Eastern NY Youth Soccer Association

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Press Release

Ideas On Non-Competitive Games For Players, Referees and Coaches

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

April 1, 2025-In the close to 50 years that I have been refereeing, I’ve seen a minority of games where one team is clearly overmatched. Everybody (or nearly everybody) at the field feels compassion for the overmatched squad and wants to avoid the score getting out of hand. Some coaches of the winning team have even come up to me at halftime seeking ideas on what to do to avoid a lopsided score so here are some ideas for players, refs and coaches:

Players on Overmatched Squads

The temptation is to hang your head and stop trying when the other team is much better and keeps scoring but that will only make the score worse. My suggestion is to understand they are better, not get frustrated and the only way to get to their level one day is to keep trying and practicing.

I took French for eight years in high school and college and after graduating in 1984, had little opportunity to practice French as the immigration patterns changed. But I was able to maintain some conversational French by watching videos and speaking it whenever the few chances arrived. Two years ago, I joined the Centereach French Club and we meet every week. My French level is not at the level of most of the others as they are native French speakers, French teachers or both. Rather than get frustrated, I understand they’re better, keep trying and I’m happy to say that I can participate more two years later as my French has improved.

Referees

The temptation is to ref according to the score. But to not whistle a penalty kick for the team leading 7-0 for the trip in the penalty area could lead to retaliation. Referees treat both teams equally, no matter the score and especially need to be on the lookout for deliberate fouls by frustrated players in non-competitive games.

Coaches of Winning Teams

Coaches try a variety of methods to keep the score down. I find that these four things work best:
• Move the top forward(s) on the team to defense or goal and vice versa
• Play low-pressure and let the overmatched team get some confidence with the ball and do not pressure them until the ball is near the halfway line
• Take shots only from outside the penalty area
• Upon getting possession of the ball, play back to the goalkeeper. This spreads the field and gives the keeper an opportunity to be involved in the game.

In a recent Boys-Under-12 game, one team was up 5-0 at halftime and the winning coach asked me what he should do to not run up the score. I told him, “You have two very good forwards up top who are much bigger and quicker than the players on the other team. You could put them back on defense.”

The coach did exactly that and the final score was 9-3. The other team got some confidence back as they moved the ball and a girl on the other team scored two goals at the end of the match, once dribbling past three players en route to scoring. After that goal, she was so happy that she ran all the way to her bench on the other side of the field to celebrate with her teammates. As the players were shaking hands after the game, a father from the other team walked across the pitch and said to her, “You played awesome!”, while giving her a high five. The good feelings after the match would not have been there if the winning coach did not feel compassion for the other team and the final score was 10-0 instead.

I would like to hear your ideas on how to limit the score so please e-mail me. Thanks!

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/

Apply For a College Scholarship From Eastern New York

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

March 20, 2025-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) awards college scholarships for deserving high school graduates. The scholarships available are named after Jack Bauman plus Patricia Louise Masotto and Brenda Driscoll (four total scholarships for girls) and Livio D’Arpino (two scholarships for boys). 

Criteria for Consideration 

1.      Must have a C average or better and graduate by August of the current year. 

2.      Must plan on attending a school of Higher Education in the fall. (Include name of University/College)

3.     Must be a registered player in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association.

4.      Must submit a 250-word essay on why they are deserving of the scholarship. Essay must include at the top of page 1, Your Name, Address, Phone Number and Scholarship applying to, indicated below.

5.      Must submit a personal resume and a school transcript.

6.      The essay, resume and transcript must be submitted no later than June 1 to lfrancis@enysoccer.com or by mail to the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association, 167 Nassau Blvd., Garden City South, NY 11530, Attn: Scholarship Committee.

7.      Indicate on top of the essay which scholarship you are applying to.

Additionally, five ENYYSA 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. 

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

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 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/

Coaches Are Role Models

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

Coaches are role models for the players they coach as well as their players’ parents as they receive their cue for acceptable behavior from the coach. In order to be good role models, coaches must have control of themselves and refrain from unacceptable things such as micromanaging players with constant instructions from the touchline, reacting negatively to missed shots and passes plus complaining about the officiating.

In a recent game, the coach barked constant instructions in two languages to his players while the parents on the other side also yelled sometimes contradictory instructions in the same two languages. What’s a kid to do? Try and tune out all the noise if possible and just play soccer.

Every match is an opportunity for a team to display good sportsmanship, regardless of the outcome. Yet some coaches also complain with comments on the officiating. Whether referees enforce the Zero Tolerance Policy to the letter or not, refs cannot allow any coach to constantly yell about the officiating because then the kids (and everybody else) concentrate on what is being whistled and not rather than simply playing the game.

We lose more than half our referees in their first two years of officiating with the number one reason for quitting being verbal abuse from the so-called adults in youth soccer. So please think twice before you yell at a ref.

I recently refereed two games where there were many of the same players who played back-to-back futsal games. The first match was for their school team and the second was for their club team affiliated with the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA). With the school team, the coach gave a couple of instructions to his players, it was not constant and he said nothing critical about the officiating. His players were calm throughout the match.

The second game with many of the same kids playing on a club team was another story. From pretty much the opening minute, the players dissented just about every decision against their squad. As they were not complaining in the previous match, could I have lost all my ability to referee going from one game to another? These same kids were now playing rough and their coach started dissenting the foul calls whistled against his team.

In the first game, we had a coach who controlled himself and his players. In the second game, we had a coach who had no control of himself and anybody who does not have control of himself has no control of his players.

As the Spring Season and State Cup are about to kick off, which type of coach do you want to be?

Soccer Referees Wanted

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

February 11, 2025-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is seeking new referees in the middle and assistant referees on the line due to the growth of its programs.

Society, including soccer, stopped five years ago due to Covid. When soccer resumed in August 2020, all the players enthusiatically came back, the referees not so much. But thousands of referees have become certified in Eastern New York since then. 

3,500 referees are now registered in Eastern New York, which State Referee Administrator Joe Brosi said is a “healthy number,” and they handled 80,000 assignments in 2024.

Brosi added, “I strongly encourage everybody to join a referee group. But don’t just pay a membership fee, show up at their meetings.”

Kambiz Riazi in black and Victor Borges in red instructing referees at the HB Thompson Middle School in Syosset

Certification and recertification classes are now taking place throughout Eastern New York. Focuses include control the controllable, such as dressing appropriately and arriving at least 30 minutes before kick-off. Recent recertification classes have discussed handball, which is now over 300 words in the rules and the wording has changed six times in the past seven years in an effort to make soccer fairer. But all the verbiage has also made soccer more complicated.

The minimum age is 14 years old to become certified. For information on becoming a referee or assistant referee, click here. If you have any questions, e-mail questions@enysreferee.org or newref@enysreferee.org

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/

Affiliating With Eastern New York Can Be One of the Best Decisions That You Ever Make

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

January 6, 2025-The Long Island Futsal League (LIFL) kicked off play at the World Gym in Setauket in 1996. Always affiliated with either US Futsal or US Soccer, the LIFL then started using school gymnasiums in central Suffolk County for league play and slowly increased the number of teams that registered. The league received a jolt in the number of registered teams in 2018 when it affiliated with the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA). That winter, nearly 50% of its teams were new to the LIFL as ENYYSA can easily communicate directly with 100,000-plus registered players in the state, unlike other groups.

The LIFL went from 196 squads in 2017 before affiliating with ENYYSA to the 312 that have registered this winter, an all-time high, despite losing one season in 2021 due to Covid with all players, coaches, refs and spectators needing to wear masks upon futsal’s return in 2022. The LIFL is now one of the largest futsal leagues in the United States.

“Affiliating with Eastern New York provides great recognition and credibility and it’s equally important that we are registered with the Long Island Junior Soccer League as a recreational club as that provides similar benefits in our status,” stated LIFL President John Branca. “Having certified referees in both US Soccer and futsal is a big plus too.”

In addition to all these benefits, affiliating with ENYYSA provides insurance plus the coaches and referees have passed background checks. Contrast this with other indoor leagues, many which struggle to attract teams and that cut corners with no heat, no insurance for players, coaches or referees and the game being officiated by the guy behind the desk.

For more information on how to affiliate your league or tournament with ENYYSA, please contact our 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/

Make It Your New Year’s Resolution to Become a Soccer Referee or Assistant Ref

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

December 27, 2024-The growth in programs of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) has created a continuous need for more soccer referees so please consider making it your New Year’s resolution to become certified. There will be certification classes held in 2025 throughout Eastern New York.

There are many wonderful things that happen when a person starts to ref including earning money, learning to manage people, learning more about the game, staying or becoming fit, expanding yourself by leaving your comfort zone as well as meeting the greatest people on soccer fields, including your new officiating colleagues. Becoming a youth soccer ref could be one of the best decisions you ever make!

Courtesy of the Long Island Soccer Referees Association

Eastern New York is seeking new referees to be in the middle and/or on the line as assistant referees in youth soccer games throughout the state. 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 

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/

Courtesy of the Massapequa Soccer Club

Chris Armas to Be Inducted Into the National Soccer Hall of Fame

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

December 12, 2024-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to acknowledge that Eastern New York Soccer Hall of Famer Chris Armas has been selected to be inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame. Chris was inducted into the Eastern New York Hall of Fame in 2007 and will be inducted into the US Soccer Hall of Fame on May 3, 2025, at the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Frisco, Texas. 

Screenshot

Born in the Bronx in 1972, Chris grew up in Brentwood, playing for the Brentwood Bandits of the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL). He graduated from St. Anthony’s High School and then attended Adelphi University from 1990 to ’93, amassing 17 goals and 15 assists for the Panthers during his four years there. Chris was selected as a NCAA Division 2 First Team All-American his senior year. During the summer, Chris suited up for Hewlett/Lawrence in the Under-23 Ryder/Vass Cup of the Long Island Soccer Football League (LISFL).

Chris played for the Long Island Rough Riders in 1994 and ’95 with Teddy’s troops capturing the United Soccer Leagues (USL) national championship in 1995.

Major League Soccer (MLS) kicked off in 1996, Chris was drafted by the Los Angeles Galaxy in the first round and scored a goal in the first MLS Cup final that year but his Galaxy team lost to DC United, 3-2, in overtime during a downpour. He won the MLS championship in 1998 with the expansion Chicago Fire plus four Lamar Hunt US Open Cups with the Fire. Chris received MLS Best XI honors four consecutive times from 1998 to 2001. In 2003, he was again named MLS Best XI but also was honored as MLS Comeback Player of the Year after returning from a torn ACL. He was also named US Soccer Athlete of the Year in 2000.

Chris earned 66 caps with the US Men’s National Team in the years around the turn of the millennium.

The Floral Park resident then became a coach and has coached with New York Hota, been the head coach of the Adelphi women, the Red Bulls, Toronto FC and is currently the head coach of the Colorado Rapids. Additionally, he was an assistant coach with Manchester United and co-interim head coach of Leeds United in England.

“The recognition to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, if it’s a reflection of the career that I had, the contributions to the game, the type of player and teammate that I was, the way that I carried myself as part of good teams, being a piece of that, then I’m really proud,” Chris said. “It means a tremendous amount to my family, my boys, my wife, my parents, my dad from up in heaven can see that.” 

Also being inducted with Chris in the Class of 2025 will be Mark Abbott, Mary Harvey, Carli Lloyd and Nick Rimando.

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 

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/