Eastern NY Youth Soccer Association

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State Cup

State Cup Finals to Be Played in Orange County For the First Time

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

April 9, 2025-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that the State Cup Finals will be played in Orange County for the first time. The State Open Cup finals as well as the Challenge Cup finals will be played at the Blue Sky Sports Complex in Middletown on Saturday, May 31. And rather than a weekend of championship soccer as Eastern New York has done for decades, Blue Sky is large enough to have all 23 final games to be played on one day as it’s a 249-acre sports complex centrally-located in Eastern New York.

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

Blue Sky Sports Complex

The games kicked off with the first round on Saturday, March 1 and the preliminary rounds were played last month from the East End of Long Island to north of Albany. The quarterfinals will be played on Saturday, May 3 with the semis on Saturday, May 17.

The exception is the Under-18/19 State Open Cup that starts in May as some players in that age group are away at college. 

All games will be played at a club’s home field except the championship games on May 31 at Blue Sky.

For more info about the State Open Cup or Challenge Cup, please phone the ENYYSA office at 516-766-0849.

With over 100,000 youth soccer players––both boys and girls––and more than 25,000 volunteers, the non-profit Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) stretches from Montauk Point, Long Island to the Canadian border. Members are affiliated with 10 leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81. ENYYSA exists to promote and enhance the game of soccer for children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 years old, and to encourage the healthy development of youth players, coaches, referees and administrators. All levels of soccer are offered––from intramural, travel team and premier players as well as Children With Special Needs. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. ENYYSA is a proud member of the United States Soccer Federation and US Youth Soccer. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/

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.

Photo courtesy of New York Futsal.

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/

Receive a Discount on the State Open Cup By Registering in October

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

October 15, 2024-Halloween is more treat than trick when it comes to State Open Cup registration in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA). That’s because teams receive a discount if they register by October 31, 2024.

The State Open Cup is for the top teams and it’s the pathway to Nationals. 

Under-12 to Under-18 team registration, both boys and girls, is $375 this month and $400 after. It’s linked here: https://system.gotsport.com/event_regs/76a9708bfa

Under-19 registration, both boys and girls, is $375 in October and $400 after and is linked here: https://system.gotsport.com/event_regs/8350b66929

The Challenge Cup is for all teams at Under-10 and Under-11 as there is not a State Open Cup in those age groups. For Under-12 to Under-16, it’s for mid- to lower-tier squads. It’s $250 per team no matter when you register. Boys and girls teams can register for the Challenge Cup by clicking here: https://system.gotsport.com/event_regs/ccf32c5ae6

For more info about the State Open Cup or Challenge Cup being played in the spring of 2025, please phone the ENYYSA office at 516-766-0849.

With over 100,000 youth soccer players––both boys and girls––and more than 25,000 volunteers, the non-profit Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) stretches from Montauk Point, Long Island to the Canadian border. Members are affiliated with 10 leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81. ENYYSA exists to promote and enhance the game of soccer for children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 years old, and to encourage the healthy development of youth players, coaches, referees and administrators. All levels of soccer are offered––from intramural, travel team and premier players as well as Children With Special Needs. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. ENYYSA is a proud member of the United States Soccer Federation and US Youth Soccer. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/

Eastern New York Mourns the Passing of Hall of Famer Constantine (Dinos) Iordanou

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

June 19, 2024-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), as well as the Greek and Cypriot communities, are mourning the loss of Constantine (Dinos) Iordanou after his unexpected passing on June 16 at the age of 74. 

Dinos was inducted into the Eastern New York Soccer Hall of Fame in 2016. 

Born on the island of Cyprus, he came to the United States in 1969. With an uncle in Astoria providing the roof over his head, Dinos’ first job was pumping gas at a Shell station. He also washed dishes in a nursing home, drove a cab and worked as a cook. 

“You’ve got to earn your way through school and get on,” Dinos had explained that his father had told him. With his Dad’s voice in his head, he moved on and played soccer plus graduated from New York University with a degree in aerospace engineering. 

His first career stop was Pratt and Whitney, then the AIG Insurance Company for 10 years, then to CV Starr which was part of AIG, where he was a partner. He later went on to Berkshire Hathaway, and became Chairman of the Board of Directors of Arch Capital Group. 

He had been active with the Pancyprians since their beginning, helping to found the association in 1975, and he was one of their lifetime Trustees. 

“I played for their soccer team when I was young,” he had said with pride, winning three US Open Cup titles and three Cosmopolitan Soccer League championships with the New York Pancyprian Freedoms in the late 1970s and early ‘80s. He also played professionally in Cyprus.

The Upper Brookville resident was also founding member of FAITH, a charitable organization for the advancement of Greek-Americans in Education. He was a Trustee for the Holy Child Academy, Our Lady of Mercy Academy, Roosevelt University and the College of Insurance.

His children all grew up in Eastern New York’s Olympic Development Program (ODP). Tina played at the University of Virginia, Danielle played at Northwestern and Alexandra went to William & Mary.Dinos graciously donated nearly $500,000 to Eastern New York’s Arch Capital Cup. More important than the money, he was a leader who inspired by his example. 

We have lost a very good man.

With over 100,000 youth soccer players––both boys and girls––and more than 25,000 volunteers, the non-profit Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) stretches from Montauk Point, Long Island to the Canadian border. Members are affiliated with 10 leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81. ENYYSA exists to promote and enhance the game of soccer for children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 years old, and to encourage the healthy development of youth players, coaches, referees and administrators. All levels of soccer are offered––from intramural, travel team and premier players as well as Children With Special Needs. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. ENYYSA is a proud member of the United States Soccer Federation and US Youth Soccer. For more information, please log onto http://www.enysoccer.com/

Middle Country SBMC Win the Girls-Under-19 Barbara Rodriguez Cup

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

June 12, 2024-With 12 players returning from the team that made it to the national championship game last year, Middle Country SBMC outlasted DUSC HS Select, 2-1, in overtime to win the Girls-Under-19 State Open Cup championship on June 2 at Stringham Park in LaGrange. 

In 2023, another Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) squad, Patriots FC, won the national championship game over Middle Country as that match featured two teams from Eastern New York.

Evangeline Perdomo scored in the first minute for Middle Country in the 2024 state final and Brielle Zink scored the game-winner in overtime.

“We scored at the start of the match but it wound up being a tight game and tough to play in this heat,” explained Middle Country coach Mike Timo.

The cup’s namesake, Barbara Rodriguez, is a Northport resident who volunteered as Eastern New York’s State Cup Chairperson for 23 years from 1992 to 2014.

DUSC brought the Rocco Amoroso Sportsmanship Award back to Manhattan. Amoroso, a US Soccer Life Member who died in 2016, started the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) Sportsmanship Program in 1980 and it spread to Eastern New York, nationally and then to China and Ireland, making soccer games kinder and gentler in the process.

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/

Stony Brook LGN United Take the Girls-Under-18 Richard Christiano Cup

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

June 11, 2024-Stony Brook LGN United shut out Asphalt Green, 1-0, to win the Girls-Under-18 State Open Cup championship on June 2 at Stringham Park in LaGrange. 

Richard Christiano, the cup’s namesake, has brought fiscal responsibility to the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) as President for the past 15 years. He also was a youth coach for the New Hyde Park Wildcats and served on the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) Board of Directors for 14 years, greatly improving the LIJSL Select Program during this time.

“We played a cagey game,” stated Stony Brook LGN coach Mark Nash. “Both teams put on a very good show today.”

Rylee Valenzano scored the only goal of the game and Maddie Falkowski recorded the shutout in net.

Stony Brook LGN will be representing Eastern New York at the East Regionals from June 27 to July 3 in Charleston and Barboursville, West Virginia as part of the National Championship Series. 

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/

Stony Brook LGN Rush Win the Girls-Under-17 State Open Cup

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

June 10, 2024-In a back-and-forth game that took over two hours to complete, the Stony Brook LGN Rush outlasted New York City FC Girls Select to win the Girls-Under-17 State Open Cup championship on June 2 at Stringham Park in LaGrange. The game was tied 3-3 at the end of regulation and 4-4 after the second overtime period. Stony Brook LGN Rush won the State Open Cup championship by prevailing, 5-3, in a penalty kick shootout.

Courtney Vercillo, Sofia Puleo, Madison Caputo, and Lauren Phillips scored Stony Brook’s four goals.

“We have a good team and had a good week of practice,” explained Stony Brook LGN coach Carlos Delcid. “We did a good job today and don’t quit. It showed in the game today.”

Stony Brook LGN will be representing the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) at the East Regionals from June 27 to July 3 in Charleston and Barboursville, West Virginia as part of the National Championship Series. 

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/

FC Somers Lady Hammers Win the Girls-Under-16 Peter Masotto Cup

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

June 9, 2024-Paige Pena scored all four goals as the FC Somers Lady Hammers defeated the Rockville Centre Red Storm, 4-1, to win the Girls-Under-16 State Open Cup championship under sunny skies on June 2 at Stringham Park in LaGrange. 

The cup’s namesake, Peter Masotto, was an East Region Hall of Famer and U.S. Soccer Life Member who volunteered as Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) President from 1984 to 2006, coached the Massapequa Falcons girls team to the 1988 national championship and died two years ago.

“It was a good game, we scored an early goal and finished the match. We’re very happy to represent Eastern New York at the Regionals,” stated FC Somers coach Milan Davidovic.

FC Somers will be playing at the East Regionals from June 27 to July 3 in Charleston and Barboursville, West Virginia as part of the National Championship Series. 

Rockville Centre received the Rocco Amoroso Sportsmanship Award as determined by the game officials. Amoroso, a US Soccer Life Member who died in 2016, started the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) Sportsmanship Program in 1980 and it spread to Eastern New York, nationally and then to China and Ireland, making soccer games kinder and gentler in the process.

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/