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Emma Murray Receives the Masotto-Driscoll Scholarship From Eastern New York

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

July 10, 2025-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is pleased to announce that Emma Murray of Gansevoort is receiving the Masotto-Driscoll Scholarship. 

At Saratoga Springs High School, Emma was on the High Honor Roll all four years, served as captain of the girls varsity soccer team in leading the Blue Streaks to its first Regional championship in 35 years, was a State champion in Alpine Skiing, won the Sportsmanship Award in that sport plus is an accomplished triathlete and cyclist. She was a member of and volunteered for the National Honor Society and French Honor Society, volunteers for numerous other local organizations plus plays the French Horn.

Emma was a member of the Eastern New York and Regional Olympic Development Program (ODP) teams. She wrote in her essay that “soccer is more than a sport, it’s an opportunity to demonstrate leadership, sportsmanship and responsiblity for my actions. As someone who continually yearns for improvement, it is an opportunity to quench my thirst for feedback to improve myself not only as a genuine person but as a soccer player.”

The scholarship’s namesakes, Patricia Louise Masotto and Brenda Driscoll, were best friends and top women’s soccer players from Massapequa, Long Island. Eastern New York set up a scholarship in their name after they were killed by a drunk driver in 1985. The scholarship is determined by success in high school as well as community service. 

We wish Emma the best studying and playing soccer at Haverford College 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. 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/

Tamara Honcharuk Receives the Jack Bauman Scholarship From Eastern New York

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

July 8, 2025-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that the Bronx’s Tamara Honcharuk is receiving a Jack Bauman Scholarship. 

Tamara wrote in her essay that “the roaring engines before take-off is a stark contrast to the silence that has settled over my heart. Staring at panoramic scenery through an airplane window, I’m leaving behind more than my country, but my whole life. War has ruined everything. There is a painful emptiness where my soccer team, my home and my sense of normalcy once existed. My teammates are scattered across the globe, pushed away by the same circumstances that put me on this plane. School, old classmates, native streets full of cultural belonging––all these fragments of my life in Ukraine––now feel like far-off echoes. Who will I be so far away from all I’ve known?

Soccer is a passion which I brought through a thorny pathway here. I started to play six years ago, and ever since I appeared on the field, I have fallen in love with the sport. Ball kicking and drills became my everyday routine, where I found enthusiasm, determination and love…

During my first weeks in the new school, we discussed the Cold War using a picture of a European map. Suddenly, a classmate asked the teacher about Ukraine, who responded, ‘Well, it’s a good question. What do you guys know about Ukraine? Can we justify Russia’s actions or not?’

Tears welled up in my eyes, a blend of grief for my homeland and outrage at the thought of anyone trying to justify what was happening. It was shocking to see the world through the eyes of someone who didn’t now the devastation I felt. But then, a flicker of resolve ignited within me. If the soldiers in Ukraine could bravely fight there, I could fight for my dreams here. If civilians could remain steadfast and hopeful, I could overcome any obstscles with belief. This classroom, this foreign language I was studying, this unfamiliar city––they all became battlefields and tests of resilience. I wouldn’t let heartache break me. Instead, it would fuel me to conquer these challenges and prove my strength and spirit.”

Tamara was an Honor Roll student at the Kingsbridge Academy in the Riverdale section of the Bronx and in Odesa. She plays club soccer for Asphalt Green and her team advanced to the State Cup final the past two years.

The scholarship’s namesake, Jack Bauman, is considered the father of women’s soccer on Long Island. He was devoted to the Massapequa Soccer Club and Eastern New York. The scholarship is based on success in high school as well as community service.

We wish Tamara the best studying and playing soccer at SUNY Brockport 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. 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/

Sophia Aurrecoechea Receives Eastern New York’s Jack Bauman Scholarship

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

July 7, 2025-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that Sophia Aurrecoechea of Islip Terrace is receiving a Jack Bauman Scholarship. 

The scholarship’s namesake is considered the father of women’s soccer on Long Island. He was devoted to the Massapequa Soccer Club and Eastern New York. The Jack Bauman Scholarship is based on success in high school as well as community service.

Sophia wrote in her essay that “soccer has shaped who I am. As a varsity goalkeeper and travel player for the Long Island Slammers, I’ve learned leadership, resilience and dedication. This year, I committed to play for Nazareth University, where I will major in Physical Therapy. My dream is to help others the way soccer has helped me. Diagnosed with dyslexia at age eight, I’ve worked hard to overcome challenges in school while thriving on the field. I refused to let a learning difference define me. Instead, I embraced it––transforming it into a source of strength. Soccer became my outlet, where effort and heart mattered most.”

Sophia was an Honor Roll student at East Islip High School and played soccer, golf, was on the track team and was captain of the flag football team.

Additionally, she received the Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards in the Girl Scouts. She volunteered with Just For Kicks, the East Islip Soccer Club’s TOPSoccer Program, and was an intramural referee for the club, both for the past six years.

Besides competing for the Long Island Slammers, she played for East Islip, the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) Academy plus the Eastern New York and the Regional Olympic Development Program (ODP) teams during her youth soccer career.

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/

Kevin Gutierrez Receives Eastern New York’s Livio D’Arpino Scholarship

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

July 1, 2025-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that Jamaica resident Kevin Gutierrez 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. The Livio D’Arpino award is based on success in high school as well as community service.

Kevin had an amazing 4.0 GPA at Queens Gateway High School while taking Advanced Placement courses, served as captain of the soccer team and ran track at the Queensboro championships. He volunteered with My Brothers and Sisters Keepers (MBSK) and with the local food bank.

Kevin wrote in his essay that “soccer has played a major role in shaping who I am today. I began playing at the age of 10 under coach Cesar Juca with Juca SC, and I continue to play with the team today in the Metrokids Youth Soccer League. Through the years, I’ve also had the opportunity to compete with Las Islas Malvinas in the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League and Big Apple Youth Soccer League. These experiences have not only helped me grow as an athlete but have also taught me important life lessons in leadership, resilience and teamwork.”

We wish Kevin the best studying pre-law at Stony Brook 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. 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/

Luca Nagrowski Receives a Livio D’Arpino Scholarship From Eastern New York

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

July 2, 2025-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is pleased to announce that Luca Nagrowski is receiving a Livio D’Arpino Scholarship. 

Luca wrote that “hard work and giving back has always been important to me. Throughout my high school career, I have successfully managed the demanding schedule of challenging coursework, including AP, honors and dual-enrollment college business classes, as well as participating in varsity athletics, school clubs and community service, all while maintaining a high level of academic excellence. These experiences have helped me become a hard-working, driven and responsible person who is committed to succeed in all areas of my life. They have also taught me the value of education, teamwork and helping others.”

At Oceanside High School, Luca was in the National Honor Society, the National Business Honor Society, the Junior Achievement High School Heroes Initiative and the Young Investors Club. He was a member of the soccer, tennis plus track and field teams.

Luca played youth soccer with Oceanside United and Rockville Centre and his teams won the division championship plus the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) Sportsmanship Award along the way. The Oceanside resident served as an assistant referee for the past four years.

The scholarship’s namesake, Livio D’Arpino, was a beloved Eastern New York Vice President who was seemingly involved in every level of local soccer before his untimely passing in 2002. The scholarship is based on success in high school as well as community service.

We wish Luca the best studying finance at the University of Tampa 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. 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/

Three Outstanding Teenagers Receive LISRA Scholarships

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

June 17, 2025-The soccer referees of the Long Island Soccer Referee Association (LISRA) have been putting out fires on Long Island soccer fields since its founding in 1971 to serve the growing Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL), which had played its first game five years earlier. So it’s appropriate that LISRA often holds its monthly meetings at the Copiague Fire Department.

Three teenagers making a difference were honored with LISRA Scholarships on June 12:

• Joseph Fallon, a resident of Nesconset graduating from Smithtown East High School and who will be attending Bridgewater State University

• Gracie Sanders, a resident of Coram graduating from St. Anthony’s High School and who will be attending Southern Connecticut State University

• Magdalena Law, a resident of Mount Sinai graduating from Mount Sinai High School and who will be attending Binghamton University

These three outstanding teenagers were selected through their résumé, essay and three recommendations from three different areas of their lives, such as a coach, clergy and teacher. The LISRA Scholarship Program was launched in 1981, a decade after LISRA’s founding, and it has always been open to LISRA referees and children of referees. 

Jean-Marie Maio, Chairperson of the LISRA Scholarship Committee and the 2023 Administrator of the Year in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), stated, “I love reading the scholarship applications as it’s so great what our kids do with not just soccer but schoolwork and music.”

From left to right: LISRA President Cathy Caldwell, Joseph Fallon, Gracie Sanders, Magdalena Law, LISRA Scholarship Chairperson Jean-Marie Maio.

Just as soccer on Long Island has grown exponentially, so too has LISRA and it had 1,176 registered referees and assistant referees last spring. The LISRA meeting also had a changing of the guard as longtime LISRA President Cathy Caldwell is retiring from referee administration work to spend more time with her family.

Caldwell stated, “It’s been a great honor to be your President for over 10 years and along with my marriage and birth of my two sons, this has also been one of the highlights of my life!”

Alan Starost becomes the new LISRA President on July 1. In the LISRA elections, Neal Smith was elected Vice President, Tom Murphy becomes Secretary, Gordon Barr is the new Treasurer while Scott Abel, Eugene O’Neill and John Sengelaub will continue to serve as Trustees.

Maio plus Marty Foeppel are retiring from the LISRA Board of Directors and the LISRA membership voted for both of them at the June meeting to receive Lifetime Membership, the LISRA equivalent of the Lifetime Achievement Award, for their many years of service to Long Island soccer.

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/

Staten Island Soccer Game Pays Tribute to the Remarkable Todd Hack

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

June 18, 2025-More than 100 people gathered at Staten Island Academy on June 6 for the Todd Hack Memorial Game, a friendly soccer match held in honor of the beloved longtime coach at Silver Lake Soccer Academy who tragically passed away on September 12, 2024 of a pulmonary embolism at the age of 46.

Todd Hack was a graduate of both Silver Lake Soccer Academy and Staten Island Academy, where his son, David, graduated, and daughter, Gabrielle, currently attends.

Chris Vega, President of Silver Lake Soccer Academy, called the event “more than just a soccer match, it’s a tribute to a beloved coach, mentor, and friend whose impact on our community continues to be felt every day. This event is a celebration of life, leadership, and lasting influence — and a chance for us all to give back in his name.” 

Ken Granowski, the Staten Island Academy girls’ varsity coach and Silver Lake’s director of operations, emphasized the coach’s profound influence.

“Todd had a huge impact on the girls he coached,” he stated. “He was an amazing mentor — a teacher, coach, father, and husband. He was the kind of man who tried to do it all for everybody.”

Todd’s impact extended beyond the soccer field. He was also a longtime fourth-grade teacher at PS 8 in Great Kills, known for leading integrated co-teaching (ICT) classes that combined special needs and general education students. His dedication in the classroom has been widely praised, further highlighting his commitment to mentoring youth both on and off the pitch.

Ken Granowski on left and Chris Vega on right with Todd Hack’s family

The gathering also included a special moment as Silver Lake Soccer Academy awarded a memorial scholarship in Todd’s memory to Jason Consalvo, a recent graduate of The Michael J. Petrides School and a Silver Lake player. Consalvo will continue his education when he attends SUNY Cortland this fall. Chris Vega described Consalvo as “a young man whose commitment and character reflect everything Coach Hack stood for.”Through the combined efforts of the community, family, and friends, the Todd Hack Memorial Game not only honored the legacy of a remarkable coach but also celebrated the lasting impact of a truly exceptional man.

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 onto http://www.enysoccer.com/

Eastern New York Tabs Wayne Fortino as ODP Director

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

May 29, 2025-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that Wayne Fortino of Massapequa Park is the new Director of our Olympic Development Program (ODP). Wayne will be taking over for Jim Volpe, the Eastern New York Hall of Famer and ODP Director for the past 11 years, who is retiring.

“I’m honored to continue the amazing work of the outgoing ODP Director, Jim Volpe. Under his guidance, Eastern New York ODP has become one of the most respected and progressive programs in the country,” Wayne stated. “Jim’s tireless effort to make ODP more accessible and build an outstanding coaching staff is an incredible achievement.”

ODP is a high-level supplementary program where players are guaranteed to be seen by National and Regional coaches. Eastern New York ODP players try out and if selected, they train on Monday nights. Nearly all the games they play are in tournaments in New York, across the USA and sometimes even overseas. We have a particularly strong program as four current players on the US Women’s National Team––Sam Coffey, Crystal Dunn, Claire Hutton and Phallon Tullis-Joyce––and one on the US Men’s National team––Joe Scally––all were in Eastern New York ODP as teenagers.

“There is a good lineage of our ODP players going on to the US National Team program,” Wayne said. “Great for our kids to see somebody there that they can emulate.”

Wayne grew up in southwest England and came to the United States three decades ago to coach with NOGA Soccer. He has been coaching ever since in New York with top youth teams and spent seven years as an assistant with the St. John’s University women.

Despite growing up a very long kick from Manchester, he’s a lifelong and passionate Manchester City fan. Wayne explained, “I was watching Peter Barnes play for England on TV, liked the way that he played and since his club team was Man City, I became their supporter.”

Wayne is CEO of Quest Sports Travel, which helps American squads (including college teams) travel internationally to compete, and also does consulting work for student/athletes to help them move on to college soccer.

“I would like to continue to keep the access for everyone and continue to spread the word about ODP. Finding ways to educate all soccer families about the benefits of this wonderful program is important,” he explained. With this in mind, Wayne will be speaking at the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL) Annual General Meeting on Wednesday night, June 26 at 7 pm at the Gjøa Clubhouse, 850 62nd Street in Brooklyn.

Wayne said, “The ODP coaching curriculum written by Adelphi men’s soccer coach Gary Book is exceptional. Our outstanding head coaches, John Fitzgerald with the boys and Sue Ryan with the girls, use it with our coaching staff to take a group of 25 kids who haven’t played together and develop a style of play. Eastern New York ODP’s style is possession-based, keeping shape and moving forward on the attack and when defending, press but also know when to drop.” 

“Winning is something we all want but Development is key and that word is even in the name, Olympic Development Program,” Wayne added.

For more info about Eastern New York ODP, please contact Wayne at wfortino@enysoccer.com

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/

23 State Cup Champions to be Crowned This Saturday

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

May 27, 2025-While the Champions League Final will be played in Munich this Saturday, May 31 between Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain to determine Europe’s best team, half a world away, 23 state champions will be crowned.

The State Cup concludes with 23 championship games on Saturday at the Blue Sky Sports Complex, a 249-acre grass venue in Middletown, to determine the best in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA). This is the first time that the State Cup finals have been played in Orange County. For over decade, the championship games were played at Stringham Park in LaGrange in Dutchess County, east of the Hudson River, but have moved west of the Hudson in 2025. Both venues are centrally-located in Eastern New York.

The State Open Cup is for the top teams and it’s part of the National Championship Series. The Challenge Cup is for all teams at Under-10 and Under-11 as there is not a State Open Cup in those age groups. For Under-12 to Under-16, it’s for mid- to lower-tier squads.

The State Cup kicked off on March 1 with the preliminary rounds and this Saturday’s finals will determine which teams are now A-number one and top of the list in Eastern New York youth soccer.

For more info about the State Open Cup or Challenge Cup, 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. 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/

Liberty Cup to Reboot With a Tournament This Summer on Long Island

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

May 12, 2025-The Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL), the largest league in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), has announced plans to expand the league’s slate of competitions with a summer tournament. Liberty Cup Long Island will be played on Saturday, July 26 and Sunday, July 27 at Brentwood Soccer Park.

“We are confident that the Liberty Cup will become a mainstay of the Long Island soccer calendar,” LIJSL President Andrew Seabury said. 

The event will be for the Under-9 to Under-12 age groups with brackets for both boys and girls. The competition will have a guarantee of three games and the ability to reach a final. All games will be 50 minutes long as the Under-9 and Under-10 age groups compete 7v7, while Under-11 and Under-12 compete 9v9.

“We’re continuously looking for initiatives for our LIJSL clubs and players,” LIJSL Sporting Director John Fitzgerald explained. “The Liberty Cup was a top-flight event that we ran in the past, and in its return is one such initiative. We’re excited to host this local competition, and also hope to attract teams from beyond Long Island.”

Along with bolstering league-wide programming to benefit all membership, the tournament provides a local platform for the LIJSL Academy East and West programs to showcase each team’s hard work over the coming months.

“I’m excited to be part of bringing the Liberty Cup back to Long Island,” LIJSL Technical Director Ronan Wiseman said. “It will provide our Academy East and West teams with a great opportunity for some good competition close to home and it will re-establish the tournament we first started back in the 90s.” 

The upcoming tournament is a reboot of the Liberty Cup in the 1990s that featured competing teams from around the United States and the world. Sister tournaments were Liberty Cup Moscow, Liberty Cup Italy and Liberty Cup Ireland.

The Eastern Pennsylvania ODP team (along with their families) that played in Liberty Cup Moscow. In the front row, Jon Busch is second from the left and Ben Olsen is third from the right (in the orange cap). Coach Len Bilous is on the far right in the back row.

Scores of youth soccer players who would move on to the professional ranks played in the Liberty Cup. Eastern Pennsylvania Olympic Development Program (ODP) players Ben Olsen (now the Houston Dynamo coach) and Jon Busch (now goalkeeper coach for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds) had long professional playing careers and played in both Liberty Cup USA and Liberty Cup Moscow. In Moscow, they were eyewitnesses to history as the August 1991 military coup was defeated and Liberty Cup Moscow truly earned its name.

ENYYSA Public Relations Director Randy Vogt purposely wearing the ironic color of red as Communism was defeated when the August 1991 military coup ended. He’s standing in front of the Russian Parliament Building just after the coup was over. Notice the barricades in the background that were protecting Russian President Boris Yeltsin.

The LIJSL then established an exchange program with soccer clubs in the former Soviet Union and the league purchased flags of the newly independent nations carved out of the USSR. In 1992, a Zenit St. Petersburg youth team was arriving at Kennedy Airport two days earlier than expected, the LIJSL had less than 24 hours notice plus the LIJSL Select Team scheduled to host them was playing in a tournament in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. So LIJSL volunteers scrambled, picking up the team at Kennedy Airport, found host homes that weekend for all the players and provided summer uniforms for the boys as their long-sleeve wool jerseys were too hot for the summer heat.

Commack United players surrounding Juventus goalkeeper Angelo Peruzzi in 1994.

Commack United, coached by Ray Anderson, made it to the Liberty Cup Italy Boys-Under-16 final in Turin in 1994. Two Commack United players, Carlo Acquista (Fordham) and Mike Mordocco (LIU), are now NCAA Division 1 men’s college coaches.

Registration for the 2025 Liberty Cup is now open and interested teams can apply 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. 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/