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Jake Vanga Receives the Livio D’Arpino Scholarship

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

July 15, 2026-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that Baldwin Place resident Jake Vanga is receiving a Livio D’Arpino Scholarship. 

The scholarship’s namesake was a beloved Eastern New York Vice President who was seemingly involved in every level of local soccer before his untimely passing in 2002. He was so dedicated that Roman newspaper Il Messaggero recently wrote a lengthy article about him, 24 years after his death. The Livio D’Arpino award is based on success in high school as well as community service.

The ENYYSA Scholarship Committee was very impressed that Jake has committed himself to helping others, most notably in emergency response and public safety. He is a National and State Registered EMT, paid EMT plus EMS Lieutenant with the Mahopac Falls Volunteer Fire Department and Captain of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Cadets. Jake was honored as the 2026 Putnam County Youth Community Service Leader of the Year.

At Kennedy Catholic Preparatory School, he maintained a 4.0 GPA, was a member of the National Honor Society and was honored as the Academic Leader of the Year. Additionally, Jake was a Music Director (directing rehearsals) and pianist at the school.

On the soccer fields, Jake served as goalkeeper and team captain at the school, was both a player and coach at the Just Play Soccer Club and has been a certified referee for the past five years.

We wish Jake the best at Pace University this fall.

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/

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

South Bronx United to Host a World Cup Block Party

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

June 4, 2026-South Bronx United is having a party and the whole world is invited!

The innovative Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL) club is hosting a World Cup Block Party on Friday, June 19 from noon to 5:30 pm at Macombs Dam Park, a very short corner kick from Yankee Stadium. The block party is in connection with the USA-Australia game. Youth soccer clinics and mini-tournaments, Juneteeth celebration, art activities, a voter registration booth and food vendors are all part of the fun.

“We’re thrilled to get approval from the City of New York to move forward with our Bronx Block Party World Cup Festival on June 19, particularly in such an iconic location in front of Yankee Stadium,” South Bronx United President Andrew So said.

Tickets are free and all donation proceeds support South Bronx United’s Power of 11 campaign, which helps the club continue to do their great work in using soccer to bring about social change for more than 1,800 kids in the poorest Congressional District in the United States.

“The Festival is a wonderful opportunity to bring together the community and city while also celebrating Juneteenth and the feeling of unity that the holiday stands for. We also really needed more ways to bring the soccer celebration to the South Bronx community as sometimes the upcoming World Cup seems so close, yet so far away for local residents,” So stated. “I’m looking forward to a great turnout in support of the USA and the Bronx.”

For more info and to register, please click here.

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/

Ballston Spa 2009 Girls Win Their Third Consecutive State Cup Championship

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

June 11, 2026-As Girls-Under-17 State Cup champs, Ballston Spa 2009 Girls have won the Richard Christiano Cup, their third straight state championship. 

“We are a volunteer organization of girls from the community,” explained Ballston Spa coach Andrew Werner, Eastern New York’s 2020 Girls Competitive Coach of the Year. “I’m blessed to have such good parents that have stayed true to our program and what we’re doing.”

Ballston Spa also won the North Atlantic Premier Division title this spring, overcoming four serious injuries to their players. They started as a Girls-Under-8 team in the Capital District Youth Soccer League (CDYSL), then played in the Eastern Development Program (EDP) when they were Girls-Under-12.

Ballston Spa will represent the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) when they play at Nationals from July 13 to 20 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 

Coach Werner added, “To prepare, we’re playing in the Mad Dog College Showcase in Saratoga Springs and will also play boys teams in friendlies.”

Richard Christiano, the cup’s namesake, has brought fiscal responsibility to ENYYSA as President for the past 17 years. He also was a youth coach for the New Hyde Park Wildcats and served on the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) Board of Directors for 14 years, greatly improving the LIJSL Select Program during this time.

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/

Hauppauge Strikers Win the Boys-Under-12 Challenge Cup

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

June 16, 2026-The Hauppauge Strikers persevered in coming from behind in both regulation and the penalty kick shootout on May 30 in the Boys-Under-12 Challenge Cup final at the Blue Sky Sports Complex in Middletown.

Hauppauge tied Elites United Pythons, 3-3, in regulation and won the shootout, 4-3, to bring the Challenge Cup home to Long Island.

“We could not contain them at the start, but we played with a lot of heart, got some confidence and came from behind after being down, 2-0, in the first five minutes,” Hauppauge coach Gennaro Iamunno explained.

Ethan Augustin, Dean Georgalas and Parker Mannino scored Hauppauge’s goals in regulation.

Elites United received the Rocco Amoroso Sportsmanship Award as determined by the game officials. Amoroso, a US Soccer Life Member who died a decade ago, started the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) Sportsmanship Program in 1980 and it spread to the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), nationally and then to China and Ireland, making soccer games kinder and gentler.

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/

Atlantic United Cyclones Win the Girls-Under-11 Platinum Challenge Cup

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

June 15, 2026-The Girls-Under-11 Platinum Challenge Cup final for supremacy in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) was an interesting affair as the two teams from Long Island playing one another are only 10 miles apart yet had never met on a soccer field before. Atlantic United Cyclones defeated Hauppauge United, 5-0, on Saturday, May 30 at the Blue Sky Sports Complex in Middletown.

Emma Lipani scored two goals plus Meadow Garbedian, Nadia Leonard and Lucy Pracher each added one. Antlatic United keeper Sadie Silva recorded the shutout in net.

“It was hard to break down Hauppauge in the first half but we eventually did,” Atlantic United coach Matt Mannino explained. “We got more confidence, played some nice combinations and played really nice soccer.”

Hauppauge did not go home empty-handed as they received the Rocco Amoroso Sportsmanship Award as determined by the game officials. Amoroso, a US Soccer Life Member who died a decade ago, started the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) Sportsmanship Program in 1980 and it spread to Eastern New York, nationally and then to China and Ireland.

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/

Clarkstown Red EDP Furlong Win the Boys-Under-11 Gold Challenge Cup

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

June 15, 2026-Clarkstown Red EDP Furlong defeated the Connetquot Academy Arsenal, 2-0, on Saturday, May 30 at the Blue Sky Sports Complex in Middletown to win the Boys-Under-11 Gold Challenge Cup. 

Josh Cano and Elian Cespedes scored the goals while goalkeeper Gabe Angamarca had the shutout in net.

Clarkstown coach Colin Furlong said, “We capitalized on the chances we had. Our boys were up for this game.”

Connetquot did not go home to Long Island empty-handed as they received the Rocco Amoroso Sportsmanship Award as determined by the game officials. Amoroso, a US Soccer Life Member who died a decade ago, started the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) Sportsmanship Program in 1980 and it spread to the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), nationally and then to China and Ireland.

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/

Merrick/South Merrick Sharks Repeat as Challenge Cup Champs

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

June 14, 2026-Merrick/South Merrick Sharks Academy defeated the Auburndale Blast, 4-1, for the top spot in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA). This Boys-Under-11 Platinum Challenge Cup final was played on Saturday, May 30 at the Blue Sky Sports Complex in Middletown.

Merrick/South Merrick coach Manfred Kapper stated, “Our defense reads each other very well plus our forwards are very dynamic and quick. These are a group of local boys who won the state championship for the second consecutive year.”

Angelo Amanna and Christian Nicholson scored two goals each for the Merrick/South Merrick Sharks, who took a bite out of the competition by outscoring their opponents, 20-2, over three rounds.

Auburndale returned to Queens with the Rocco Amoroso Sportsmanship Award as determined by the game officials. Amoroso, a US Soccer Life Member who died a decade ago, started the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) Sportsmanship Program in 1980 and it spread to Eastern New York, nationally and then to China and Ireland, making soccer games kinder and gentler in the process.

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/

K Thunder Wins the Girls-Under-10 Platinum Challenge Cup

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

June 14, 2026-K Thunder from the Hudson Valley defeated Long Island’s Hauppauge Fury, 5-2, on Saturday, May 30 at the Blue Sky Sports Complex in Middletown to win the Girls-Under-10 Platinum Challenge Cup for supremacy in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA). 

Abbie Deck had a three-goal hat trick and Julie Maendel added two goals to pace K Thunder.

K Thunder coach Joe Deck stated, “We created opportunities through our defensive pressure and was able to finish our chances.”

Hauppauge did not go home empty-handed as they received the Rocco Amoroso Sportsmanship Award as determined by the game officials. Amoroso, a US Soccer Life Member who died a decade ago, started the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) Sportsmanship Program in 1980 and it spread to Eastern New York, nationally and then to China and Ireland.

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/