Affiliate Leagues

The Challenges of the Elite Player Pathway

Or Dealing With Alphabet Soup!

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

Perhaps the question I am asked most frequently by soccer parents is, “How do we make sense of the Elite player pathway so we can make good decisions for our child?”

I wish there were a clear and definite answer that I could provide but sadly there is not. I believe that the following criteria power a player’s developmental journey in soccer:

The attitude and desire of the player towards competing and playing the game.
The beliefs and attitude of the parents in supporting a young player who loves the game.
The knowledge, experience and teaching ability of the coach.
The commitment and quality of the players in the squad.
Quality, playing style and competitive nature of the local leagues.
The quality of the training and playing environment that the club can provide.

Unfortunately, finding a clear picture in many of the above is not simple. Many of the points presented are problematic and need careful consideration.

1. The attitude and desire of the player towards competing and playing the game.

Players with a great attitude and able to compete at a high level are quickly presented with multiple playing opportunities, school ball, elite team invites, ODP, Premier this and Elite that. The phone never stops ringing and frequently the soccer diet becomes madness. They overplay, overtrain and get exhausted. The idea of rest is obsolete. Different coaches with different language and teaching styles are simply detrimental.

2. The beliefs and attitude of the parents in supporting a young player who loves the game.

Parents driven by the lure of more is better and if we don’t do that program, we will fall behind, and commit to way too many programs. The player never gets a rest, and the fun of the game starts to evaporate. The idea of rest and recovery is shunned as parents look for more and more activity.

3. The knowledge, experience and teaching ability of the coach.

Finding a highly-licensed quality coach with vast knowledge of the game, and experience with elite-level players, is a real challenge. Many parents are not qualified enough to evaluate a high-level training session.

4. The commitment and quality of the players in the squad.

Finding a group of players with a similar commitment and love of the game can be a real challenge. The multi-sport experience of years gone by is now a real challenge as many sports demand a year-round commitment. Parents keen to not lose out place their kids in soccer, basketball, lacrosse, baseball and softball, and quite simply, the child suffers. The idea of a sensible physical diet is never discussed, and kids get dragged to two or three sports experiences each night. We must begin to understand the idea that kids need rest.

5. Quality, playing style and competitive nature of the local leagues.

This is where things get problematic. So many leagues with so many teams that finding a truly competitive league with close games is a real issue. Each of the leagues with an Elite sounding title and many involve spending more time on the road than the games last. More than 18 National Champion Leagues. So many elite level platforms that mean our best players seldom get to play or train with each other.

6. The quality of the training and playing environment that the club can provide.

Very few clubs have access to enough training space, different types of fields with lights, indoor training space, meeting space etc. that it is possible to create good training environments for players to work in.

The Brentwood Soccer Club Celebrates Its Golden Anniversary

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

January 10, 2025-Brentwood loves soccer. It’s by far the most popular sport in the mainly Latino town and all this enthusiasm has resulted in five state championships for the Brentwood High School boys varsity team.

Those players cut their teeth playing for the Brentwood Soccer Club at Brentwood State Park. The club celebrated its 50th Anniversary on December 13 at the American Legion Hall in Lindenhurst.

“My deepest appreciation extends to all our volunteers, coaches, and staff, past and present,” Brentwood Soccer Club President Violette Smith said. “Your dedication transforms plans into action and dreams into reality. Looking at what we’ve achieved together, not just this year, but over the past decades, I feel humbled that we will continue to strive no matter the changes in the soccer landscape.”

Key contributors from the club’s past and present were in attendance, including former club presidents Bruce Fabrizio and Norma Gorman as well as the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) Programs and Events Manager Stephanie Hernandez, who grew up playing for the club along with her husband Joe.

“It was a special evening for both Joe and I,” Hernandez explained. “We both fondly remember playing games at the Pilgrim State Fields, now Brentwood State Park. This night truly felt like a homecoming and we’re both so proud of how the club has grown and how it continues to grow.”

The night full of celebration was capped off with honoring those who bleed green and black for Brentwood Soccer Club and have laid the groundwork for the club’s milestone. Smith was inducted last year into the LIJSL Hall of Fame for her pivotal role in helping make Brentwood soccer what it is today.

“Thank you for making our mission your own,” Smith said. “Let’s carry this energy forward as we continue working toward our shared goals for another 50 years.”

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

Affiliating With Eastern New York Can Be One of the Best Decisions That You Ever Make

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

January 6, 2025-The Long Island Futsal League (LIFL) kicked off play at the World Gym in Setauket in 1996. Always affiliated with either US Futsal or US Soccer, the LIFL then started using school gymnasiums in central Suffolk County for league play and slowly increased the number of teams that registered. The league received a jolt in the number of registered teams in 2018 when it affiliated with the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA). That winter, nearly 50% of its teams were new to the LIFL as ENYYSA can easily communicate directly with 100,000-plus registered players in the state, unlike other groups.

The LIFL went from 196 squads in 2017 before affiliating with ENYYSA to the 312 that have registered this winter, an all-time high, despite losing one season in 2021 due to Covid with all players, coaches, refs and spectators needing to wear masks upon futsal’s return in 2022. The LIFL is now one of the largest futsal leagues in the United States.

“Affiliating with Eastern New York provides great recognition and credibility and it’s equally important that we are registered with the Long Island Junior Soccer League as a recreational club as that provides similar benefits in our status,” stated LIFL President John Branca. “Having certified referees in both US Soccer and futsal is a big plus too.”

In addition to all these benefits, affiliating with ENYYSA provides insurance plus the coaches and referees have passed background checks. Contrast this with other indoor leagues, many which struggle to attract teams and that cut corners with no heat, no insurance for players, coaches or referees and the game being officiated by the guy behind the desk.

For more information on how to affiliate your league or tournament with ENYYSA, please contact our office at 516-766-0849.

Playing Club Soccer in College

By Pat Grecco

January 14, 2025-In my more than three decades of placing high school athletes into colleges and universities to play soccer, there have been times when the decision to attend the high-profile university superseded the opportunity to playing soccer at the collegiate level. The decision then had to be made, “Do I play club soccer in college?”

In the pecking order of college sports there is 1. Varsity, 2. Club and 3 Intramural. If you love the game of soccer, don’t give up if were not recruited by the coach at the school you plan to attend. Like many types of club programs, they have President, Vice-President and Treasurer as club programs are student-run and student-led. Club soccer is not governed by the NCAA or any sanctioning organization.

What club soccer can do for you:

• Keep you in the game that you love

• Obtain leadership skills

• Maintain fitness level

• Make friends and develop commitment

Fundraising is an important part of club sports. In order to provide funding, events are hosted, donations requested, usually from parents and family. This money attempts to make the club program independent and self-supporting. Depending on your college’s funding structure, you might have to pay some of the costs associated with participating in a club sport. This can include equipment, uniforms and even travel costs for away games.

Keep in mind that playing club soccer in college is most likely not a bridge to getting onto the Varsity the following year. There is usually a faculty member who is in charge of club and intramural sports at a college, but please understand that most of the club sport activity is student-run.

Some college club teams might be highly competitive, feeling almost like a varsity team, while others might be more relaxed. You’ll want to check in with the team culture and commitment level at your school and ensure it fits with your expectations and course schedule. Club sports are less demanding of your time but a great way to make friendships and feel a part of the campus community.

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Pat Grecco is an Eastern New York and Long Island Junior Soccer League Hall of Famer who is CEO of the College-Bound Athlete Scholarship Service. For more info, log on to www.collegeboundathlete.com or contact Pat directly at soccervol@aol.com

Top 10 Reasons Why Over 100,000 Kids Play Soccer in Eastern New York

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

January 7, 2025-Over 100,000 children and teenagers, from the East End of Long Island to the Canadian border, play soccer in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA). Although some have gone on to play professional soccer plus in the World Cup and Olympics, all have learned the value of teamwork, perseverance, sportsmanship and getting along with others through the life lessons they have learned on our soccer fields. Here are the Top 10 Reasons why we have so many players:

1. State Cup. Eastern New York has two levels of the State Cup––the State Open Cup and the Challenge Cup––so every premier and travel team in Eastern New York has a chance to win a state championship. Both competitions try to schedule games against local opponents as much as possible for this springtime competition. Chris Armas won the State Cup while competing for the Brentwood Bandits and went on to play and coach professional soccer. He had 66 caps while playing for the US Men’s National Team and will be inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame on May 3.

2. National Championship. For ambitious teams looking to play against top competition and possibly win a national championship, they can do it through the State Open Cup as it’s part of the National Championship Series. After winning the State Open Cup, they would move on to Regionals and potentially Nationals. Or they could become a national champ through the US Youth Soccer National League. The top teams earn advancement to the Regionals as well as a chance to earn a coveted spot in the National Tier of the Leagues Program.

Crystal Dunn in the gray dress surrounded by her adoring fans. Photo courtesy of Crystal Dunn.

3. Olympic Development Program. ODP is considered the highest level of competition in each state association. Every year, players must be re-evaluated by the ODP professional staff of coaches for a position on each age-specific team. The identification process ends each summer with the most elite players within the East Region competing for a position on the regional team. Players are then identified by US Soccer staff coaches for possible entry to the national team program. Yet even those players who do not make the regional or the national teams often use ODP as a springboard to college scholarships and even on to professional soccer. Current US Women’s National Team players Sam Coffey, Crystal Dunn, Claire Hutton and Phallon Tullis-Joyce played in Eastern New York ODP as teenagers.

TOPSoccer at the Burr Road Soccer Complex in Commack, Photo courtesy of the Long Island Junior Soccer League.

4. TOPSoccer. This is a wonderful program for Children With Special Needs. Special Children playing soccer in an organized league actually started in Eastern New York back in 1978 when the Huntington Boys Club (HBC) and Massapequa Soccer Club separately started programs in an era when Special Children playing sports is not as accepted as it is today. Craig Ludin, who has Down’s Syndrome and has been playing for HBC since he was a young boy, received so many medals in the Special Olympics that he was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame over a decade ago. Craig’s teammate John Cronin started a very successful local business, John’s Crazy Socks, with his father Mark. Volunteers are always needed for this great program and you do not know what happens until you begin. The Manhasset Soccer Club’s Owen McCormack will be honored this month by US Youth Soccer as the National TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year for 2024.

5. Futsal. Futsal is the only version of indoor soccer approved by FIFA, soccer’s world governing body. The surface, ball and rules together favor ball control in small spaces and futsal is increasingly cited in the discussion on how to improve player development, particularly in the winter months here in Eastern New York when outdoor fields can be frozen and unplayable. Both New York Futsal and the Long Island Futsal League play under the Eastern New York umbrella and both are very active with league play this winter.

6. Risk Management. To protect our players, Eastern New York conducts background checks on coaches and referees before they participate in our games. They must pass this background check every two years to continue to be involved in our competitions. Eastern New York also provides awareness education to coaches and referees, communicating information regarding field and player safety.

7. Coaching Education. Under the supervision of Eastern New York Director of Coaching Tim Bradbury, the coaching licensing curriculum provides all soccer coaches, from the beginner to the advanced, with up-to-date theoretical and practical knowledge so that Eastern New York coaches can help our players develop to their full potential. Coaches can earn state and national coaching credentials plus the courses offer valuable information and current coaching trends state-wide, nationally and internationally. All courses are available in both English and Spanish.

8. SAT and ACT Prep Courses. Eastern New York provides exclusive, free access to acclaimed SAT and ACT prep courses from eKnowledge, which is normally a $250 value. These courses can be taken online or via DVD, which makes them ideal for our busy student/athletes. Contact Siokbee Usaraga at siokbee@eknowledge.com

9. College Scholarships. Every summer, Eastern New York awards college scholarships to help defray the cost of college for deserving high school seniors. Five Eastern New York leagues––Capital District Youth Soccer League, Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League, East Hudson Youth Soccer League, Long Island Junior Soccer League and the Staten Island Youth Soccer League––all have separate scholarship programs as well.

10. Support of All Leagues, Players, Coaches and Refs. Eastern New York provides insurance for all its competitions, hosts referee certification and recertification, promotes member leagues and helped secure a new turf soccer field at Big Bush Park in Woodside that started play in autumn 2023.

Five Longtime Volunteers Inducted Into the Hudson Valley Soccer Hall of Fame

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

December 14, 2024-The Hudson Valley Youth Soccer League (HVYSL) added five new members to its Hall Of Fame at a dinner on December 8 at Cosimo’s Trattoria in Poughkeepsie. The five honorees were the first to be inducted into the HVYSL Hall of Fame since 2019.

Luiz Amaral has coached in the Washingtonville Soccer Club with great success for over 25 years. He is held in very high regard as a role model and mentor to his players and has always been active in assisting the club in any way he can.

Dimitri Giatrakis, already a member of the Eastern New York Hall of Fame, was honored for his work in over 40 years of coaching as well as his work as Technical Director for both Hudson Valley’s Academy program and Eastern New York’s Olympic Development Program (ODP) North boys and girls programs. One of his ODP teams reached the National ODP chamionship game and he brought the current US Men’s National team keeper, Matt Turner, into soccer as a youth and developed him as a keeper when Matt played for Clarkstown in the Eastern New York Premier League.

Phil Larkin has been an active member of the Carmel United Soccer Club for 42 years and counting. He has been an active board member serving in many different roles (referee assignor, field coordinator, board member) in addition to his years as a coach, referee and mentor.

Dean Martin volunteered as President of the Brewster United Soccer Club for many years after having served in other board positions before that. He has been their Field Coordinator and still serves as a mentor to both new and inexperienced coaches and board members. In addition, he came out of retirement to coach a Girls-Under-12 team so they would not be forced to disband.

Eddie Moloney is a longtime coach for the Washingtonville Soccer Club with 25 years plus and counting. Eddie has served as a club administrator, working virtually daily on maintaining their field complex plus coordinating use of field time. Additionally, Eddie is an active referee and the club’s referee assignor plus he also mentors young referees.

Hofstra Men Take the Conference Title For the Fourth Consecutive Year

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

November 25, 2024-The Hofstra University men’s soccer team, with six players on the roster who grew up playing in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), has had another outstanding season.

For the second consecutive year, the Pride has received a national seed in the NCAA Championship and a first round bye. Hofstra, who is making their fourth consecutive NCAA appearance, earned the #7 seed.

“Very pleased to have another successful season, to be conference champions and to be in the NCAA tournament once again,” longtime Hofstra men’s soccer coach Richard Nuttall stated.

Evan Bernstein photo courtesy of Hofstra University.

Hofstra (14-4-2) won the Coastal Athletic Association championship for the fourth consecutive season and eighth time overall.

This is the ninth time that Hofstra has played in the NCAA tournament. In 2021 and 2023, the Pride advanced to the third round and the team advanced to the second round in 2004, 2006, 2015 and 2024. Hofstra is 4-2 at home in NCAA play.

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/

Marianne Volpe 5K and Pumpkin Fun Run is on October 26 in Baldwin

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

October 10, 2024-Even though it’s precariously close to Halloween, we’re hoping that 13 is a lucky number as the 13th Annual Marianne Volpe 5K and Pumpkin Fun Run takes place on Saturday, October 26 at Baldwin Harbor Park.

Blood cancer support is important to the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) because of the life of Marianne Volpe. The Baldwin resident was 56 years old when she died of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL), an aggressive form of blood cancer, leaving behind her husband Jim, daughters Chelsea and Shaun, three brothers, five sisters and countless friends. There are many stories of extraordinary people like Marianne whose lives are cut tragically short by this horrible disease.

Marianne Volpe

Jim is a Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) Hall of Famer and Chairperson of the Eastern New York Olympic Development Program (ODP) for the last decade-plus. Both Chelsea and Shaun grew up playing in the LIJSL, then played for Manhattan College and are still involved in the game today. The family started the Marianne Volpe 5K and Pumpkin Fun Run the day before Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and both the soccer and running communities have been helping out ever since.

More than $285,000 has been raised with the goal to go over $300,000 this year for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS), which has helped advance 55 of the 65 blood cancer treatment options approved by the FDA since 2017. It’s the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding research towards cures for blood cancers. Since its inception in 1949, the Society has provided more than $1.2 billion to research specifically targeting blood cancers and its mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma.

Shaun, Jim and Chelsea Volpe

On Saturday, October 26, the kids’ run dubbed the Pumpkin Fun Run (for ages 10 and younger) is at 9:00 am with the Marianne Volpe 5K starting at 9:30 am.

Click here to register for the run.

Click here to make a donation.

In addition to utilizing the website, you can also send a donation check made payable to The Leukemia & Lymphoma’s Society to: LLS Northeast Territory, LLS – PO Box 22470, New York, NY 10087-2470

For more information about the Marianne Volpe 5K and Pumpkin Fun Run, please contact Jim Volpe at 516-805-3765.

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

29 Student-Athletes Receive Long Island Junior Soccer League Scholarships

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

July 24, 2024-The Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL), the largest league in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), has the largest scholarship program in Eastern New York. The league distributed 29 scholarships at the LIJSL Scholarship Breakfast on Sunday, July 21 at the Huntington Hilton. These well-rounded teenagers, selected based on academic and athletic excellence plus community service, exemplify the mission of the league and its idealistic slogan of “Building Character Through Soccer.”

Standing, left to right: Nicholas Breglio, Lindsay Altman, Joseph Zweban, Michael Iemma, Michael Washington, Lewis Gibbons, Henry Garger, Dylan Chee, Jared Bernardo, Ryan Arlotta, Sebastian Ko, Jaden Waldinger, Connor Barath, Soham Mukherjee, Derek Ramos, Brandon Witz, Noah Waldman, Cole Bricker
Seated, left to right: Jasmine Ostroff, Kailey Dunne, Natalia Alvarez, Jessica Banta, Alyssa Deutsch, Abbey Py, Emily Cavanaugh, Brooke Cheskes, Mikayla D’Ambrosio
Camera shy: Lucia Palumbo, Paige Sheiffele

The LIJSL Scholarship Program began in 1981 when one boy and one girl each received a scholarship and it has grown exponentially over the past 43 years just as soccer has grown in the United States. Many of the scholarships are named after longtime league volunteers. The program is now under the direction of Matt McElwee.

Congratulations to all the LIJSL Scholarship recipients:

• Michael Washington attending the University of Miami, Bill Peet Memorial Scholarship

• Jaden Waldinger attending The Ohio State University, Marc Stein Memorial Scholarship

• Emily Cavanaugh attending the University of New Haven, Jerry and Sally Marinan Memorial Scholarship

• Alyssa Deutsch attending SUNY New Paltz, Brittney Walsh Memorial Scholarship

• Lucia Palumbo attending John Jay College, Brittney Walsh Memorial Scholarship

• Cole Bricker attending Washington University in St. Louis, Sean Urda Memorial Scholarship

• Ryan Arlotta attending the University of Pittsburgh, Rocco Amoroso Sportsmanship Award Scholarship

• Michael Iemma attending Methodist University, Peter C. Collins Presidential Scholarship

• Kailey Dunne attending Loyola University of Baltimore, Addie Mattei-Iaia Presidential Scholarship

• Paige Sheiffele attending the US Naval Academy, Pat Grecco Scholarship

• Lewis Gibbonsattending Colgate University, Frank and Michael Vertullo Foundation Scholarship

• Henry Garger attending LIU Post, Frank and Michael Vertullo Foundation Scholarship

• Natalia Alvarez attending Suffolk Community College, Tania Bonilla Memorial Scholarship

• Jessica Banta attending Marywood University, LIJSL Merit Scholarship

• Sebastian Ko attending the University of Georgia, LIJSL Merit Scholarship

• Jared Bernardo attending the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Joseph Lombardo Memorial Scholarship

• Dylan Chee attending the University of Michigan, Matthew Scarpati Memorial Scholarship

• Nicholas Breglio attending Boston College, Michael Scarpati Memorial Goalkeeper Scholarship

• Abbey Py attending St. John’s University, Miles For Matt Foundation Scholarship

• Derek Ramos attending Francis Marion University, Miles For Matt Foundation Scholarship

• Noah Waldman attending Northwestern University, Miles For Matt Foundation Scholarship

• Mikayla D’Ambrosio attending Farmingdale State University, Carolyn Page Memorial Scholarship

• Brooke Cheskes attending the University of Delaware, Sandra Atlas Bass Scholarship

• Soham Mukherjee attending the University of Wisconsin, Frank Gorman Memorial Scholarship

• Connor Barath attending Georgia Tech, John Pinezich Memorial Scholarship

• Brandon Witz attending the University of Texas, Michael Secko Memorial Scholarship

• Lindsay Altman attending The Ohio State University, LIJSL TOPSoccer Volunteer Scholarship

• Jasmine Ostroff attending Northeastern University, George Hoffman TOPSoccer Volunteer Scholarship

• Joseph Zweban attending Caldwell University, LIJSL and George Hoffman TOPSoccer Volunteer Scholarship

Big Apple Youth Soccer League Kids Accompany Copa America Players Onto Field

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

July 2, 2024-Boys and girls from the Big Apple Youth Soccer League (BAYSL) walked onto the field with players from the National Teams of Bolivia and Uruguay before their Copa America match on June 27 at MetLife Stadium. Uruguay won the match, 5-0.

BAYSL players from the JJV Academy, La Colonia and New York Talentos clubs had this opportunity as league President Carlos Vergara has connections to Copa America executives. The kids arrived hours before the game to practice entering the field plus received free food, uniforms and watched the game afterwards. Since the BAYSL players speak Spanish, they were able to communicate with the Bolivian and Uruguayan players.

“Our players were very happy to be on a professional field in front of so many people, almost a sellout crowd,” BAYSL President Vergara explained. “It is something that they will remember for the rest of their lives.”

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