Human Interest

Chris McDonald Honored as the Eastern New York Boys Recreational Coach of the Year

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

February 2, 2026-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that Chris McDonald of the Wappinger United Soccer Club was honored as our 2025 Boys Recreational Coach of the Year at our Hall of Fame Banquet on Saturday, January 24 at Marina del Rey in the Bronx.

From left to right: US Youth Soccer Chairperson Tina Rincon, Chris McDonald, ENYYSA 2nd Vice President Bill Smith

The club wrote that “Chris represents everything that is right about recreational soccer. He leads with integrity, empathy and a deep belief in the power of the game to bring out the best in kids. Whether he’s coaching on the field, mentoring other volunteers or leading at the club level, Chris never loses sight what matters most: Creating a positive, inclusive environment where all players feel supported, challenged and inspired to grow. His steady presence and unwavering commitment make him a model coach and a trusted leader in our community…

A new player joined his team last year after previously participating only in TOPSoccer. This boy, who has autism, wanted to try and play on a mainstream rec team. Chris welcomed him without hesitation. He made thoughtful adjustments, set the right tone with teammates and ensured the player felt fully part of the group from day one. Because of Chris’ support, that boy had a tremendously positive season where he was able to build confidence, make friends and experience the game in a new way…

Chris exemplifies what youth soccer is truly all about.”

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/

Victoria Sherry Selected as the Eastern New York Girls Competitive Coach of the Year

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

February 1, 2026-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very proud to announce that the Niskayuna Soccer Club’s Victoria Sherry has been honored as our 2025 Girls Competitive Coach of the Year.

The ceremony took place at our Hall of Fame Banquet on Saturday, January 24 at Marina del Rey in the Bronx.

Tori is currently coaching two teams for Niskayuna, U13G Select and U15G Select, plus also serves as the Girls Director of Coaching.

Team parent Judith Fenlon stated, “Tori is a coach, a mom, a friend and an all-around good human being. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Coach Tori for the past six years when she started coaching my daughter at age 8. Over the years, I’ve witnessed the many ways how she encourages her players to be the best versions of themselves. While Coach Tori is a competitive and skilled technical coach, proven by her winning record, what I admire most about her is her dedication to the social and emotional growth of her players. She ensures that her players have respect for each person on the field from teammates to opposing players, coaches and officials. She does this in leading by example and valuing kindness, hard work and commitment over any single win.”

One of her players, Maddie Trant, explained, “Coach Tori always makes you feel so welcome at practices. She always knows what to say and is always there for us. She’s never missed a practice and has sacrificed many things in her life just to be here with us. Being a player on Coach Tori’s team is a huge part of my life.”

Alex Gunera Honored as the Eastern New York Boys Competitive Coach of the Year

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

January 30, 2026-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that Alex Gunera of the Newburgh Puma FC Falcons has been honored as our 2025 Boys Competitive Coach of the Year. The ceremony took place at our Hall of Fame Banquet on Saturday, January 24 at Marina del Rey in the Bronx.

From left to right: US Youth Soccer Chairperson Tina Rincon, Alex Gunera, ENYYSA 2nd Vice President Bill Smith

Team manager Jessica Cardoso wrote, “Coach Gunera exemplifies everything a great coach should be as he is passionate, knowledgeable, dedicated and truly invested in the development of his players both on and off the field. Under his leadership, the team has not only achieved remarkable success in competitions but has also grown significantly in terms of discipline, teamwork and sportsmanship…

Players always come to Coach Gunera for advice, whether it be for improvement or just for their personal issues. He always has an open ear. Even parents ask Coach Gunera to speak to kids if they are misbehaving. The relationship between Coach Gunera, players and parents is just remarkable!”

Team parents Jose and Lisa Cardoso wrote, “Our son had little understanding of the sport and the importance of each player’s role but knew this was something he wanted to learn and grow into. Coach Alex accepted him on the team with this understanding and worked with him endlessly until he grasped the concept of soccer. He is extremely patient with not only our son but all players on his team.”

In the past 12 years of coaching, Coach Alex led the Condors and Revolution to first place in their division. With the Falcons, he has taken them from Division 3 to Division 1 in two years.

Alex was also honored as the 2025 Hudson Valley Youth Soccer League (HVYSL) Boys Competitive Coach of the Year on November 8, 2025.

Dusanka Marusic Inducted Into the Eastern New York Soccer Hall of Fame

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

January 27, 2026-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is proud to announce that longtime volunteer Dusanka Marusic was inducted into the Eastern New York Soccer Hall of Fame at our Hall of Fame Banquet on January 24 at Marina del Rey in the Bronx.

From left to right: US Youth Soccer Chairperson Tina Rincon, ENYYSA Hall of Fame Chairperson Ken Gulmi, Dusanka Marusic, ENYYSA 2nd Vice President Bill Smith

For over four decades, Dusanka has been a driving force in youth soccer. She began as a player for the West Hempstead Flames of the Long Island Ladies Soccer League (LILSL), serving for over a decade on the league’s Board of Directors.

Dusanka coached for over two decades with the Hewlett-Lawrence Soccer Club and Valley Stream Soccer Club of the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) plus New York Croatia of the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL). In the early 1990’s, she recognized the need for CJSL teams to have more competitive matches so she proposed that CJSL squads be allowed to play as guest teams, a groundbreaking idea at the time, in the LIJSL. It eventually was approved and elevated player development, stabilized clubs and supported long-term growth.

Dusanka also launched the Leonard D’Orazio College Showcase, which became a pathway for players to be seen by college coaches, plus she started new initiatives for female players in the CJSL. She represented the CJSL and later the LIJSL at ENYYSA meetings plus also served on the Long Beach Soccer Club Board of Directors.

For this lifetime of soccer, the Cuddebackville resident was inducted into the CJSL Hall of Fame in 2023 and now, the Eastern New York Hall of Fame. Congratulations to Dusanka!

Tony Padmore Inducted Into the Eastern New York Soccer Hall of Fame

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

January 28, 2026-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that Tony Padmore has been inducted into the Eastern New York Soccer Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony took place at our Hall of Fame Banquet on Saturday, January 24 at Marina del Rey in the Bronx.

From left to right: ENYYSA Hall of Fame Chairperson Ken Gulmi, Tony Padmore, US Youth Soccer Chairperson Tina Rincon, ENYYSA 2nd Vice President Bill Smith

Tony grew up in Trinidad and Tobago and after emigrating to New York in 1970, he started playing soccer in a league in Prospect Park. In 1986, he began coaching his children, Rhonda and Michael, in the Staten Island Youth Soccer League (SIYSL) when they took up soccer. From 1986 through 1996, Tony coached intramural teams at St. Rita’s. In 1994, when the club needed a new Director, Tony stepped up and ran the club for two years while also coaching.

In 1990, Tony also started coaching at Staten Island United, doing so for the next 14 years, plus serving as club Secretary in 1998 and 1999.

While this is all very impressive, Tony is best known today as a referee, which he has done with a passion for over three decades. He was President of the Staten Island Soccer Referees Association (SISRA) from 2003 to 2005, then has been the SIYSL assignor for the past two decades. He was inducted into the SIYSL Hall of Fame back in 2012.

Ann Marie Toth Inducted Into the Eastern New York Soccer Hall of Fame

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

January 29, 2026-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that longtime volunteer Ann Marie Toth has been inducted into the Eastern New York Soccer Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony took place at our Hall of Fame Banquet on Saturday, January 24 at Marina del Rey in the Bronx.

Ann Marie has been Chairperson of the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) TOPSoccer program since 1979. She has also been TOPSoccer Chairperson for her club, the Plainview/Old Bethpage Soccer Club, since 1979 as well. That’s an amazing 47 years that she has been in charge of TOPSoccer, The Outreach Program for Soccer for children and adults with intellectual, emotional or physical challenges, all under the US Youth Soccer umbrella.

Under Ann Marie’s leadership, TOPSoccer has grown to 28 LIJSL clubs having programs and she is just as enthusiastic and at the fields every Saturday during the Spring and Fall Seasons today, even though she is now in her late 80’s. For all this volunteering, she was inducted into the LIJSL Hall of Fame back in 2005.

Ann Marie stated in her brief induction speech, “With a little patience and empathy, you can accomplish anything!”

Additionally, she was a member of the LIJSL’s well-respected Sportsmanship Committee and attended their very first meeting in 1980, served as a Plainview/Old Bethpage Soccer Club Trustee and was on the committee of the LIJSL Convention, which will be coming back this winter after being discontinued in 2020 because of Covid.

From left to right: ENYYSA Treasurer Andrew Seabury, Ann Marie Toth, Ann Marie’s husband and biggest supporter Kalman Toth, ENYYSA Registrar Mike D’Ambrosio

Ed Kobos Receives Lifetime Membership From the Mohawk Valley Soccer Referee Association

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

January 22, 2026-Congratulations to Ed Kobos, who was honored with Life Membership from the Mohawk Valley Soccer Referee Association (MVSRA) toward the end of last year. Lifetime Membership is the equivalent of the Lifetime Achievement Award.

“Ed founded MVSRA back in 2001 and has had a long and distinguished career of officiating plus serving soccer in the Mohawk Valley,” explained MVSRA President Christopher “Kit” Hutchinson.

Ed started officiating soccer with the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) in 1986 and as a high school ref in 1988 and moved quickly up the ladder, officiating the Section 3 Class D boys championship at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse and the high school state finals in Oneonta.

In 1996, Ed started to become very involved with the Oneonta Soccer Referees Association (OSRA) and refereed tournament games there at the National Hall of Fame Fields as the US Soccer Hall of Fame was in Oneonta at the time. In 2001, State Referee Administrator (SRA) Jose Vargas suggested that Utica should have its own ref organization, so Ed plus Art Durando founded MVSRA.

“For the first two years, we utilized instructors from Albany and Oneonta to teach our classes,” Ed explained.

The New Hartford resifdent served as MVSRA President from its founding in 2001 to 2018, an amazing 18 years in charge! Ed continued to move up the ladder and became a Regional Referee, Instructor and Assessor all under the US Soccer banner. He refereed and assessed Regionals as well as refereeing adult matches plus the Central New York State Soccer League (CNYSSL) and Capital District Youth Soccer League (CDYSL) in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA).

Additionally, Ed refereed Empire State Games played in Binghamton, Buffalo and Utica plus college matches.

In 2018, he was selected to be the Referee Liaison and assignor for Utica City Football Club of the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) and did so well that he added United Elite Krajisnik FC when they joined MASL-2 in 2023. Ed also serves as scorekeeper and timekeeper for MASL games at the Adirondack Bank Center.

Ed’s hip has been acting up and he is not as active as in the past but as his plaque suggests, he has KTBR (Kept The Business Running) in making sure that every game was officiated by a qualified referee for the past four decades.

Thinking about joining Ed and thousands of other soccer refs on the field? 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!

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

Max Watson is the New CJSL President

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

January 20, 2026-The Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL), founded in 1933 and the oldest league in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) and all of American youth soccer, has announced the appointment of Max Watson as CJSL President. Max served as First Vice President under CJSL President Paul Kontonis, who passed suddenly on November 24.

Max explained, “I was originally a DUSC kid and played my entire youth career with the Downtown United Soccer Club in the CJSL from Under-10 to Under-19.”

Max used his development in the CJSL to be recruited to play soccer at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and helped lead the Diplomats to the Division 3 Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight from his central midfield position.

Upon graduation, he had a 7-year stint in Virginia, as an assistant coach for the men’s team at the University of Mary Washington, then men’s assistant and later head coach at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI), Director of the Stafford Soccer Club and in the youth scouting department for DC United. During his time in Virginia, Max was selected for the United Soccer Coaches 30 Under-30 program to support up-and-coming coaches.

Photo courtesy of the University of Mount Saint Vincent

“But New York City is my home and I moved back in July 2023 after being appointed men’s head coach at New York Maritime as well as a coach and administrator at DUSC,” Max stated.

The Chelsea resident arrived at Astoria Park in Queens one night to evaluate a potential recruit for his college team.

“I met that player’s coach, Paul Kontonis, that evening for the first time. A professional, personal and mentorship relationship flourished from that point and a year later, I became Paul’s First Vice President in the CJSL.”

Besides now being CJSL President, Max is the head men’s soccer coach and Assistant Athletic Director for the University of Mount Saint Vincent in the Bronx, the Assistant Director of Coaching at DUSC and pursuing his “A” coaching license.

“All of my goals as CJSL President will honor and enact many of the high-level initiatives that our past president and friend was championing,” Max said. “Continue the rapid growth of our league throughout New York City, primarily via supporting the structural growth, coach education, player pathway opportunities and resources for all of our member clubs. We will remain uniquely New York City and stay true to our roots while being sure to swiftly progress, modernize and remain current in a quickly developing soccer landscape. The needs are always changing and we will be sure to also grow at the CJSL to meet these needs for youth players but also for coaches, parents, administrators and referees.”

LIJSL Academy Wins the Girls-Under-15 National Championship

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

December 29, 2025-Congratulations to the LIJSL Academy, which has won the Girls-Under-15 USL Youth League national championship. Made up of players from the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL), the largest league in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), the squad won three games and tied one in Tampa earlier this month.

LIJSL Academy qualified for Nationals by virtue of having the best record in the North Atlantic Division last summer with 6 wins, 0 losses and 2 ties, scoring 28 goals and conceding just 3.

Top row, left to right: Adriana Kletzkin, Aubrey Schneider, Juliana Koppelmann, Lucy Palmeri, Madison Caglioti, Giuliana Portaro, Lily O’Connor, Emily Belpanno, Kylie Tannus, Coach Salma Tarik
Bottom row, left to right: Emily Landa, Braelin Fernandes, Makayla Friedrich, Ava Manfredi, Izzy Hercules. Camera shy: Abigail Smith

The Girls-Under-15 Nationals was round-robin play with four games to determine the national champion. On December 11, LIJSL Academy scored in the dying seconds of the first match on a goal by two players named Emily as Emily Landa scored with Emily Belpanno providing the assist to tie Maryland United, 1-1.

The next day, LIJSL Academy defeated Michigan DBSS, 5-1. Coach Salma Tarik commented, “We were flying on all cylinders as this game was hands-down the best match I have seen this team play in a year-and-a-half as our style of play, attitude, effort, desire and mentality all came together.”

On December 13, LIJSL Academy played another team from Michigan, the Portage Soccer Club, topping them 2-1. Coach Tarik explained, “I would say this was our hardest game. Their attacking line was something we didn’t face yet in the tournament and they were very athletic and physical. Our goalkeeper, Makayla Friedrich, made the best save of the tournament in stopping a breakaway.”

Led by tournament MVP Ava Manfredi, LIJSL Academy secured the national championship with a 4-0 victory over Ironbound from Newark, New Jersey on December 15.

“Resilience, grit, motivation, hard work and confidence led us to the national title. We knew what we were there to do and having missed out on attending last year, we wanted to make a statement and do something this club has never done which was win a national championship,” Coach Tarik continued. “I told this group over and over, you believe in what you can do against any opponent and this is the best team I have ever coached and it is our time to make a statement, and we did just that!”

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 2, 2026-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 US Youth Soccer ENYYSA Championship and the Challenge Cup––so every premier and travel team in Eastern New York has a chance to win a state championship. Both competitions do try to schedule games against local opponents as much as possible for this springtime competition.

Tyler Adams (in white toward back row) won a State Cup with the Town of Poughkeepsie Soccer Club (TOPSC) over a decade ago and now plays in the English Premier League. He currently has 52 caps with the US Men’s National Team plus he captained the red, white and blue during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Tyler returned to the Hudson Valley last summer for the dedication of his childhood soccer field, Martz Field in Wappinger, as it became the Tyler Adams Soccer Pitch.

2. National Championship. For ambitious teams looking to play against top competition and possibly win a national championship, they can do it through the US Youth Soccer ENYYSA Championship as it’s part of the National Championship Series. Teams that win the state championship qualify automatically for the top tier of Nationals as there are no more Regionals.

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

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 and 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 and Eastern New York ODP coaches John Fitzgerald and Sue Ryan are being honored with special awards by the United Soccer Coaches this month.

4. 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 where outdoor fields can be frozen and unplayable. Both New York Futsal and the Long Island Futsal League, the latter celebrating its 30th anniversary this winter, play under the Eastern New York umbrella.

5. 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 was honored last year by US Youth Soccer as the National TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year.

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, Hudson Valley 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 helps secure new fields.

« Previous Page