ODP

Apply For an ODP College Scholarship

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

April 17, 2025-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that we are now accepting applications for the ODP College Scholarship Program. One boy and one girl will receive a scholarship. The criteria are:

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

The application is linked here.

The entry deadline is June 30. ODP is the highest level of play in each state association and Eastern New York would particularly like to thank the Cortlandt Soccer Club for funding the scholarships.

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 United States Youth Soccer. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/

Eastern New York to Host the 5th Annual ODP Sub Regional in Colonie

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

February 26, 2025-The Olympic Development Program (ODP) is the highest level of play in each state association. The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) has a particularly strong program and current US Women’s National Team players Sam Coffey, Crystal Dunn, Claire Hutton and Phallon Tullis-Joyce are all Eastern New York ODP alumnae.

Eastern New York is very pleased to announce that our 5th Annual ODP Sub Regional will take place on April 26 and 27 at Afrim’s Sports Park in Colonie. Hosting are the North and South Olympic Development Program (ODP) teams from Eastern New York. Because the geographic region of our state association is quite large, we feature both North and South ODP teams.

The Under-12 to Under-17 boys will be playing on Saturday, April 26 while the girls in those same age groups will be competing on Sunday, April 27. The other state associations playing are Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Jersey, New York West and Vermont.

“This is our fifth year of regional classification. College coaches and regional coaches will be scouting the players participating a month before the ODP Regional ID Tournament, making the coaches’ job a little easier in evaluating these great players,” explained Eastern New York ODP Director Jim Volpe.

For more info, please contact Jim Volpe at jvolpe@enysoccer.com

With approximately 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 United States Youth Soccer. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/

Eastern New York ODP Alumna Phallon Tullis-Joyce Enjoying Great Success For Manchester United

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

March 13, 2025-Sam Coffey, Crystal Dunn and Claire Hutton are US Women’s National Team (USWNT) members who played in the Olympic Development Program (ODP) of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) and we can add Phallon Tullis-Joyce to that growing list. Phallon has received call-ups to the USWNT after standing out as Manchester United’s goalkeeper. She led Manchester United to winning the FA Cup last year and has conceded the fewest goals (6) in the Women’s Super League this season and is ranked first in save percentage (90%). She also received the PFA Community Champion Award for volunteering with the Manchester United Foundation’s EcoReds program as well as other volunteering such as local hospital visits.

Phallon started playing soccer on Long Island when she was four years old.

She recalled, “I remember being a forward when I was younger but my mom swears that I was a center midfielder instead.”

Phallon started out in the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) with the Ronkonkoma Raid, then played for Long Island United and the East Islip Red Dragons. When trying out for Long Island United, longtime soccer coach Sue Ryan asked her to switch to goalkeeper. Sue explained, “I think Phallon was about 11 years old and she was a terrific athlete with a perfect mindset to be a goalkeeper.”

Phallon Tullis-Joyce in back row, second from left, after winning the Girls-Under-14 State Cup in 2011 with Farmingdale United.

Phalllon then won five State Cups playing with Farmingdale United.

Kurt Kelley, a former professional goalkeeper in Costa Rica who owns KK Athletics in Farmingville, started training her when she was 12 years old and still continues working with her today.

“When she is in town, we try to set up a few a sessions, usually at KK Athletics where we work on goalkeeping technique, walk through game situations, do some reaction specific drills. Mainly we just stay active and sharp with 6-8 reps per exercise,” Kurt stated. “In the summer, if time allows, we increase the work load leading up to her preseason training.”

Phallon with longtime coach Kurt Kelley.

Phallon won the US Youth Soccer League Girls-Under-16 national championship in 2013 with Match Fit Colchesters from New Jersey. Her agreement was that she would train with Kurt 2-3 times weekly and make a practice in New Jersey once a week.

“I had three-hour treks to play and train with Match Fit in New Jersey,” Phallon stated.

“Phallon has always been very meticulous about her performance in training and she sets her bar high. Which it should be, she is tremendously agile, quick and has great range. She has always studied her personal performance by playing a game or practice in her head as well as analyzing her performance through video,” Kurt explained. “From personal experience being a pro goalkeeper, many times it can involve adjusting your technique or playing style to what your goalkeeper coach prefers. So we have worked with several techniques in a way that she finds what fits her best.”

Phallon was born on October 19 but when she tried to wear #19 on Farmingdale United, that number was already taken so she reversed it and has worn #91, a unique number for soccer players, ever since.

There have been some bumps along the way for the 28-year-old from Shoreham.

Although she played in the Eastern New York ODP from 2008 to 2011 and on the Regional ODP Team in 2008-09, she was cut when she first tried out for Eastern New York ODP as a 12-year-old.

Phallon was not selected in the 2019 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Draft so she went to Stade de Reims, then a 2nd Division club in France, and guided them to the 1st Division while wearing the captain’s armband and communicating in French.

“It’s been about four years since I played in France so my speaking skills are a bit rusty but my listening skills are kept sharp with my French teammate here at United, Melvine Malard,” Phallon explained.

Phallon with the US Women’s National Team.

She then transferred to the NWSL’s OL Reign in Washington State, making just one apperance in 2021 but starting all 30 matches of the 2022 season, earning five Save of the Week honors. Her fans became known as the Octopus Army as she was a marine biology major at the University of Miami and a member of the college’s scuba diving club.

Eastern New York ODP Director Jim Volpe said, “I remember Phallon as a nice kid. She had to work very hard to get where she is today. She really blossomed and I don’t think anybody expected all her recent success.”

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/

Eastern New York to Host the 5th Annual ODP Sub Regional in Colonie

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

For more info, please contact Jim Volpe at jvolpe@enysoccer.com

Seven Players From Eastern New York Make the ODP National Team

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

February 21, 2025-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that seven sensational players from our Olympic Development Program (ODP) have made the ODP National Team, which competes in international tournaments throughout the year. These seven players were part of the 47 players from Eastern New York who made the ODP Interregional Team and successfully tried out last month in Florida for a spot on the ODP National Team:

Otoniel Umana Alvarez, 2008 Eastern New York South Boys
Plays for New York Hota and Walt Whitman High School

Austin Sheehan, 2008 Eastern New York South Boys
Plays for New York Hota and Calhoun High School

Jake Hobi, 2009 Eastern New York South Boys
Plays for the Long Island Soccer Club and Plainedge High School

Nicholas Gentile, 2010 Eastern New York South Boys
Plays for Barca Academy Pro NY and St. Anthony’s High School

Noah DeCicco, 2012 Eastern New York North Boys
Plays for Cedar Stars Hudson Valley

Amelie Donzo, 2007 Eastern New York South Girls
Plays for Asphalt Green and Central Park East High School

Maya Robbins-Pianka, 2010 Eastern New York South Girls
Plays for Downtown United and Brooklyn Polytechnic High School

Eastern New York ODP Director Jim Volpe stated, “ODP is very proud of these seven players who have realized this national honor and our oldest players continue to be wonderful role models for our youngest kids in the program.”

ODP is the highest level of play in each state association. Eastern New York has a particularly strong program and current US Women’s National Team players Sam Coffey, Crystal Dunn, Claire Hutton and Phallon Tullis-Joyce are all Eastern New York ODP alumnae.

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/

Jim Volpe 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, 2025-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that longtime volunteer Jim Volpe has been inducted into the Eastern New York Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony took place at our Hall of Fame Banquet on Saturday, January 25 at Marina del Rey in the Bronx.

From left to right: ENYYSA Second Vice President Bill Smith, ENYYSA President Richard Christiano, Hall of Fame inductee Jim Volpe, Hall of Fame Chairperson Ken Gulmi.

Now a Long Beach resident, Jim grew up in neighboring Oceanside and has been involved with soccer his entire life.

Long before the youth soccer boom started in the 1970’s, Jim’s soccer career kicked off when he began playing for the Oceanside Dynamo in the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL) and he then played for Oceanside High School and

the Oceanside United men’s team. He was childhood friends with Rudy Lamonica and has volunteered for decades at the Rudy Lamonica Indoor Tournament, the oldest youth soccer indoor tourney in the United States.

Jim started coaching in Oceanside United’s intramural program in 1977 and coached a half-dozen Oceanside United travel teams playing in the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) through the years. Jim grew the club as President for a dozen years from 1989 to 2000. For all his involvement, he was inducted into the LIJSL Hall of Fame a decade ago in 2015.

Jim has served as Eastern New York’s Olympic Development Program (ODP) Administrator since 2014. On his watch, the 1999 Boys South ODP Team won the national championship in 2016.

After Jim’s wife, Marianne, died of blood cancer in 2011, he and his daughters Chelsea (named after the London soccer team) and Shaun started the Marianne Volpe 5K and Pumpkin Fun Run the day before Hurricane Sandy in 2012. The Volpes have raised over $300,000 for blood cancer research during the past 13 years.

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/

The New York Elite’s Brandon Da Costa Named One of the 25 Best High School Soccer Players in America

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

January 16, 2025-Brandon Da Costa had a marvelous senior season for Ichabod Crane Central High School in leading the Riders to a 13-4-0 record. Brandon recorded 46 goals and 13 assists, scoring three or more goals in nine games, an amazing tally. His 46 goals were the most by any high school player in New York State last year and he was honored as the Colonial Council Conference MVP.

In the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), the Valatie resident played for Capital District Youth Soccer League (CDYSL) clubs Alleycats and now for New York Elite. He has also played for Eastern New York’s Olympic Development Program (ODP).

Sports Illustrated named Brandon won of the Top 25 Boys High School Soccer Players in the United States this past fall. They are conducting a survey to vote for the National High School Player of the Year. Please take a minute to vote before the January 23 deadline.

The New Yorkers represented on the girls side are Maddie Costello of Ward Melville High School and Teigan Cunnane of Albertus Magnus High School and you can vote 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/

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 7, 2025-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 State Open Cup and the Challenge Cup––so every premier and travel team in Eastern New York has a chance to win a state championship. Both competitions try to schedule games against local opponents as much as possible for this springtime competition. Chris Armas won the State Cup while competing for the Brentwood Bandits and went on to play and coach professional soccer. He had 66 caps while playing for the US Men’s National Team and will be inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame on May 3.

2. National Championship. For ambitious teams looking to play against top competition and possibly win a national championship, they can do it through the State Open Cup as it’s part of the National Championship Series. After winning the State Open Cup, they would move on to Regionals and potentially Nationals. Or they could become a national champ through the US Youth Soccer National League. The top teams earn advancement to the Regionals as well as a chance to earn a coveted spot in the National Tier of the Leagues Program.

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

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. Players are then identified by US Soccer staff coaches 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.

TOPSoccer at the Burr Road Soccer Complex in Commack, Photo courtesy of the Long Island Junior Soccer League.

4. 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 will be honored this month by US Youth Soccer as the National TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year for 2024.

5. 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 when outdoor fields can be frozen and unplayable. Both New York Futsal and the Long Island Futsal League play under the Eastern New York umbrella and both are very active with league play this winter.

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, East Hudson 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 helped secure a new turf soccer field at Big Bush Park in Woodside that started play in autumn 2023.

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/

Two Eastern New York Hall of Famers to Lead Kingston Capitals Women’s Soccer

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

October 31, 2024-Two Eastern New York Hall of Famers, Dimitri Giatrakis and Ken Gulmi, have been tabbed to coach the Kingston Capitals of the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL). Dimitri Giatrakis was named Head Coach and Ken Gulmi was tabbed as General Manager and Assistant Coach for the squad that kicked off play at the start of this decade.

Coach Giatrakis has over 40 years experience as a player and coach. He holds a US Soccer National “A” license and has served as both the Hudson Valley Youth Soccer League (HVYSL) Technical Director and Olympic Development Program (ODP) Technical Director of the Eastern New York State Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), overseeing a staff of over 30 coaches in the latter position. Dimitri has been a National Coaching Instructor and his teams have reached the finals of the National ODP Championship and a number of his players have been and are currently playing in MLS and the US Men’s National Team.

Coach Gulmi also has over 40 years coaching experience. He holds a US Soccer National “C” license and has served as HVYSL President for 22 years and as ENYYSA Vice President for 25 years. Ken served as a presenter on the College Bound educational symposium at the United Soccer Coaches national convention, as well as volunteering on the US Soccer National Committee on Disabled Athletics and he has conducted training sessions with players and parents on interview skills, nutrition and career counseling.

Dimitri Giatrakis (left) and Ken Gulmi

The team’s name is a source of pride for Kingstonians as the first New York State legislature met in Kingston in 1777 before Albany was declared the state capital two years later. Hence, Kingston is considered the first capital of New York State.

The WPSL is a highly competitive national league of 150 women’s teams in four regions and 16 conferences. Kingston, a member of the Northeast Conference, will compete against teams from Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Boston, Albany and Clarkstown. All home games will be at newly renovated Dietz Stadium in Kingston, beginning in early May 2025. Young women interested in trying out may contact Coach Gulmi at kingstoncapitals1@gmail.com

Eastern New York Places 47 Players on the ODP Interregional Teams

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

August 29, 2024-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that 47 players from our Olympic Development Program (ODP) have been selected for the Interregional Team, an increase of over 10% from very good results last year.

The breakdown is as follows:

2007 Boys-Asa Antoine, Asiah Carroll, Kevin Cruz
2008 Boys-Otoniel Umana Alvarez, Sean Mahoney, Jose Goodman Millman, Austin Sheehan
2009 Boys-Owen Gordon, Matteo Kickasola, Evan Montes, Liam Trout
2010 Boys-Nicholas Gentile, Ethan Lai, Connor Nuccio
2011 Boys-Parker Donohue, Jacob Hiciano
2012 Boys-Connor Cleary, Noah DiCicco, Estivie Insua-Shapiro, Aaron Pantophlet, Logan Trout

2007 Girls-Amelie Donzo, Harper Goergen, Isabella Montesdeoca, Giovanna Petruccelli Brens
2008 Girls-Isabel Guerrero, Ryann Zydor
2009 Girls-Avery Ballantine, Cecelia Ricci
2010 Girls-Zoe Ball, Payton Galuski, Shea Lagiglia, Riyadh Patterson, Mikaela Regazzi, Maya Robbins-Pianka
2011 Girls-Ashlee Camasca, Neelu Derosa, Isabel Drury, Ella Giordano, Giuliana Porter, Carolina Purificato, Mackenzie Schneidler
2012 Girls-Isabella Gallagher, Sarai Horne, Jovana Marin, Calianna Robilotti, Sophia Savard

These 47 players will be competing in Florida next January for a spot on the National Team.

Eastern New York ODP Director Jim Volpe stated, “ODP is very proud of these players who have accomplished this goal of being selected by staff of being the top 18 ODP players in the East Region. These kids will be competing for spots on the ODP National Team which plays in international tournaments throughout the year.”

ODP is the highest level of play in each state association. Eastern New York has a particularly strong program as showcased by our recent ODP national championships and that US Women’s National Team players Sam Coffey and Crystal Dunn are Eastern New York ODP alumnae.

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/