Affiliate Leagues

Big Apple Youth Soccer League Distributes Thousands of World Cup Albums

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

June 19, 2026-The Big Apple Youth Soccer League (BAYSL), founded in 1997 to serve the growing Latino community in New York City, recently distributed 7,000 Panini 2026 World Cup sticker albums to players and their families at Flushing Meadows Park.

“Through my contacts, I received 8,000 sticker albums for free so I gave 1,000 albums to the Metrokids Youth Soccer League and we gave out the rest to everybody playing soccer at the park,” commented BAYSL President Carlos Vergara.

980 stickers are required to complete the book of 112 pages. With 48 countries competing and hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, the 2026 version being played now is the largest World Cup ever.

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/

Photos courtesy of the Big Apple Youth Soccer League

Five on the USA World Cup Roster Grew Up Playing in Eastern New York

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

May 28, 2026-Five cheers for the red, white and blue as five of the 26 players named to the US Men’s National Team roster as we host the 2026 World Cup grew up playing in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA).

Although goalkeeper Matt Turner lived in Park Ridge, New Jersey, he crossed the state line to play club soccer in Eastern New York. Matt excelled in other sports, especially baseball, and only started playing soccer in his mid-teens.

As a 16-year-old, he tried out for and made the Clarkstown Soccer team coached by Dimitri Giatrakis that played in the Eastern New York Premier League. He played for Clarkstown for the next two years.

“Matt came and tried out, the ability was there and we just had to develop it,” Coach Giatrakis stated. “What I really like about Matt is he was a clutch player and we had him in goal with the game on the line but he was always okay with me giving lots of playing time to other keepers so they could be seen by college coaches in showcase tournaments.”

Matt now plays professional soccer for the New England Revolution of MLS.

Defender Joe Scally of Lake Grove played for Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) teams Sachem Starburst, Sachem Falcons, Sachem Lynxes, Sachem Destroyers and the Mastic Destroyers. He also competed for the Eastern New York Olympic Development Program (ODP).

Ralph Pascarella coached Joe on ODP and stated, “Joe was very motivated, very focused, a big, strong kid with a soccer brain. He was technically sound and could play anywhere on the field.”

Joe currently plays for Borussia Moenchengladbach of the German Bundesliga.

Midfielder Giovanni Reyna grew up in Bedford, playing in the New York Soccer Club of the Westchester Youth Soccer League (WYSL). Gio is close friends and teammates with Joe Scally at Borussia Moenchengladbach.

“Gio was with us from when he was very young until he was selected for NYCFC’s Boys-Under-14 Academy team,” NYSC Academy Director Christian Gonzalez stated. “He was playing up a year and what caught everyone’s attention was his ability to make runs with the ball by unbalancing defenders with a close carry and ability to manipulate the ball. The other area of the game that was elite from the beginning was his ability to strike the ball, including from distance as well as crossing the ball with precision.”

Midfielder Tyler Adams (center in above photo) of Wappingers Falls returned to the Hudson Valley last July for the dedication of his childhood soccer field, Martz Field, as it became the Tyler Adams Soccer Pitch.

He grew up playing for the Town of Poughkeepsie Soccer Club (TOPSC) of the Hudson Valley Youth Soccer League (HVYSL). With Tyler leading the way, the Poughkeepsie Heat won the Boys-Under-14 Eastern New York Premier League in 2012. Kevin Longacre was the trainer and Andy Stamper was his coach.

“The number one thing about Tyler was his unquestioned desire to win and to be the best in training and in games. It became infectious within the team,” Coach Longacre explained. “He was the only boy playing up a year on our team. A midfielder back then too, he loved to win the ball back just like today.”

Tyler captained the red, white and blue at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and plays his club soccer for Bournemouth of the English Premier League. Additionally, Kieran McIlvenny reports that Tyler was always very generous donating cleats and soccer shirts to Kieran’s Kickin’ Back charity.

Forward Tim Weah of Rosedale played for the Rosedale Rockets Soccer Club plus travelled to other side of Queens to compete for B/W Gottschee. His uncle, Michael Duncan, is the longtime President of the Rosedale Rockets.

Michael said, “I’m extremely proud of Timothy and how he has blossomed into this wonderful player. His mother Clar coached intramurals in Rosedale, and she and I were Timothy’s first coaches. He played on the Rosedale Lions and the Rosedale Super Eagles in the LIJSL. His older sister Martha played on a Rosedale team of boys born in 1985 and his older brother, George Jr., played in our club too.”

Tim plays professionally for French Ligue 1 club Marseille.

All five ENYYSA alumni selected also were on the USA roster in the 2022 World Cup.

Eastern New York Now Accepting Teams For the 3v3 Summer Soccer Series

May 27, 2026-The 3v3 Summer Soccer Series is a statewide tournament platform built to energize local communities, deliver a festival-style soccer experience and create a clear pathway from local qualifying events to a state championship. Timed to capture the excitement of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the series brings together players, families, leagues and partners through a fast-paced small-sided game format.

Qualifier Locations

· Albany – Saturday, June 27th @ Afrim’s Sports Park

· Hudson Valley – June 20th @ 12th Rock Sports

· Westchester – TBA

· New York City – Sunday, June 28th @ Governor’s Island Parade Grounds

· Staten Island – Sat / Sun, June 27-28 @ Owl Hollow Soccer Fields

· Long Island – Saturday, June 27 @ Peter C. Collins Soccer Park

Format

· 3–5 players per team roster

· 5 games guaranteed per team

· 15-minute game format

· No goalkeepers

· Boys and Girls divisions

· Competitive and fun-focused structure

More Than A Tournament

Aligned with the energy of the 2026 FIFA World Cup — a full festival atmosphere for players, families, and communities.

· Music & DJs

· Skills Challenges

· Fan Zones

· Community Engagement

Compete. Advance.

Teams in the Competitive Division can advance locally and earn the opportunity to compete at the 3v3 Summer Series State Championship on July 25 in Middletown, NY at 12th Rock Sports.

For more information or to register: click HERE

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!

Sportsmanship Makes a Huge Difference on Youth Soccer Fields

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

May 6, 2026-It’s very simple, only one team can win a soccer game but both squads should be having fun. Especially on the youth level.

Lately, a few people have forgotten this, or that the children and teenagers are there to play a game and have fun, the coaches are there to coach, the refs are there to officiate and the spectators are there to cheer. Unsavory incidents receive headlines while there are many wonderful expressions of sportsmanship that do not garner the same attention. In the games I have officiated, I’ve seen:

• Kids helping up opposing players who have fallen to the ground

• Kids asking opposing players, “Are you all right?”, after fouling them

• Teams routinely kicking the ball out of play when a player is injured and the other squad throws the ball to the other team when play resumes.

• Coaches not fielding 11 players, just the same number of players as the other team until everybody shows up.

• Teams switching player positions, playing the ball back to their keeper upon getting possession, trying to score only on headers, etc., when playing against overmatched opponents so that the score does not get out of hand.

• Opposing players and coaches shaking hands after games. There are approximately 25 million handshakes after Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) matches annually.

In a 2025 Project Play survey of youth soccer players in the New York City metro area, 48% of kids said playing with their friends, 46% replied having fun and 45% said learning or improving skills were their reasons for playing youth soccer. Only 23% cited winning as the reason.

Our Zero Tolerance Policy has very stringent penalties but we would prefer that everybody behaves appropriately. As we continue the Spring Season, let’s not lose sight of why we are involved.

A number of refs have reported that games go much smoother when they see opposing coaches greeting one another before the match. Photo courtesy of the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League.

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.

Four Longtime Volunteers Inducted Into the LIJSL Hall of Fame

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

March 31, 2026-The Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL), the largest league in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), inducted four longtime members into the LIJSL Hall of Fame on Sunday, March 29 at the Stonebridge Country Club in Smithtown.

From left to right: Jim San Filippo, Pete Bussa, Ilana Strauch (daughter of Efi Domb) and Steve Padaetz

The Levittown Soccer Club is celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2026 and Jim San Filippo has been volunteering for the club for 42 of those 50 years. He has been a longtime coach, referee and has served as Levittown Soccer Club President for the past decade. Most importantly, Jim has been a mentor for the many young athletes who have come through the club, teaching them not only about the game, but instilling valuable life lessons.

Pete Bussa coached three LIJSL teams and won a total of 15 LIJSL division titles and 7 Long Island Cups, then became a well-respected mentor for young coaches. Pete volunteered as Oceanside United’s President from 1994 to 2002. He started Oceanside’s Special Needs TOPSoccer Program 35 years ago when one of the boys he coached had a sister with Down syndrome who wanted to play soccer. Pete is currently volunteering as TOPSoccer Chairperson for Eastern New York.

Efi Domb passed away in 2017 from pancreatic cancer but his impact on Long Island soccer has not been forgotten. Efi coached his two daughters in the New Hyde Park Wildcats Soccer Club, where he was a beloved coach and trainer, and after they graduated from high school, he became a top referee, even being honored as the Long Island Soccer Referees Association (LISRA) Referee of the Year in 2016. His “real job” was running a successful locksmith company and after 9/11, he spent days at Ground Zero helping store owners lock their shops to protect against looters.

Steve Padaetz served with Oceanside United for over 30 years, and he was President, Vice President, Secretary and then Director at Large. He developed and published club newsletter Net News, and then when the technology changed, he managed the redesign of the club website. He coached six travel teams, diverse intramural squads and created the Nassau Development Program, which comprised of 15 clubs playing non-results oriented Under-8 and Under-9 games. Steve then volunteered on the LIJSL and Eastern New York Board of Directors, he chaired many committees too numerous to list here and is now the Chief Club Administrator of the Massapequa Soccer Club.

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/

Three Youth Leagues Compete in the Inaugural Kontonis Esperanza Cup

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

March 19, 2026-Selected Division 2 teams from the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL), Big Apple Youth Soccer League (BAYSL) and Metrokids Youth Soccer League (MYSL) got together on Sunday, March 8 at Flushing-Meadows Park to play in the first-ever Kontonis Esperanza Cup.

“The Kontonis Esperanza Cup was named for the late Paul Kontonis, whose vision as President of the CJSL was rooted in unity, opportunity and community,” said Jonathan Puma, Second Vice President of the CJSL. “Paul believed deeply that the Beautiful Game can unite leagues and communities across New York City. This competition proudly carries forward his passion and his hope.”

This vision of unity was echoed across the other participating Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) leagues.

“I would like to thank the gentlemen organizing this tournament and for inviting Metrokids. This competition honors Kontonis—a father, brother and friend who dedicated himself to the youth as a soccer coach. Paul envisioned a Champions’ Championship that would unite our leagues. We welcome this new competition in his honor and are confident it will grow year after year with the support of our affiliated leagues,” explained Metrokids President Cesar Juca.

“The Big Apple Youth Soccer League was honored to participate in the Kontonis Esperanza Cup. We’re excited to join fellow leagues in celebrating youth soccer through sportsmanship, collaboration and meaningful competition, and we look forward to building lasting connections on and off the field,” stated BAYSL President Carlos Vergara.

While Paul Kontonis was a proud Greek-American, the “Esperanza” in the cup’s name comes from the Spanish word for hope. It is the hope of the three leagues playing that the Kontonis Esperanza Cup will expand in future seasons to include additional age groups and participation within the girls city program, creating more opportunities across leagues.

The champion teams were ARB SC 2013, FC Copa Academy Brooklyn B13 Black, Guerreros FC 2015, Mike’s FC 2015, South Brooklyn FC 2014 and Success Academy 2014B.

All photos courtesy of the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League

Frankie Pampin Selected as the National Boys Competitive Coach of the Year

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

February 27, 2026-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very proud to announce that Frank Pampin, our 2022 Boys Competitive Coach of the Year, has been named the 2025 US Youth Soccer National Boys Competitive Coach of the Year. In 2022, the Jackson Heights resident also received Regional Boys Competitive Coach of the Year so National honors complete a rare trifecta.

Frankie took over the Boys-Under-10 Gunners Soccer Kids team in the fall of 2020. It was a low-income team with few resources at the time yet Frankie made an impact right away with the boys by teaching them fundamentals. Now known as the Long Island Slammers, he has led them to two State Open Cup championships (2023, 2025), two East Region championships (2023, 2025) and the US Youth Soccer National Pro League Championship (2024). In the 2025 Regionals, the Slammers outscored their opponents 18-0 in five games and did not concede a goal. And proving that nice guys do not finish last, the squad received the Rocco Amoroso Sportsmanship Award at the 2025 State Cup finals.

Frankie in inset and with his Boys-Under-16 Long Island Slammers

The team has won division championships in the Big Apple Youth Soccer League (BAYSL), Metrokids Youth Soccer League plus the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL) and they won titles in CJSL Divisions 3, 2 and 1 as they improved and took on more difficult competition. The boys did the same thing as they transitioned to the Eastern Development Program (EDP) and won titles in Division 2, then Division 1 as well as the EDP Champions Cup.

“This group has proven that when you grow organically through hard work, passion, discipline and a clear sense of purpose, anything is possible,” Frankie stated. “With commitment and belief in the process, success will always follow.”

This success was noticed and in December 2025, the Long Island Slammers announced that Frankie has been appointed their Boys Director of Coaching. Congratulations to Frankie for all these accolades!