Photo Credits: Photo courtesy of Chelsea Piers
Asphalt Green Wave
Though most of Asphalt Green Wave’s players are Upper East Siders, the program also draws kids from all five boroughs as well as New Jersey and Westchester. The center operates travel teams for boys and girls from under-8 to under-15, along with a wide-ranging instructional program. About 10 percent of participants receive a scholarship. In addition, Asphalt Green also offers a free soccer league and conditioning program for disadvantaged youths.
Contact: 212-369-8890, Ext. 2323
sports@asphaltgreen.org
www.asphaltgreen.org
Carlos Oliveira Soccer Academy
Now entering its 10th season, Carlos Oliveira Soccer Academy offers after school programs and a summer camp. Roughly 15 percent of students receive scholarships. All games and activities take place throughout Central and Riverside Parks. Oliveira, a former Brazilian soccer player, is the founder and head coach.
Contact: 917-532-3512
Ages: 3-14
Players 100-120
Playing locations: Riverside Park, Central Park
www.cosacademy.com
Chelsea Piers Soccer
The programs at Chelsea Piers range from “micro-soccer” for 2-year-olds to more advanced clinics for young adolescents and a travel club for budding elite players. Chelsea Piers Soccer Club Academy is extending its program by offering a unique training academy. This academy prepares young players for competitive travel team play and/or for advanced level competition. All training is based on the USSF player developmental guidelines and led by the Director of Coaching and USSF licensed staff.
Contact: 212-336-6500, Ext. 6554
Ages: 2-14
Playing locations: Chelsea Piers
www.chelseapiers.com/fhSoc.htm
Downtown United Soccer Club
DUSC’s sprawling organization goes beyond the downtown of its name. The program offers camps, clinics, travel teams and recreational leagues to youngster of many ages and has also established a DUSC North offshoot that plays on Randall’s Island. Most recently, DUSC has become one of several youth organizations affiliated with English Premier League powerhouse Chelsea FC.
Playing locations: Pier 40, Randall’s Island, JJ Walker Field, Chelsea Park, Chelsea Waterside Field
www.dusc.net
Gotham Girls FC
The Gotham Girls are the sister program of the Downtown United Soccer Club, offering girls from that league the opportunity of joining a competitive travel squad. Like the DUSC, Gotham Girls has recently formed a partnership with Chelsea. Now three years old, it is the first girls-only soccer club in the region and is focused on helping players achieve a high level, attend college showcases and receive advice on recruiting.
Contact: gothamgirlsfc@gmail.com
Ages: 8-18
Teams: 8
Players: 125
Playing locations: Pier 40, Randall’s Island
www.gothamgirls.org
Manhattan Kickers
With an extensive intramural program and traveling team, Manhattan Kickers has been kicking since 1975 and holds firm as one of the most respected youth soccer programs in the city. A member of AYSO, they offer exclusively boys and girls teams, as well as coed. The playing season begins the weekend of September 12th as players rejoin their teams after the summer break, and many meet new teammates and friends.
Contact: kffnyc@aol.com
Ages 19 and Under
Teams: 48
Playing Locations: Con-Ed Fields, 16th St. and Ave C
www.eayso.org
Manhattan Kickers FC
Though still a young club, the Manhattan Kickers have risen quickly in their five years. Now one of the top groomers of talent in New York City, the program is in the process of merging with Queens powerhouse BW Gottschee. Founder Curt Rosenthal and his staff have their teams play indoor soccer during the winter and organize an annual trip to Brazil.
Contact: curtrosenthal@gmail.com
Ages: 6-14
Teams: 8
Players: 120
Playing locations: Pier 40, East River Park
Ages: 3-16
Teams: 20
Players: 430
Playing locations: Asphalt Green at 555 East 90th Street
www.manhattankickersfc.com
Manhattan Soccer Club
The Manhattan Soccer Club organizes and fields teams for boys and girls from the ages of eight to 18. As one of the largest Clubs in New York State, every year the Club provides a way for approximately 650 kids on some 45 teams to play travel soccer at all levels of competitiveness, something that sets us apart from most other Clubs. With experienced coaching and tough competition, players of Manhattan Soccer Club compete at a high level all the while building lasting relationships with their fellow teammates.
Ages: 8-18
Teams: 45
Players: 650
Playing locations: Randall’s Island, East River Park, Chelsea Waterside, Central, Riverside, Pier 40
www.manhattansc.org
Simply Sports
For the complete soccer experience, Simply Sports offers kids Pre-K to 6 years old the opportunity to learn soccer fundamentals and compete with their peers, instructed by experienced coaches and consistent referees. An instructional clinic is held prior to each game, and all young athletes are promised balanced teams and equal playing time.
Contact: 877-213-BALL
Ages: pre-k to 6th Grade
Playing locations: Thomas Jefferson Park, Brearley School, Marx Brothers Field
www.simplysports.net
West Side Soccer League
A couple of decades old and still thriving, the West Side Soccer League has become an institution for Upper West Side families. Despite the name, athletes from any area can join, and in addition to their myriad leagues, the organization runs free weekly skills sessions, soccer camps and a division for disabled children. Two semi-regular highlights are the parent games and the family night visits to see the New York Red Bulls.
Contact: registrar@wssl.org; commish@wssl.org
Ages: 5-18
Teams: Several hundred
Players: Nearly 4,000
Playing locations: Riverside Park, Central Park, Randall’s Island
www.wssl.org
Yorkville Youth Athletic Association
Yorkville Youth is a behemoth in East Side sports, but this is the first year the organization has offered a soccer program. With the new addition, it now offers 10 sports overall. The new league will operate at DeWitt Clinton Park at 54th Street and 11th Avenue. The plan is to start with clinics and scrimmages before moving into organized competition.
Contact: 212-360-0022
Ages: Pre-kindergarten to Fifth Grade
Teams: 6
Players: 80
Playing locations: DeWitt Clinton Park
www.yyaa.org
Though most of Asphalt Green Wave’s players are Upper East Siders, the program also draws kids from all five boroughs as well as New Jersey and Westchester. The center operates travel teams for boys and girls from under-8 to under-15, along with a wide-ranging instructional program. About 10 percent of participants receive a scholarship. In addition, Asphalt Green also offers a free soccer league and conditioning program for disadvantaged youths.
Contact: 212-369-8890, Ext. 2323
sports@asphaltgreen.org
www.asphaltgreen.org
Carlos Oliveira Soccer Academy
Now entering its 10th season, Carlos Oliveira Soccer Academy offers after school programs and a summer camp. Roughly 15 percent of students receive scholarships. All games and activities take place throughout Central and Riverside Parks. Oliveira, a former Brazilian soccer player, is the founder and head coach.
Contact: 917-532-3512
Ages: 3-14
Players 100-120
Playing locations: Riverside Park, Central Park
www.cosacademy.com
Chelsea Piers Soccer
The programs at Chelsea Piers range from “micro-soccer” for 2-year-olds to more advanced clinics for young adolescents and a travel club for budding elite players. Chelsea Piers Soccer Club Academy is extending its program by offering a unique training academy. This academy prepares young players for competitive travel team play and/or for advanced level competition. All training is based on the USSF player developmental guidelines and led by the Director of Coaching and USSF licensed staff.
Contact: 212-336-6500, Ext. 6554
Ages: 2-14
Playing locations: Chelsea Piers
www.chelseapiers.com/fhSoc.htm
Downtown United Soccer Club
DUSC’s sprawling organization goes beyond the downtown of its name. The program offers camps, clinics, travel teams and recreational leagues to youngster of many ages and has also established a DUSC North offshoot that plays on Randall’s Island. Most recently, DUSC has become one of several youth organizations affiliated with English Premier League powerhouse Chelsea FC.
Playing locations: Pier 40, Randall’s Island, JJ Walker Field, Chelsea Park, Chelsea Waterside Field
www.dusc.net
Gotham Girls FC
The Gotham Girls are the sister program of the Downtown United Soccer Club, offering girls from that league the opportunity of joining a competitive travel squad. Like the DUSC, Gotham Girls has recently formed a partnership with Chelsea. Now three years old, it is the first girls-only soccer club in the region and is focused on helping players achieve a high level, attend college showcases and receive advice on recruiting.
Contact: gothamgirlsfc@gmail.com
Ages: 8-18
Teams: 8
Players: 125
Playing locations: Pier 40, Randall’s Island
www.gothamgirls.org
Manhattan Kickers
With an extensive intramural program and traveling team, Manhattan Kickers has been kicking since 1975 and holds firm as one of the most respected youth soccer programs in the city. A member of AYSO, they offer exclusively boys and girls teams, as well as coed. The playing season begins the weekend of September 12th as players rejoin their teams after the summer break, and many meet new teammates and friends.
Contact: kffnyc@aol.com
Ages 19 and Under
Teams: 48
Playing Locations: Con-Ed Fields, 16th St. and Ave C
www.eayso.org
Manhattan Kickers FC
Though still a young club, the Manhattan Kickers have risen quickly in their five years. Now one of the top groomers of talent in New York City, the program is in the process of merging with Queens powerhouse BW Gottschee. Founder Curt Rosenthal and his staff have their teams play indoor soccer during the winter and organize an annual trip to Brazil.
Contact: curtrosenthal@gmail.com
Ages: 6-14
Teams: 8
Players: 120
Playing locations: Pier 40, East River Park
Ages: 3-16
Teams: 20
Players: 430
Playing locations: Asphalt Green at 555 East 90th Street
www.manhattankickersfc.com
Manhattan Soccer Club
The Manhattan Soccer Club organizes and fields teams for boys and girls from the ages of eight to 18. As one of the largest Clubs in New York State, every year the Club provides a way for approximately 650 kids on some 45 teams to play travel soccer at all levels of competitiveness, something that sets us apart from most other Clubs. With experienced coaching and tough competition, players of Manhattan Soccer Club compete at a high level all the while building lasting relationships with their fellow teammates.
Ages: 8-18
Teams: 45
Players: 650
Playing locations: Randall’s Island, East River Park, Chelsea Waterside, Central, Riverside, Pier 40
www.manhattansc.org
Simply Sports
For the complete soccer experience, Simply Sports offers kids Pre-K to 6 years old the opportunity to learn soccer fundamentals and compete with their peers, instructed by experienced coaches and consistent referees. An instructional clinic is held prior to each game, and all young athletes are promised balanced teams and equal playing time.
Contact: 877-213-BALL
Ages: pre-k to 6th Grade
Playing locations: Thomas Jefferson Park, Brearley School, Marx Brothers Field
www.simplysports.net
West Side Soccer League
A couple of decades old and still thriving, the West Side Soccer League has become an institution for Upper West Side families. Despite the name, athletes from any area can join, and in addition to their myriad leagues, the organization runs free weekly skills sessions, soccer camps and a division for disabled children. Two semi-regular highlights are the parent games and the family night visits to see the New York Red Bulls.
Contact: registrar@wssl.org; commish@wssl.org
Ages: 5-18
Teams: Several hundred
Players: Nearly 4,000
Playing locations: Riverside Park, Central Park, Randall’s Island
www.wssl.org
Yorkville Youth Athletic Association
Yorkville Youth is a behemoth in East Side sports, but this is the first year the organization has offered a soccer program. With the new addition, it now offers 10 sports overall. The new league will operate at DeWitt Clinton Park at 54th Street and 11th Avenue. The plan is to start with clinics and scrimmages before moving into organized competition.
Contact: 212-360-0022
Ages: Pre-kindergarten to Fifth Grade
Teams: 6
Players: 80
Playing locations: DeWitt Clinton Park
www.yyaa.org
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