What boys programs and age groups does Long Island SC offer?Boys programming spans Nassau and Suffolk from about U8 through U18/19, with tiers including Pre-Academy (U8–U12), Academy (U9–U19), Academy II (U13–U18/19), and Premier (U13–U18/19). Competition platforms include NEAL, EDP North Atlantic, NAL, USYS National League, and regional EDP, with MLS NEXT access through the partnership with The Island FC for eligible Academy-age players.
About
Long Island Soccer Club (LISC), founded in 2017, is built for exceptionally committed elite-level players on Long Island. The mission is a comprehensive professional learning environment; the vision is to transform Long Island soccer through a clear development pathway, high-level competition, professional coaching, and accessible training centers. Programming emphasizes holistic growth: technical, tactical, physical, and psychosocial development. Core values are Learning, Integrity, Sportsmanship, and Commitment.
Boys pathways in Nassau and Suffolk
Elite boys teams run in both counties from about U8 through U18/19, with birth-year bands for core teams from U9 (2017) through U18/19 (2008/07). Tiered tracks include Pre-Academy (U8–U12) focused on individual development, ball mastery, and foundations, with teams in the Northeast Academy League (NEAL), EDP leagues, and select tournaments. Academy (U9–U19) places U9–U12 primarily in the EDP North Atlantic League with flexibility to play up when appropriate; U13–U14 in the National Academy League (NAL) or EDP North Atlantic with a pathway to MLS NEXT; U15 and older in USYS National League or EDP North Atlantic plus showcases for college exposure and MLS NEXT access through the official club partnership with The Island FC. Academy II (U13–U18/19) targets players aspiring to Academy and college play on National League or EDP regional platforms with regional and national tournaments, year-round league play, and a high school–friendly schedule for U15–U19. Premier (U13–U18/19) serves players targeting strong youth and college levels on EDP Regional platforms with local and regional league play, tournaments, and showcases.
Girls Academy
The Girls Academy (GA) is offered for top female players, with league ages U12 through U18/19. Applications for the 2025–2026 season are by invitation only for U13–U19; families apply for consideration and approved players receive an email invitation. U12–U14 teams participate in fall and spring league play; U15–U19 follow a high school–friendly calendar beginning in late fall. Match and training schedules for Girls Academy are distributed through GotSport for enrolled families. GA emphasizes excellence in coaching, competition, and regional and national showcases. Academy II girls teams mirror GA standards in the National Academy League, with movement between GA and Academy II rosters based on development, merit, and program needs.
MLS NEXT and The Island FC
As an official club affiliate of The Island FC, LISC’s boys program ties into MLS NEXT. MLS NEXT hosts six age groups from U13 through U18/19, with teams beginning play in the 2025–26 season. Tier 1 identification is invite-only from the MLS recruitment team; open tryouts feed MLS NEXT Tier 2 evaluation, with Tier 2 training alongside Tier 1 players, promotion eligibility, and access to MLS NEXT Futures. Rosters use a player pool of up to about 35 per age group, with roughly 15–18 MLS NEXT Academy players and 15–20 Academy II players; Academy trains up to four sessions per week in season, Academy II up to three. Academy focuses on MLS NEXT league play and affiliated events; Academy II may split time between MLS NEXT and Tier 2 or other league play based on performance, attendance, and availability. Northeast division league travel runs roughly from New Hampshire to New Jersey, typically one to two longer away matches per month during league play.
Tryouts and registration
Open tryouts use Playmetrics for evaluations and check-in. Players should arrive about 15–20 minutes early, wear a light or white shirt, dark shorts, light socks, shin guards, and cleats, and bring a properly inflated ball and water. One tryout session can satisfy the minimum for roster consideration; attending more sessions is recommended for balanced evaluations. Each player receives a preassigned tryout number to wear for all sessions. Nassau offers year-round open tryouts with online signup through Playmetrics. Suffolk open tryouts also use Playmetrics signup; families may contact the Academy East Director at thomas.williamson@longislandsc.com. Current and new players are evaluated through open tryouts, open practices, and invitational tryouts in the spring, plus ID sessions throughout the year. Suffolk hosts boys and girls tryouts from U9 through U19 at Suffolk County Community College; confirm current dates and times each season before traveling. Girls Academy Talent ID sessions are separate; U13–U19 entry is invitation-only after application review.
Tuition, uniforms, and financial aid
Tuition and fees for the upcoming season are spelled out in the invitation and club information packet—not on one public price list that covers every team. Payment can be made in full or through an installment schedule; installments are not described as simple monthly fees. Uniforms for MLS NEXT and Girls Academy are ordered through Soccer.com: kits include game jerseys, shorts, socks, practice kit, and warm-up pieces. Stated uniform kit costs run about $350–$400 for MLS NEXT players and about $300–$375 for Girls Academy players, on a two-year cycle, not bundled into program tuition. Returning players may reuse kits within the same cycle. The registration process includes an option to apply for LISC scholarship and financial aid, with applications and documentation reviewed by the scholarship committee.
Facilities and practice locations
Nassau teams use Hofstra University, Mitchel Athletic Complex, Globall Sports Centers, Adelphi University, Cedar Creek Park, Bethpage Polo Fields, Lutheran Middle and High School in Glen Head, and other sites seasonally including Cantiague Park. Suffolk operations center on Suffolk County Community College Grant Campus in Brentwood for indoor and outdoor work, plus Stony Brook University for indoor training. Additional seasonal venues support practices and games. MLS NEXT and Girls Academy training and games draw from top regional sites including Hofstra, Bethpage State Park Polo Field, and Suffolk Community College Grant Campus.
College support and staff
LISC runs a College Choice program with individual and team counseling, club-wide college events, ID tournaments, and panels, supported by staff who include multiple NCAA college coaches. More than 80% of LISC coaches are college instructors, administration is full-time and professional, and the club is planning a purpose-built indoor and outdoor facility. Stuart Newman is the Club Executive Director, Miquel Gasparin the Club Director, Matt Lannon the GA Director, and Tom Williamson the East (Suffolk) Club Director.
Contact and partners
General questions go to info@longislandsc.com. Suffolk Academy East questions can go to thomas.williamson@longislandsc.com. Affiliate club or team inquiries also use info@longislandsc.com.
Explore more teams
Compare Long Island Soccer Club with other youth soccer options in your area before making a decision. These directory links make it easier to review local clubs, broader New York programs, and nearby team options in one place.
Frequently asked questions
How does Girls Academy work at LISC?Girls Academy covers roughly U12 through U18/19. For the 2025–2026 season, U13–U19 entry is by invitation only after you apply and staff approve the application. U12–U14 teams play fall and spring; U15–U19 follow a high school–friendly calendar. Academy II girls compete in the National Academy League with opportunities to train and play up based on development and program needs.
How do tryouts and signup work in Nassau versus Suffolk?Evaluations use Playmetrics for check-in and tryout numbers. Arrive about 15–20 minutes early, wear the requested light shirt, dark shorts, socks, shin guards, and cleats, and bring a ball and water. Nassau runs year-round open tryouts with Playmetrics registration. Suffolk open tryouts also register through Playmetrics, and you can email the Academy East Director at thomas.williamson@longislandsc.com. One tryout session can meet the minimum requirement; more sessions help coaches evaluate fairly.
What should families know about MLS NEXT at LISC?LISC fields MLS NEXT from U13 through U18/19 beginning in the 2025–26 season. Tier 1 identification is invite-only from the MLS recruitment staff. Open tryouts feed Tier 2, where players may train with Tier 1 groups, pursue promotion, and access MLS NEXT Futures. Rosters use a pool of up to about 35 per age with split Academy and Academy II groups, different training frequencies, and Northeast travel typically including one to two longer trips per month during league play.
What do tuition, uniforms, and financial aid look like?Team-specific tuition and the payment schedule arrive with the official invitation and club packet. Families may pay in full or use an installment plan that is not the same as a flat monthly fee. MLS NEXT uniform kits ordered through Soccer.com run about $350–$400; Girls Academy kits about $300–$375, on a two-year cycle, separate from program tuition. Registration includes an option to apply for LISC scholarship and financial aid reviewed by the scholarship committee.
Where does the club train, and who can answer questions?Nassau practices rotate among Hofstra, Mitchel Athletic Complex, Globall, Adelphi, Cedar Creek, Bethpage Polo Fields, Lutheran Middle and High School, and seasonal sites like Cantiague Park. Suffolk centers on Suffolk County Community College Grant Campus and also uses Stony Brook indoor and other seasonal venues. General email is info@longislandsc.com; Suffolk Academy East questions can go to thomas.williamson@longislandsc.com.
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