Press Release

May 30 is Championship Saturday in Eastern New York

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

May 25, 2026-After multiple elimination rounds which kicked off in March in many age groups, the State Cup in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) concludes with Championship Saturday on Saturday, May 30. 22 championship games will be played all day at the Blue Sky Sports Complex, a 249-acre grass venue in Middletown. This is the second consecutive year that the State Cup finals have been hosted there.

And should the sky not be as blue as hoped for, the rain date is Sunday, May 31.

The US Youth Soccer ENYYSA State Cup Championship is for the top teams, it’s part of the National Championship Series and the champion teams go straight to Nationals this summer as there are no Regionals anymore. The Challenge Cup is for all teams at Under-10 and Under-11 as there is not a State Cup Championship in those age groups. For Under-12 to Under-13, it’s for mid- to lower-tier squads.

For more info, please phone the ENYYSA office at 516-766-0849.

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, east of Route 81. ENYYSA encourages 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 US Soccer and US Youth Soccer. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/

Making the Grade For a College Scholarship

By Pat Grecco

When speaking to the student-athletes, I explain that there are three parts to their scholarship:

A. Academic money
B. Athletic money
C. Financial aid

This is called the package.

There is much more money to be given out for academics than athletics. College coaches are thrilled to see a smart athlete. The coach knows he can get him/her what is called a counter offer, aka academic grants, which do not come out of their budget of scholarships but come from the school. Having good grades is very important.

I’ve had the privilege of working with great athletes and their families. Unfortunately, some of these athletes had GPA’s in 70’s, low SAT/ACT’s and low class rank. Poor academic scores can potentially place an athlete at risk of being ineligible to play based on the NCAA eligibility criteria for D1 and D2 programs but they also cannot receive any academic money from the colleges they are looking at. Students who demonstrate strong work ethic in the classroom are more likely to receive an athletic scholarship.

The transfer portal is now making it a challenge for many high school seniors to play as freshmen at the D1 level. Many are opting for strong academic/athletic D3 programs where their only chance to receive money is academic money. Magnifying the importance of good grades, strong SAT/ACT scores and taking AP, IB and college level courses.

If you qualify for academic money, the coach can give you less in athletic and thus be able to offer athletic money to more players on the team. To qualify for academic grants, generally you must have a 3.5 GPA or higher, 25 ACT score or higher, 1200 SAT or higher and must rank in the top 10% of your high school class. Every college has different requirements.

I recently had conversation with a college coach at a school that has a mean entry requirement of SAT: 1025, ACT: 21 and GPA: 2.0. At this particular school, in order for a student-athlete to receive academic money, the requirement is SAT: 1140, GPA: 3.5 and be in the top 20% of your high school class. You could say then that academic money requirements are based on a sliding scale in accordance with the standard of each individual college or university.

I’ve also noticed that some parents have the mentality that because their son or daughter is an outstanding athlete, good grades are not so important. Do not fall into this type of thinking.

I encourage students not to neglect their high school academics. Train to be as good a student as much as a good athlete, they go hand and hand and that’s why you are called a student-athlete! On the field, give it your all but remember to do the same in the classroom.

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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 and a free 30-minute consultation, log on to www.collegeboundathlete.com or contact Pat directly at 631-988-7746 or soccervol@aol.com

Gotham FC and ENYYSA in 2026

May 6, 2026-We’re excited to officially announce a new partnership between the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), our Member Leagues, and Gotham FC, built around a shared goal of building the sport of soccer for youth players in our backyard.

Gotham FC, the reigning National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) champion, is working with ENYYSA to create unforgettable experiences for ENYYSA players, families, coaches, and leaders here in our community. There will be special opportunities for ENYYSA to attend Gotham FC matches and engage with the club through special events, clinics, and celebrations throughout the year. Want to stay in the loop? Sign up here to be the first to know.

Up first? Gotham FC is planning a historic, record-breaking match at Citi Field on July 15th: The Queens Classic. This iconic match is an official ENYYSA Outing, complete with special offers, unique experiences, and discounted pricing, only for you.

Here’s why you’ll want to come:

ENYYSA groups get discounted tickets (just $20!) to sit together and enjoy this 2025 Championship rematch at the iconic Citi Field.
ENYYSA award winners and top players will be honored on the pitch in a special celebration.
Every member of the ENYYSA community will receive a special Gotham FC merch item.
The ENYYSA club that brings out the most fans will receive an autographed Gotham FC jersey and a suite at another Gotham FC home match.

Ready to get tickets? For a group of 10 or fewer, select your seats here. For a larger group, inquire here.

We are also excited to partner with Gotham FC to offer FREE youth soccer clinics this spring and summer.

These clinics are a great opportunity for young players to develop their skills, stay active and have fun in a positive and supporting environment.

We look forward to bringing this exciting experience to our community and hope your players will join us.

More special opportunities are coming soon, only for ENYYSA families. Sign up here to be the first to hear about future Gotham FC x ENYYSA outings, clinics, and events.

Here’s to continuing to build the next generation of players together. ¡Vamos!

Join the 3,000+ Refs in Eastern New York

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

May 19, 2026-The physician’s assistant asked me a pointed question I sometimes receive after I say that I’m a soccer referee.

“How are the parents?” he asked.

I replied, “Most parents are great but I will find an overly enthusiastic parent every once in a while.”

The overwhelming majority of players, coaches and parents are wonderful. I met some of my closest friends on soccer fields and how different, and less fulfilling, my life would be if I did not take up the whistle when I was 16 years old.

I was volunteering as a teenage coach in a summer intramural league, a league so informal that each head coach refereed half the match. I quickly realized that I was a much better ref than coach so my coaching career soon ended and I became a referee.

My story is one of many as the reasons for refereeing are as diverse as the 3,000+ refs in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA). Many referees are happy to become certified after their playing career ends or the team they are coaching ages out of youth soccer.

Randy Vogt refereeing the South Shore Bulldogs. Photo by Michael Blackton.

As a referee, you become (or stay) fit, learn to manage people, you are your own boss and go directly to the customer, all while earning money.

Eastern New York is seeking new referees to be in the middle and/or on the line as assistant referees in youth soccer games. The minimum age is 14 years old to become certified. You manage your availability so officiating works with all the rest that you do!

You never know the difference you could make until you begin. For more information, click here. If you have any questions, e-mail questions@enysreferee.org

High School Seniors Can Apply For the ODP College Scholarship

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

May 12, 2026-The Olympic Development Program (ODP) is the highest level of play in each state association. The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) has a particularly strong ODP and current US National Team players Sam Coffey, Claire Hutton, Joe Scally and Phallon Tullis-Joyce all developed their skills with Eastern New York ODP.

What has been added since those US National Teamers played ODP is the Eastern New York ODP College Scholarship Program. One boy and one girl will receive a scholarship. The criteria are:

Must be a high school senior.
Must be a current Eastern New York ODP player or have played Eastern New York ODP.
Must have a B average or higher.
Must plan on attending a school of higher education after high school graduation.
Must submit a 200-word essay on why you deserve this scholarship. (Essay must include name, address, phone number and e-mail address)

The application is linked here.

The entry deadline is June 30. Eastern New York would particularly like to thank the Cortlandt Soccer Club for funding the scholarships.

Apply For a College Scholarship From Eastern New York

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

April 23, 2026-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) awards college scholarships for deserving high school seniors. The scholarships available are named after Jack Bauman plus Patricia Louise Masotto and Brenda Driscoll (four total scholarships for girls) and Livio D’Arpino (two scholarships for boys).

Criteria for Consideration

1. Must have a C average or better and graduate by August of the current year.

2. Must plan on attending a school of Higher Education in the fall. (Include name of University/College)

3. Must be a registered player in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association.

4. Must submit a 250-word essay on why you are deserving of the scholarship. Essay must include at the top of page 1, Your Name, Address, Phone Number and Scholarship applying to, indicated below.

5. Must submit a personal resume and a school transcript.

6. The essay, resume and transcript must be submitted no later than June 1, 2026:

A. online

B. or by e-mail to lfrancis@enysoccer.com

C. or by mail to the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association, 167 Nassau Blvd., Garden City South, NY 11530, Attn: Scholarship Committee.

7. Indicate on top of the essay which scholarship you are applying to.

Additionally, five ENYYSA leagues––Capital District Youth Soccer League, Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League, Hudson Valley Youth Soccer League, Long Island Junior Soccer League and the Staten Island Youth Soccer League––all have separate scholarship programs as well.

Remembering the Remarkable Frank Kcira

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

April 16, 2026-The local soccer community is mourning the passing of Franush Kcira (fra-NUUSH CEE-ra), who passed away on April 10 at the age of 70 of cancer.

Nicknamed Frank, he was of Albanian descent and came to New York as a teenager from North Macedonia. Frank played in what became the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), and then professionally including with the New York Arrows of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL).

Eastern New York Hall of Famer Ken Gulmi said, “Frank was a super guy. He was a midfielder who blew out his knee and reinvented himself as a goalkeeper so he could stay on the field.”

Frank started coaching his four sons in the Clarkstown Soccer Club, then coached other Clarkstown teams after his kids graduated from youth soccer. The New City resident coached in Eastern New York’s Olympic Development Program (ODP) from 1999 to 2006. With longtime MLS goalkeeper Tim Melia on the team, he coached Eastern New York ODP to the 2002 ODP National Finals in Plano, Texas.

Frank is in the back row on the far left with his Eastern New York ODP team of boys born in 1984 as the squad toured Greece and Italy in the summer of 1999. This photo is from Formia, Italy, before defeating the local men’s team.

His youngest son, Robert Baggio Kcira, was named after Frank’s idol, Italian superstar Roberto Baggio. Robert played ODP and went on to play pro soccer with SC Wiener Neustadt of the Austrian Bundesliga, the top tier in that country, as well as Miami FC of the North American Soccer League (NASL).

Frank coached for three decades in the Clarkstown Soccer Club and had a tremendous impact on the program.

“Frank was a great guy and nobody ever had anything bad to say about him,” explained Dimitri Giatrakis, another Eastern New York Hall of Famer who was very fond of Frank. “He embodied the very essence of kindness, fairness, love and devotion as a husband, father, coach and friend.”

We have lost a very good man. May he rest in peace!

CJSL to Kick Off Silent Support Weekend on April 25 and 26

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

April 13, 2026-The Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL), New York City originals since 1933, is starting its first Silent Support Weekend for all its games on April 25 and 26. This is part of the CJSL’s continued focus on building a stronger community and culture around the game. The goal is simple: reduce sideline noise so players can think, make decisions, communicate and enjoy the game in a more positive environment.

For that weekend:
👏 Applause and positive encouragement only
🗣️ No shouting or sideline coaching during play
⚽ Allow players to play, lead and learn

This initiative is not new and has been successfully implemented in youth leagues across the country and internationally for the past two decades, including programs run by English FA and local leagues such as the West Side Soccer League. These efforts have consistently shown improvements in player confidence, decision-making and overall game experience.

“At the CJSL, we are committed to creating the best possible environment for player development. Silent Support Weekend is part of that effort, encouraging a positive, respectful sideline where players can think for themselves, communicate, and grow through the game,” stated CJSL Executive Director Ron Restrepo. “As a league, we believe taking the lead in initiatives like this helps set the standard for what youth soccer should look like, focused on learning, confidence and a true love of the game.”

Matches will be monitored by referees, with any sideline issues handled through standard league procedures. Clubs are expected to ensure that coaches, parents and spectators understand and support these expectations.

Let them play. Let them learn. Let them enjoy the game.

Segreto, Senise and Wolyniec Inducted Into the SIYSL Hall of Fame

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

April 6, 2026-The Staten Island Youth Soccer League (SIYSL), the southernmost league in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), celebrated three new Hall of Famers on March 5 at LiGreci’s The Staaten.

From left to right: SIYSL Hall of Fame Committee member Rich Nellis, Peter Senise, New York City Councilman Frank Marano, Mike Segreto, SIYSL President Diana DiLeo, SIYSL Hall of Fame Committee member Otto Horstmann

Mike Segreto coached soccer and softball teams at St. Joseph Hill Academy from 1995 to 2013. Mike also served as the Assistant Director of St Joseph Hill Academy from 2004 to 2013. In 2009, Mike was appointed Trustee to the SIYSL Board and began serving as the SIYSL Representative to ENYYSA. The following year, Mike was elected to SIYSL Board as a Vice President and served until 2021, volunteering as Chairperson of numerous committees including Games, Coaches Training and Education, TOPSoccer, Senior Night, Friendship Games, Field Committee, Disciplinary Committee as well as the Hall of Fame. Mike, along with Rob Libertelli, Rich Nellis, Anthony Pisciottano and Bill Smith, established the Staten Island SC travel program which operates as the lone travel organization that is a member club of SIYSL.

In 2011, Mike was appointed ENYYSA Trustee and was then elected as a Vice President and currently holds that same position. Mike currently is Chairperson of the Competition (State Cup) and Disciplinary committees.

Peter Senise has been a well-respected soccer coach on Staten Island for the past four decades. He has served as the St. Joseph By the Sea boys varsity assistant coach since 2003, winning two New York City high school championship titles along the way. As assistant coach for the Staten Island United Knights from 2006 to 2014, they won two Pocono Cups and the Boys-Under-15 State Cup. Peter also served as assistant coach for Silver Lake Korabi and the Silver Lake Spirits in the 1990’s and both teams won the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL) division championship. From 1988 to ’94, Peter volunteered as co-coach of the St. John Neumann Thundercats, who won five A Division titles.

John Wolyniec, already an Eastern New York Hall of Famer, is one of the best soccer players to ever come out of Staten Island. He began playing with SIYSL in the St. Clare Soccer Club and then moved on to Silver Lake, then Monsignor Farrell High School and Fordham University. John scored 62 goals in 267 MLS games for the MetroStars, Chicago Fire, Columbus Crew and Los Angeles Galaxy. John then became a coach with the Red Bulls Academy, leading Red Bulls II to the regular season and playoff championship in 2016. Since 2022, John has served as Technical Director of the San Jose Earthquakes.

Staten Island TOPSoccer Hosts a Pre-Season Party

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

April 2, 2026-TOPSoccer, The Outreach Program for Soccer, is a recreational program for children and adults with intellectual, emotional or physical challenges that is offered through soccer leagues and clubs under the US Youth Soccer umbrella.

The TOPSoccer Program in the Staten Island Youth Soccer League (SIYSL) started two decades ago and, now under the enthusiastic and dedicated leadership of Jerrier Atassi, is one of the largest TOPS programs in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA).

On Saturday, March 28, Staten Island TOPSoccer had a pre-season party at Simply Gathered that was hosted by the Richmondtown Soccer Club and featured arts and crafts, pizza plus presentation of medals. Richmondtown has been very generous and also suppled uniforms last year to all the players and parents.

“We had a wonderful turnout of players and their parents plus TOPSoccer buddies for two hours of bonding and fun. These assistant coaches, the Hayes brothers––Joe Jr., Adriano and Carlo––and Mark Vrapi, have been helping for several years and were recognized by our league for their outstanding effort and dedication,” Jerrier explained. “Everyone was very excited and the parents were incredibly grateful. Our players had a wonderful time and are looking forward to starting the Spring Season in a few weeks.”

That season kicks off on Saturday, April 18 from 2 to 3 pm at the Owl Hollow Soccer Complex and continues on Saturday afternoons this spring. For more info about Staten Island TOPSoccer and to inquire about your child participating, please contact Jerrier at 917-636-3180.