Human Interest

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/

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.

Carl Whyte and Diana Mojica Honored By the New York Soccer Referee Association

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

December 5, 2024-The New York Soccer Referee Association (NYSRA) is by far the oldest referee group in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) as it was founded 86 years ago in 1938. NYSRA held its holiday party on November 21 at the Ukrainian Sport Club in Manhattan.

Carl Whyte (in red sweater) received Lifetime Membership, NYSRA’s version of the Lifetime Achievement Award, from NYSRA President Kambiz Riazi. Whyte became a referee in 1991 at the age of 41, upgraded to Regional Referee in 1995 and during the 1994 World Cup, he chaperoned the Italian and Spanish national teams.

Diana Mojica (on right in bottom photo) received the New Referee Award from NYSRA Vice President Harris Rasheed. 25% of NYSRA officials started in the past two years and Mojica, in particular, has applied and immersed herself in the game.

The Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL), which is five years older than the NYSRA, graciously helped pay for the dinner once again this year.

Would you like to join Carl and Diana as a soccer referee? Eastern New York is seeking new referees to be in the middle and/or on the line as assistant referees in youth soccer games throughout the state. The minimum age is 14 years old to become certified. The certification class consists of both online and classroom learning.

For more information, log on to https://enysreferee.org/how-to-become-a-referee/. If you have any questions, e-mail questions@enysreferee.org

Chris Armas to Be Inducted Into the National Soccer Hall of Fame

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

December 12, 2024-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to acknowledge that Eastern New York Soccer Hall of Famer Chris Armas has been selected to be inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame. Chris was inducted into the Eastern New York Hall of Fame in 2007 and will be inducted into the US Soccer Hall of Fame on May 3, 2025, at the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Frisco, Texas.

Born in the Bronx in 1972, Chris grew up in Brentwood, playing for the Brentwood Bandits of the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL). He graduated from St. Anthony’s High School and then attended Adelphi University from 1990 to ’93, amassing 17 goals and 15 assists for the Panthers during his four years there. Chris was selected as a NCAA Division 2 First Team All-American his senior year. During the summer, Chris suited up for Hewlett/Lawrence in the Under-23 Ryder/Vass Cup of the Long Island Soccer Football League (LISFL).

Chris played for the Long Island Rough Riders in 1994 and ’95 with Teddy’s troops capturing the United Soccer Leagues (USL) national championship in 1995.

Major League Soccer (MLS) kicked off in 1996, Chris was drafted by the Los Angeles Galaxy in the first round and scored a goal in the first MLS Cup final that year but his Galaxy team lost to DC United, 3-2, in overtime during a downpour. He won the MLS championship in 1998 with the expansion Chicago Fire plus four Lamar Hunt US Open Cups with the Fire. Chris received MLS Best XI honors four consecutive times from 1998 to 2001. In 2003, he was again named MLS Best XI but also was honored as MLS Comeback Player of the Year after returning from a torn ACL. He was also named US Soccer Athlete of the Year in 2000.

Chris earned 66 caps with the US Men’s National Team in the years around the turn of the millennium.

The Floral Park resident then became a coach and has coached with New York Hota, been the head coach of the Adelphi women, the Red Bulls, Toronto FC and is currently the head coach of the Colorado Rapids. Additionally, he was an assistant coach with Manchester United and co-interim head coach of Leeds United in England.

“The recognition to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, if it’s a reflection of the career that I had, the contributions to the game, the type of player and teammate that I was, the way that I carried myself as part of good teams, being a piece of that, then I’m really proud,” Chris said. “It means a tremendous amount to my family, my boys, my wife, my parents, my dad from up in heaven can see that.”

Also being inducted with Chris in the Class of 2025 will be Mark Abbott, Mary Harvey, Carli Lloyd and Nick Rimando.

The Holidays Are a Time to Say “Thank You!”

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

I take great care and pride in the efforts I make to lead players and teams in a holistic way. I’m completely aware that although many of them may not become great players who play professionally or at college, they all may become great people who play for life, coach one day and become active responsible adults. I spend time learning about my players’ lives outside of the game, how they are doing at school, how family life is going and I attempt to display a genuine interest in their likes and dislikes.

As I coach a good number of teenage players, I frequently talk to them about how they are helping their families and what they do to actually support dad, mom, brothers and sisters. Are they a positive member of the family community or are they purely wrapped up in their own needs? The conversation starts with how they perform and act at practice. The challenge I present to all the players I coach is stressed with the following questions:

“Can you be the player who most impacts a practice and ensures that the learning environment is good for all? Can you be the first one in? Can you be the most coachable player in the group? Can you be the one who most helps with equipment? Can you be the player who notices a teammate is down and gives them a word of inspiration or comfort?”

I work hard to make them aware that the mission above should be their number one priority and that if I can get all 18 to place it as their core mission, we will soon have a team that makes remarkable progress.

Another of the core values that I work on with players is respect. The team dynamic is that we respect each other, we respect the refs, we respect the parents and all the work they do so that players get to train and play. Part of this culture that deals with respect is saying, “Thank you.” I encourage them to thank each other at the end of each game and practice, thank the refs at the end of each game, and of course thank their parents at the end of the drive home. I ask them all to try and display their thanks by helping at home by doing something around the house that helps the family.

It seems appropriate at this time of year to once again encourage a few thank-you notes (Jimmy Fallon-like). So not just because it’s the holiday season but also because it’s just the right thing to do I encourage all:

Players to thank your parents for the endless hours spent driving you to practice and games while remembering not to shout orders to you as you play.

Parents to thank coaches for their efforts in developing your child even though they didn’t win as many games as you thought they should have and have yet to recognize your child is next Messi.

Coaches to thank club officials and administrators for all their efforts even if the biggest space you got to train in was really only suitable for 3v3 and you got the 9:00-10:30 pm slot on a Friday.

Coaches to thank referees for the courage they show in turning up game after game knowing they will be subjected to endless, ridiculous comments shouted at the top of their voices from an adult who never kicked a ball.

Coaches to thank the refs who forget to give you and the players the 5-minute speech on when and where substitutes may enter the game like they are sharing some news on a new discovery in creating energy.

Coaches to tournament organizers who remember that we live in the Northeast of the US and that winter along with frigid temperatures arrives at about the same time every year. They also should be thanked for remembering how it feels to play outside when the real feel is so harsh you lose the feeling in your toes after five minutes.

And lastly but most importantly

Players to parents who spend the car ride home listening to loud Christmas music and in so doing forget to share the latest postmortem on your performance in the game.

Best wishes to everyone,

Tim

Manhasset’s Owen McCormack Selected as the National TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year

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

December 3, 2024-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is thrilled to announce that our TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year, Owen McCormack, has been selected by US Youth Soccer as the National TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year. Owen will be honored at the US Youth Soccer Workshop in Chicago and the Eastern New York Hall of Fame Banquet in New York City, both in January.

TOPSoccer stands for The Outreach Program for Soccer, providing an opportunity for children with intellectual, physical and/or social characteristics that may require modified educational practices and services in order to develop to their potential.

Owen has volunteered with the Manhasset Soccer Club’s Adaptive Program since the 9th Grade, the earliest that the club allows student volunteers. Due to his dedication to TOPSoccer, he was appointed Director of Student Volunteers in the 10th Grade. Owen recruits volunteers from Manhasset High School’s varsity and junior varsity soccer programs as well as the rest of the student population.

The Manhasset resident is responsible for creating the schedule at the start of the season and communicates with students and their families to ensure that every child with special needs receives the attention they deserve. During practices, Owen takes the initiative in guiding new volunteers. His positive energy and inclusive nature has helped build strong relationships with players and their families.

Additionally, Owen reaches out to a special education teacher in a neighboring school district to offer her students participation in Manhasset’s Adaptive Program as there, unfortunately, is no such program in her town.

In addition to being a leader with TOPSoccer for the past three years, Owen is a leader at Manhasset High School, volunteering as the Student Government Class Treasurer in the 9th, 10th and 11th Grades and organizing events promoting school spirit, fundraising and community engagement. Owen also volunteers at St. Francis Hospital and for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). He was selected as team co-captain of the 2024 LLS Student Visionaries of the Year Campaign on Long Island.

Owen grew up playing in the Manhasset Soccer Club in both the intramural and travel team programs, has been a player for Eastern New York’s Olympic Development Program (ODP) for the past three years and also currently plays for the East Meadow Soccer Club and Manhasset High School.

This is the second time in the past six years that a teenager from Eastern New York has been selected as National TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year as Jessica Lee received this huge honor in 2019.

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/

Allan Emmanuel is Quickly Moving Up the Ref Ladder Through Natural Ability and Hard Work

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

November 3, 2024-Happy Birthday to up-and-coming referee Allan Emmanuel, who turns 25 today.

The Crown Heights resident grew up playing soccer in Haiti and moved with his family to Florida 14 years ago, then to Brooklyn the next year. He took up the whistle as a referee in September 2018.

Allan explained, “I love refereeing! I have always loved soccer and like the fact that you have to make quick decisions as a ref and that each game is different.”

Allan Emmanuel is second from the right.

Allan recently graduated as a Computer Science major at Brooklyn College and the attributes that he has learned as a referee–leading others, remaining calm at all times and that it’s about others rather than yourself–should serve him well as he launches his work career. He volunteers as Secretary of the New York Soccer Referees Association (NYSRA).

With firm game control and exquisite positioning, he’s climbed up the ladder quickly, refereeing the Youth and Adult Regionals this year and being selected to ref the Boys-Under-15 Regional Final. Allan was also chosen to referee US Youth Soccer’s Nationals in 2024 as well as officiating US Open Cup games and eight local adult championship games in the past three years. He started officiating college soccer as well this year.

“My goal is to become a MLS referee and possible FIFA referee one day,” he added.

Would you like to join Allan as a soccer referee? The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is seeking new referees to be in the middle and/or on the line as assistant referees in youth soccer games throughout the state. The minimum age is 14 years old to become certified. The certification class consists of both online and classroom learning.

For more information, log on to https://enysreferee.org/how-to-become-a-referee/. If you have any questions, e-mail questions@enysreferee.org

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/

Becoming a Ref Could Be One of the Best Decisions You Ever Make

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

September 17, 2024-The growth of the membership and programs of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) has created a continuous need for more soccer referees and assistant refs so please consider becoming certified. There are certification classes held throughout Eastern New York.

There are many wonderful things that happen when a person starts to ref including earning money, learning to manage people, learning more about the game, staying or becoming fit, expanding yourself by leaving your comfort zone as well as meeting the greatest people on soccer fields, including your new officiating colleagues. Many become officials as a way to stay involved with the Beautiful Game as their playing, coaching or soccer parenting career is coming to an end. Becoming a youth soccer ref could be one of the best decisions you ever make!

Photo courtesy of the Massapequa Soccer Club

Eastern New York is seeking new referees to be in the middle and/or on the line as assistant referees in youth soccer games throughout the state. The minimum age is 14 years old to become certified. The certification class consists of both online and classroom learning.

For more information, log on to https://enysreferee.org/how-to-become-a-referee/. If you have any questions, e-mail questions@enysreferee.org

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