Eastern NY Youth Soccer Association

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Press Release

Do the Math

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

September 30, 2025-The Math is very easy. Only one team can win a soccer game but both teams should be having fun. Only one team can win a game but both teams should be learning fundamentals.

Competition, like money, has both good and bad sides to it. If you overemphasize getting more and more material possessions and showing off all your stuff with no regard to others’ financial situations, then you are part of the problem rather than part of the solution.

If you overemphasize winning without paying any attention to having fun and respecting others, then you are part of the problem rather than part of the solution. If the only aspect of having fun playing soccer is when your team wins, then there will obviously be issues when the team loses.

My vantage point as a referee in the middle of the field can be quite illuminating. Soccer is a low-scoring sport but when the number of goals scored during a game exceeds five, youth players at all ages (believe it or not!) start to lose track of the score. Unfortunately, their parents on the touchlines seem to be much more aware of the score and I have heard comments like, “Your team is losing by a goal,” toward the end of the game.

Being too competitive results in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) losing refs as most quit in their first two years with verbal abuse from kids’ parents being the number one reason for quitting. Think about that before the next time that you yell at a ref.

Being too competitive results in injuries, some of them quite serious. The nosebleeds and tummy aches in pee-wee soccer at age 7 where no standings are kept become the broken noses and torn ACL’s at age 14 from overcompetition and overuse. After all, when was the last time that you heard about an 8-year-old being seriously hurt in a game? I wish that we could say the same about teenagers. Look at any roster during the current high school season being played and you will probably spot at least one player who is out for the season due to injury.

The Math is very easy.

The author is on the right. Photo courtesy of Michael Blackton.

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/

Would a Messi Have Been Recruited to Play College Soccer?

By Pat Grecco

September 18, 2025-Lionel Messi is a superstar in every sense of the word and one of the greatest players of all-time. Born in Rosario, Argentina in 1987, he is the consummate number #10 for every team he has played on. 

Messi grew up in a middle-class level family, the third of four children of Jorge Messi, a steel factory manager and his wife Celia Cuccittini, who worked in a magnet manufacturing workshop. They were a tight-knit, soccer-loving family. His first team at age seven was with Newell’s Old Boys, based in his hometown of Rosario. During his six years with Newell’s Old Boys, he scored almost 500 goals! His future as a professional player was threatened when, at aged 10, he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency and began growth hormone therapy at age 11. Challenges continued when his father’s health insurance covered only two years of therapy, which cost at least 1,000 pesos per month.  

Negative remarks about Messi were that he was “too small, too fragile” but soon it was realized he was a phenomenon and he would be something special. He signed his first contract with Barcelona at 13 years old and by the age of 17, Messi was playing for Barcelona’s first team. 

While some say he is the greatest player of all-time, I am not going to get into that debate but would like to examine how different his life might have been if he grew up today in the United States instead.

Would Messi’s family have been able to afford American pay-to-play clubs? As a parent who had three children in travel soccer in the late 1970’s through 1990’s, the cost to our family was minimal. I’m not certain that Messi’s family could afford to pay for him to play nowadays in the USA, especially with the medical expenses they were incurring.  

Are we missing out on talented players because their families cannot afford pay-to-play club teams? Should American youth soccer programs be aware of financial needs of players and make accommodations for them? We must take a good hard look at youth soccer in the USA, not as just a business but as an investment in our future soccer players, men and women.

And also, Messi is small and likes to dribble while many college coaches look for big players who can withstand the physical demands of college soccer and who play one- or two-touch. How many college coaches would have recruited him based on his considerable talent, even though their preference might be to play a very different style? Would our coaches here think he is “too small, too fragile” just as some coaches back in Argentina once thought way back when?

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/

Pat Grecco is an Eastern New York and Long Island Junior Soccer League Hall of Famer who is CEO of the College-Bound Athlete Scholarship Service. For more info, log on to www.collegeboundathlete.com or contact Pat directly at soccervol@aol.com

Nominations Now Being Accepted For the Of the Year Awards

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

September 12, 2025-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is asking that each member, club and league turn their attention inwards to their volunteers and outstanding members in an effort to acknowledge those whose contributions have truly made a difference. We’re seeking nominations for a variety of awards to demonstrate our appreciation for the hours of devotion these valued individuals donate to our players.  

Eastern New York will select a person in each category who will receive our recognition at our Hall of Fame Banquet on Saturday, January 24, 2026 and possibly receive additional recognition at the National level. Last year, we received a nomination in nearly every category because our members took the time to nominate somebody. 

The entries are on an online form that is linked below. Please complete as comprehensively as possible. 

Awards will be presented in the following categories: 

Young Male and Young Female Referee of the Year 

TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year

TOPSoccer Coach of the Year

Volunteer of the Year

Administrator of the Year

Boys Recreation Coach of the Year

Girls Recreation Coach of the Year

Boys Competitive Coach of the Year

Girls Competitive Coach of the Year

Nominations for the above awards must be received by October 15, 2025 to be considered.

As with everything else, your nominees have to be in it to win it! Last year, Owen McCormack was honored as the National TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year, which made a big difference in the life of a teenage boy, but he won partly because the Manhasset Soccer Club took the time to nominate him.

Please take the opportunity to recognize the best and brightest through this great awards program.

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/

Soccer Refs Wanted

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

September 3, 2025-The growth of the membership and programs of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) has created a continuous need for more soccer referees and assistant refs so please consider becoming certified. There are certification classes held throughout Eastern New York as the Fall Season kicks off.

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. Many become officials as a way to stay involved with the Beautiful Game as their playing, coaching or soccer parenting career is coming to an end. Becoming a youth soccer ref could be one of the best decisions you ever make!

Photo courtesy of the Long Island Junior Soccer League

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. The certification class consists of both online and classroom learning. 

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/

Long Island Futsal Academy Win the National Championship

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

July 25, 2025-Congratulations to the Long Island Futsal Academy (LIFA), who won the US Youth Futsal national championship in the Girls HS Division on July 21 in New Century, Kansas. They won all four games, outscoring their opponents 16-3 and won the final over Dragons Futsal from Pittsburgh, 4-1.

“Our biggest strength is our defense and team structure,” commented LIFA coach Chris Sanders. “We defend as a unit with the five players on the pitch and rely on our ability to force teams into low percentage shots toward our goal. We might not light up the scoreboard but we’re hard to score against. I think our advantage at Nationals is we have players who understand their role and responsibilities.”

Back row, left to right: Coach Chris Sanders, Leila Romero, Amelia Fort, Elleigh Newcombe, Izzy Rohr
Front row, left to right: Gracie Sanders, Brooke Delzatto, Taylor Gray
Additionally, Carolyn Rowe, Samantha Gemmo and Vanessa Frangiadakis helped qualify the team for Nationals but could not attend the competition.

This caps a trophy-filled year for the team that wears New York’s colors of blue and orange as LIFA won the US Youth Futsal Mid-Atlantic Regionals in Richmond, Virginia in January and the US Futsal Northeast Regionals in Atlantic City, New Jersey in February. The Nationals for both competitions was the same weekend and they opted to go to the US Youth Futsal version since they will age out of US Youth Futsal but can play US Futsal as adults for years to come.

The team competed in the Boys HS Division of the Long Island Futsal League last winter when they were not playing in Regionals against other girls teams. 

“Playing against boys increased the team’s quickness by forcing us to make faster decisions,” Coach Sanders explained. “It also increased our transition awareness as we had to keep up with the boys’ speed and natural desire to push the pace.”

LIFA seeks players to follow in the footsteps of its national championship team that plays out of the All Star Arena in Coram. For more info about registration for all youth age groups, please contact Chris Sanders at futsalacademy@optonline.net or 631-914-2778.

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 ODP Tryouts Announced for the 2012, 2013 and 2014 Birth Years

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

July 22, 2025-The Olympic Development Program (ODP) is a high-level supplementary program where players are guaranteed to be seen by national and regional coaches. Players in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) ODP are evaluated based on Technique, Tactical Ability, Fitness/Athleticism, and Attitude. If selected, they train on Monday nights, and most of their competition comes through tournaments in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, across the USA and occasionally overseas.

The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) boasts one of the strongest ODP programs in the country. Recent national championships and the development of stars like Sam Coffey, Crystal Dunn, Claire Hutton, Phallon Tullis-Joyce and Joe Scally are a testament to the program’s excellence.

Due to the large geographic area covered, the Eastern New York ODP is split into North and South regions.

Online registration fee: $45

On-site registration fee: $65


⚽ Tryout Schedule for Boys and Girls Born in 2012, 2013, and 2014

🔹 North Program

Boys

  • Saturday, August 23
      8:30 AM – 10:00 AM at Afrim’s Sports Park, Colonie
  • Sunday, August 24
      8:30 AM – 10:00 AM at Capelli Sports Complex, Chester
      2:00 PM – 3:30 PM at Cantine Field, Saugerties

Girls

  • Saturday, August 23
      10:00 AM – 11:30 AM at Afrim’s Sports Park, Colonie
  • Sunday, August 24
      10:00 AM – 11:30 AM at Capelli Sports Complex, Chester
      3:30 PM – 5:00 PM at Cantine Field, Saugerties

🔹 South Program

Boys

  • Saturday, August 23 at Queens College
      • 2014 Birth Year: 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
      • 2013 Birth Year: 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
      • 2012 Birth Year: 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
  • Sunday, August 24 at ETA Soccer Park, Centereach
      • 2014 Birth Year: 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
      • 2013 Birth Year: 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
      • 2012 Birth Year: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
  • Monday, August 25 at Ellsworth Allen Park, Farmingdale
      • 2014 Birth Year: 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
      • 2013 Birth Year: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
      • 2012 Birth Year: 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM

Girls

  • Saturday, August 23 at Queens College
      • 2014 Birth Year: 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
      • 2013 Birth Year: 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
      • 2012 Birth Year: 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
  • Sunday, August 24 at ETA Soccer Park, Centereach
      • 2014 Birth Year: 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
      • 2013 Birth Year: 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
      • 2012 Birth Year: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
  • Monday, August 25 at Ellsworth Allen Park, Farmingdale
      • 2014 Birth Year: 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
      • 2013 Birth Year: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
      • 2012 Birth Year: 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM

🔗 To register, click here.

Only one tryout required. Choose the location closest to you!

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/

Jadyn Hsu Receives Eastern New York’s Masotto-Driscoll Scholarship

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

July 9, 2025-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is pleased to announce that Plainview resident Jadyn Hsu is receiving the Masotto-Driscoll Scholarship. 

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.

At Bethpage High School, Jadyn had an amazing 106.3 GPA, was an AP Scholar With Distinction and received the Johns Hopkins Dean’s Summer Scholarship, the Long Island Science Congress Honors Award plus the Seal of Biliteracy in English and Spanish. She was a member of the National Honor Society as well as the honor societies in Math, Social Studies and World Languages. Additionally, she was President of the Science Honor Society and Vice President of the Student Civics Key Club.

This season, Jadyn played for the New York Surf as well as both of Bethpage PAL’s Under-19 teams, boys and girls. The Plainview resident somehow found the time to volunteer for Habitat For Humanity, the Red Cross, Sunrise Day Camp, CYO Basketball, Bethpage PAL and many other local organizations.

Jadyn wrote in her essay that “working with younger players is incredibly rewarding. Seeing their faces light up when they learn a new skill reminds me why I love this sport. I help with Bethpage PAL tryouts and practices, making sure every player feels welcome.”

We wish Jadyn well in studying exercise physiology on a pre-med track at Hofstra 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/

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/