New York soccer pathways

NYC Pros & Legends

New York soccer, from the next generation to the world stage. Explore professional players, emerging talent, former pros, and the people shaping the game.

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New York connection

Men’s / women’s soccer

Club pathway

World stage The professional game Emerging players Former pros and legends Coaches and leaders

Browse by career level. Filter across every section by New York connection, men’s or women’s soccer, and club pathway. Each person appears once.

01 · World stage

World stage

Senior internationals and players with careers in leading overseas first divisions. New York connections, reaching across the game.

42 profiles

Brooklyn / USA

Timothy Weah

Brooklyn-born BW Gottschee alum and U.S. international playing for Marseille in Ligue 1.

Pathway: BW Gottschee
Career source

NYRB Academy / USA

Tyler Adams

Red Bulls Academy product and U.S. national team captain playing for AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League.

Pathway: New York Red Bulls Academy, NYRB II, NYRB, Europe
Career source

NYCFC Academy / USA

Giovanni Reyna

NYCFC Academy alum and U.S. international who joined Strasbourg from Borussia Mönchengladbach in August 2026.

Pathway: NYCFC Academy
Career source

Brooklyn-born / Canada

Jonathan David

Brooklyn-born Canada international striker who joined Atlético Madrid on loan from Juventus for 2026/27.

Pathway: Brooklyn-born
Career source

NYC-born / USA

Folarin Balogun

New York-born U.S. international striker at AS Monaco after developing with Arsenal in England.

Pathway: NYC-born, global pathway
Career source

Manhattan Kickers / Italy youth

Luca Koleosho

Manhattan Kickers alum with Italy youth international experience who joined Paris FC permanently from Burnley in July 2026.

Pathway: Manhattan Kickers, European pathway
Career source

NYCFC Academy

Joe Scally

NYCFC academy alum and U.S. international defender with Borussia Mönchengladbach in the Bundesliga.

Pathway: NYCFC Academy
Career source

Queens / USA

Jack McGlynn

Queens-born BW Gottschee alum and U.S. international midfielder whose professional route began with Philadelphia Union before Houston Dynamo.

Pathway: BW Gottschee
Career source

Long Island / USWNT

Crystal Dunn

New Hyde Park and Rockville Centre product, Albertson Fury alum, World Cup winner, Olympian, and NWSL champion.

Pathway: Albertson Fury, South Side, UNC, USWNT, NWSL
Career source

New York-born / USA

Sam Coffey

New York-born U.S. international midfielder who signed with Manchester City in 2026 after playing for Portland Thorns.

Pathway: NYC-born
Career source

NYCFC Academy / USA

James Sands

NYCFC’s first homegrown signing and a U.S. international who returned from his St. Pauli loan in 2026.

Pathway: NYCFC Academy
Career source

St. John's

Tani Oluwaseyi

St. John’s striker selected by Minnesota United in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft who became a Canada international.

Pathway: St. John's
Career source

NYC-born / Japan

Yuka Momiki

New York-born Japan international forward whose career has included Japanese clubs, OL Reign, Linköping, Leicester City, and Everton.

Pathway: NYC-born, global pathway
Career source

NYRB Academy

John Tolkin

Red Bulls academy left back who moved from NYRB II and the first team to the Bundesliga pathway.

Pathway: New York Red Bulls Academy, NYRB II, NYRB, Holstein Kiel
Career source

Red Bulls Academy / New Jersey

Matt Miazga

Clifton, New Jersey-born Red Bulls Academy defender and U.S. international who joined NYCFC in September 2026.

Pathway: New York Red Bulls Academy, NYRB, Chelsea, USMNT
Career source

NYC

Tayvon Gray

Bronx-born NYCFC Academy defender who became a homegrown first-team player and Jamaica international.

Pathway: NYCFC Academy
Career source

NYC-born / Japan

Gotoku Sakai

New York-born Japan international fullback with World Cup experience and long runs in the Bundesliga, Ligue 1, and J1 League.

Pathway: NYC-born, global pathway
Career source

NYRB / Vancouver

Brian White

Red Bulls U-23 and MLS pathway striker who became a leading scorer for Vancouver Whitecaps.

Pathway: New York Red Bulls U-23, Duke, NYRB II, NYRB, Vancouver
Career source

NYC

Fafa Picault

New York-born Haiti international winger with professional experience in MLS and Europe.

Pathway: NYC-born
Career source

Brooklyn / Pro

Dante Sealy

Brooklyn-born Trinidad and Tobago international winger who developed at FC Dallas and played for CF Montréal.

Pathway: Brooklyn-born
Career source

NYRB Academy / El Salvador

Amando Moreno

Red Bulls Academy homegrown forward and El Salvador international with MLS and USL Championship experience.

Pathway: New York Red Bulls Academy, NYRB, El Salvador
Career source

Brooklyn / Pro

Andrew Jean-Baptiste

Brooklyn-born defender with MLS and international professional experience.

Pathway: Brooklyn
Career source

NYC-born / Norway

Bjørn Maars Johnsen

New York City-born Norway international forward with a professional career across Europe, Asia, and MLS.

Pathway: NYC-born, Vålerenga, European clubs, Norway national team
Career source

New York City

Cayman Togashi

New York-born Japanese forward whose professional route included Yokohama F. Marinos and other J.League clubs.

Career source

Met Oval / Grenada

Davide Clarkson

Met Oval youth-developed defender with a Grenada senior national-team match record listed by Global Sports Archive.

Pathway: Met Oval, Grenada senior national team
Career source

NYRB Academy / Haiti

Derrick Etienne Jr.

New York Red Bulls academy product who became a Haiti international and MLS Cup winner.

Pathway: New York Red Bulls Academy, NYRB II, NYRB, Haiti
Career source

New York City

Dominique Bond-Flasza

New York-born Jamaica international defender who played for Fram Reykjavík in Iceland through the 2025 season.

Career source

New York City

Fernando Alvarez

New York-born defender who developed in Mexico and played professionally for CF Montréal and Deportivo Cali.

Career source

Manhattan College

Francois Dulysse

Manhattan College defender and Haiti international who signed with New England Revolution II before his 2021 MLS SuperDraft selection.

Pathway: Manhattan College
Career source

NYC-born / Switzerland

Ilan Sauter

New York City-born Swiss defender who moved to Switzerland as a child and developed through FC Zürich’s academy.

Career source

Red Bulls pathway

Juan Agudelo

Red Bulls Academy forward who broke through with New York and the U.S. national team.

Pathway: Red Bulls Academy
Career source

New York City

Juan Carlos Obregon

Brooklyn-born Honduras international forward with professional experience in the U.S. lower divisions.

Career source

NYC-born / Pro

Lukas MacNaughton

New York-born defender who became a professional in Canada and MLS.

Pathway: NYC-born
Career source

Queens-born / Dominican Republic

Maia Cabrera

Rego Park-born Dominican Republic international midfielder with professional experience in Israel.

Career source

NYC-born / Germany

Mansour Ouro-Tagba

New York City-born Togo international forward who developed in Germany and played for 1860 Munich before joining the Köln pathway.

Pathway: NYC-born, 1860 Munich, Köln
Career source

NYC-born / Germany

Maximilian Dietz

New York City-born defender and midfielder who developed in Germany and represented the United States at the 2024 Olympics.

Pathway: NYC-born, Freiburg II, Greuther Fürth, U.S. Olympic team
Career source

Queens

Nicole McClure

Queens-born Jamaica international goalkeeper.

Career source

NYCFC Academy / Pro

Osaze De Rosario

Guyana international forward who spent time in the NYCFC and Toronto FC academies before reaching Tacoma Defiance and Seattle Sounders.

Pathway: NYCFC Academy, Toronto FC Academy, Tacoma Defiance
Career source

Bronx-born / Uganda

Otandeka Laki

Bronx-born Uganda international winger and forward with professional experience in England.

Career source

New York City

Phoenetia Browne

Bronx-born St. Kitts and Nevis international forward whose college route included Columbia before professional soccer abroad.

Career source

NYC-born / Pro

Xavier Valdez

New York-born goalkeeper and Dominican Republic international in the professional pathway.

Pathway: NYC-born
Career source

Bronx-born / USA

Yunus Musah

Bronx-born U.S. international midfielder who grew up in Italy and England and developed at Arsenal before Valencia and AC Milan.

Pathway: NYC-born, global pathway
Career source

02 · The professional game

The professional game

Players with documented professional careers in MLS, NWSL, USL, and other leagues. This section describes career experience; follow each source for current club details.

105 profiles

Met Oval / NYCFC Academy

Justin Haak

Brooklyn-born Met Oval and NYCFC Academy alum who became a NYCFC homegrown before joining LA Galaxy for 2026.

Pathway: Met Oval, NYCFC Academy
Career source

BW Gottschee

Dylan Nealis

BW Gottschee and Georgetown product who became an MLS defender with Inter Miami and the New York Red Bulls.

Pathway: BW Gottschee, RBNY
Career source

NYRB / NYCFC

Kevin O'Toole

Red Bulls Academy and Princeton alum who played for Red Bulls II before becoming an NYCFC first-team player.

Pathway: RBNY Academy, New York Red Bulls II, NYCFC II, NYCFC
Career source

Hofstra

Sean Nealis

Hofstra defender drafted by the New York Red Bulls who became a club captain and later joined D.C. United.

Pathway: Hofstra, New York Red Bulls, D.C. United
Career source

St. John's

Tim Parker

Hicksville-born St. John’s defender picked 13th by Vancouver in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft who built an MLS career.

Pathway: St. John's
Career source

NYC

Omir Fernandez

Bronx-born BW Gottschee and Red Bulls Academy product who reached MLS through a Red Bulls homegrown contract.

Pathway: BW Gottschee, RBNY
Career source

NYC

Alex Muyl

New York-born MLS winger and Red Bulls academy product.

Pathway: RBNY Academy
Career source

Brooklyn

Kyle Duncan

Brooklyn-born right back from the Red Bulls academy who became an MLS regular and earned a U.S. national team cap.

Pathway: Brooklyn, RBNY Academy
Career source

NYRB Academy

Sean Davis

Red Bulls Academy and Duke midfielder who became a homegrown player and Red Bulls captain before Nashville and LA Galaxy.

Pathway: New York Red Bulls Academy, Duke, NYRB, Nashville, LA Galaxy
Career source

NYRB Academy

Peter Stroud

Red Bulls Academy and Duke midfielder who returned to the Red Bulls on a homegrown contract.

Pathway: New York Red Bulls Academy, Duke, NYRB, Minnesota United
Career source

Red Bulls pathway

Daniel Edelman

Red Bulls homegrown midfielder from Warren, New Jersey, with a U.S. youth national-team pathway.

Pathway: Red Bulls Academy
Career source

NYC-born

Nkosi Tafari

New York City-born defender who reached MLS with FC Dallas and LAFC after UConn and Seattle University.

Pathway: NYC-born, UConn, Seattle, FC Dallas, LAFC
Career source

St. John's

Lucas Bartlett

St. John’s defender selected sixth by FC Dallas in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft who went on to play for D.C. United.

Pathway: St. John's
Career source

Met Oval / Red Bulls

Aziel Jackson

New York-born Met Oval and Red Bulls Academy alum whose professional career has included MLS and European clubs.

Pathway: Met Oval, Red Bulls Academy
Career source

Long Island / NWSL

Cari Roccaro

East Islip and Albertson Fury product with Notre Dame, NWSL, and U.S. youth national-team credentials.

Pathway: Albertson Fury, Long Island Fury, Notre Dame, NWSL
Career source

St. John's

Luka Gavran

St. John’s goalkeeper selected by Toronto FC in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft who progressed into the club’s first team.

Pathway: St. John's
Career source

Fordham / NYRB

Ryan Meara

Fordham goalkeeper from the New York metro pathway who became a long-running New York Red Bulls professional.

Pathway: Fordham, New York Red Bulls
Career source

NYC-born / Pro

Aboubacar Keita

New York-born defender and U.S. youth international whose professional career has included Columbus Crew and Colorado Rapids.

Pathway: NYC-born
Career source

New York City

Adam Ozeri

New York-born attacking midfielder with professional experience in Colombia.

Career source

NYC-born / Europe

Adrian Galliani

New York City-born defender and midfielder whose development route included Reading and AC Milan before professional soccer in Europe.

Career source

NYC / USL-C

Alex Rando

New York City-born NYCFC Academy goalkeeper whose professional route included Las Vegas Lights, NYCFC II, and Orange County SC.

Pathway: NYCFC Academy, Las Vegas Lights, NYCFC II, Orange County SC
Career source

NYCFC Academy

Andres Jasson

NYCFC Academy alum who became a homegrown first-team player before moving to Denmark with AaB.

Pathway: NYCFC Academy
Career source

Brooklyn

Anthony Herbert

New York-born defender whose college route included St. Francis Brooklyn before professional soccer in Europe and the U.S.

Career source

Columbia

Antonio Matarazzo

Columbia midfielder selected 48th by Orlando City in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft; signed and played for Orlando City B in the USL.

Pathway: Columbia
Career source

South Bronx United / Manhattan SC

Bakary Bagayoko

Guinea-born forward who developed with South Bronx United and Manhattan SC before signing professionally with Sporting Kansas City II.

Pathway: South Bronx United, Manhattan SC, college, Sporting KC II
Career source

NYRB Homegrown

Ben Mines

New York Red Bulls academy midfielder who signed homegrown and scored in MLS before continuing in the USL pathway.

Pathway: New York Red Bulls Academy, NYRB II, NYRB, USL
Career source

Red Bulls Academy

Bolu Akinyode

Red Bulls Academy and Seton Hall midfielder who built a long career in the USL Championship.

Pathway: Red Bulls Academy
Career source

NYRB Homegrown

Brandon Allen

New York Red Bulls homegrown striker and Georgetown product who became a prolific USL forward.

Pathway: New York Red Bulls Academy, Georgetown, NYRB II, NYRB
Career source

NYRB Academy / Pro

Brian Saramago

New York Red Bulls Academy forward from the metro pathway with Red Bulls II, European, and USL League One experience.

Pathway: NYRB Academy, Red Bulls II, Loyola, NK Rudar Velenje
Career source

Queens

Bryan Lopez

Queens goalkeeper from the Cedar Stars and Cosmopolitan Soccer League pathway.

Career source

Red Bulls pathway

Chris Gloster

New Jersey-born Red Bulls Academy defender who progressed to Europe, NYCFC, and New Mexico United.

Pathway: Red Bulls Academy
Career source

Red Bulls Academy

Chris Thorsheim

Red Bulls Academy and Bucknell defender who signed a homegrown contract before playing professionally in Denmark.

Pathway: Red Bulls Academy
Career source

New York City

Christian Camacho

American midfielder of Colombian descent who played for New Amsterdam FC.

Career source

NYCFC Academy / England youth

Christian McFarlane

NYCFC Academy product and England youth international who joined Leicester City on loan from Manchester City for 2026/27.

Pathway: NYCFC Academy
Career source

Queens

Conor McGlynn

Queens-born BW Gottschee midfielder who played at Siena before professional soccer in the USL.

Career source

NYCFC Homegrown

Cooper Flax

Dix Hills midfielder whose route took him from NYCFC Academy to Wake Forest and back to New York on a homegrown contract.

Pathway: NYCFC Academy, Wake Forest, NYCFC II
Career source

Red Bulls pathway

Curtis Ofori

Academy-developed defender who earned a Red Bulls homegrown contract before continuing his career with Cavalry FC.

Pathway: Red Bulls Academy
Career source

Met Oval / Pro

Cyrus Margono

Met Oval product who reached Panathinaikos and the Indonesian national team pool.

Pathway: Met Oval
Career source

Queens / USL-C

Damien Barker John

Queens-born winger drafted by Real Salt Lake who played in the USL Championship with Phoenix Rising.

Pathway: Queens, Louisville, Real Monarchs, Phoenix Rising
Career source

Queens / RBNY / NYCFC

Daniel Bedoya

Queens-raised midfielder from Francis Lewis, Red Bulls Academy, St. John’s, Red Bulls II, and NYCFC.

Pathway: Francis Lewis, Red Bulls Academy, St. John’s, RBNY II, NYCFC
Career source

New York City

Danny Rogers

Irish-American goalkeeper at St Patrick's Athletic in 2026.

Career source

Jackson Heights / BW Gottschee

David Diosa

Jackson Heights-raised attacker from BW Gottschee, Martin Luther King High School, Cosmos Academy, and the New York Cosmos first team.

Pathway: BW Gottschee, MLK High School, Cosmos Academy, New York Cosmos
Career source

Red Bulls pathway

David Najem

Red Bulls Academy and Columbia defender whose professional pathway included Red Bulls II.

Pathway: Red Bulls Academy
Career source

New York City

Devann Yao

American midfielder with professional experience in Europe and the United States.

Career source

Queens

Diego Chavarri

Queens-born attacking midfielder and winger with professional experience in Peru.

Career source

Columbia

Dylan Castanheira

Columbia goalkeeper who signed his first professional contract with Atlanta United 2 in 2019 and later joined Atlanta's MLS roster.

Pathway: Columbia
Career source

St. Francis Brooklyn

El Mahdi Youssoufi

St. Francis Brooklyn forward who played professionally for NYCFC II in MLS NEXT Pro.

Pathway: St. Francis Brooklyn
Career source

Hofstra

Eliot Goldthorp

Hofstra midfielder picked 45th by Vancouver in 2024 who progressed into professional soccer in North America.

Pathway: Hofstra
Career source

Red Bulls pathway

Evan Louro

Red Bulls Academy and Michigan goalkeeper who earned a homegrown contract and continued through the professional leagues.

Pathway: Red Bulls Academy
Career source

Manhattan / NYCFC Academy

Filip Mirkovic

Manhattan-born midfielder from NYCFC Academy and Pitt who signed professionally with Crown Legacy FC.

Pathway: Manhattan, NYCFC Academy, Pitt, Crown Legacy FC
Career source

Brooklyn Italians / Perugia

Giuseppe Barone

Brooklyn Italians academy player who signed with Italian professional side AC Perugia.

Pathway: Brooklyn Italians, Perugia
Career source

Manhattan

Gunnar Studenhofft

Manhattan College forward selected 60th by Colorado in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft whose professional route included Phoenix Rising.

Pathway: Manhattan
Career source

New York City

Habes Mubarak

New York-born midfielder who joined Jordanian club Al-Salt in 2025.

Career source

Queens

Harrison Robledo

Queens-born midfielder who came through NYCFC Academy, signed with FC Cincinnati, and played in the USL Championship with Indy Eleven.

Pathway: Queens, NYCFC Academy, FC Cincinnati, Indy Eleven
Career source

St. John's

Harry Cooksley

St. John's midfielder who played professionally for Mallorca B and Penn FC.

Pathway: St. John's
Career source

New York City

Hassan Ayari

New York-born winger with professional experience in Europe.

Career source

Red Bulls Academy

Ismar "Izzy" Tandir

Red Bulls Academy forward who continued his professional career across Europe.

Pathway: Red Bulls Academy
Career source

NYRB Academy

Jake LaCava

Academy forward signed by the New York Red Bulls who built a pro career across MLS NEXT Pro, USL, and MLS rosters.

Pathway: New York Red Bulls Academy, NYRB II, Tampa Bay Rowdies, Inter Miami
Career source

Fordham

Janos Loebe

Fordham attacker selected 22nd by the Red Bulls in 2019 and signed professionally with Red Bulls II.

Pathway: Fordham
Career source

Red Bulls Homegrown

Jayden Reid

Elmont defender who spent five years in the Red Bulls Academy, played at UConn, and returned on a homegrown contract.

Pathway: Red Bulls Academy, UConn, Red Bulls II
Career source

Hofstra

Joe Holland

Hofstra midfielder selected 10th by Houston Dynamo in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft.

Pathway: Hofstra
Career source

NYCFC Academy

Jonathan "JJ" Jimenez

NYCFC Academy and NYCFC II forward whose professional route has included Hartford Athletic and Westchester SC.

Pathway: NYCFC Academy, NYCFC II, Hartford Athletic
Career source

Iona

Jordan Scarlett

Bronx-raised Iona defender picked 61st by the Red Bulls in 2017 who played in the USL Championship.

Pathway: Iona
Career source

NYC / USL-C

Juan Sebastian Osorio

New York City-born midfielder who signed with San Antonio FC after professional minutes in Colombia.

Pathway: New York City, Colombia, San Antonio FC
Career source

Red Bulls Academy

Keith Cardona

Glen Rock, New Jersey, goalkeeper who progressed from the Red Bulls Academy and Maryland to professional soccer.

Pathway: Red Bulls Academy
Career source

Queens-born / Colombia

Kevin Piedrahita

Queens-born goalkeeper who played professionally in Colombia and for Union Omaha.

Career source

Red Bulls pathway

Kyle Zajec

Red Bulls Academy and Georgetown midfielder who returned to New York to play professionally with Red Bulls II.

Pathway: Red Bulls Academy
Career source

St. Francis Brooklyn

Leo Folla

Defender who signed with Chattanooga Red Wolves for their inaugural 2019 USL League One season.

Pathway: St. Francis Brooklyn
Career source

NY-area / USL1

Leo Guarino

East Rockaway attacker with Red Bulls, NYCFC, Cosmos, Queensboro, NYCFC II, and New York Cosmos pathway ties.

Pathway: RBNY Academy, NYCFC Academy, Queensboro, NYCFC II, New York Cosmos
Career source

NYC-born / Goalkeeper

Luca Lewis

New York-born goalkeeper who developed through IMG, Torino, New York Red Bulls II, and Cesena before senior minutes in Italy.

Pathway: NYC-born, Torino, Red Bulls, Cesena
Career source

Long Island / England

Lucy Gillett

Rockville Centre goalkeeper whose college route included Hofstra and Springfield before professional soccer in England.

Career source

Queens

Luis Argudo

Queens-born midfielder who reached MLS and the U.S. professional game.

Pathway: Queens
Career source

Staten Island youth / Portugal

Madeline Gravante

Defender whose youth route included Staten Island United Gunners and Albertson Fury before college and professional soccer in Portugal.

Career source

Red Bulls pathway

Mael Corboz

Red Bulls Academy and Maryland midfielder who signed a New York homegrown contract before building a professional career in Europe.

Pathway: Red Bulls Academy
Career source

Brooklyn / USL1

Mark Bronnik

Brooklyn forward from the Brooklyn Italians, Red Bulls Academy, and Barca Residency pathway who turned pro with Union Omaha.

Pathway: Brooklyn Italians, Red Bulls Academy, Union Omaha
Career source

Red Bulls Academy

Mason Toye

South Orange, New Jersey, forward who developed in the Red Bulls Academy before Indiana and MLS.

Pathway: Red Bulls Academy
Career source

Red Bulls Academy

Matthew Olosunde

Red Bulls Academy defender raised in Trenton, New Jersey, whose pathway included Manchester United’s academy and the English Football League.

Pathway: Red Bulls Academy
Career source

New York City

Mobi Fehr

Midfielder with U.S. and international professional pathway experience.

Career source

NYC-born / Pro

Nebiyou Perry

New York-born midfielder with professional experience overseas and in the U.S. pathway.

Pathway: NYC-born
Career source

New York City

Nicholas Ammeter

New York City-born Swiss goalkeeper with Young Boys and USL Championship experience.

Career source

NYCFC Academy

Nico Benalcazar

NYCFC academy defender who signed professionally through the club's homegrown structure.

Pathway: NYCFC Academy
Career source

NYCFC / MLSNP

Nico Cavallo

NYCFC defender with Long Island Rough Riders, NYCFC II, and first-team minutes in the city pathway.

Pathway: Long Island Rough Riders, NYCFC II, NYCFC
Career source

St. John's

Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau

St. John’s forward selected by Vancouver in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft who played professionally in North America and Europe.

Pathway: St. John's
Career source

Red Bulls pathway

Noah Powder

Red Bulls Academy defender and Trinidad and Tobago international whose professional pathway began with Red Bulls II.

Pathway: Red Bulls Academy
Career source

Red Bulls pathway

Omar Sowe

Harrison, New Jersey, forward who advanced through Red Bulls U-23 and Red Bulls II to a first-team homegrown contract.

Pathway: Red Bulls U-23 / II / homegrown
Career source

Queens / NYCFC Academy

Piero Elias

Queens midfielder with Met Oval and NYCFC Academy roots who made 77 appearances for NYCFC II before signing with Sporting JAX.

Pathway: Met Oval, NYCFC Academy, NYCFC II
Career source

Fordham

Rashid Nuhu

Fordham goalkeeper selected by the Red Bulls in 2019; later won the USL League One Goalkeeper of the Year award with Union Omaha.

Pathway: Fordham
Career source

Brooklyn-raised / Nigeria

Rilwan Salawu

Lagos-born midfielder who grew up in Brooklyn, attended FDR High School, and played professionally abroad.

Career source

NYC youth pathway

Rio Hope-Gund

Manhattan-born defender whose route included Friends Seminary, New York SC, Manhattan SC, Georgetown, and professional clubs.

Pathway: Friends Seminary, New York SC, Manhattan SC, NYCFC II
Career source

Red Bulls Academy

Robert Baggio Kcira

New York City-born Red Bulls Academy product whose professional career included Miami FC.

Pathway: Red Bulls Academy
Career source

Red Bulls Academy

Russell Canouse

Midfielder who developed with the Red Bulls Academy before playing professionally in Germany and MLS.

Pathway: Red Bulls Academy
Career source

Hofstra

Ryan Carmichael

Hofstra forward picked 24th by Inter Miami in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft who played in MLS NEXT Pro and USL League One.

Pathway: Hofstra
Career source

Manhattan Kickers / RBNY II

Salvatore Esposito

Manhattan Kickers product who moved through Genoa, Napoli, Red Bulls Academy, and Red Bulls II in the USL Championship.

Pathway: Manhattan Kickers, Genoa, Napoli, RBNY Academy, Red Bulls II
Career source

Yonkers / NYCFC Academy

Samuel "Kwaku" Owusu

NYCFC Academy defender from the club homegrown pathway who later signed professionally with Union Omaha.

Pathway: NYCFC Academy, NYCFC II, Union Omaha
Career source

Queens

Santiago Castano

Queens-born goalkeeper with MLS and U.S. lower-division professional experience.

Pathway: Queens
Career source

New York City

Sean Vinberg

New York City-born, Long Island-raised defender whose professional route has included Europe and USL League One.

Career source

Queens / Pro

Sebastian Guenzatti

Queens-connected forward with a long professional career in the U.S. game.

Pathway: Queens
Career source

NYRB Academy

Serge Ngoma

North Plainfield, New Jersey forward who developed at Red Bulls Academy and signed a first-team homegrown contract.

Pathway: New York Red Bulls Academy, NYRB II, NYRB
Career source

NYC-born / Pro

Tarik Scott

New York-born attacker who reached the professional game through FC Dallas.

Pathway: NYC-born
Career source

New York / NYCFC / Brooklyn FC

Tommy McNamara

West Nyack midfielder with NYCFC, Houston, New England, Las Vegas, and Brooklyn FC experience.

Pathway: West Nyack, Brown, Clemson, NYCFC, Brooklyn FC
Career source

Queens

Veljko Petković

Queens-born midfielder, 2020 TopDrawerSoccer National Player of the Year, and Minnesota United FC 2 professional.

Career source

Ozone Park / NYCFC Academy

Victor Souza

Ozone Park defender from NYCFC Academy who played at Boston College, signed with Revolution II, and moved into the USL Championship with Pittsburgh.

Pathway: Ozone Park, NYCFC Academy, Boston College, Revolution II, Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Career source

St. Francis Brooklyn / RBNY

Vincent Bezecourt

St. Francis Brooklyn midfielder who moved into New York Red Bulls II and MLS minutes with the first team.

Pathway: St. Francis Brooklyn, New York Red Bulls II, New York Red Bulls
Career source

NYCFC Academy

Will Sands

Rye defender whose NYCFC Academy and Georgetown route led to a Columbus homegrown contract, an MLS Cup title, and New England.

Pathway: NYCFC Academy, Georgetown, Columbus Crew
Career source

NYC-born / U.S. and Sweden

Zev Taublieb

New York City-born midfielder whose route included Valparaiso, Sacramento Republic, Richmond Kickers, and Swedish clubs.

Career source

03 · The next generation

Emerging players

Academy, reserve-team, and early professional pathways. A youth international appearance, draft selection, and first-team contract are different steps.

33 profiles

NYC

Julian Hall

New York-born forward who developed at BW Gottschee and Red Bulls Academy before signing a Red Bulls homegrown contract.

Pathway: RBNY Academy
Career source

NYC / NYCFC

Jonathan "Jonny" Shore

New York City-born Manhattan Kickers and NYCFC Academy midfielder who signed a first-team homegrown contract.

Pathway: Manhattan Kickers, NYCFC Academy
Career source

NYC-born / MLSNP

Máximo Carrizo

New York City-born NYCFC Academy midfielder who became the club's youngest-ever signing and reached the first team.

Pathway: FC Westchester, NYCFC Academy, NYCFC II, NYCFC
Career source

Staten Island / NYRB

Adri Mehmeti

Staten Island native and Red Bulls academy homegrown who signed an MLS contract with New York Red Bulls.

Pathway: New York Red Bulls Academy, NYRB II, NYRB
Career source

Cedar Stars / NYCFC Academy

Seymour Reid

Cedar Stars and NYCFC Academy forward who signed a homegrown contract with New York City FC.

Pathway: Cedar Stars, NYCFC Academy
Career source

New York City

Adam Basse

New York-born forward in Poland's top-flight pathway.

Career source

NYRB Academy / Sporting CP

Bento Estrela

Newark-born Red Bulls academy midfielder who signed with NYRB at 15 and transferred to Sporting CP.

Pathway: New York Red Bulls Academy, NYRB, Sporting CP
Career source

NYC-born / Youth and reserves

Leonard Prescott

New York City-born goalkeeper who developed in Germany through Union Berlin and Bayern Munich’s youth and reserve pathway.

Career source

Red Bulls pathway

Aidan Stokes

Red Bulls Academy goalkeeper who earned a homegrown contract after establishing himself with Red Bulls II.

Pathway: Red Bulls Academy
Career source

Red Bulls pathway

Aiden Jarvis

Red Bulls Academy midfielder who advanced through Red Bulls II and signed a homegrown contract.

Pathway: Red Bulls Academy
Career source

Met Oval / NYRB

Davi Alexandre

Met Oval product and New York Red Bulls professional pathway player.

Pathway: Met Oval, NYRB
Career source

Red Bulls pathway

Dennis Nelich

Academy-developed midfielder who earned a professional contract after progressing with Red Bulls II.

Pathway: Red Bulls Academy
Career source

NYCFC Academy / Pro

Dren Dobruna

Waterbury, Connecticut defender who played professionally for NYCFC II and Hartford Athletic before continuing his route with Austin FC II.

Pathway: NYCFC Academy, NYCFC II, Hartford Athletic
Career source

NYCFC Homegrown

Drew Baiera

Darien, Connecticut defender who progressed from NYCFC Academy through NYCFC II to a first-team homegrown contract.

Pathway: NYCFC Academy, NYCFC II
Career source

Manhattan / NYCFC Academy

El Hadji Samb

Manhattan-born NYCFC Academy forward who earned a professional contract after breaking through with NYCFC II.

Pathway: NYCFC Academy
Career source

NYC / USL1

Ermin Mackic

New York City-born forward with FC Westchester roots and professional minutes for Westchester SC.

Pathway: FC Westchester, FC Sandzak, Westchester SC
Career source

Met Oval / Italy

Giulio Misitano

Met Oval-developed forward who returned to Italy with AS Roma, represented Italy youth teams, and moved into Atalanta's professional structure.

Pathway: Met Oval, AS Roma, Atalanta
Career source

NYCFC Homegrown

Jacob Arroyave

NYCFC Academy midfielder who earned a homegrown contract after gaining professional experience with NYCFC II.

Pathway: NYCFC Academy, NYCFC II
Career source

NYCFC Academy / MLS NEXT Pro

Julien Lacher

Rumson, New Jersey winger who developed at NYCFC Academy and gained professional league experience with NYCFC II.

Pathway: NYCFC Academy, NYCFC II
Career source

NYCFC Homegrown

Kamran Acito

NYCFC Academy and Duke defender who returned to New York and earned a homegrown contract after playing for NYCFC II.

Pathway: NYCFC Academy, Duke, NYCFC II
Career source

NYCFC Academy / Pro

Klevis Haxhari

Bronx-born defender and the first NYCFC Academy player to sign directly with NYCFC II on a professional contract.

Pathway: NYCFC Academy, NYCFC II
Career source

New York City

Leandro Soria

New York City-born winger with professional experience in Argentina.

Career source

NYC-born / Pro

Malick Sanogo

New York-born forward who moved through Union Berlin and U.S. youth national team environments.

Pathway: NYC-born, global pathway
Career source

Red Bulls pathway

Matthew Dos Santos

Red Bulls Academy defender who advanced through Red Bulls II into the club’s homegrown pathway.

Pathway: Red Bulls Academy
Career source

Hofstra

Matthew Vowinkel

Hofstra forward selected by FC Cincinnati in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft.

Pathway: Hofstra
Career source

NYC-born / Youth and reserves

Neo Lima Stacziwa

New York City-born midfielder with German development and Mexico youth national-team experience.

Career source

NYC / USL-C

Pablo Soares

New York-born midfielder listed with Las Vegas Lights FC in the USL Championship pathway.

Pathway: New York, Las Vegas Lights
Career source

NYCFC Homegrown

Peter Molinari

NYCFC Academy midfielder who built professional experience with NYCFC II before joining the first-team homegrown pathway.

Pathway: NYCFC Academy, NYCFC II
Career source

NYCFC Homegrown

Prince Amponsah

Bronx defender who developed at NYCFC Academy and Wake Forest, then played professionally for NYCFC II before joining Whitecaps FC 2.

Pathway: NYCFC Academy, Wake Forest, NYCFC II
Career source

Red Bulls pathway

Roald Mitchell

Red Bulls Academy and Wake Forest forward who earned a homegrown contract and progressed through Red Bulls II.

Pathway: Red Bulls Academy
Career source

Red Bulls pathway

Tanner Rosborough

Pittsburgh-born forward who developed in the Red Bulls Academy and earned a first-team homegrown contract.

Pathway: Red Bulls Academy
Career source

New York-born / Wolves academy

Wes Okoduwa

New York-born defender who developed through Wolverhampton Wanderers’ academy in England.

Career source

New Jersey / Two academies

Zidane Yañez

New Jersey-born forward who developed in the Red Bulls and NYCFC academies before progressing through NYCFC II and Huntsville City.

Pathway: Red Bulls Academy / NYCFC Academy
Career source

04 · The careers that came before

Former pros and legends

Retired players, historic names, and icons who helped shape New York soccer. Their connections include birthplaces, local development, and New York clubs.

72 profiles

New York Cosmos

Pelé

Three-time World Cup winner who joined the Cosmos in 1975 and helped bring global attention to soccer in New York.

Career source

New York Red Bulls

Thierry Henry

World Cup and Champions League winner who spent five seasons with the Red Bulls, bringing elite attacking quality to the New York game.

Career source

New York Cosmos

Franz Beckenbauer

World Cup-winning captain and two-time Ballon d’Or winner who joined the Cosmos in 1977.

Career source

New York City FC

Andrea Pirlo

World Cup and Champions League-winning midfielder who brought his passing craft to NYCFC before retiring in 2017.

Career source

New York City FC

David Villa

NYCFC’s first signing and first captain, and the 2016 MLS MVP. A central figure in the club’s first chapter.

Career source

NYCFC / England

Frank Lampard

Chelsea and England great who brought his game to NYCFC, scoring 15 goals in 31 appearances.

Career source

New York Cosmos

Carlos Alberto Torres

Brazil’s 1970 World Cup-winning captain brought his leadership and defending to the Cosmos.

Career source

New York Cosmos

Raúl González

Real Madrid legend who finished his playing career with the Cosmos, retiring as a NASL champion in 2015.

Career source

New Jersey / MetroStars

Tim Howard

New Jersey goalkeeper whose MetroStars breakthrough led to Manchester United, Everton, and a landmark U.S. national-team career.

Career source

New Jersey / USWNT

Carli Lloyd

New Jersey icon, two-time World Cup winner, and Hall of Famer whose career included Sky Blue FC and Gotham FC.

Career source

New York-born / USWNT

Kristine Lilly

New York-born U.S. legend, two-time World Cup winner, and two-time Olympic champion whose international career spanned more than two decades.

Career source

New York Red Bulls

Bradley Wright-Phillips

A defining Red Bulls scorer and two-time MLS Golden Boot winner who retired as a Red Bull.

Career source

New York Red Bulls / USA

Claudio Reyna

Former U.S. captain and European midfielder who returned to the region as the Red Bulls’ first designated player and captain.

Career source

New Jersey / Red Bulls

Jozy Altidore

Livingston-born U.S. international who broke through as a teenager with the Red Bulls before playing in Europe and MLS.

Career source

New Jersey / MetroStars

Michael Bradley

Princeton-born U.S. international who began his professional career with the MetroStars before playing in Europe and MLS.

Career source

Kearny / MetroStars

Tab Ramos

Raised in the New Jersey soccer community, a three-World Cup midfielder and the first player signed by MLS and the MetroStars.

Career source

Kearny / USA

John Harkes

One of Kearny’s influential soccer exports: a U.S. international who helped open the European pathway for American players.

Career source

Kearny / MetroStars

Tony Meola

A product of Kearny’s soccer culture, three-World Cup U.S. goalkeeper, MetroStars veteran, and MLS champion.

Career source

St. John’s

Shalrie Joseph

St. John’s midfielder drafted by New England who became an eight-time MLS All-Star and Grenada international.

Pathway: St. John’s, New England Revolution
Career source

Brooklyn

Al Zerhusen

Brooklyn-born midfielder and U.S. international.

Career source

Long Island / USWNT

Allie Long

Northport midfielder from the Albertson pathway who became a U.S. international and NWSL champion.

Pathway: Northport, Albertson Express, UNC, USWNT, NWSL
Career source

Brooklyn

Anthony Wallace

Brooklyn-born left back who played for FC Dallas, Colorado Rapids, Tampa Bay, New York Red Bulls II, and the U.S. youth national teams.

Pathway: Brooklyn-born, IMG, South Florida, MLS
Career source

Queens / USMNT

Arnie Mausser

Queens-born goalkeeper and U.S. international from the NASL era.

Pathway: Queens
Career source

Bronx

Arun Basuljevic

Bronx-born BW Gottschee and Red Bulls Academy product who played for Red Bulls II and across the USL Championship.

Pathway: BW Gottschee, RBNY Academy, Red Bulls II, Fresno, OKC, Monterey Bay, El Paso
Career source

NYC high school

Bakary Soumare

Defender who came to New York City as a teenager, attended La Salle Academy, and became the No. 2 pick in the 2007 MLS SuperDraft.

Pathway: La Salle Academy, Virginia, Chicago Fire, Mali national team
Career source

Staten Island

Chris Agoliati

Staten Island-born Cornell All-American who played in the ASL, NASL, and for the New York Cosmos in the Pele-era league.

Career source

Bronx / USMNT

Chris Armas

Bronx-born former U.S. international and MLS champion whose playing career helped shape the American game.

Pathway: NYC-born
Career source

Red Bulls pathway

Chris Lema

Red Bulls Academy and Georgetown midfielder who progressed through Red Bulls II to the first team.

Pathway: Red Bulls Academy
Career source

Brooklyn

Chris Unger

Brooklyn-born Princeton product who played for the MetroStars in the first MLS season, logging 16 league appearances in 1996.

Career source

St. John’s

Chris Wingert

St. John’s defender and 2004 MLS SuperDraft pick who built a long MLS career with Columbus, Colorado, Real Salt Lake, and NYCFC.

Pathway: St. John’s, MLS, NYCFC
Career source

Sky Blue FC / USWNT

Christie Pearce Rampone

Captain of Sky Blue’s 2009 championship team and a two-time World Cup winner with the United States.

Career source

Red Bulls pathway

Connor Lade

Academy defender who spent eight seasons with the Red Bulls.

Pathway: Red Bulls Academy
Career source

Long Island

Conor O’Brien

Mount Sinai midfielder who built a European professional career in Denmark, Austria, and Norway after Bucknell.

Pathway: Long Island, Bucknell, Danish Superliga, European clubs
Career source

NYRB Academy / Pro

Dan Metzger

Holmdel midfielder from PDA and the Red Bulls academy who reached Red Bulls II, the Red Bulls first team, and USL clubs.

Pathway: PDA, New York Red Bulls Academy, Maryland, NYRB II
Career source

NYC-born / U.S. international

Dario Brose

New York City-born former U.S. international midfielder whose career included French and German clubs and the San Jose Earthquakes.

Career source

New York City

Darion Copeland

New York City-born defender with Real Monarchs and USL experience.

Career source

NYC resident / California-born

David Vanole

California-born U.S. international goalkeeper and 1988 Olympian who later lived in New York City.

Pathway: NYC-born
Career source

Red Bulls pathway

Dilly Duka

Red Bulls Academy and Rutgers midfielder from New Jersey who built a long MLS career.

Pathway: Red Bulls Academy
Career source

NYC-born / Ireland and England

Don Cowan

New York City-born former winger and forward whose professional career included Shamrock Rovers, Longford Town, and Stevenage.

Career source

NYC-born / UNC

Donald Cogsville

New York-born UNC player and U.S. international who played professionally for the San Diego Sockers in indoor soccer.

Career source

New York City

Eddy Hamel

Upper East Side-born winger who played for Ajax in the 1920s. His story remains part of the club’s history.

Career source

NYC / BW Gottschee

Gabriel Enzo Ferrari

New York City striker from BW Gottschee and MetroStars academy who signed with Sampdoria and later played for Chicago Fire and Swiss clubs.

Pathway: BW Gottschee, MetroStars, Sampdoria, Chicago Fire
Career source

New Jersey / Italy

Giuseppe Rossi

New Jersey-born Italy international whose European career included Villarreal and Fiorentina.

Career source

NYC-born / Rutgers

Hamisi Amani-Dove

New York City-born Rutgers forward whose professional career included clubs in Europe and the Virginia Beach Mariners.

Career source

Sky Blue FC / USWNT

Heather O’Reilly

World Cup winner and three-time Olympic champion who helped Sky Blue win the inaugural WPS championship in 2009.

Career source

NYC-born / ASL

Ian Wilson

New York-born defender with Detroit Express and Rochester Flash in the American Soccer League era.

Pathway: NYC-born, Keene State, ASL
Career source

NYC-born / New Jersey-raised

Ingrid Wells

New York City-born, Montclair-raised midfielder who played at Georgetown, represented U.S. youth teams, and played professionally in the U.S. and Europe.

Career source

St. John’s

Jeff Matteo

St. John’s All-American and MLS draft pick who later returned to the program’s coaching staff.

Pathway: St. John’s, Columbus Crew
Career source

NYC-born / Cosmos

Joey Fink

New York City-born former forward who played for the New York Cosmos before a long NASL and indoor professional career.

Career source

Brooklyn Hispano / Haiti

John Boulos

Haiti-born Hall of Fame forward whose New York career included Brooklyn Hispano and other local clubs.

Career source

Staten Island / Fordham

John Wolyniec

Staten Island-born Fordham striker and former MetroStars and Red Bulls player who later moved into coaching and club leadership.

Pathway: Staten Island, Fordham, MetroStars, Red Bulls
Career source

Queens-born / Goalkeeper coaching

Jon Busch

Queens-born former MLS Goalkeeper of the Year who later moved into professional goalkeeper coaching.

Career source

Queens

Kadeem Dacres

Queens-born professional who reflects the borough's long adult and youth soccer base.

Pathway: Queens
Career source

Red Bulls pathway

Kevin Politz

Academy and Wake Forest defender who signed with New York as a homegrown player.

Pathway: Red Bulls Academy
Career source

Red Bulls Academy

Konrad Plewa

Red Bulls Academy and Seton Hall defender who played professionally for Red Bulls II and Real Monarchs.

Pathway: Red Bulls Academy
Career source

Red Bulls pathway

Matt Kassel

Academy and Maryland midfielder who signed as a Red Bulls homegrown before continuing in MLS and USL.

Pathway: Red Bulls Academy
Career source

Queens / NWSL

Michelle Betos

Queens-born goalkeeper with a long professional career in the women's game.

Pathway: Queens
Career source

Queens / St. John’s

Neal Kitson

Queens-born Cardozo High School and St. John’s goalkeeper selected in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft who went on to play professionally.

Career source

NYC-born / Pro

Owen Otasowie

New York-born midfielder who reached Wolves, Club Brugge, and U.S. national team level.

Pathway: NYC-born
Career source

New York clubs / Goalkeeper

Peter Renzulli

New York goalkeeper and Hall of Famer whose career included New York clubs and three National Challenge Cup titles.

Career source

New York clubs / USA

Philip Slone

New York-born midfielder who played for the New York Giants and other ASL clubs and was on the U.S. roster at the 1930 World Cup.

Career source

NJ/NY Gotham / Mexico

Sabrina Flores

Livingston-born defender and midfielder with Sky Blue, NJ/NY Gotham, Sevilla, and Mexico national-team experience.

Pathway: Notre Dame, Sky Blue, NJ/NY Gotham, Mexico
Career source

Bronx-born / College route

Samantha Rosette

Bronx-born defender who played at Virginia and Villanova before building a professional career abroad.

Career source

Brooklyn / Pro

Satara Murray

Brooklyn-born defender with a professional career in the women's game and international-level experience.

Pathway: Brooklyn-born
Career source

NYC-born / UCLA

Scot Thompson

New York City-born defender who played at UCLA before professional soccer with the LA Galaxy and Portland Timbers.

Career source

Red Bulls pathway

Scott Thomsen

Red Bulls Academy and Virginia defender who signed as a homegrown before continuing with Richmond Kickers.

Pathway: Red Bulls Academy
Career source

Bronx / Cosmos

Shep Messing

Bronx-born goalkeeper from the Cosmos era and a defining New York soccer voice.

Pathway: Bronx
Career source

New York clubs / Bulgaria

Stefan Dimitrov

Bulgarian-born forward whose New York route included Concordia College, Pancyprian-Freedoms, Brooklyn Knights, and the Cosmos.

Pathway: Concordia, Pancyprian-Freedoms, Brooklyn Knights, Cosmos
Career source

Bronx high school / Brown

Steve Ralbovsky

DeWitt Clinton High School and Brown University product who won the 1975 Hermann Trophy before a professional and U.S. national-team career.

Career source

NYC-born

Taylor Washington

New York City-born defender drafted by Philadelphia who became a long-running Nashville SC professional.

Pathway: NYC-born, Boston University, George Mason, Philadelphia, Nashville
Career source

NYC-born / Israel

Tom Almadon

New York City-born goalkeeper who played professionally in Israel, including Maccabi Haifa.

Pathway: NYC-born, Maccabi Haifa, Israeli pro football
Career source

Met Oval / Cosmos

Werner Roth

German-Hungarian and Metropolitan Oval pathway defender who captained the New York Cosmos during the Pelé era.

Pathway: Met Oval, German-Hungarians
Career source

05 · Beyond playing

Coaches and leaders

The people shaping the game through coaching, broadcasting, administration, and club leadership.

12 profiles

NYC / USMNT

Bruce Arena

Brooklyn-born coach and former professional goalkeeper who led the U.S. national team and won five MLS Cups.

Pathway: NYC-born
Career source

NYC-born / Gotham leadership

Yael Averbuch West

New York-born former U.S. international midfielder promoted to Gotham FC president of soccer operations in June 2026.

Pathway: NYC-born
Career source

Brooklyn

Joe Machnik

Player, coach, referee administrator, broadcaster, and long-running figure in American soccer.

Career source

NYC-born

Jason Hernandez

New York-born defender with MetroStars, Chivas USA, San Jose, NYCFC, Toronto FC, Puerto Rico, and front-office experience.

Pathway: NYC-born, Seton Hall, MLS
Career source

Manhattan-born / Coaching

Becca Moros

Manhattan-born former WPS and NWSL defender and University of Arizona women’s soccer head coach.

Pathway: Manhattan-born, Duke, WPS, NWSL
Career source

NYC-born / Coaching

Maya Hayes

New York-born former professional forward and U.S. youth international who became Minnesota women’s soccer associate head coach.

Pathway: NYC-born
Career source

NYC-born / Club leadership

Alex Singer

New York City-born former professional defender whose career included the WPS and NWSL before a move into club leadership.

Pathway: NYC-born, Virginia, Washington Freedom, NWSL
Career source

Bronx-born / Ireland

John Caulfield

Bronx-born former professional forward who played for Cork City and went on to manage Cork City and Galway United.

Pathway: Bronx-born, Cork City, League of Ireland
Career source

New York City

John Coughlin

New York City-born Scottish player and manager.

Career source

Brooklyn Wanderers / Club builder

Nat Agar

English-born player, coach, and organizer who owned and coached the Brooklyn Wanderers in the American Soccer League.

Career source

New York City

Scott Donnelly

Player, coach, scout, and youth soccer executive with New York City roots.

Career source

New York City

Tom Mulroy

Retired defender and soccer executive with NASL, MISL, USL, and indoor pro experience.

Career source

Explore the pathways

The clubs behind the pathways.

Explore local development environments. The player profiles above document individual routes; this is not a guarantee of a professional career.

BW Gottschee

Queens institution founded in 1951. The club publicly lists Timothy Weah, Jack McGlynn, Omir Fernandez, and Dylan Nealis as professional products.

Club site

Metropolitan Oval

Historic Queens ground with a development story that runs from German-Hungarian soccer to Cosmos-era pros and the modern academy pathway.

Club site

NYCFC Academy

The city MLS pathway: academy players, MLS NEXT Pro minutes, first-team contracts, and international movement.

Academy

Manhattan Kickers

Downtown youth base connected to the Jonathan Shore pathway before NYCFC Academy and a pro contract.

Club site

Downtown United SC

Long-running Manhattan nonprofit with rec-to-elite infrastructure and a Pier 40 footprint.

Club site

Brooklyn Italians

Historic Brooklyn club with U.S. Open Cup legacy and a modern youth academy pathway.

Club site

Asphalt Green

Upper East Side and Battery Park City development environment with strong youth programming.

Club site

FC Harlem

Harlem club where access and development are both part of the city soccer map.

Club site

Red Bulls Academy

A central metro pathway for players coming out of NYC clubs and borough neighborhoods.

Academy

Player photo credits

Pelé: Unknown author Unknown author · Public domain. Cropped for display.

Franz Beckenbauer: Panini Group · Public domain. Cropped for display.

Carlos Alberto Torres: Unknown author Unknown author · Public domain. Cropped for display.

Raúl González: Doha Stadium Plus Qatar · CC BY 2.0. Cropped for display.

Thierry Henry: Web Summit · CC BY 2.0. Cropped for display.

Bradley Wright-Phillips: Bryan Berlin · CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped for display.

David Villa: Carlos Delgado · CC BY-SA 3.0. Cropped for display.

Andrea Pirlo: Clément Bucco-Lechat · CC BY-SA 3.0. Cropped for display.

Tim Howard: Steindy ( talk ) 16:15, 22 November 2013 (UTC) · CC BY-SA 3.0. Cropped for display.

Tab Ramos: US Embassy from New Zealand · Public domain. Cropped for display.

Tony Meola: Jarrett Campbell from Cary, North Carolina, USA · CC BY 2.0. Cropped for display.

Claudio Reyna: Diego Valenzuela from NYC, USA · CC BY 2.0. Cropped for display.

John Harkes: Hayden Schiff from Cincinnati, USA · CC BY 2.0. Cropped for display.

Christie Pearce Rampone: Johnmaxmena ( talk )JOhn mena · Public domain. Cropped for display.

Heather O’Reilly: Geoff Livingston · CC BY-SA 2.0. Cropped for display.

Frank Lampard: @cfcunofficial (Chelsea Debs) London / CC BY-SA 2.0
Michael Bradley: Erik Drost / CC BY 2.0
Carli Lloyd: Jamie Smed from Cincinnati, Ohio / CC BY 2.0
Giuseppe Rossi: Harpagornis / CC BY-SA 4.0
Jozy Altidore: Diego Valenzuela / CC BY 2.0

Robert Baggio Kcira: X Sabertooth · CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped for display.