony Maresco Retires as Andrew Seabury Becomes the New LIJSL President

Anthony Maresco on left with successor Andrew Seabury

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

December 23, 2020-Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) President Anthony Maresco announced his retirement from soccer to an assemblage of club Presidents during the League’s recent (virtual) General Meeting on December 8.

“I take this opportunity to advise you that I have retired from soccer. The Board and I have put together a succession plan to ensure a smooth transition. I am pleased to announce that Andrew Seabury will assume the President’s position. I am confident that Andrew and the Board will continue to move the league forward,” Maresco stated in his opening remarks. “I want to thank all of you for the support of the league. I also want to personally thank the Board of Directors, the office staff and my family for all of their support.”

With his retirement from the League, as well as the Board of Directors of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYYSA), Maresco encapsulates a 28-year volunteer calling, compiling an impressive resume at the club, league and state levels. He was inducted into the LIJSL Hall of Fame in 2010 and Eastern New York Hall of Fame in 2018.

The South Setauket resident began volunteering for the Terryville Soccer Club in 1993. He went on to serve on the club’s Executive Board for 15 years, and as President from 2000 through 2009. In 2007, he was an assistant coach on the Terryville Fire, winners of the US Youth Soccer Boys-Under-18 national championship.

After volunteering at the league level, including League Games Chairperson, Long Island Cup Girls Chairperson, as well as serving on the Supervisory, Rules and Arbitration committees, Maresco joined the League Board as a Trustee in 2010. He was subsequently elected Treasurer, First Vice President and then became President in 2015.

However, it is his stewardship as League President over the past six years that is arguably his most indelible mark.

“He’s been a really calm voice amongst the loud noise in our game of soccer,” remarked Seabury, Maresco’s successor as LIJSL President. “Leader on our board, state board, most importantly for the whole soccer community on Long Island on a whole. Under his leadership we’ve seen the LIJSL move from an organization, to be fair that didn’t understand the modern game and its needs, to a league that now looks to lead and provide solutions and flexibility to our membership.”

“Anthony was successful in fostering a much more customer-centric culture, while also creating a greater level of transparency to our membership,” commented LIJSL Managing Director, Steve Padaetz. “His eagerness to promote ‘pilot programs,‘ as well as to facilitate rule changes, benefited our membership infinitely.”

“They say the measure of a person is in his or her actions, not their words. Anthony had looked to retire and discussed leaving the board maybe by the spring and wanted to create a plan to begin a transition,” Seabury noted. “However, faced with obviously the most difficult time our league and membership has encountered (referring to the virus canceling the Spring Season), instead of just walking away, he choose to stay alongside the Board, providing the leadership so that collectively we as a soccer community could survive and get through these times.”

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/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.

John Bingham Receives the Livio D’Arpino Scholarship

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

August 11, 2017-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that John Bingham will be receiving a Livio D’Arpino Scholarship. The award is based on academic and athletic success as well as community service. The scholarship’s namesake was a beloved Eastern New York Vice President who was seemingly involved in every level of local soccer before his untimely passing in 2002.

Nicknamed “Jack,” he attained a 3.8 average in the very challenging curriculum at Manhattan’s Regis High School. Also at Regis, he was captain of the soccer and volleyball teams, was a member of the Speech and Debate Club, a member of the Chess Club, wrote for the school newspaper and served as Eucharistic Minister. He also volunteered as Eucharistic Minister at the Hospital for Special Surgery, volunteered as a Catechist and Lector at St. Anne’s Church in Garden City and coached in the Garden City Centennials’ TOPSoccer Program for children with special needs.

Jack wrote, “The biggest moment of my soccer career came in my decision to attend Regis High School in Manhattan rather than my local public school. As a result of this move, I stopped seeing many of my close friends from home, but I have been able to keep close relationships with many of my friends on my travel team, the Garden City Hurricanes.”

Additionally, Jack was a National Merit Scholarship Corporation finalist, received the Adelphi University Prize for Leadership, the New York State Senator Kemp Hannon Athletic Leadership Award and served as an intramural referee for the Garden City Centennials.

He also received a Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) Scholarship. We wish Jack the best as he starts studying at the University of Notre Dame this fall.

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.

Olympian Jane Vongvorachoti Honored as Personality of the Month in Eastern New York

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

September 1, 2016-Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Games, stated, “The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part; the essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well.“

Jane Vongvorachoti, who grew up playing soccer in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), has fulfilled both parts of this famous quote and that’s why she has been selected as our September Personality of the Month.

Jane lived in New Hyde Park and played in the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL), for the New Hyde Park Firecats, Oceanside Express, Rockville Centre Dynamite and the HBC Magic. She competed for the LIJSL Select Program for one year, for Eastern New York’s Olympic Development Program (ODP) for an amazing seven years as well as one year for Region 1 ODP. Jane also won a juggling, dribbling and shooting skills contest at the Peter Collins Soccer Park in Plainview two decades ago that was modeled after the NFL’s Punt, Pass and Kick Contest.

“Playing soccer taught me life lessons,” Jane explained. “It has taught me how to be mentally tough, physically tough and how to handle many different situations that are thrown your way. I believe that I wouldn't be the strong runner I am today without soccer.“

Jane played college soccer, first for Columbia University and then she was reunited with her youth coach Ian Stone at St. John’s University. She ran track for one year at St. John’s too.

Coach Stone said, “I was fortunate enough to coach Jane with the HBC Magic, Rockville Centre Dynamite and St. John's University. This young woman's passion and desire to be great knew no end. Now she is an Olympian. She should serve as an inspiration to us all!“

During a time when there was not a professional women’s soccer league, Jane played defender and midfield for two top amateur teams, the Long Island Lady Riders of the W-League and the Hudson Valley Quickstrike, who went undefeated during her one year with the Women’s Premier Soccer League team.

She looked to make it to the Olympics by playing for seven years with the Thailand Women’s National Team. Her fluency in Thai helped but she decided to concentrate on an individual sport instead.

“I tried to qualify with soccer, but your whole entire team has to perform,” Jane noted. “In the Marathon, you can’t blame anyone else.”

In the process, the now 32-year-old set 11 Thai records in distance running, was honored as a 2014 New York Road Runners’ Runner of the Year and set the course record at the 2013 Autism Speaks 4 Miles of Hope in Central Park.

“My Olympic experience was amazing! I tried to soak in everything as much as possible,” Jane said. “The Opening Ceremony was really great, being able to walk into the stadium representing your country and seeing all the other athletes and countries represented. Although running the Marathon in the Olympics was not in ideal conditions by any measure, I will never forget coming down the last 700 meters with the crowds cheering and all the flags down both of the sides of me. I was so relieved to get there and it was the first time I pumped my fists in the air coming down to the finish line, knowing that I was now an Olympian.”

Jane finished 91st of the 147 women who completed the Olympic Marathon. On her tour of Olympic cities, London is calling and she plans to move there for two years before returning to live in New York City. When she returns, hopefully she will use her D License to coach a youth soccer team in Eastern New York.

Massapequa Lady Rascals Win the Girls-Under-10 Challenge Cup

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

June 24, 2023-Two teams that are 275 miles apart, the Massapequa Rascals of the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) and Coliseum Shock of the Central New York Youth Soccer League (CNYYSL), met in-between at Stringham Park in LaGrange for the Girls-Under-10 Challenge Cup championship game. This Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) match was played on June 3.

Juliette D’Amato scored the game’s only goal in overtime to give Massapequa the title. Kaycee Weiss had the shutout in goal.

Massapequa coach Paul Bigilin stated, “Our defense was unbelieveable and defender Sofia Monahan was our Player of the Game. A great match!”

Coliseum did not leave the Hudson Valley empty-handed as they received the Rocco Amoroso Sportsmanship Award as determined by the game officials. Amoroso, a US Soccer Life Member who died in 2016, started the LIJSL Sportsmanship Program in 1980 and it spread to Eastern New York, nationally and then to China and Ireland, making soccer games kinder and gentler in the process.

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

The New Boys-Under-13 State Open Cup Champions Are Manhattan Emelec as They Defeat Bayport Tsunami, 4-1

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

June 5, 2014-The Long Island Junior Soccer League’s (LIJSL) Bayport Tsunami won the Boys-Under-12 State Open Cup last year but experience was not enough in 2014 as Manhattan Emelec of the Westchester Youth Soccer League (WYSL) dethroned them, 4-1. The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) Boys-Under-13 State Open Cup final was played on Saturday, May 31 at Stringham Park in LaGrange.

Andrea Gjushi, Daniel Lambert, Filip Markovic and Eduardo Perez-Pelaes scored for Manhattan while Jean Carlos Lopez hit the net for Bayport.

“All our players fought hard and gave everything,” commented Manhattan coach Freddy Fuentes.

Manhattan received the Howard Rubenstein Sportsmanship Award, as selected by the match officials, and 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.

The champions are named after the Ecuadoran Serie A team, Emelec. The professional club was founded on April 28, 1929 by George Capwell, the American leader of Ecuador’s electric company, Empresa Eléctrica del Ecuador, which formed the word Emelec.

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.

Matthew Barresi Receives Eastern New York’s Livio D’Arpino Scholarship

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

August 14, 2018-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that Matthew Barresi is receiving a Livio D’Arpino Scholarship. The scholarship’s namesake 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.

The Farmingdale resident plays for the Dix Hills Hurricanes in the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) and the team is five-time State Open Cup champions, including winning the Boys-Under-16 Livio D’Arpino Cup two years ago. They have also been US Youth Soccer National League champions. Adding to his résumé, Matt has also played for the Olympic Development Program (ODP) of both Eastern New York and Region 1 and served as team captain at powerhouse St. Anthony’s High School.

Yet with all this soccer, the National Honor Society member received the St. Bonaventure Award for maintaining a 4.0 GPA and also received a LIJSL Scholarship.

Matt wrote in his essay, “I look at work as a privilege rather than an obligation or a necessity, which allows me to succeed. Whether it is grades in the classroom, skill on the pitch or just growing as a person, the opportunity to be able to build on those things is something I treasure. Since I was little, soccer has been my life, from the LIJSL, State Cup, Region 1 League, Eastern New York ODP, Region 1 ODP and National League. I have been to multiple states along with numerous countries to play and develop.“

We wish Matt the best as he starts studying and plays college soccer at American University this fall.

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.

Five Top Coaches to Give Clinics During the CDYSL Coaches Workshop

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

March 5, 2019-The Capital District Youth Soccer League (CDYSL) presents its 9th Annual Coaches Workshop at the Sand Creek Middle School, 329 Sand Creek Road in Albany this Saturday, March 9 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.

The workshop, the largest gathering annually of Upstate soccer coaches, provides a one-day venue for coaches and club administrators to combine attendance at the mandatory coaches meetings with clinics and workshops that enhance player, team and club development plus safety. A representative from each of the CDYSL’s nearly 400 teams––boys, girls and coed (youngest squads)––will be in attendance.

Teaching the coaches this year are:
• Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) Director of Coaching Instruction Tim Bradbury
• New York Coerver Coaching Director Rob Bruley
• Andrew Clifton, Happy Feet Legends International Director of Youth Development and Education
• Legends Soccer Club Executive Director Kyle Hogge
• Deb Raber, Head Women’s Soccer Coach at the Massachusetts College of the Liberal Arts (MCLA)

Among the many topics are 1v1 Moves, 1v1 Progression plus Developing Deceptive Dribblers and Goal Scorers Through Small-Sided Soccer. Every coach attending will learn something from the informative discussions!

The final schedule is linked here: http://www.cdysl.org/page/2019-coaches-workshop-schedule

A lunch for new coaches will be served at the Mandatory Coaches Meeting. For more info, please phone the league at 518-435-2325 or 518-435-2326.

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.

Metrokids’ President and Registrar Cesar Juca Honored as the Eastern New York Administrator of the Year

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From left to right: ENYYSA President Richard Christiano, Administrator of the Year Cesar Juca, Of the Year Awards Chairperson Randy Vogt

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

December 6, 2018-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that Metrokids Interregional Soccer League (MIRSL) President and Registrar Cesar Juca has been honored as our Administrator of the Year. The ceremony took place at the ENYYSA Holiday Party on Saturday, December 1 at Marina del Rey in the Bronx.

Cesar played soccer all day with his brother Luis in the Ecuadoran capital of Quito when he was growing up. They came to New York in 1986, when Cesar was 12 years old, and he started playing with other kids from South America. As a teenager, Cesar played on adult teams at Flushing Meadows Park in Queens.

At the turn of the millennium, he started coaching his children and nephews. The Woodside resident became the club President of Jucas SC in 2010.

“Big Apple Youth Soccer League President Luis Montoya became one of my mentors and taught me how to become a soccer administrator in the United States,” Cesar explained.

He was elected MIRSL President in 2014, was re-elected in 2016 and is seeking a third term this year. In this role, Cesar spends countless volunteer hours increasing the membership of the MIRSL, helps coaches obtain licenses, registers players and works with ENYYSA to provide better competition for the league's teams.

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.