Front Row Soccer
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On a day when it was better to be bundled up and inside, 74 hearty souls braved cold and blustery conditions to pursue their dreams on the first Saturday afternoon of the new year.
It might look like ballet, but it is two players battling for the ball in the American Soccer Club NY tryouts. (Adam Rubin Media/American Soccer Club New York)
By Michael Lewis
FrontRowSoccer.com Editor
CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. – On a day when it was better to be bundled up and inside, 74 hearty souls braved cold and blustery conditions to pursue their dreams on the first Saturday afternoon of the new year.
They were putting their best foot forward, trying to impress coaches so they can take the next step up the soccer ladder with the American Soccer Club New York, at the SUSA FC Orlin & Cohen Sports Complex on Jan. 4.
Despite sub-freezing temperatures and the wind-chill factor of 28 degrees that made it feel like the Arctic at times, the players had this attitude:
Damn the cold and wind and full speed ahead.
“It’s cold and windy, but once you get moving, it’s not too bad,” said Will Noecker, who played center back as a graduate student at North Carolina State University after four years at Binghamton University.
Noecker wasn’t alone.
“This is my first run in a while, so it was good to get back out here,” said Sean Fitzgerald, a midfielder at Binghamton University. “I was excited to come and play. I feel like the weather wasn’t really a factor, because a lot of us just really want to come out and have some fun and play around.
“It was really enjoyable to be out with a lot of high-level players.”
And in front of several high-level and respected coaches from the New York metropolitan area who assessed talent for the National Premier Soccer League expansion team.
First and foremost was head coach John Fitzgerald, who has a long list of accomplishments that includes directing the Long Island Lady Riders to the 1997 W League championship and as an assistant coach at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Most recently, he was the head coach of the Staten Island Monarchs (USL League Two), worked in various capacities with the New York Cosmos and Long Island Rough Riders, and as the Long Island Junior Soccer League’s sporting director and the director of coaching education.
Fitzgerald was quite pleased with the quality of play.
“The level was very good,” he said. “I thought the players really pushed themselves and pushed each other. Some good surprises, because there are some kids who tried out that I didn’t know about. We went out and recruited. There were a couple of good surprises that came out and recommendations from other coaches.”
Fitzgerald had an eight-man committee with varied backgrounds and experience that assessed the talent.
* Bob Montgomery, former Red Bulls Academy director and Adelphi University head coach
* Vic Muntean, American Soccer Club goalkeeper coach a former Staten Island Monarchs goalkeeper coach
* Ronan Wiseman, former NY Cosmos Academy director, Rough Riders coach and current LIJSL director of coaching
* Mark Lugris, former pro player and St. Joseph’s College head coach, Northport Soccer Club director of coaching
* Brian Neumeyer, Sacred Heart University director of operations
* Joe Meagher, one-time All-American at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and Monarchs assistant coach
* Max Ferro, NY Empire FC head coach (United Premier Soccer League) and current Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association ODP coach
* Steven Diaz, former Cosmos (NPSL) goalkeeper coach
Just prior to the tryouts, Fitzgerald addressed the participants. They were broken into six teams. They wore pinnies with numbers on their backs for identification and played three 40-minute halves on three adjacent fields.
“We tried to put you where you said that you wanted to play,” Fitzgerald said. “We did our best with that. We’ll have a coach in each group working with you. You can also explain to them, in case you’re not in your top position, and they’ll try to accommodate you during the games.”
NPSL managing director Cindy Spera, who grew up in Huntington on Long Island, reminded the group how fortunate they were.
“I’m really, really jealous of you guys,” he said. “This is so exciting. I remember these situations growing up on Long Island.”
Given her background, Spera was enthused that an NPSL team would be performing again in her backyard, so to speak.
“It’s very important,” she said. “Nationally, with the NPSL, we’re seeing this renewed interest across the country in anticipation of the 2026 World Cup, where very savvy investors want to invest in soccer. It’s been some time since the league has had a team on Long Island. And coming from Long Island and hearing about this group and knowing the people and the management team behind it, the coaching staff, it’s huge for Long Island.
“I can’t wait to see what this team does. I have to be objective, but I feel like they could go really, really far, from what I’m seeing today, the level of talent, the level of professionalism.”
After watching the players for two hours, Fitzgerald and his staff met to assess the talent in a warm office.
“A lot of these guys are either current or former college kids,” he said. “Some of them are trying to get to the next level. There are some guys that showed that they’re already men and can play at that level. And then there are a few guys that are still young and raw, but those are the guys who we want to take in and work with and try to push them to the next level.”
The best players will be invited back to another tryout in February.
Most trialists came from Long Island, but there were some out-of-towners who saw an opportunity to pursue their dreams.
Noecker traveled via a train from his Fairfax, Va. Home. He stayed with the Fitzgeralds. Like many trialists, he wants to continue his soccer career after college.
“I’ve been playing ever since I was a young kid, ever since I can remember,” he said. “Over time, I’ve developed a love for the game every day. I want to keep playing for as long as I can. With my college career done, it’s playing pro. Hopefully I can keep doing that.”
Sean Fitzgerald, the son of the head coach, said that he didn’t expect any nepotism from his father.
“This isn’t the first time that I played for my dad,” he said. “He’ll be in any talks with the other coaches and see what they think, because obviously he wants to be unbiased. I respect that as well. On and off the field, he treats me the same as any other player, which I like a lot. It’s very straightforward.”
Added John: “I think he did well. He carries himself well. I know what he does off the field, too. I would like to think I’m objective, but at the end of the day, I’m his father. He’s his own person. This is his journey. In all fairness, he doesn’t want me to treat him any differently from any other player, which is nice.”
Beyond the less than desirable weather conditions, ASCNY managing partner and general manager Jim Kilmeade walked away pleased with what transpired.
“Today’s an historic day for the American Soccer Club,” he said. “This is a lot of work. Finally, we’re outside kicking a soccer ball. There’s an enormous amount of effort and business going into building the back office and marketing to ultimately operate as a business. Today’s what it’s all about. The turnout was amazing. The level of play was better than expected. I think we’re off to a great start.”
There still is plenty to be done. The club hopes to announce its home venue soon, along with its first player signings and apparel sponsor.
The teams’ goals were multifaceted, Kilmeade said.
“That we put a strong foundation, for a well-run professional soccer club off the field that manifests on the field,” he added. “That means that we are well supported, that we get the word out and we pack our stadium with great support and that our team can play at the highest level in the NPSL.”
Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 28 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.
