Press Release

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.

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/

Marianne Volpe 5K and Pumpkin Fun Run is on October 26 in Baldwin

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

October 10, 2024-Even though it’s precariously close to Halloween, we’re hoping that 13 is a lucky number as the 13th Annual Marianne Volpe 5K and Pumpkin Fun Run takes place on Saturday, October 26 at Baldwin Harbor Park.

Blood cancer support is important to the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) because of the life of Marianne Volpe. The Baldwin resident was 56 years old when she died of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL), an aggressive form of blood cancer, leaving behind her husband Jim, daughters Chelsea and Shaun, three brothers, five sisters and countless friends. There are many stories of extraordinary people like Marianne whose lives are cut tragically short by this horrible disease.

Marianne Volpe

Jim is a Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) Hall of Famer and Chairperson of the Eastern New York Olympic Development Program (ODP) for the last decade-plus. Both Chelsea and Shaun grew up playing in the LIJSL, then played for Manhattan College and are still involved in the game today. The family started the Marianne Volpe 5K and Pumpkin Fun Run the day before Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and both the soccer and running communities have been helping out ever since.

More than $285,000 has been raised with the goal to go over $300,000 this year for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS), which has helped advance 55 of the 65 blood cancer treatment options approved by the FDA since 2017. It’s the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding research towards cures for blood cancers. Since its inception in 1949, the Society has provided more than $1.2 billion to research specifically targeting blood cancers and its mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma.

Shaun, Jim and Chelsea Volpe

On Saturday, October 26, the kids’ run dubbed the Pumpkin Fun Run (for ages 10 and younger) is at 9:00 am with the Marianne Volpe 5K starting at 9:30 am.

Click here to register for the run.

Click here to make a donation.

In addition to utilizing the website, you can also send a donation check made payable to The Leukemia & Lymphoma’s Society to: LLS Northeast Territory, LLS – PO Box 22470, New York, NY 10087-2470

For more information about the Marianne Volpe 5K and Pumpkin Fun Run, please contact Jim Volpe at 516-805-3765.

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 Association. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/

LIJSL Teams Donate to Breast Cancer Research Through the Pink Ribbon Soccer Festival

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

August 15, 2024-Four Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) teams in the Girls-Under-12 and Girls-Under-13 age groups played friendly games against one another on Sunday, August 11 on fields marked with pink lines at the Peter Collins Soccer Park in Plainview. Baymen United, Mount Sinai Galaxy, Northport/Cow Harbor Panthers and Plainedge X-Treme all had fun in the 18th Annual Pink Ribbon Soccer Festival. Additionally, four adult coed teams made up of Estée Lauder employees from their offices on Long Island and in New York City were part of the action as well.

“We’re so appreciative of all the people here today. Many thanks to Stephanie Hernandez and the LIJSL staff who schedule the event. Big thanks to the amazing referees who donate their precious time every year to make the games official and so much fun,” said event coordinator and Estée Lauder employee Carlos Ospina. “Love the spirit from the players, coaches, parents and refs as they wear their pink!”

Carlos, the Lynbook/East Rockaway Soccer Club President, formerly coached LIJSL teams Lynbrook/East Rockaway Lizards (boys) and Lynbrook/East Rockaway Landsharks (girls) before they graduated from youth soccer and now coaches the Lynbrook/East Rockaway TOPSoccer Program.

Through player entry fees, breast cancer support merchandise sales and raffle tickets, over $4,000 was raised for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, founded by Evelyn Lauder in 1992. A particularly coveted item during the raffle were US Soccer balls signed by the United States Women’s National Team players who had just won the Gold Medal at the Paris Olympics.

Refs from the Long Island Soccer Referee Association (LISRA) donated their time in officiating from 9 am to 2 pm.

The LIJSL, through its partnership with the Estée Lauder Companies and Breast Cancer Research Foundation, has donated the use of the Peter Collins Soccer Park since the inaugural Pink Ribbon Soccer Festival in 2004. This wonderful event took a break from 2020 to 2022 because of the pandemic.

Teams from the LIJSL, the largest league in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), are also encouraged to wear pink and play with pink soccer balls throughout October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

ODP Tryouts Kick Off in August

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

August 7, 2024-The Olympic Development Program (ODP) is the highest level of play in each state association. The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Associaton (ENYYSA) has a particularly strong ODP as our teams have won recent national titles plus US Women’s National Team players Sam Coffey and Crystal Dunn grew up competing in Eastern New York’s ODP.

Under the direction of Jim Volpe, Eastern New York ODP is split into North and South programs due to the large geographic footprint of the eastern portion of the Empire State. ODP players are selected on Technique, Tactical Ability, Fitness/Athleticism and Attitude. The online registration fee is $45 and onsite registration is $65.

Volpe recently announced tryout schedules for both boys and girls born in 2011, 2012 and 2013:

North Program

Boys:

Sunday, August 18, 9:00 am to 10:30 am at Capelli Sports Complex in Chester

Sunday, August 18, 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm at Afrim’s Sports Park in Colonie

Girls:

Sunday, August 18, 10:45 am to 12:15 pm at Capelli Sports Complex in Chester

Sunday, August 18, 5:45 pm to 7:15 pm at Afrim’s Sports Park in Colonie

South Program

Boys:

Monday, September 9, Boys born in 2013, 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm at Cantiague Park in Hicksville

Monday, September 9, Boys born in 2012, 7:15 pm to 8:45 pm at Cantiague Park in Hicksville

Monday, September 9, Boys born in 2011, 8:30 pm to 10:00 pm at Cantiague Park in Hicksville

Girls:

Monday, September 16, Girls born in 2013, 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm at Cantiague Park in Hicksville

Monday, September 16, Girls born in 2012, 7:15 pm to 8:45 pm at Cantiague Park in Hicksville

Monday, September 16, Girls born in 2011, 8:30 pm to 10:00 pm at Cantiague Park in Hicksville

To register, please log on to https://www.enysoccer.com/what-is-olympic-development-program/tryouts/

Diego Flores Receives Eastern New York’s Cortlandt ODP College Scholarship

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

July 31, 2024-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is pleased to announce that one of our longtime Olympic Development Program (ODP) players, Diego Flores, is receiving a scholarship through the Cortlandt ODP College Scholarship Program. ODP is the highest level of play in each state association and we would particularly like to thank the Cortlandt Soccer Club for funding this scholarship.

At Smithtown East High School, Diego was a member of the Math Honor Society, Science Honor Society and French Honor Society while maintaining a weighted GPA of 4.28. He had been the Bulls’ starting goalkeeper since 2021 and was honored three times as both All-Conference and All-County, named Long Island Boys Soccer Goalkeeper of the Year, received the News 12 Long Island Scholar-Athlete Award and was a Ray Perez Scholarship Recipient.

Diego also received Eastern New York’s Livio D’Arpino Scholarship earlier this summer. Two separate committees made up of different volunteers selected Diego for these two scholarship awards.

The Nesconset resident has played for ODP since 2019 and been a member of the National ODP Team since 2022, playing in the Dallas Cup’s Boys-Under-17 final in 2023.

This summer, Diego helped lead SUSA Black to the championship game of the Ryder-Vass Cup in the Long Island Soccer Football League (LISFL) Men’s-Under-23 competition.

We wish Diego the best pursuing a nursing degree and playing soccer at Southern Connecticut State University starting this fall.

All-Female Ref Crews Officiate the WPSL East Regional Final Four

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

July 17, 2024-Over 3,000 certified referees officiate the 100,000-plus players of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA). But while females make up nearly 50% of our players, the percentage of female referees to overall refs is much smaller. Eastern New York’s referee shortage would be over if the number of female refs increased to nearly 50%, just like our players.

From left to right: Tatjana Budesheim, Cheryl Aronson, Stephanie Overton and Ashley Prevet before Clarkstown’s 4-1 win over Niagara 1812 in the WPSL East Regional Semifinal.

Our top young female refs were in the spotlight as three all-female referee crews were assigned by Brendan Mullarkey and Brian Baer for the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) East Regional Finals played at SUSA’s Orlin & Cohen Sports Complex in Central Islip on July 13 and 14.

Mullarkey stated, “Everything went very smoothly and the refs did very well.”

From left to right: Stephanie Loehr, Tatjana Budesheim, Stephanie Overton and Cheryl Aronson before Reading United’s 2-1 victory over SUSA in the WPSL East Regional Semifinal.

There are many reasons to become a referee and/or assistant referee, from staying involved with the game, getting exercise, meeting new people, earning money, etc. Plus you are your own boss and decide when you are available to ref. The reasons for reffing are as diverse as the people who make up our referee ranks.

Eastern New York seeks new Grassroots Referees and 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

From left to right: Ashley Prevet, Stephanie Overton, Jennifer Dumaine, Stephanie Loehr and WPSL Associate Commissioner-East Shelley Dougherty before Clarkstown’s 4-2 win past Reading United in the WPSL East Regional Championship Game.

Boys-Under-12 B/W Gottschee Academy Blue Win the Regional Championship

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

July 16, 2024-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) salutes B/W Gottschee Academy Blue who won both the Boys-Under-12 State Cup and Regional titles recently.

Back row: Coach Andreas Kalpaxis, Alexander DiClerico, Lev Hermann, Sidney Bai-Scanavino, Filip Rzedzian, Teo Freund, Viktor Hnatiuk, Yaseen Zaghdudi, Christopher Cardona, Oliver Milanja
Front row: Christian Reyes, Teo Contreras, Leonardo Atis, Colin Palazzo, Brandon Piña, Moussa Azala

B/W Gottschee Academy Blue won all five games in the State Cup, outscoring their opponents 30-2. They shut out their clubmates, B/W Gottschee Academy White, 4-0, in the State Cup final on June 1 at Stringham Park in LaGrange. It was the 72nd state championship that B/W Gottschee teams have won since the Queens club’s founding in 1951.

“Football is a simple game that tends to get complicated by odd tactics and over-coaching. Our focus as a club is to give players the ability to decide games on their own,” coach Andreas Kalpaxis explained. “The ball should always be their priority. Mastering control, handling the ball in tight spaces and taking on defenders without hesitation. Give the players the tools to master the ball and let them create their own solutions on the pitch.”

B/W Gottschee Academy Blue then won four games and lost one, outscoring the other teams, 19-5, during Regionals in West Virginia from June 27 to July 2. They shut out Beadling North Red of Pennsylvania West in the final, 3-0, to give the B/W Gottschee club its 13th Regional title.

“Our boys excelled at Regionals and deserved to be crowned champions,” Coach Kalpaxis concluded.

Honor Your Best and Hardest-Working Members

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

July 20, 2024-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is asking that each member, club and league turn their attention inwards to their volunteers 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 the Hall of Fame Banquet next winter and will also be forwarded as our candidate for 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 MUST be on a specific form and be completed as comprehensively as possible or they cannot be considered. These forms are attached below.

Awards will be presented in the following categories:

Girls Competitive Coach of the Year

Boys Competitive Coach of the Year

Girls Recreational Coach of the Year

Boys Recreational Coach of the Year

Volunteer of the Year

Administrator of the Year

TOPSoccer Coach of the Year

TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year

Young Female Referee of the Year

Young Male Referee of the Year

Nominations for the above awards must be received at the Eastern New York office on or before September 27, 2024 to be considered. The address is Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association, 167 Nassau Boulevard, Garden City South, NY 11530 or the material can be e-mailed to Randy Vogt at enypublicrelations@enysoccer.com

As with everything else, your nominees have to be in it to win it! Please take the opportunity to recognize the best and brightest through this great awards program.

Boys-Under-14 East Coast FC Regional Qualify For Nationals

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

July 15, 2024-East Coast FC Regional won both the Boys-Under-14 State Cup and Regional titles as they have become one of the best youth soccer teams in New York State.

“We would like to dedicate the State Cup and the Eastern Regional Championship to our beloved club mentor, Joe Misso, who was born in 1945 and passed away earlier this year,” East Coast FC coach John Kokkoris stated. “Joe always said, ‘What you put into it is what you get out of it,’ and that is what our club is built on.”

In the State Cup, they won all six games, outscoring their opponents 23 to 1. Hector Santiago scored the only goal of the final as they topped Just Play Soccer Premier, 1-0, at Stringham Park in LaGrange on June 1.

“The majority of our team has been together from the beginning, some even as young as five and six years old. They have grown up together and learned from past experiences, always showing persistency in reaching their objectives,” Coach Kokkoris said. “Their mentality has been top level from such a young age and it’s been special watching them mature and develop over the years.”

The Long Island side continued to impress at Regionals, winning four games and losing one, outscoring their opponents 10 to 5.

“In order to prepare for Regionals, we actually had a friendly with the Stony Brook LGN Thunder back in New York,” Coach Kokkoris explained. “After that friendly game, we told the boys that with the quality the two groups have, we wouldn’t be surprised if we met in the finals and that’s exactly what happened.”

The only goal of the Regional final was scored by Saul Peraza with three minutes left as East Coast got by Stony Brook LGN, 1-0, between the two teams from the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) on July 2 in West Virginia.

Kokkoris continued, “Before the Regional Final, Stony Brook LGN coach Tim Graham and I met up and watched the USA play against Uruguay in the Copa America and traded some playful banter. Congratulations to Stony Brook LGN and their fantastic program.”

Back row, left to right-Coach John Kokkoris, Mitchell Levi, Alex Jung, Ryan Silva, Kaden Gallagher, Hudson Wu, Jesus Sorto, Team Manager Fina Lugris
Middle row, left to right-Saul Peraza, Andrew McCormack, Hunter Chilelli, Mayer Kaufman
Front row, left to right-Alejandro Lugris, Lennix Batres, Roi Lago, Hector Santiago, David Figueroa, Nico Leguizamon, Caedan McCord, Michael Keesee

East Coast FC Regional will represent Eastern New York as they play for the national championship from July 23 to 28 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Reunion, Florida.

“We are going to treat Nationals like we do any other event. Nothing changes, with 100% concentration and 100% hard work in every training session,” Kokkoris concluded, “These boys are on a mission!”

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